Wu-Tang Clan mastermind RZA has unveiled a demo of a new track titled Destiny Bends, a collaboration with singer Will Wells, and a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker, who tragically died after the Porsche Carrera GT in which he was riding crashed into a tree and light pole yesterday.
RZA met the 40-year-old actor on the set of the upcoming action film, Brick Mansions, a remake of French director Luc Besson‘s film, District B13, due out February 2014. In a missive accompanying the somber new track, RZA explains that he and Walker “saw in each other a kindred spirit.”
“I met Paul on the set of the film Brick Mansion, where we talked, laughed, and exchanged ideas of life and fatherhood,” writes the hip-hop legend. “I only knew him personally for less than a year, but we knew each other through our work and art. We saw in each other a kindred spirit.”
“Millions of people get to know an artist or movie star through their work, but few are allowed to cross each others’ paths and see through the veil of stardom… As all physical things will decay and wither away, film, art, and music remain longer than the vessel that delivered them,” he adds.
The track, which is a considerable departure from RZA’s usual output, centring instead on soft piano, guitar and Well’s vocals, was composed with the help of Wells and RZA’s two sons. The track opens with a short spoken-word tract by the producer himself, who says:
“I wanna dedicate this song to my friend Paul Walker. Up in the studio last night, writing for myself, I decided to write a song for you. Peace, brother.”
“We dedicate [the song] to Paul Walker. A good man. We had plans to continue working with each other in the future. It seemed destined, but ‘destiny bends,'” ends RZA. You can read RZA’s full statement and check out Destiny Bends, below.
Listen: RZA Feat. Will Wells – Destiny Bends
RZA ‘Destiny Bends’ Statement
This song, entitled “Destiny Bends” was written last night after hearing the tragic news of the loss of a good man named Paul Walker. I met Paul on the set of the film Brick Mansion, where we talked, laughed, and exchanged ideas of life and fatherhood. I only knew him personally for less than a year, but we knew each other through our work and art. We saw in each other a kindred spirit of men coming from unlikely circumstances, and rising to be the light and beacon of our family and loved ones. Men who learned the joy and pains of love in life, and success, while coming to realize that nothing is more important than family, friendship, and the brotherhood of humanity. Millions of people get to know an artist or movie star through their work, but few are allowed to cross each others’ paths and see through the veil of stardom and find the common denominator that we share. As all physical things will decay and wither away, film, art, and music remain longer than the vessel that delivered them. In this vein, the one thing we can’t take away or give back is time. So, thus, time is the most precious gift. I dedicated my time to compose this song with my two sons and new friend Will Wells, who was kind enough to sing and perform it for me. We dedicate it to Paul Walker. A good man. We had plans to continue working with each other in the future. It seemed destined, but “destiny bends”.
*Note* This song is not for criticism, it’s just a sketch demo. Please enjoy and reflect.
Your comrade in the struggle,
RZA
Regards,
