RZA

RZA from Stylelikeu.com from Stylelikeu on Vimeo.

occupation: founder of the Wu Tang Clan, composer of film scores, actor, aspiring movie director, author of “The Tao of Wu”

“I look for the understanding of things. I don’t judge.” RZA

When I was interviewing RZA for this site, I kept thinking royalty, in the ideal sense, noble, and captivating. RZA is mesmerizing, handsome, articulate, learned, gentle, soft-spoken, and humble. In his presence, you feel as if he should be on a pulpit, and that anything he dons becomes something akin to the regality of a velvet cloak. Ever a relucant icon, he is simply dressed but unfailingly elegant. His home is filled with his omnipresent extended family, his beloved chess boards, and his voluminous collection of books. RZA’s own style, as well as that of the Wu Tang Clan, is seen through the rebirth of the Wallabee, Asian-influenced embroidery on camouflage, colorful Timberlands, and few make a doo rag look as classy (I cant’ stop envisioning how drop dead chic Rza would be in a tuxedo with his do-rag, something he told me he does wear). Most of all, his aesthetic is based in his passion for drawing from all cultures. It is beyond impressive that he is self-taught in almost every subject, including medicine, and understood Freud at the age of 9, even while stuggling to survive in the worst adversity. This philosophical approach to knowledge is evident in the iconic Wu logo – a W made up of an axe, blade, sword, eagle, and a phoenix. Wu Tang is also famous for popularizing the hoodie, and RZA has taken this one step further, designing his own fur hooded sweatshirt. RZA’s real name (to hear more about the derivation of his pseudonym, check out the picture captions) is Robert F. Diggs, after Robert F. Kennedy and JFK. In his youth, he was first embarrassed by the name’s slavery-based derivation, but now sees it as honorable, not only because of the idealogy of its namesake, but also for the name’s roots in British aristocracy. His unquenchable thirst for knowledge has led him to see the good in everything. However, the power behind RZA’s magnetism, in my opinion, is that he doesn’t equate success with fame. Despite all of his accomplishments, he still doesn’t see himself as successful – just blessed.

Comments

posted by S.Jenkins
November 8th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Insipiring; RZA is truly an unbounded, self-cultivated philosopher and visionary
posted by Ki
November 8th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Compelling, insightful, and handsome. RZA is a rare example of one whose style emanates from the life in his face, mind, and soul rather than what he puts on or owns.
posted by Twitter Trackbacks for RZA « Style Like U [stylelikeu.com] on Topsy.com
November 8th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
[...] RZA « Style Like U stylelikeu.com/closets/rza – view page – cached occupation: Founder of The Wu Tang Clan, Composer of Film Scores, Actor, Author of “The Tao of Wu” , Aspiring Movie Director and Professor of Life [...]
posted by sam
November 8th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
his statement about unconditional love is so true and brilliant. also love love love the fur hoodie vest that he designed. beautiful style an soul.
posted by uberVU - social comments
November 8th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by shebreathes: Ha! RZA is a style icon, click + view, gotta love this blog! http://tinyurl.com/yed9qg5...
posted by Venus
November 9th, 2009 at 8:20 am
i think i’m most impressed by his book collection, from greek mythology to freud to hinduism… and i think that worldly appreciation is really reflected in his clothing. He is so much more than meets the eye!
posted by Lou-anne
November 9th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
love
posted by John
November 17th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Wu Tang clan bitch!!
RZA got style
posted by The Son Of Heaven
November 26th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
…a good post over at . . .
posted by The Athenian Arts
December 21st, 2009 at 6:54 pm
…an interesting post over at . ..
posted by The Art Of War
January 3rd, 2010 at 4:16 am
Check out this post @ …
posted by The Art Of War
January 11th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
…You might want to take a look at
posted by FASHION FORWARD: An online style revolution | Buck
February 10th, 2010 at 4:31 am
[...] customise (there are some fantastic tips for anyone on a budget hidden in these videos) and even RZA makes an appearance but what unites is that all these inspiring people think way, way outside of [...]
posted by Style Like U » Coco and Breezy
February 16th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
[...] you like Coco and Breezy, you might also enjoy RZA, BJ Panda Bear, Jen Chia, or Alexa [...]

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RZA

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