RZA is an American music producer, rapper and actor, best known as a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He also has a passion for chess, as is clear from his new website, http://www.wuchess.com.
- 1 Does art make a difference? Out of six billion people, only a million are artists. They are the ones that inspire the world. Without art we might as well be cavemen.
- 2 Should politics and art mix? I don’t see those mix. Artistic people are rare. Hitler tried to destroy art and books, as he knew they inspired the minds of people more than politicians.
- 3 Is your work for the many or for the few? Those who are chosen are the ones who choose for themselves. Healthy food is out there for everybody, but few people eat it.
- 4 If you were world leader, what would be your first law? I would make a law called The 12 Jewels. As world leader, I would make sure everybody has the right to them: knowledge, wisdom, understanding, freedom, justice, equality, food, clothing, shelter, love, peace and happiness.
- 5 Who would be your top advisers? On a chessboard you have two bishops, so I would call upon the wisest men from the religious community, whether Hindu, Christian, Muslim, Jewish. They are the ones who can help you understand the heart of people. The chessboard is the greatest metaphor. You’ve got the king; you’ve got the queen, so you’ve got your woman always beside you; you’ve got your religion; and you’ve got your knights, who are your warriors. Then you have your castle – your wealth – and of course the pawns, who have the potential to be anything except the king.
- 6 What, if anything, would you censor? I would censor lies. I would try to put the practice of truth in people, even though it may be hurtful at times.
- 7 If you had to banish one public figure, who would it be? I’d like to banish a war-hungry general but I don’t know the generals’ names out there.
- 8 What are the rules that you live by? I would live by those 12 Jewels. In principle the American constitution is a great document, but not in practice.
- 9 Do you love your country? Yes, I love my country.
- 10 Are we all doomed? Me personally, I’m not doomed.
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