Wu-Tang leader the RZA has responded to recent
comments U-God made about the RZA, the status of the Wu-Tang Clan and the reason
why the clan as a group has not dropped an album in three years.
U-God compared being in the Wu-Tang Clan to slavery
and focused most of the group’s internal problems on the RZA.
"One thing that I didn’t like about the
whole situation of being with Wu-Tang is that RZA always dealt with separation,"
U-God told MTV. " ‘This n*gga is better than that n*gga…"Once you
get separated mentally, then it’s physically and then it’s spiritually. [RZA]
broke the bond himself and didn’t even know it. He left people like myself,
[Inspectah] Deck and Masta Killah to fend for themselves, while other cats were
already on. Sometimes I would be sitting there trying to talk to him, and he
would look past me like he was some type of messiah."
RZA has come forward to deny U-God’s comments.
RZA said that neither he, nor any Wu member mistreated U-God.
"It is obvious with mentalities such as
his existing how can a unified Wu-Tang campaign come about inclusive of all
members?" RZA said. "I the RZA will raise the flag when the time is
right, and that’s when all minds and will submit to one."
RZA called U-God’s remarks blasphemous and said
that his focus on unity is what made the group successful in the first place.
"I don’t deal with separation nor unrighteousness
amongst my peers or my enemies. I deal with freedom justice and equality. Our
life is a reflection of our own acts and deeds. Who can a man blame besides
himself for his personal mishap? Unless someone directly or indirectly inflicts
their will on you, the blame lies on self. Especially when you come in the name
of god as in U-God. Due to the recent slander of my name by Godzilla and Cappa
its only right that I clear away some of the fog of confusion and falsehood
that they are advocating."
RZA said that many people felt U-God was the
weak link of the group and that he insisted the rapper remain.
"I recall his skill level being far behind
the other members because jail makes you stiff and less fluent, just as it was
when ODB first came home," RZA explained. "Still I kept him in the
rankings and made sure he ate a equal amount that the rest enjoyed even though
he was barely present on the early product. So when he claims that he was pushed
to the side or made a slave he is only fabricating lies and using a bias distorted
form of our history."
RZA said that the solo projects that were released
were the ones the public and the music industry were feeling. He said that recording
deals were being offered to the most prominent members.
"I informed U-God that when the time comes
he will get his shine just as everyone else because everyone gets their time
to shine, but one must patient as well as persistent and determined. 50 Cent
is a prime example. As time went on he regained his flow and began to shine
a little brighter but he also developed in what some have called a grumpy attitude
and that made him hard to deal with in some eyes. No one would offer him a recording
deal. It wasn’t until I put the money up myself from Wu-Tang Records did he
get a chance for a solo album. And my company spent well over 1 and half million
dollars on him in advances and videos and promo. With more than half that going
is his pocket. In fact his unrecoupement crippled my label. So where is the
slavery at? Look at songs like "Chez Chez La Ghost" and "Gravel
Pit." Those were attempts to put him out there more and build his shine.
After that if he was ordained to have more success it would’ve shown through."
RZA also commented on rumors that the clan may
end up on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records.
"It’s a great idea creatively and historically
and [we] are now working out the business aspect. The idea originated with ODB
and later brought to the table by the recording industry giant Jimmy Iovine."
