RZA creates platform to give live commentary on martial arts films

Throughout his career, RZA has been inspired by martial arts films. Now, the producer is taking his love of the art form to the next level. 

According to Variety, RZA’s production company 36 Chambers launched a platform that will allow the artist to livestream his commentary of martial art films. In partnership with Dan Halsted, head programmer of Portland’s Hollywood Theater, RZA and the former “will present their second film program this Sunday (May 24).”

36 Chambers co-founder Mustafa Shaikh spoke about the platform’s impact in a statement earlier this month. “We operate like a movie theater, in essence, paying industry-standard rates,” Shakih said. “RZA and I both love independent theaters, and we don’t want to see any of them close.”

He added, “It’s not just gonna be kung-fu, and it’s not just gonna be RZA. We want to keep it a little internal as we get all the bugs worked out, all the logistics issues. There’s a very well-known director that RZA has done work with before who’s willing to jump on the platform, so hopefully we can make that happen in the coming weeks. I think people will see it’s just a very fun thing to do.”

In the past couple of weeks, RZA has been keeping busy. Last month, he participated in an Instagram Live battle against DJ Premier. During the virtual event, RZA played several hits including his remix of Mary J. Blige’s “All I Need.” He also shared a story with fans about his experience working with Sean “Diddy” Combs back in the day. 

A few months before that, the Wu-Tang Clan legend gifted school supplies to local students in Staten Island. “I’m here today because one of your teachers sent me a tweet on my Twitter and she said that there weren’t enough iPads, just enough to go around,” he said to the students at the time. “I reached out to my Wu-Tang brothers and Apple, and we have some iPads here going to the school and going to your classes so you guys have a better chance for a proper education.”