The RZA

RZA
RZA in 2009
Background information
Birth name	Robert Fitzgerald Diggs
Also known as	Prince Rakeem The RZArector Bobby Steels Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah Abbott Bobby Digital
Born	(1969-07-05) July 5, 1969 (age 47) Brooklyn, New York
Origin	Staten Island, New York
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper record producer musician actor filmmaker author
Instruments	Rapping keyboards zither sampler
Years active	1989–present
Labels	Soul Temple Tommy Boy Warner Bros. Razor Sharp Epic SME Virgin EMI Koch Gee Street V2 BMG Sanctuary
Associated acts	Wu-Tang Clan Banks & Steelz Gravediggaz Easy Mo Bee John Frusciante James Blake
Notable instruments
E-mu SP-1200 Roland MC-909 Roland MV-8000 Roland MV-8800 Ensoniq-16 plus Akai MPC2000

Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (born July 5, 1969), better known by his stage name RZA (/ˈrɪzə/ RIZ-ə), is an American rapper, record producer, musician, actor, filmmaker and author. A prominent figure in hip hop, RZA is the de facto leader of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has produced almost all of Wu-Tang Clan's albums as well as many Wu-Tang solo and affiliate projects. He is a cousin of the late group-mate Ol' Dirty Bastard and GZA (who also formed the group with RZA). He has also released solo albums under the alter-ego Bobby Digital, along with executive producing credits for side projects.

In addition to the Wu-Tang Clan and his solo releases, RZA was also a founding member of the horrorcore group Gravediggaz where he used the name The RZArector. Furthermore, he has acted in several movies, including Coffee and Cigarettes, American Gangster, Gospel Hill, Life Is Hot in Cracktown, Ghost Dog, Funny People, Derailed, Due Date and Repo Men. He also appeared in the Showtime TV series Californication. His directorial debut is for the film he co-wrote and in which he plays the title role, The Man with the Iron Fists, also starring Russell Crowe.

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