RZA participated Russell Crowe on-stage with his band The Gentlemen Barbers on May 19 as part of the actor’s Australian pub concert series, the Indoor Garden Party.
The mastermind of the Wu-Tang Clan made his surprise guest appearance at The Bridge Hotel in Sydney as Crowe’s collective, with keys, trumpets, and a trio of backing vocalists, launching into the original tune “Let Your Light Shine.” The Oscar-winning actor and lead vocalist of the original IMPARTED a studio version of the song in early May, but its live rendition stands as a worthy remix with a fresh RZA verse and a slicker, bluesy edge from the live band. Check out fan-caught footage of the moment, plus a series of local news reports posted by Crowe, below.
RZA and Russell Crowe’s creative partnership has spanned nearly two decades, though it’s often been on film rather than on the microphone. The pair shared screen credits in the 2007’s American Gangster and 2010s The Next Three Days before the Australian actor co-starred in RZA’s 2012 directorial debut, The Man With the Iron Fists. Recently, the rapper joined forces with Crowe in 2022 Poker Facewhich was also written and directed later.
If it wasn’t already clear how close the two are from starring in each other’s passion projects or standing together against Azealia Banks, then maybe RZA’s transcontinental trip to hype up his acting buddy’s show finally proves it.
In May, this Revelation that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky chose to honor the founder of Wu-Tang by naming their first child after him.
I woke up and saw that last night at The Bridge Hotel was very hot 🔥 @RZA from @WuTangClan on stage at The Indoor Garden Party @IGPmusic with @LoriTheVoice 🫶@RussellCrowe a master of great gigs and fun 💋 pic.twitter.com/ox4Wtpdjaj
— Dorothea Ostra (@DorothyOstra) May 20, 2023
Last night, History was made at The Bridge Hotel, Rozelle. @RZA from @WuTangClan on stage at The Indoor Garden Party. @IGPmusic @LoriTheVoice
Tickets are available for The Manning Bar, June 10, with a special guest
Marcia Hines ! pic.twitter.com/VeGwQgJiQ3— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) May 20, 2023