RZA Entertains, Thanks to Help From His Wu-Tang Clan

Although RZA was the only announced act Sunday at the House of Blues, the show’s highlights came when the Wu-Tang Clan leader’s friends also graced the stage. He hasn’t had a certified hit of his own in the last few years, but as the primary producer of the Staten Island rap group, RZA has produced virtually every song the Clan has released--and most of the songs on the members’ solo albums.

Appropriately, RZA often lurked in the background during Sunday’s peak moments. When Clan members Raekwon and Ghostface Killah and affiliate Cappadonna came out to deliver the sexually charged “Ice Cream,” RZA stood toward the back of the stage, nodding his head in approval of his disciples’ work. RZA and Clan member Inspectah Deck combined for the adrenaline-raising “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit,” easily RZA’s most potent and commanding moment on stage.

Despite these high points, RZA’s show suffered from excessively long breaks between songs and from RZA’s own shortcomings as a performer. But like a good producer, he made sure the package as a whole was entertaining, even if it took the presence of five other Wu-Tang Clan members and other assorted guests.