Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA, is a multitalented individual who has made significant strides in the music industry, particularly as the leader of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. However, his entrepreneurial journey extends beyond music, with ventures in various sectors contributing to his millionaire status.
Early Life
RZA was born on July 5, 1969, in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He was named after the Kennedy brothers Robert and John Fitzgerald, both of whom his mother greatly admired. He has a younger brother, Terrance Hamlin, and an older brother named Mitchell “Divine” Diggs. From ages three to seven, Diggs spent summers in North Carolina with his uncle and was introduced to hip-hop music at the age of nine.
Career Beginnings
By the age of eleven, RZA was competing in rap battles. In 1990, he relocated to Steubenville, Ohio, to live with his mother. In 1991, he formed a rap group, “All in Together Now,” with his cousins Russell Jones and Gary Grice While the trio enjoyed local success, they never signed a record deal. RZA embarked on his singing career by making his solo debut with the single, “Ooh I Love You Rakeem EP” on Tommy Boy Records under the name, “Prince Rakeem.” This marked the beginning of his illustrious career in the music industry.
RZA’s music career took off when he served as the de facto leader of the self-founded group, Wu-Tang Clan, which revolutionized the hip-hop industry in the 1990s. He produced almost all of the group’s albums and several of their solo and affiliate projects. He even founded the horrorcore group, Gravediggaz. Alongside, RZA embarked on a solo career in music under the alias “Bobby Digital”’” and recorded for the albums, “Bobby Digital in Stereo,” “Digital Bullet,” “Birth of a Prince” and so on.
Actor, Director and Filmmaker
RZA has been heavily involved in filmmaking since the late 90s. He has scored several films, most notably “Kill Bill: Volume 1” (2003) and “Kill Bill: Volume 2” (2004). He has also written and directed in film and television, starting with his directorial debut, “The Man with the Iron Fists,” in 2012. He has also acted in numerous films and TV series, including the films “American Gangster” and “Brick Mansions,” and the TV series “Gang Related and Californication.” His first work, Jim Jarmusch’s “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” (1999), earned praise; he also had a brief cameo in the film itself, as a fellow samurai wearing camouflage.
Founder and Serial Entrepreneur
RZA launched a clothing brand called Wu Wear in 1995 along with the Wu-Tang Clan. The brand was a significant part of the “Wu Essence” and was mentioned in their song “Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance”. However, due to counterfeiting issues, the line was discontinued and later renamed “Wu-Tang Brand” in 2008. In 2017, RZA, along with Oliver “Power” Grant and Live Nation’s merchandise division, revived Wu Wear.
RZA also collaborated with the German vegan company Embassy of Bricks and Logs to launch the Flying Guillotine Puffer Jacket, a new limited-edition down-free coat made from recycled plastic bottles collected from the ocean.
In partnership with Alamo Drafthouse, RZA developed a kung fu-themed bar in Texas known as “The Flying Guillotine”. It features an extensive menu of food, themed cocktails, spirits, and collaboration beers created by RZA and Alamo Drafthouse beverage director Bill Norris.
RZA, along with screenwriter Alex Tse, also co-created Xen Diagram Media, one of the industry’s first Black and Asian creator-led production companies. The company has taken out its first project, Kid Punchy, a one-hour drama set up at AC Studios. They are also developing Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai as a one-hour series for television, based on the 1999 feature written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.
Real Estate and Philanthropy
His impressive portfolio includes a luxurious 8,000-square-foot home in Millstone Township, New Jersey, acquired in 1996 for $490,000, offering a spacious escape from urban life. In 2015, he expanded his holdings with a $2.5-million mansion in the exclusive Bell Canyon community in California. His most recent acquisition, a lavish $9.8-million oceanfront property in Malibu, California, secured in August 2023, is the epitome of luxury with panoramic views and modern amenities.
RZA is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has supported charities such as PETA. He also launched the Plant Grants program in collaboration with Violife, a vegan cheese brand. The program supports Black-owned restaurants by providing funds, education, and mentorship to help them introduce plant-based dishes to their menus.
Conclusion
RZA, the multitalented artist and entrepreneur, has been recognized for his contributions to music and film. He was nominated for the Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music for “Kill Bill: Vol. 1” at the BAFTA Awards in 2004. In 2020, he received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music. Furthermore, RZA was the first recipient primarily known for hip-hop to receive the NAMM Innovation Award at The NAMM Show’s 2024 TEC Awards.
From the gritty streets of Brooklyn to the sprawling estates of Malibu, RZA has not only etched his name in the annals of hip-hop history but also in the ledger of successful entrepreneurs.
