The legendary Wu is being brought to the frontline by the writings of their de facto leader, RZA. As previously reported, the book is titled the “Tao of Wu” and uses religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Five Percent, numerology, Kung Fu and chess to cite lessons and tales of the Wu. He recently spoke with CNN about his forthcoming literary project telling them that while he blames his overly violent lyrics on his environment, he will not denounce them. Instead he acknowledges that violence is sometimes a neccessary evil.
“One reason I haven’t repudiated it is because when it’s necessary, it’s necessary. Ecclesiastes tell us there’s a time for everything — a time for war, a time for peace — so in times for war, there’s time for violence. Then in the Bhagavad Gita, it says Arjuna was talking, Arjuna didn’t want to commit violent acts against an army that was attacking him. He couldn’t find it in his heart to do it. It was people he loved. He didn’t want to get into violence, but Krishna had to point out to him, “Your duty is your duty.” … So, to me, violence in the light of justice is still violent, but I don’t see it the same. It’s because of justice that I don’t repudiate violence because justice must be served somehow.”
Further speaking on violence, in the book he he reflects on a time when he almost witnessed the murder of his Wu Tang affiliate and embattled tax payer, Method Man. According to Meth, he owes the head honcho his life. He writes,
“Meth was walking to buy marijuana at 160 Park Hill Avenue in Staten Island.”Come over here, yo!” RZA beckoned. “He stopped and came running over. A few seconds later — pow-pow-pow-pow-pow! — a guy started shooting up the front of 160. A buddy of ours, Poppy, an innocent, school-going, nice guy — he was shot and killed right there.”
Reflecting on the close brush with death, RZA says Meth is forever grateful.
“He always brings it up … that that day saved his life. He actually said, if it was anybody else calling him, he wouldn’t have came.”
He also mentioned to CNN that he the fellow members of Wu Tang find him somewhat responsible for the drug overdose of his cousin Russel Jones, a.k.a. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, a sentiment he somewhat agrees with.
“The guys would say it’s more me than them because they say that’s my cousin and I was right there. If you let a man that you love or anybody — man, woman or child that you love — sit there and destroy themselves in front of you, you’re neglecting them … Everybody let him do what he wanted to do. … There were times when I took his drugs and threw them down the toilet. When I do that, he would get so pissed off I don’t see him for weeks after that. … So it got to a point, I was like, “Fu*k it, let him do his drugs” just to have him around me, just to keep him there. … But it’s still neglect, yo.”
The Tao of Wu hits stores October 15.
