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The RZA and Gravediggaz to Reunite For New Album

Written by Tyler Hakes. Published: Monday, May 23, 2011.

The RZA and Gravediggaz to Reunite For New Album The legendary NY horrorcore group reveals that they’re back in the lab to work on a new album.

Shabazz The Disciple (Scientific Shabazz), who made an appearance on the Gravediggaz’s 1994 track, “Diary of a Madman”, spoke recently to BallerStatus.com about the upcoming reunion of the group. The supergroup that originally consisted consisted mainly of Wu-Tang’s RZA, Prince Paul, Frukwan and Too Poetic, is working on a new release, he said, with some personnel changes.

Too Poetic, one of the group’s founding members, passed away in 2001 after complications from colon cancer. In addition to this loss, Wu-Tang affiliate Killah Priest — who was also featured on “Diary of a Madman” — will be officially added to the roster.

“RZA had called me last March — he’s like ‘Yo, it’s Gravediggaz time,’ ” Shabazz told BallerStatus. “I went down there; him and Frukwan (The Gatekeeper) already started on some songs. I went down there, did a couple of songs at his crib. Killah Priest was there. It was crazy ’cause me, Killah Priest, RZA and Frukwan was together in the studio. That was like ’94 all over again.”

The album doesn’t have a title or release date that’s been revealed as of now, but Shabazz did tell BallerStatus that the record is, “100% a go.”

“With everybody’s schedules, it’s kinda difficult to get everybody in one room right now. But, in the near future, it’ll pop off,” Shabazz explained. “It’s almost done though, RZA told me all we need to do is three more songs, and it’s a wrap.

The album will mark the group’s first official release since their 2002, Nightmare in A-Minor. But, this will be the first album to feature the RZA’s work since their 1997 sophomore album, The Pick, the Sickle, and the Shovel. In 2006, the album 6 Feet Under was released under the Gravediggaz flag, but was actually never authorized by any of the group’s members and has been the focus of legal action since.

This album will mark a true reunion for the group.

“It was like a family reunion. It was like being away from your brothers for a minute, like being locked up. Like, I did a little 10-15, being away from my family, then I came home and I’m back with my family,” Shabazz explained. “It’s a great feeling, not only for us, but for hip-hop itself, because hip-hop is suffering a famine. So, we’re gonna create that balance that ya’ll love us for.”

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