The mastermind of Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, has always been driven by ambition. How else can one maintain a remarkably talented group of 9 MCs together for over three decades? When Rolling Stone asked Bobby Digital about his top choices to induct the group into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year, his list featured many prominent names.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
RZA expressed his admiration for Barack Obama, stating, “I’m doing one that’s going to be super egotistical, but probably the only person that I’m a superfan of that I never met: Barack Obama.” He recalled how the former president included the Wu-adjacent Method Man and Mary J. Blige track “I’ll Be There For You/ You’re All I need” on his 2016 summer playlist. RZA also mentioned Quentin Tarantino as a significant figure, saying, “Tarantino is a great name. I think Leonardo DiCaprio. I’m gonna give you one more. How about LeBron James as a unique piece of culture?”
RZA continued to explore possibilities for inductors, asking if legendary rock band Rage Against the Machine were in the Rock Hall — they are, having been inducted in 2023, though only guitarist Tom Morello attended. He suggested that it might make sense for them to induct Wu-Tang Clan: “What if Rage f–kin’ inducted us?” he proposed, referring to their canceled tour in 2022 after lead singer Zack De la Rocha suffered an injury. “If they would come back out and say, ‘I want to welcome my brothers back into it.’ F–kin’ one day, do one concert to close that book. One night only. That would be crazy.”
The group has been eligible for induction since 2018 and will officially enter the Rock Hall later this year alongside Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, Oasis, Sade, and Luther Vandross. RZA described this honor as “one of those pillars in life,” noting that his first house was in Cleveland and he has visited the Rock Hall “hundreds of times” since then.
RZA recounted how he learned about the honor: “A friend invited me and my wife to dinner on Monday night and I noticed a bottle of champagne on the table. He pops the bottle, pulls the glasses, and then my wife told me,” he shared. “My wife and I actually watched the East Coast and West Coast version of American Idol . Then I woke up the next morning and the first thing my wife said was, ‘Good morning, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.’ The child in me feels it.”
RZA mentioned that he has communicated with every member of the group since receiving the news and it has all been positive. “The thanking each other. Knowing where we came from to where we’re at and being grateful to each other,” he stated. “Everybody just chimed in. ‘Thank you, brother.’ ‘I love you, brother.’ It was a lovefest.”
RZA is optimistic that all members will attend the induction ceremony despite some not being present during their recent Australian tour. “I don’t see nobody taking some type of boycott,” he remarked. However, when reminded that Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band took over half an hour during their induction speech in 2014 for the Hall’s longest acceptance monologue, RZA assured that they would keep it concise.
RZA commented on the group’s dynamics: “Some of us could talk. Some of us don’t talk,” referring to members like GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna; original member Ol’ Dirty Bastard passed away in 2004 at age 35. “I talk and it’s done through the lyrics. So they’ll probably nominate one of us. We’ll probably have a conversation like, ‘Who wants to talk? Let’s regulate this.’”
The induction ceremony is scheduled for November 14, 2026 in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on ABC and Disney+ in December.
