Shabazz The Disciple

Short bio — Shabazz The Disciple (born David Collins) is an original emcee out of Red Hook West Houses, Brooklyn, and a highly respected, connected affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan. Discovered by RZA just before the release of 36 Chambers, he became a founding member of Sunz of Man — his voice acknowledged in the intro to "Clan In Da Front."

Long bio — Shabazz gained his initial prominence through impactful guest appearances on Gravediggaz's seminal 1994 debut album, 6 Feet Deep, contributing memorable verses to tracks such as "Diary of a Madman" and "Graveyard Chamber." His solo career formally began with the release of "Death Be The Penalty" and "Crime Saga" on Penalty / Tommy Boy Records — two tracks whose impact warranted release as solo endeavors, and which remain collector's items among DJs and vinyl/cassette collectors worldwide.

Decades later, his presence keeps expanding: international festival shows, collaborations across the Wu-Tang universe and beyond — from Killah Priest and Hell Razah to artists in Brazil, France and Germany — and a touring history that has taken him to cities like Bogotá (Colombia) and stages across Europe. In 2026 he took part in a presentation at the Sundance Film Festival, bringing Red Hook culture to new audiences beyond music.

Solo & group projects — "Death Be The Penalty" / "Crime Saga" (Penalty / Tommy Boy Records, 1995), The Book of Shabazz (Hidden Scrollz), The Passion of the Hood Christ, Welcome To Red Hook Houses (as T.H.U.G. Angelz with Hell Razah, 2008), Hood Skoptured (with DJ Extended, 2010), Celestial Souljanz (2023), The Writing's On The Wall (with Ez Bodz, 2025), and the forthcoming Halo Like Glo.

Notable guest appearances —

• Gravediggaz — "Diary of a Madman," "Graveyard Chamber" · 6 Feet Deep (1994)
• Gravediggaz — "Elimination Process" · The Pick, The Sickle and the Shovel (1997)
• Killah Priest — "Eyes of a Disciple" · All Fallen Have Changed (2005)
• "Tio Da Ohna" (marked by DJ, Sony Brazil)
• Massive Tone — "Notify The President," feat. Celestial Souljanz (East West Germany)
• Kheops of IAM — "Scan The Fields" · Sad Kill Pt. 2 LP, feat. Shabazz & Ardsmoth (Delabel / Virgin France)
• "Oasis" — feat. Afroe, JU of Massive Tone, Shur'kin of IAM & Skols (Kopfnicker)

• Original affiliate and founding member of the influential Sunz of Man
• Featured on Gravediggaz's critically acclaimed debut album 6 Feet Deep (1994), then The Pick, Sickle and The Shovel (1997)
• Released seminal solo singles "Death Be The Penalty" and "Crime Saga"
• Extensive discography including The Book of Shabazz (Hidden Scrollz), The Passion of the Hood Christ, and the forthcoming The Writing's On The Wall and Halo Like Glo
• Significant collaborations within and beyond the Wu-Tang universe — Killah Priest, Hell Razah, Lord Jamar, and artists from Europe to Brazil
• Active international touring schedule, reinforcing a prominent underground presence

Note — The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable, Netflix's documentary on the making of Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, premieres October 16, 2026. It follows Cilvaringz (Tarik Azzougarh) — a separate project, unrelated to Shabazz The Disciple — included here only as context on the wider Wu-Tang universe this artist comes out of.

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