RZA Offers Jay-Z Advice on Fatherhood

Yesterday (December 4) was Jay-Z's birthday. Though Jiggaman probably got some lavish and amazing gifts for his 42nd, he'll be receiving one of the greatest gifts possible in a few months: a newborn.

XXL recently sat down with fellow rap legend, RZA, and gave the Wu-Tang soundsman the opportunity to give Hov some fatherly advice. Jay's "New Day" collaborator, who has a six-year-old son of his own, offered some words of wisdom, in distinct RZA fashion.

What can I say? It's hard to tell somebody about their own. A father is not only He Who Fat Her; no, but it's somebody who also furthers. Further the education of others. And if you could do that for your seed, then you doing what you do. You doing the right thing. We grew up without fathers. I'm quite sure he had the same situation as me: father absent. So we turned to the streets, music, and other things for a father.

Be there. You know what I mean? Because a father is the one who will further a child's education.

I did a song that I put out for ODB's memory, it's called "Gone." I said a line in there, it says: "Through our seeds, we all reach eternity." I believe that. Through our children—now you immortal. Now you are immortal. Your genes will go, go, go, go.

You get married, and the preacher says, "What God has joined, let no man put asunder." That's impossible. "Asunder" means separate. Our divorce rate is big in our country. The true marriage is the sperm and the egg. Because when those two things combine and form a life, you can't separate. You can't separate your father and your mother out of you. Nor will your children be able to. It's eternally enjoined.