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RZA Proves Hip-Hop Artists Can Master Any Genre with New Classical Album

During an exclusive interview with BET, the Wu-Tang Clan member talks ‘A Ballet Through Mud,’ Alvin Ailey’s influence, and more.

The making of A Ballet Through Mud project idea struck the New York native during the pandemic when he rediscovered old lyrical notebooks from his teenage years. The 11-track album features characters named after Greek musical scales, mirroring RZA’s personal journey from Staten Island’s project housing to the grandeur of concert halls. Through these compositions, RZA weaves tales of love, loss, exploration, encounters with Buddhist monks, and a transformative journey “through mud.” He reveals that Alvin Ailey is a major inspiration, influencing his decision to tell this deeply personal story through instrumentals and dance.

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