Brainiac RZA launches his next venture
Everyone knows that Wu-Tang Clan producer/MC RZA is smart. He’s a studio wizard, an entrepreneur, a vegetarian, deep thinker…and, apparently, a Hip-Hop Chess Federation champion. According to a recent article on RZA in The New York Times, he’s been playing chess since he was 11 years old.
Just before taking off for his first live band tour (with backing band Stone Mecca) to promote his Bobby Digital album, Digi Snacks, he launched WuChess.com. Combining his love for chess and hip-hop, WuChess is a community where chess players can play live against other players and in tournaments for prizes. You’ll even get a guided tour from Rakaa from Dilated Peoples when you go to the site. There’s a $48 fee for a yearly membership, but he will allegedly be giving out free memberships to children (through certain organizations), and as much as 20 percent of WuChess’ revenue will go to scholarships awarded by the Hip-Hop Chess Federation. RZA’s a giver, man.
Go show some support on his Bobby Digital tour, which starts tomorrow in Houston.
Tue-Jun 10, 08 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Wed-Jun 11, 08 - Austin, TX @ Emos
Thu-Jun 12, 08 - Dallas, TX @ Palladium
Sat-Jun 14, 08 - Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Sun-Jun 15, 08 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge
Tue-Jun 17, 08 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
Wed-Jun 18, 08 - Phoenix, AZ @ The Brickhouse Theater
Fri-Jun 20, 08 - Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theater
Sat-Jun 21, 08 - San Francisco, CA @ 1015
Mon-Jun 23, 08 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater
Tue-Jun 24, 08 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market
Wed-Jun 25, 08 - Vancouver, BC @ Richards On Richards
Fri-Jun 27, 08 - Calgary, AB @ Sled Island Music Festival
Mon-Jun 30, 08 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
Tue-Jul 1, 08 - Chicago, IL @ House Of Blues
Wed-Jul 2, 08 - Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Ballroom
Thu-Jul 3, 08 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis
Fri-Jul 4, 08 - Ottawa, ON @ New Capital Music Hall
Sat-Jul 5, 08 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Mon-Jul 7, 08 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Tue-Jul 8, 08 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Thu-Jul 24, 08 - Seattle, WA @ Showbox Studio
(photo by Chester Higgins Jr./The New York Times)
