---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We put out real hip-hop at a time when it…"
description: "\"We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B ... We brought the focus back to the music in its rawest form, without studio pol..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/rza-1981_adrenaline_we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-i_85513.jpg"
---

#  We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into…

![“We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&amp;B ... We brought the focus back to the music in its rawest form, without studio polish or radio hooks. ... People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush. We're here to supply that fix.” quote by RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/rza-1981_adrenaline_we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-i_85513.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/rza-1981_adrenaline_we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-i_85513.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/rza-1981_adrenaline_we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-i_85513.jpg)

> “We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&amp;B ... We brought the focus back to the music in its rawest form, without studio polish or radio hooks. ... People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush. We're here to supply that fix.”

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A call to preserve hip‑hop’s gritty, unfiltered energy against commercial dilution, delivering raw, high‑octane music that fuels listeners’ excitement.

**In simple terms:** Preserve raw hip‑hop energy.

Key Takeaway

Authentic, high‑energy hip‑hop matters.

Themes

authenticity musical purity cultural resistance energy rawness anti‑commercialism

Mood

defiant energetic rebellious

Type

manifesto musical critique cultural commentary

When to use this quote

- live performances
- underground club scenes
- DIY recording sessions
- music festivals
- artist collaborations

Key Concepts

hip‑hop culture musical production audience adrenaline

Practical Applications

- producing unpolished tracks
- curating raw‑energy playlists

Questions to Reflect On

- How does rawness affect listener engagement?
- What risks arise when resisting mainstream trends?

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Adrenaline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adrenaline/) [Adrenaline rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adrenaline-rush/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Focus Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus-music-667828/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hip hop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hop/) [Hips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hips/) [Hook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hook/) [Hops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hops/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music Rawest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-rawest-1077118/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Polish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/polish/) [Pop Brought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pop-brought-1077119/) [Pops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pops/) [Radio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radio/) [Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rapper/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real Hip](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-hip-253250/) [Studios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/studios/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Turning Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turning-pop-1077120/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-something/)

## Related quotes

> [We need to support the people who are making real hip-hop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/redman/we-need-to-support-the-people-who-are-making-real-hip-hop/)

[Redman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/redman/)

> [I think when people say 'real hip-hop,' they want it more buried in the streets. They want it more connected to the streets and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/i-think-when-people-say-real-hip-hop-they-want-it-more-buried-in-the/)

[Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/)

> [Real hip-hop is Migos, Future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lonzo-ball/real-hip-hop-is-migos-future/)

[Lonzo Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lonzo-ball/)

> [Hip hop is a human skill, and the practice of real hip hop should remind us of our humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krs-one/hip-hop-is-a-human-skill-and-the-practice-of-real-hip-hop-should/)

[KRS-One](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krs-one/)

> [Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I've always been able to bring that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakim/every-generation-wants-that-real-hip-hop-and-i-ve-always-been-able-to/)

[Rakim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakim/)

> [Its like everytime I think I'm about to lose it, the ones that really love me tell me focus on my music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marley-garcia/its-like-everytime-i-think-i-m-about-to-lose-it-the-ones-that-really/)

[Marley Garcia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marley-garcia/)

> [I view myself as a musician and I focus on music - other people may try to focus on the music, but the emphasis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nam/i-view-myself-as-a-musician-and-i-focus-on-music-other-people-may-try/)

[Eric Nam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nam/)

> [It's very important to focus on the music first. That's always number one. But after that, it's extremely important to just have fun with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/synyster-gates/it-s-very-important-to-focus-on-the-music-first-that-s-always-number/)

[Synyster Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/synyster-gates/)

> [As I'm writing a song, I focus on the music and try not to let my mind wander too much, but if I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlo-parks/as-i-m-writing-a-song-i-focus-on-the-music-and-try-not-to-let-my-mind/)

[Arlo Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlo-parks/)

> [I can't just sit down and make a song in a day. It's only possible if you focus on the music and not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zedd/i-can-t-just-sit-down-and-make-a-song-in-a-day-it-s-only-possible-if/)

[Zedd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zedd/)

> [I've always wanted to do my best to make sure it's clear that I want to keep the focus on my music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hunt/i-ve-always-wanted-to-do-my-best-to-make-sure-it-s-clear-that-i-want/)

[Sam Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hunt/)

> [I want to focus on my music and spend time with my family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-vaidya/i-want-to-focus-on-my-music-and-spend-time-with-my-family/)

[Rahul Vaidya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-vaidya/)

> [Focus on your music and not technology.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-adams/focus-on-your-music-and-not-technology/)

[Bryan Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-adams/)

> [Because I usually write so autobiographically, it's nice to have someone else's story or a visual and just focus on the music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amber-rubarth/because-i-usually-write-so-autobiographically-it-s-nice-to-have/)

[Amber Rubarth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amber-rubarth/)

> [Always focus on the music first. That's the big thing. Staying true to making good music and not sacrificing that for anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/griz/always-focus-on-the-music-first-that-s-the-big-thing-staying-true-to/)

[GRiZ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/griz/)

## More by RZA

> [I have to make beats every day. Wherever I go, I got a keyboard waiting for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-have-to-make-beats-every-day-wherever-i-go-i-got-a-keyboard-waiting/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [I didn't learn black history in school. I had to go find Malcolm X books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-didn-t-learn-black-history-in-school-i-had-to-go-find-malcolm-x/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [It is sad that the world has gotten more of my time than my children, but my children benefit from it through their financial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/it-is-sad-that-the-world-has-gotten-more-of-my-time-than-my-children/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [When I first heard hip-hop, in 1976, there were maybe only 500 people that could do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/when-i-first-heard-hip-hop-in-1976-there-were-maybe-only-500-people/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [Grew up in Stapleton House village, where blood flood the waters in the streets like oil spillage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/grew-up-in-stapleton-house-village-where-blood-flood-the-waters-in/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [I love the Bee Gees, and I love Barry Gibb and Andy Gibb. I listen to them almost every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-love-the-bee-gees-and-i-love-barry-gibb-and-andy-gibb-i-listen-to/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [What happens to a lot of artists in the music industry right now is the following: The music industry is plummeting real fast. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/what-happens-to-a-lot-of-artists-in-the-music-industry-right-now-is/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [There are lawyers advising to sue, so the lawyers can keep their retainments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/there-are-lawyers-advising-to-sue-so-the-lawyers-can-keep-their/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [I could never be a control freak. If Wu-Tang is a dictatorship, how does every Wu-Tang member have their own contract, their own career,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-could-never-be-a-control-freak-if-wu-tang-is-a-dictatorship-how/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [I think as time goes on that generation of rappers who's making it now is gonna face the same thing that my generation was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-think-as-time-goes-on-that-generation-of-rappers-who-s-making-it/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> ['Grease?' I watch that film over and over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/grease-i-watch-that-film-over-and-over/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [I'm glad Wu-Tang was able to inspire other producers and artists, but I would never want to be erased or removed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-m-glad-wu-tang-was-able-to-inspire-other-producers-and-artists-but/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [I'd hate to compare art to life but I think a movie is an entity of its own, and when it's done, you want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/i-d-hate-to-compare-art-to-life-but-i-think-a-movie-is-an-entity-of/)

[RZA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [When we was making a song called 'Bring Da Ruckus,' we took the snare, and we put it in an elevator shaft and recorded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/when-we-was-making-a-song-called-bring-da-ruckus-we-took-the-snare/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

> [Wu-Tang Clan's first album, '36 Chambers,' there wasn't a lot of money given to make that album.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/wu-tang-clan-s-first-album-36-chambers-there-wasn-t-a-lot-of-money/)

[Rza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

[Explore all 193 RZA quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/)

## More Adrenaline quotes

> [It's the adrenaline rush you only get from being in front of an audience. It's addictive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-saadiq/it-s-the-adrenaline-rush-you-only-get-from-being-in-front-of-an/)

[Raphael Saadiq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-saadiq/)

> [I have a lot of adrenaline. I have a naturally fast system. But I love to eat, and I am not skinny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-bellucci/i-have-a-lot-of-adrenaline-i-have-a-naturally-fast-system-but-i-love/)

[Monica Bellucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-bellucci/)

> [I think you just have extra adrenaline playing at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cody-bellinger/i-think-you-just-have-extra-adrenaline-playing-at-home/)

[Cody Bellinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cody-bellinger/)

> [When you are in hard labor, remember that the length of labor is usually proportional to the number of people around. Avoid the presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-odent/when-you-are-in-hard-labor-remember-that-the-length-of-labor-is/)

[Michel Odent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-odent/)

> [You get that extra pump of adrenaline when you come back to the courts where you remember how well you've done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajla-tomljanovic/you-get-that-extra-pump-of-adrenaline-when-you-come-back-to-the/)

[Ajla Tomljanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajla-tomljanovic/)

> [I don't get stage fright, I actually love the energy, I love the spontaneity, I love the adrenaline you get in front of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooke-burke/i-don-t-get-stage-fright-i-actually-love-the-energy-i-love-the/)

[Brooke Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooke-burke/)

> [My heart beats so hard it hurts, and I can't scream and I can't breathe, but I also feel everything, every vein and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/my-heart-beats-so-hard-it-hurts-and-i-can-t-scream-and-i-can-t/)

[Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/)

> [I'm an adrenaline junkie. I love climbing crazy trees or cliffs, which doesn't make my mom very happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colletti/i-m-an-adrenaline-junkie-i-love-climbing-crazy-trees-or-cliffs-which/)

[Stephen Colletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colletti/)

> [Ever notice how your senses are heightened when you are in challenging situations? You're experiencing an adrenaline rush that gives you extra energy. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/ever-notice-how-your-senses-are-heightened-when-you-are-in/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [I get called an adrenaline junkie every other minute, and I'm just fine with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-irwin/i-get-called-an-adrenaline-junkie-every-other-minute-and-i-m-just/)

[Steve Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-irwin/)

> [There’s something insupportable about being pissed with the one person on this planet that sends your adrenaline flowing to remind you that you’re alive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-castillo/there-s-something-insupportable-about-being-pissed-with-the-one/)

[Ana Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-castillo/)

> [And of course there is nothing better than wearing the same T-shirt for days and not brushing my hair for weeks,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daria-werbowy/and-of-course-there-is-nothing-better-than-wearing-the-same-t-shirt/)

[Daria Werbowy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daria-werbowy/)

> [Our training pushes us to develop a new set of instincts: instead of reacting to danger with a fight-or-flight adrenaline rush, we're trained to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/our-training-pushes-us-to-develop-a-new-set-of-instincts-instead-of/)

[Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/)

> [I get an adrenaline rush from "playing with the big boys." I consider myself a tomboy and was an athlete in high school, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/i-get-an-adrenaline-rush-from-playing-with-the-big-boys-i-consider/)

[Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/)

> [Here is something no real celebrity will ever tell you: film acting is not very fun. Doing the same thing over and over again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/here-is-something-no-real-celebrity-will-ever-tell-you-film-acting-is/)

[Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/)

[Browse all 510 Adrenaline quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adrenaline/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B ... We brought the focus back to the music in its rawest form, without studio polish or radio hooks. ... People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush. We're here to supply that fix.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "RZA"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-it-was-turning-into-pop-or-r-b/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Adrenaline"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-it-was-turning-into-pop-or-r-b/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/rza-1981_adrenaline_we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-i_85513.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/rza-1981_adrenaline_we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-i_85513.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/rza-1981_adrenaline_we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-i_85513.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B ... We brought the focus back to the…” — RZA",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "RZA",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rza/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "We put out real hip-hop at...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-it-was-turning-into-pop-or-r-b/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rza/we-put-out-real-hip-hop-at-a-time-when-it-was-turning-into-pop-or-r-b/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
