Music is life. The broad horizons it spans reflect the various people it feeds. Some use it as an escape to unknown worlds, while others use it as a tool to excise hidden demons. In other corners, it is a tool of education. Hip-Hop is no exception, and Wu-Tang’s RZA, already known for his eclectic lyricism and memorable movie scores, continues his historical imprint with an amalgamation of his art form to one of history’s oldest games…chess.

WuChess marries Hip-Hop and chess in perfect harmony

Have you ever played the game? Maybe you’re still stuck (like I am) beating the computer.

Either way, when I was in grade school, chess taught me (and is still teaching me) a lot of things about life. Patience, perspective, strategy, and resiliency, to name a few. In life, you have to learn how to maximize the potential of your weakest moments (pawns), how to seize opportunities with the least obvious tools (knights), and always keep your head on a swivel when all about you are losing their head (loss of queen).

RZA, inventor of WuChess.com

Most days, there is always a better player. You may not get that grade, that acceptance letter, or promotion. But just as I am sure that the sun will rise tomorrow, another game will set itself up and it is upon you to learn from previous games to employ a new strategy.

To focus these principles to Black youth, and marry them to the warmth of eloquent lyrics and soul-pounding beats, is masterful. I remember how impressed I was with RZA’s score in Kill Bill. His life of tai chi, chess, and Hip-Hop borders on brilliant in terms of the meaningful impact he can make with our generation.

Big ups to wuchess.com.

P.S. If anyone is up for signing up for his social community and getting some games together, leave something in the comments and we can get it poppin!