Maps of Music

Bobby Digital in Stereo (1998)

Where the lyrics of Bobby Digital in Stereo take you, and where it was really made.

RZA's debut album partly describes his own past through an invented alter-ego, and its sound was built on keyboards rather than samples.

Key places

Recorded in Los Angeles (1998)

Recording site Motown Recording Studios — Several tracks on the album were recorded at Ameraycan Studios in Los Angeles. The point marks the city, not the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded in New York City (1998)

Recording site Record Plant Studios — Several tracks on the album were recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City. The point marks the city, not the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at 36 Chambers (1998)

Recording site 36 Chambers — Some tracks were recorded and mixed at 36 Chambers, the studio tied to the album's production. The point marks the city, not the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Debut studio album by RZA, released 24 November 1998
• Described as an experimental album built on a story in which RZA raps as Bobby Digital
• Bobby Digital is a hedonistic, fun-loving alter-ego
• The sound is largely keyboard-driven, though some samples remain
• RZA called the sound digital orchestra
• Certified Gold by the RIAA on 5 February 1999

Background

• The name ties to RZA's birth name, Bobby Diggs
• RZA said he felt he was in a digital frame at the time, with everything in numbers and mathematics
• He used the character to describe some of his earlier life, including partying, chasing women and taking drugs
• Comic book influence was mixed in, blending fiction and reality
• The character was also a way to bring fans to him as an MC and lyricist
• RZA later said he had to get Bobby out of him, or else he would be emotionally unbalanced

Recording

• RZA learned to play chords and progress them
• He used at least 16 or 17 different keyboards for the album
• He composed a digital orchestra, drawing on his love of orchestras and strings
• Tracks were recorded at Ameraycan Studios and Soundcastle Recording Studios in Los Angeles
• Other tracks were recorded at The Hit Factory in New York City and at 36 Chambers
• Mastering was done by Tom Coyne, with additional mastering and assembly at Metropolis Studios in London

Cover

• Illustration by Bill Sienkiewicz
• Art direction credited to David Calderley of House Of Gee!..

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• RZA (born Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, July 5, 1969, Brownsville, Brooklyn) is an American rapper, record producer, composer, actor, and filmmaker.
• Formed Wu-Tang Clan in 1992 with his cousins and childhood friends, choosing the name RZA from a fan-given nickname and his graffiti tag.
• Wu-Tang Clan's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was released in November 1993.

Members

• Known alter egos include Prince Rakeem, Bobby Digital, the RZArector (in Gravediggaz), and the Scientist.
• Founding member of the horrorcore group Gravediggaz, performing as the RZArector.

Career

• Acted as de facto leader and main producer of Wu-Tang Clan, known for soul sample chopping, sparse beats, and cinematic elements.
• Composed scores for Kill Bill: Volume 1 (2003) and Kill Bill: Volume 2 (2004).
• Directed The Man with the Iron Fists (2012) and Love Beats Rhymes (2017).
• Served as executive producer on Wu-Tang: An American Saga (2019–2023), receiving a Primetime Emmy nomination for its main title theme.
• Appeared in American Gangster (2007), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), and the series Californication.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Debut studio album by RZA, released 24 November 1998
• Based on a story in which RZA raps as Bobby Digital, a hedonistic, fun-loving alter-ego
• Keyboard-driven sound rather than samples, which RZA called digital orchestra
• RZA said he got together at least 16 or 17 different keyboards for this album
• Reviews were mostly positive, though somewhat mixed

Records

• Certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on 5 February 1999
• Charted at number 3 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
• Charted at number 16 on the Billboard 200

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• RZA's birth name is Bobby Diggs, which ties to the Bobby Digital name
• "Kiss Of A Black Widow" contains raps by Ol' Dirty Bastard, not the entire Wu-Tang Clan
• Tracks 1–17 are Bobby Digital songs, while tracks 18–21 are RZA songs
• The art direction is credited to David Calderley of House Of Gee!..

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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