How The RZA Made it

In an interview by Fresh Air radio station, Terry Gross talks to Wu-Tang music group leader, the RZA. Determination and adapting are the only things that can make any man successful. Take the RZA for example. He grew up in a tough area where he was caught up in drugs and violence at nine years old. Adapting to the surroundings around him was the only way he had to survive and was ultimately the key that unlocked the door to greatness. The RZA underwent a succession of changes where his persona, mentality and mindset were shaped based on his goals and how society was around him. He adapted to the world he was living in in order to succeed at the time. When he needed to show off and get known, he did just that, but when he needed to work hard he did that as well. He was so focused on making a name for himself that he made sure he took the right path to the top. Throughout this journey, society shaped the way he did things. For instance, when he took up the name Bobby Digital, it was because the world at that time was going through the digital revolution. This meant his music not only had to shift to what was going on, but also his mindset. At this stage he started living a fast-paced, mathematical lifestyle that aligned with the ‘digital’ world. He started to go out and party which he couldn’t do at an earlier stage because of all of the work he put in earlier in his career. Constantly adapting and changing to keep up with the demands of your personal goals and also the demands of society is a good way to progress to the top.

Terry Gross, MARCH 07, 2005 http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=4525189&m=4525190