In this Build, The RZA reflects on the life, energy, and everlasting impact of his cousin and mentor, Freedum Allah, a.k.a Papa Wu — A revered figure within the Wu-Tang Clan family and the broader 5% Nation, Papa Wu was more than a presence — he was a force.
December 15, 2019 — Knowledge Power Day — marked the last time I saw Freedom at the Universal Parliament in Mecca, just hours before he returned to his essence. Even then, he spoke proudly of the Wu, reflecting on a journey he once entered knowing little about the music business — only to witness the Clan become one of the greatest groups in the world.
Freedum was a high scientist. Always dropping jewels. A man whose words charged rooms. When he entered a parliament to build, brothers who were outside would rush in — because they knew the show was about to begin. His magnetism was undeniable.
This presentation also revisits a powerful interview conducted nearly 20 years ago, where RZA described Freedum as “one of the great scientists on earth” — a logical, practical, intensely wise mind who enhanced and expanded his understanding beyond 120 Lessons. When Wu-Tang rose to global fame, RZA entrusted Freedom to travel with the Clan, to build daily with the brothers, to pour wisdom into them while he handled the business world. That’s how the name Papa Wu was manifested.
Method Man shared his story of how Freedom corrected and redirected him on to the right path when he first received knowledge incorrectly — putting him on the right path.
0:01 – Introduction to the story about Popa Wu / Freedum Allah
0:05 – Reverence for him in the family and Wu-Tang Clan
0:21 – Mention of seeing him the day of the rally, his last day
0:28 – Tragedy and beauty of his presence, love for parliaments
0:44 – Popa Wu’s energy and magnetism in ciphers
1:00 – Brothers getting charged by his words
1:16 – Correction, December 15, 2019, was the last time seeing Freedum at the Universal Parliament
1:28 – Speaking proudly of the Wu, observing their rise
1:42 – Popa Wu as a “high scientist,” always dropping jewels
2:05 – Importance of understanding and completing your personal cipher
2:23 – Concept of projecting yourself into the future; the future relies on self-reproduction
2:45 – Emphasis on universal knowledge, older than sun, moon, stars
3:06 – Born King’s interview almost 20 years ago about Freedum Allah
3:21 – Relationship with Freedum Allah as older cousin, mentorship
3:47 – Freedum as one of the great scientists on earth, imparting wisdom
4:00 – Personal recollections of interacting with Freedum at young age
4:19 – Learning beyond the 120 Lessons, practical wisdom
4:31 – Papa Wu recharging RZA’s life, helping with Wu-Tang brothers during business rise
5:00 – Inviting Freedum to tour with Wu-Tang to guide brothers, eventually becoming Popa Wu
5:40 – Clarification of familial relation (cousin through blood and marriage)
6:01 – Discussion of family bloodline, connection to Uncle Buddha
6:31 – Age difference with Ason (ODB)
6:42 – Ason / ODB’s performance in 1999, interactions with Freedum Allah
7:03 – Sharing of self-knowledge, crediting Freedum for guidance
7:16 – Receiving knowledge power physically, initially mis-taught
7:34 – Ran into Freedum Allah / Popa Wu, placed on the right path
The post The RZA builds on his relationship with Freedum Allah Aka Popa Wu first appeared on Siccness Network.
