Exclusive Interview with RZA from Wu-Tang Clan for New Film
"Repo Men" Promotional Tour for Hip Hop Artist, RZA
Tionah Lee
Issue date: 3/19/10 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Wu-Tang Clan rapper turned actor, RZA, is stepping in front of the silver screen to play a role in the Sci-fi thriller, "Repo Men." The movie is described to be taking place in the "near future." "Repo Men" is about a society that finances body parts to people who need them, but when people are unable to make the payments, Remi the Repo Man (played by Jude Law) comes to repossess them.
RZA plays T-Bone in the film, a music producer at the end of his career and in need of a new heart. RZA explains his character as someone who is "at the end of his career with an empty mansion, and no money to pay for his heart." T-bone battles a drug addiction to a futuristic drug called "Q" that leads him down a path of self-destruction and eventually costs him his career and everything he worked for. Playing a music producer is not a far stretch from RZA's real life career, but battling drug addiction is something RZA has never been through personally, but he has witnessed it in the music industry.
"This role reminded me of my old band member ODB'S (Old Dirty Bastard) demise," says RZA."It affected his children's lives; they actually went from living comfortably to struggling, it's really sad. It can actually happen to anybody, its shows that life is unpredictable."
By starting his career as a Hip Hop artist, RZA has had a lot to learn in order to hold his own next to some of the biggest names on the silver screen. RZA has worked alongside Denzel Washington (American Gangster), Clive Owen (Derailed), and many other actors. "Studying, staying prepared and [humbled]" are some of the ways he is able to embody his acting role.
"I am blessed to have worked amongst the elite," says the rapper, and adds that asking questions and observing the other actors are some of the techniques he uses to perfect his craft.
"It's like handing in a job application…it's not easy," says RZA as he explains what it is like going into a new role.
Actor and good friend of RZA, John Tuturro (Do the Right thing; Transformers) has been there to help coach him in his acting career.
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