RZA pays tribute to Paul Walker with ‘Destiny Bends’

RZA is the latest artist to pay tribute to Paul Walker.

After news broke Saturday that the star of the “Fast & Furious” franchise had died in a single-car accident, the de facto Wu-Tang Clan frontman crafted a track in tribute to the actor, which he posted on his SoundCloud page Sunday.

The rough demo, “Destiny Bends,” is a moving ballad with a simple arrangement and a raw vocal from up-and-coming singer Will Wells. RZA noted that he composed the track with his two sons.

In a note attached to the song (posted in full below), RZA wrote that he met Walker on the set of their upcoming film, “Brick Mansions,” where “we talked, laughed, and exchanged ideas of life and fatherhood.”

PHOTOS: Paul Walker, 1973 - 2013

“I only knew him personally for less than a year, but we knew each other through our work and art. We saw in each other a kindred spirit of men coming from unlikely circumstances, and rising to be the light and beacon of our family and loved ones,” RZA wrote.

“I thought we had another day to smile, laugh in the wind / how can it end / grateful to meet you, may we meet again / Paul, my friend,” Wells sings.

Listen to “Destiny Bends” below:

Here is RZA’s full note on the track:

This song, entitled “Destiny Bends,” was written last night after hearing the tragic news of the loss of a good man named Paul Walker. I met Paul on the set of the film Brick Mansion, where we talked, laughed, and exchanged ideas of life and fatherhood. I only knew him personally for less than a year, but we knew each other through our work and art. We saw in each other a kindred spirit of men coming from unlikely circumstances, and rising to be the light and beacon of our family and loved ones. Men who learned the joy and pains of love in life, and success, while coming to realize that nothing is more important than family, friendship, and the brotherhood of humanity. Millions of people get to know an artist or movie star through their work, but few are allowed to cross each others’ paths and see through the veil of stardom and find the common denominator that we share. As all physical things will decay and wither away, film, art, and music remain longer than the vessel that delivered them. In this vein, the one thing we can’t take away or give back is time. So, thus, time is the most precious gift. I dedicated my time to compose this song with my two sons and new friend Will Wells, who was kind enough to sing and perform it for me. We dedicate it to Paul Walker. A good man. We had plans to continue working with each other in the future. It seemed destined, but “destiny bends.”

*Note* This song is not for criticism, it’s just a sketch demo. Please enjoy and reflect.

Your comrade in the struggle,
RZA

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