Released November 24, 1998 Length 67:57 Release date 24 November 1998 Genre Hip hop music | Recorded 1997–1998 | |
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RZA as Bobby Digital in Stereo(1998) Ghost Dog The Way of the Samurai (soundtrack)(1999) Bobby Digital in Stereo(1998) GZABeneath the Surface(1999) Similar RZA albums, Hip hop music albums | ||
Bobby Digital in Stereo is the solo debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist and record producer RZA, of East Coast hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on November 24, 1998, and was certified Gold on February 5, 1999, by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It is a well-received experimental album that is based on a story featuring him rhyming as a hedonistic, fun-loving alter-ego named Bobby Digital and showcasing a unique keyboard-driven sound (rather than samples) that the RZA called digital orchestra, receiving mostly positive, though somewhat mixed, reviews.
Contents
Background
He explained the origins of Bobby Digital, saying:
Lyrical content
On the pseudonym and character of Bobby Digital, which dominated the album's lyrics, RZA later stated:
I had to live in a way that I don't really live...I got to dip my weed in honey, and I had mad bitches around me. I probably fucked with 50 bitches this year...women are queens. But if they don't know that themselves, Bobby will prey on them. He'll treat them like bitches if they don't realize that they're queens. I had to get Bobby out of me, or else I'd be emotionally unbalanced. Bobby Digital is just me feeling my nuts. RZA is my heart.
Production
The sound of the album is largely keyboard-driven, but there are still samples. On the sound of Bobby Digital, RZA stated:
I learned how to play chords and progress the chords—I got together at least 16 or 17 different keyboards for this album. I always liked orchestras and strings, so I composed a digital orchestra.
Track listing
Personnel
Songs
1BOBBY5:51
2Unspoken Word4:45
3Airwaves1:47