We met RZA & Mathematics for a discussion. The two of them were primarily concerned with each other’s music – even beyond hip-hop.
You can already tell from the hotel hallway which room RZA and Mathematics are giving their interviews in: piano sounds can be heard coming through a door at the end of the corridor. RZA, wearing sunglasses of course, and Mathematics are having fun on the piano while they are already waiting for us.
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What did we bring them? Other people’s music. What is required is your opinion on what you heard. Let’s go!
St. Vincent – Los Ageless
Mathematics: It makes me think of Florida in the 80s.
RZA: That doesn’t quite suit my taste. But in a smoke-filled club, joint in hand, I might enjoy it. One thing has to be said: good recording! Is that a 606?
Mathematics: I would rather say 707 or 808. It makes quite a bang.
Kamasi Washington – Truth
Mathematics: Beautiful!
RZA: Yes, but unfortunately I don’t recognize it.
Mathematics: The track is from Kamasi Washington’s new EP.
RZA: Sounds a bit like something A Tribe Called Quest would have liked to sample.
Kamasi Washington also works with rappers like Kendrick Lamar. Do you feel a new wave of jazzy hip hop coming our way?
RZA: Jazz has always been present in hip hop, and you can hear that very clearly again with people like Kendrick Lamar and Chance The Rapper. As a musician you want to develop further. And jazz is based on a very forward-looking attitude.
Nirvana – All Apologies (Unplugged)
RZA: This is somewhat reminiscent of Southern Rock.
Mathematics: I listen to Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.
RZA: Nice voice. Does he sing in English or German?
English. This is Kurt Cobain.
RZA: Oh God, why didn’t I recognize that now?
Nirvana’s Unplugged concert was recorded just days after the release of your debut album.
RZA: We missed a lot of the current music back then because we were touring so much. I only started familiarizing myself with Cobain’s work ten years ago. We sometimes played “Smells Like Teen Spirit” at Wu-Tang concerts. But I’m often late for important music. Did I seriously just ask if he sings in German?
Rin – Bros
RZA: Who is that? It sounds a lot like the American flow that is currently in fashion.
Rin, a German rapper.
RZA: I like the vibe. Very electronic, you can feel the influence of Lil Uzi Vert and Rae Sremmurd. Is it successful?
Yes.
RZA: I think it’s important that every country has someone who represents the culture and conveys it to the outside world. But I think you should never forget the basis of this music and achieve a good balance.
RZA feat. Xavier Naidoo – I’ve Never Seen
Mathematics: Who could that be? I know that.
RZA: It definitely brings back good memories. I spent half the summer in Germany and traveled with Xavier to some of his concerts. So I got to see something different from Germany than just Berlin and Hamburg. He played in front of 20,000 people and I was also allowed to come on stage. I felt so much love! When I wrote this song, a lot was happening in my life – and then I met my future wife. I told Xavier about it and asked him to be my voice. I can’t sing now.
Are you still in contact?
RZA: Yes, although not much. In fact, we only spoke six weeks ago. We are currently planning THE WORLD ACCORDING TO RZA PART TWO. I also had dinner with Kool Savas yesterday. It’s nice to see how the guys from back then have developed, including Curse and Afrob.
Trettmann feat. Bonez MC & Raf Camora – Thank God
RZA: What year is this from?
From 2017.
RZA: I think I heard that somewhere. Do you know what’s crazy? When the Wu-Tang Clan came to Germany for the first time, hip hop was barely present here. There was some talent, there was graffiti, but it was all just beginning. Today you are much further along. The rappers even manage to make German not sound so harsh. This is certainly because the new generations have already grown up with hip hop and don’t have to start from scratch. You could play this in Jamaica and people would feel good. When it comes to hip hop, you don’t have to import anything anymore. You can now export.
Solange – FUBU
RZA: Is that Beyoncé or Solange?
As long as.
RZA: My daughter loves this song. LEMONADE was a great album, but it was just a prelude to this one. Solange was always a bit more down-to-earth, and Beyoncé was the diva. I feel like they’ve gotten closer and influenced each other on their last few albums. That’s why I wasn’t so sure at the beginning. The two are almost like a unit for pop music. So much talent from one household!
Mathematics: Almost like the Jacksons.
RZA: Solange sings that this song is “for us”. Even artists as well-known as her still deal with the everyday difficulties of black people’s lives. There are so many people who suffer from racism. Maybe not us, because we don’t live in poverty. Solange never has to wash a plate again if she doesn’t want to. But you don’t forget this pain. Just as little like the decision to rebel against it.
This interview first appeared in January 2018.