RZA Donates to The Hip-Hop Chess Federation

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation will be teaching the mental strategy game to incarcerated and at risk youth in St. Louis thanks in large part to a considerable donation made by Wu-Tang Clan general RZA.

Last month RZA, who will also serve as a board member for the non-profit, visited more than 400 high school students and played chess with some of the areas incarcerated youth.

According to Okayplayer, Bobby Digital addressed the room, saying, “Y’all are in here for not controlling your energy, yo. You are here now for not being analytical about the results of the actions you have taken.”

Chess has permeated throughout the Wu catalog with "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" featured on the groups debut Enter the 36 Chambers, and GZA's landmark album Liquid Swords depicting a bloody chess match on its cover.

RZA offered further comment on the initiative: "It's a game of chess in one sense, but in another it's a study of life. We in the Hip-Hop Chess Federation are striving to bring awareness to American's, to Black youth, but to the whole of American youth…. That chess study, along with martial arts, along with music is the best way to help develop your mind and body and protect you from pitfalls in life that will surely come at you."

The news comes the same week as recently released FBI files reveal RZA as well as Raekwon were once investigated for their involvement in two 1999 murders on Staten Island.