RZA on Wu-Tang’s Legacy, Tarantino, and the Mindset Behind It All
4/30/202624 min
In this powerful episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, Gentry sits down with RZA, the legendary rapper, producer, filmmaker, and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan. RZA joins the show to talk about his new film, One Spoon of Chocolate, a stylish action thriller starring Shameik Moore, Paris Jackson, RJ Cyler, Blair Underwood, and more. The film follows a veteran and ex-convict looking for a fresh start in a small town, only to uncover something much darker beneath the surface.
Fans can watch the trailer, find screenings, and buy tickets here:
One Spoon of Chocolate
RZA and Gentry dive into what it takes to create a film from the ground up, with RZA breaking down the writing, directing, and production process behind One Spoon of Chocolate. He also opens up about whether making an album or making a movie is harder, and how hip-hop, cinema, martial arts, and storytelling all connect in his creative universe.
The conversation also gets personal as RZA reflects on the loss of his Wu-Tang brother Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the legacy of the group, and what Wu-Tang means to hip-hop culture today. He shares stories about working with Paris Jackson, discussing her connection to Michael Jackson, and the unique timing of their projects being released around the same time.
RZA also talks about his relationship with filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, his evolution from music legend to director, and the lessons he’s learned building worlds through both sound and cinema.
From Wu-Tang history to Hollywood storytelling, this episode is packed with wisdom, creativity, and raw authenticity from one of the most influential artists of his generation.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsRZA· Guest0:00
[hip hop music] Gentry, what up, yo?
Gentry Thomas· Host0:02
From Park Hill, to the streets of Staten Island, to the top of the hip hop mountain, now Hollywood storyteller, he's the architect behind one of the most influential groups in music history, the creator of the most expensive album ever sold, over 40 million records. Wu-Tang is forever a true original. Zig zag, bom bom. Let's welcome in the RZA. What's up, RZA?
RZA· Guest0:24
[applause] Peace. What up, yo? Good morning. I- depending on where you at, good morning, good afternoon, whatever, but good morning, bro. What's up, Gentry, how you holding?
Gentry Thomas· Host0:31
I'm holding pretty good, man. This is what they're calling one of your most ambitious projects yet, this new film, One Spoon of Chocolate. It's hitting theaters this weekend. You've been putting in a lot of work here for this film. I'm excited to see it.
RZA· Guest0:43
Yeah, yo, this film is bold, bro. B-O-L-D. Um, but it's done that way to make every emotion in your body feel something, you know what I mean? Um, we, we got a great cast. We, uh... It's, it's, it's, it's a action thriller. Um, you will be on the edge of your seat, yo.
Gentry Thomas· Host1:04
I saw the trailer. A lot of kung fu action, a lot of fighting scenes. What's harder, making a, a classic album or making a feature film?
RZA· Guest1:12
Oh, a film is, is... I mean, technically a film is harder, right? Um, because the process, you know. You know, art itself is always gonna be a challenge, but, you know, with a album, the amount of collaboration could be,