RZA To Perform Free LA Show Promoting Orchestral Album, ‘A Ballet Through Mud’

RZA, an artist of all trades who is a renowned rapper, record producer, composer, actor and film director, announced he will perform his orchestral album, A Ballet Through Mud, live in Los Angeles for one night only.

The special show takes place at The Los Angeles Theater on Nov. 4, and tickets are free to the public and are available to reserve now.

A Ballet Through Mud is a collaboration between RZA, the Colorado Symphony and conductor Christopher Dragon originally performed in 2023. It is a coming-of-age tale that explores the complexities of love, friendship and personal growth, echoing the artist’s journey from Staten Island project housing to concert halls.

RZA, one of the founding members of the iconic rap group Wu-Tang Clan, was inspired to work on an orchestral project during the pandemic when he came across lyrical notebooks he filled as a teen. He went on to release his first classical album then ballet via Platoon and 36 Chambers.

“When Yusha, the Colorado Symphony, and I first collaborated to bring this artistic vision to a ‘live’ performance, we had no measuring stick to determine what the audience would feel,” RZA said in the release. “After two nights of standing ovations, we saw that the music and dances were transformative and inspiring. I’m over elated for the chance to share ‘A Ballet through Mud’ with the LA audience and I look forward to more audiences getting a chance to experience it.”

Oliver Zeffman will conduct the performance in LA and USC Thornton School of Music students and alumni will perform. The event is done in partnership with Classical California KUSC. Yusha-Marie Sorzano worked on the choreography for the show.

“’A Ballet Through Mud’ stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of collaboration and experimentation,” Yusha-Marie Sorzano, choreographer for the live performance, said in a statement. “By merging the distinct realms of concert dance and hip hop, it not only forges a groundbreaking platform but also cultivates entirely new artistic languages.”

To reserve tickets for the show, visit the Platoon event website here.