Wu-Tang-Clan - Wikipedia

In diesem Artikel geht es um die Musikgruppe. Für andere Zwecke siehe Wutang.

Wu-Tang Clan ist eine US-amerikanische Hip-Hop-Gruppe aus Staten Island, New York City, die ursprünglich aus East Coast Rapper RZA, GZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon bestand , Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God und Masta Killa. Der langjährige Mitarbeiter Cappadonna wurde 2007 offizielles Mitglied. Der Wu-Tang-Clan gilt als eine der einflussreichsten Hip-Hop-Gruppen aller Zeiten.

Wu-Tang Clan hat vier Studioalben aus Gold und Platin veröffentlicht. Ihr Debütalbum von 1993, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) gilt als eines der größten Alben der Hip-Hop-Geschichte. ^[1][2][3] Die Gruppe hat die Karrieren einiger verbundener Künstler eingeführt und eingeführt und Gruppen, die zusammen als Wu-Tang Killa Bees bekannt sind. ^[4] Im Jahr 2008 wurden sie als "die größte Hip-Hop-Gruppe Nr. 1 aller Zeiten" eingestuft. ^[5] Kris Ex von Rolling Stone nannte den Wu-Tang-Clan "die beste Rapgruppe aller Zeiten". ^[6] Im Jahr 2004 nannten die NME sie als eine der einflussreichsten Gruppen der letzten zehn Jahre. ^[7]

Geschichte

Gründung und Name

All in Together Now wurde nie bei einem Plattenlabel unterschrieben. Sehen Sie, ich, GZA und ODB hatten eine Crew namens FOI: Force of the Imperial Master. Wir haben ein Lied namens "All in Together Now" gemacht, das auf Bändern in ganz Brooklyn, Downtown Staten Island, New York und bis nach Miami berühmt wurde. Ich erinnere mich an Biz Markie, als er berühmt war und ich nicht berühmt war. Er sagte: "Yo! Ich habe diesen Scheiß gehört! Ihr Song mit Ason Unique und The Specialist." Ich war der Wissenschaftler. Also haben wir damals nie als Gruppe unterschrieben. Wir hatten nie einen ernsthaften Plattenvertrag unter diesem Titel. ^[8]

- RZA

RZA (Mitte, 2002) Der Produzent der Gruppe und Mitbegründer des Kollektivs.

Wu-Tang Clan wurde Anfang der 1990er Jahre mit RZA als de facto Führer und dem Produzenten der Gruppe zusammengestellt. ^[4] Method Man - der RZA traf 1990, nachdem der Produzent ein Band als Prince Rakeem aufgenommen hatte, erinnerte er sich:

Ich ging in sein Haus. Wir gingen in den Keller und ich schätze, sie zeigten sich, weil ich dort war. Da wären RZA und sein Bruder Devon auf den Decks. RZA war schneidend, Devon würde das Licht ausschalten, dann RZAs Licht ausschalten, Devon würde ausschneiden, dann würde er das Licht ausschalten. Sie machten eine wilde Scheiße, Mann. Und Ol 'Dirty war da und er wiederholte jeden Reim von RZAs während des Beatboxings, denn das war damals stilvoll. Das war der Anfang von Wu-Tang. ^[9]

RZA und Ol 'Dirty Bastard übernahmen den Namen für die Gruppe nach dem Film Shaolin und Wu Tang . ^[10] Ihr Debütalbum nahm locker ein Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang-Thema, Unterteilung des Albums in Abschnitte von Shaolin und Wu-Tang. ^[11]

Die Gruppe entwickelte Backronyms für den Namen (wie Hip-Hop-Pioniere wie KRS-One und Big Daddy Kane) mit ihren Namen), einschließlich "Wir nehmen normalerweise alle Niggas-Kleider", "Witziges unvorhersehbares Talent und natürliches Spiel" und "Weisheit des Universums und die Wahrheit Allahs für die Nation der Götter". ^[10]

1992– 96: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) und Soloalben

Der Wu-Tang-Clan wurde 1993 bekannt, nachdem die unabhängige Single "Protect Ya Neck" veröffentlicht wurde, die der Gruppe sofort ein Signal gab eine ansehnliche U-Bahn-Verbindung, besonders nach ihrer Tour mit Kat Nu und Cypress Hill. Obwohl es schwierig war, ein Plattenlabel zu finden, das den Wu-Tang-Clan unterzeichnen würde, während jedes Mitglied weiterhin Soloalben mit anderen Labels aufnehmen konnte, stimmten Loud / RCA schließlich zu und veröffentlichten ihr Debütalbum Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) im November 1993. Dieses Album wurde von der Kritik hoch gelobt und gilt bis heute als eines der größten Hip-Hop / Rap-Alben aller Zeiten. ^[12][13][14] Der Erfolg von Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers gründete die Gruppe Mitte der 1990er Jahre als eine kreative und einflussreiche Kraft, in der Ol 'Dirty Bastard, GZA, RZA, Raekwon, U-God, Method Man und Ghostface Killah verhandeln konnten Soloverträge. RZA sprach über das unorthodoxe Geschäftsmodell des Wu-Tang-Clans:

Wir haben die Art und Weise, wie Hip Hop strukturiert wurde, neu erfunden, und ich meine, Sie haben eine Gruppe bei einem Label unterschrieben, aber die Infrastruktur unseres Deals war wie bei jedem anderen. [...] Wir konnten immer noch mit jedem Label verhandeln, das wir wollten. wie Meth ging mit Def Jam, Rae blieb bei Loud, Ghost ging mit Sony, GZA ging mit Geffen Records, fühle mich? [...] Und all diese Labels setzen immer noch "Razor Sharp Records" in den Abspann. [...] Wu Tang war eine Finanzbewegung. Was willst du also diversifizieren ...? [...] Ihr Vermögen ^[15]

- RZA

RZA war der erste, der den Erfolg von Enter the Wu-Tang mit einem Nachfolger verfolgte Nebenprojekt, Gründung der Gravediggaz mit Prinz Paul und Frukwan (beide von Stetsasonic) und Poetic. Die Gravediggaz veröffentlichte 6 Feet Deep im August 1994, die zu einem der bekanntesten Werke des Hip-Hop-Subtyps des Horrorcores wurde. ^[4]

Im November 1994 Das erste Debütalbum von Method Man Tical wurde veröffentlicht. Es wurde vollständig von RZA produziert, das zum größten Teil mit den schmutzigen, rohen Texturen fortfuhr, die er 36 Chambers erforschte. RZAs praktische Herangehensweise an Tical bezog sich nicht nur auf die Beats, sondern auch auf die Entwicklung von Songkonzepten und -strukturen. ^[4] Der Titel "All I Need" von Tical war der Gewinner des "Bester Rap-Auftritt eines Duos oder einer Gruppe" bei den Grammy Awards 1995. ^[16] Nach der Veröffentlichung von Tical war Ol 'Dirty Bastard das nächste Mitglied, das eine Solokarriere startete. Sein Debütalbum Rückkehr zu den 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version wurde im März 1995 veröffentlicht und gilt als Hip-Hop-Klassiker. ^[14]

Das Jahr 1995 wurde veröffentlicht von Raekwons Nur 4 kubanische Linx ... und GZAs Liquid Swords gebaut, die sich als die beiden bedeutendsten und am meisten angenommenen Soloprojekte der Gruppe herausstellen. ^{[ Zitat nötig} Cuban Linx war ein abwechslungsreiches, theatralisches, kriminologisches Epos, bei dem sich RZA von den rauen, abgespeckten Beats der frühen Alben entfernte und zu einem reichhaltigeren, filmischeren Sound verlobte auf Saiten und klassischen Soul-Samples. Das Album ist insofern bemerkenswert, als es das Mafioso-Rap-Subgenre wiederbelebte, das mehrere Jahre zuvor zu sinken begann. ^{[ Zitat erforderlich]} Lavish Living und die Unterwelt des Verbrechens werden durchgehend erwähnt unter Verwendung von Zitaten aus dem John Woo-Film The Killer wobei die Mystik des Wu-Tang-Clans durch die Adoption von Verbrechensbekenntnissen und den Namen der Besatzung Wu-Gambinos vertieft wurde. ^{[ Zitat ]} Das Album brachte eine Flut von Slang-Wörtern in das Rap-Lexikon, und viele Künstler haben den Materialismus imitiert. ^{[ Zitat benötigt ]} Kubanischer Linx mit nur einem Wu-Mitglied und dem Debüt von Cappadonna. Das Album enthielt auch Rapper Nas, der als erster nicht Wu-Tang-verbundener MC auf einem Wu-Tang Clan-Album erschien. Die Liquid Swords von GZA hatten einen ähnlichen Fokus auf die Kriminalistik in der Innenstadt, ähnlich wie Only Built 4 Cuban Linx aber es war viel dunkler, sowohl in den grimmigen Texten von GZA als auch in der ominösen Produktion RZA experimentierte mehr mit Keyboards als je zuvor. Liquid Swords zeigt Gastauftritte von jedem Wu-Tang Clan-Mitglied und ist durch Ausschnitte aus dem Film Shogun Assassin miteinander verbunden. 1995 kam auch die Wu Wear-Bekleidungslinie auf den Markt, die sich als äußerst erfolgreich herausstellte und die Hip-Hop-Kultur beeinflusste. Es begann zunächst als bloßer Weg, um Geld aus der Nachfrage nach Bootleg Wu-Tang Clan-Hemden zu verdienen, und entwickelte sich zu einer umfangreichen Kollektion von Designerkleidungsstücken. ^{[ Zitat benötigt} Bald andere Hip-Hop-Künstler unternahmen ähnliche Unternehmungen, und Mitte der 2000er Jahre war eine Bekleidungslinie fast eine Voraussetzung für den Hip-Hop-Superstar, mit Bekleidungslinien, die von Puff Daddy, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Nelly, Ludacris, 50 Cent und mehr ins Leben gerufen wurden ^{Zitat erforderlich}

Fast ein Jahr nach der Veröffentlichung von Liquid Swords veröffentlichte Ghostface Killah sein erstes Soloalbum, Ironman ] Ende Oktober 1996. Das Album brachte ein Gleichgewicht zwischen den unheimlichen, mit Keyboard beladenen Texturen von Liquid Swords und den sentimentalen Soul-Samples von Cuban Linx während Ghostface selbst Neuland erkundete Texter Ironman wurde von den Kritikern hoch gelobt und gilt nach wie vor als eines der besten Wu-Tang-Soloalben. ^[17] Obwohl die Alben von 1994-1996 als Solo veröffentlicht wurden, war RZAs Präsenz hinter der Produktion und der Viele Gastauftritte von anderen Wu-Tang-Clanmitgliedern haben dazu geführt, dass es sich meistens um Gruppenarbeiten handelt.

1997–2000: Wu-Tang Forever Diversifizierung und zweite Reihe von Soloalben

Nachdem sich die Solokarriere fest etabliert hatte, kam der Wu-Tang-Clan erneut zusammen, um sein zweites Studio-Alubm zu veröffentlichen, [19459008Wu-TangForeverim Juni 1997. Das Album wurde auf Platz 1 der Billboard-Charts aufgenommen, und dieses Ereignis wurde in einem CNN-Roundup für die außergewöhnlichen Verkäufe vorgestellt, die die Gruppe ohne Mainstream-Sound oder kommerzielle Anziehungskraft erzielte. ^{[ Zitat benötigt ]} Die erste Single des Albums, "Triumph", war über fünf Minuten lang und enthielt neun Verse (einen von jedem Mitglied plus Cappadonna) sowie ODB, der auf Intro und Bridge erschien. und kein Haken oder eine wiederholte Phrase. Der Sound des Albums basierte wesentlich auf den vorherigen drei Soloalben, wobei RZA mehr Keyboards und Saiten-Samples verwendete und zum ersten Mal einen Teil der Produktion des Albums seinen Schützlingen True Master und 4th Disciple zuordnete. Die Texte der Gruppe unterschieden sich signifikant von denen von 369 Chambers (19459009), wobei viele Verse in einer dichten Bewusstseinsform geschrieben wurden, die stark von den Lehren der Five Percent Nation beeinflusst wurde. Laut Nielsen SoundScan wurden weltweit bisher über 8,3 Millionen Exemplare verkauft. ^{Zitat benötigt}

Wu-Tang Forever markierte ebenfalls das Ende von RZAs "Fünfjahresplan". Nach dem Erfolg des Albums hörte RZA auf, alle Aspekte des Wu-Tang-Produkts zu überwachen, wie zuvor, und hatte einen Großteil seiner bestehenden Rolle an Mitarbeiter wie Oliver "Power" Grant und seinen Bruder Mitchell "Divine" Diggs. ^{Zitat erforderlich ]} Dieser Schritt sollte Wu-Tangs Reichweite in der Branche erweitern und finanzielle Möglichkeiten für die Gruppe nutzen. In Übereinstimmung mit diesem Schritt sollte eine Reihe von Wu-Tang-Produkten (sowohl musikalisch als auch anderweitig) in den nächsten zwei Jahren veröffentlicht werden. ^{[ Zitat benötigt}

Wu-Tang Forever der Schwerpunkt des Wu-Tang-Imperiums verlagerte sich weitgehend auf die Förderung aufstrebender angeschlossener Künstler. Cappadonna, ein enger Mitarbeiter der Gruppe, folgte dem Gruppenprojekt mit The Pillage (19459008) vom März 1998 (19459009). Bald darauf veröffentlichte Killah Priest, ein weiterer enger Mitarbeiter des Clans, Heavy Mental mit großem Beifall. Die verbundenen Gruppen Sunz of Man und Killarmy veröffentlichten ebenfalls gut aufgenommene Alben, gefolgt von Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm - einem Compilation-Album, das diese und weitere Wu-assoziierte Künstler sowie neue Solo-Tracks der Gruppenmitglieder selbst. Der Schwarm verkaufte sich gut und wurde mit Gold ausgezeichnet. ^[18]

Es gab auch eine lange Reihe von Entlassungen von sekundären Tochtergesellschaften wie Popa Wu, Shyheim, GP Wu und Wu -Syndikat. Zweite Alben von Gravediggaz und Killarmy sowie ein Greatest-Hits-Album und eine B-Seiten-Compilation wurden ebenfalls veröffentlicht. ^{[ Citation Need}

Während diese Runde kommerziell erfolgreich war wurde nicht so kritisch wie sein Vorgänger gewürdigt. In der zweiten Runde der Solo-Alben von Wu-Tang wurden die fünf Alben, die bereits Alben veröffentlicht hatten, zum zweiten Mal bemüht, sowie Debüts aller übrigen Mitglieder, mit Ausnahme von Masta Killa. Innerhalb von zwei Jahren, RZAs Bobby Digital In Stereo Method Man Tical 2000: Tag des Jüngsten Gerichts und Blackout! (mit Redman), GZAs Unter der Oberfläche Ol 'Dirty Bastards Nigga Please U-Gods Golden Arms Redemption Raekwons Unobilarity Suprost Clientele . und Inspectah Decks Uncontrolled Substance wurden alle freigelassen (sieben von ihnen wurden innerhalb von sieben Monaten zwischen Juni 1999 und Januar 2000 freigelassen). RZA komponierte auch die Filmmusik für den Film Ghost Dog: Der Weg des Samurai unter der Regie von Jim Jarmusch, während er und andere Wu-Tang-Mitglieder Musik zu einem Begleitermusikalbum beisteuerten.

Die Lawine des Wu-Tang-Produkts zwischen 1997 und 2000 wurde von einigen Kritikern als eine Übersättigung angesehen, die für Wu-Tangs Rückgang der Popularität oder zumindest in kritischer Hinsicht während dieses Zeitraums verantwortlich war. ^[19] Rezensionen wie Melody Maker ' s Schreiben über Ghostface Killahs Supreme Clientele im Januar 2000, das mit "Ein weiterer Monat, ein weiteres Wu-Tang-Nebenprojekt" begann, enthüllten die Erschöpfung der Kritiker Clans erstaunliche Leistung. Der Gesamtempfang für die zweite Runde der Clan-Mitglieder-Soloalben war entschieden gemischt, wenn auch weitgehend positiv, und sie entsprachen nicht ihrem vor Wu-Tang Forever genannten Vorfahren kritisch. ^{[ needed ]}

Gelegentliche Alben würden immer noch von Kritikern (Ghostface Killah's Supreme Clientele die zu den besten Solisten des Clans zählen) als Method Man erhalten und Ol 'Dirty Bastard blieben als Solokünstler aus sich heraus populär, und Wu-Tang blieb eine bekannte Kraft, aber sie hatten anscheinend die Fähigkeit verloren, die Musikwelt auf die Weise zu erregen, wie sie es in der früheren 1990er Jahre. ^{[ Zitat benötigt ]}
Viele Fans und Kritiker beklagten auch das Fehlen von RZA-Beiträgen zu den Soloalben nach ... Forever die hauptsächlich von Wu-Element-Produzenten, anderen nachrangigen Filialen oder von externen Produzenten produziert wurden als die Trackmasters oder die Neptunes ^{[ erforderlich ]}

2000–01: Die W Eisenflagge und New Millennium

Die Gruppe kam erneut zusammen, um The W zu machen, allerdings ohne Ol 'Dirty Bastard, der zu diesem Zeitpunkt in Kalifornien eingesperrt war, weil er gegen die Bedingungen seiner Bewährung verstoßen hatte. Trotz seiner Inhaftierung gelang es Ol 'Dirty Bastard, auf die Spur "Conditioner" zu kommen, auf der Snoop Dogg zu sehen war. Der Gesang von Ol 'Dirty Bastard wurde über die Telefone aufgenommen, mit denen Insassen im Gefängnis mit Besuchern sprechen konnten. Das W wurde von Kritikern größtenteils gut aufgenommen, ^[20] insbesondere für die Produktion von RZA. Außerdem gab es der Gruppe eine Hit-Single mit dem Uptempo "Gravel Pit", Teil einer Trilogie von Videos, in denen die Gruppe zu Gast war verschiedene Epochen mit einem Zeitfahraufzug, der auch "Protect Ya Neck (Der Absprung)" und "Vorsicht (Klicken, Klicken)" enthielt, gefolgt von "Ich kann nicht schlafen" mit Isaac Hayes. Das Album würde den doppelten Platin-Status erreichen.

Kurz vor der Veröffentlichung von The W entkam Ol 'Dirty Bastard, während er von einem Rehazentrum zu einem Gericht in Los Angeles transportiert wurde, und wurde als Flüchtling betrachtet. Bei einer Plattenfreigabe für The W erschien Ol 'Dirty Bastard mit einem von einem orangefarbenen Parka verdeckten Gesicht und wurde erst erkannt, als er der Menge vorgestellt wurde. Als Polizisten anwesend waren, trat Ol 'Dirty Bastard kurz auf und floh aus Angst, gefangen genommen zu werden. Sechs Tage später sorgte Ol 'Dirty Bastard für Aufsehen, als er bei einem McDonald's in der Broad & Girard Street in North Philadelphia Autogramme unterschrieb. Der Manager wusste nicht, wer den Aufruhr verursacht hatte, und rief die Polizei an. Als das Gesetz ankam, hielt Ol 'Dirty Bastard sie für Fans, bis sie ihre Waffen zogen. Ol 'Dirty Bastard floh aus der Anlage, wurde jedoch beim Versuch, sein Fahrzeug zu starten, angehalten. Nachdem er einen gefälschten Ausweis vorgelegt hatte, gab er seine wahre Identität zu und wurde verhaftet. ^[21]

Im Jahr 2001 veröffentlichte Wu-Tang Clan Iron Flag ein Album, das umfangreich wurde Verwendung von externen Produzenten und Gästen. Seine Crossover-Atmosphäre und -Features, darunter Ron Isley, Flavour Flav und die prominenten Produzenten Trackmasters, machten es zu einem leichteren Preis. Während es von Kritikern hoch gelobt wurde, erlangte es bei den Fans einen weniger als hervorragenden Ruf. Das Gruppenmitglied Ghostface Killah kündigte später den Rekord an.

Während Cappadonna ursprünglich auf dem Cover von Iron Flag abgebildet war, war Cappadonna mit dem Airbrush aus dem Artwork und nicht vollständig auf dem Album. Dies mag mit Spannungen zusammenhängen, die in der Gruppe aufkamen, als sich herausstellte, dass der Manager von Cappadonna ein Informant der Polizei war oder war, eine Offenbarung, die auch die anschließende Entlassung des Managers zur Folge hatte. ^[22] Cappadonna würde jedoch weiterhin zusammenarbeiten und touren mit der Gruppe in den kommenden Jahren.

Zu dieser Zeit begann Method Man seine Schauspielkarriere, zusammen mit dem engen Mitarbeiter Redman, indem er im Stoner-Komödienfilm How High spielte.

2004: Rechtsfragen, Tod von Ol 'Dirty Bastard und Wiederaufleben

Anfang 2004 verließ U-God die Gruppe scheinbar angewidert. Eine DVD mit dem Titel Rise of a Fallen Soldier wurde veröffentlicht, in der seine Probleme detailliert beschrieben wurden. Diese Probleme wurden hauptsächlich von RZA behandelt, von dem er behauptete, er habe seinen Erfolg als Solokünstler behindert. ^{Zitat nötig ]} Er bildete eine Gruppe junger Protegés namens Hillside Scramblers, mit der er das Album U-Godzilla Presents The Hillside Scramblers im März 2004 veröffentlichte. ^{Zitat erforderlich ]} Der Streit mündete in einem hitzigen Telefongespräch zwischen RZA und U-God im Live-Radio, bei dem sich die beiden schließlich versöhnten. Inzwischen ist er in die Gruppe zurückgekehrt. ^{[ Zitat benötigt ]}

2004 kam es zu einer unerwarteten Rückkehr des Clans in die Live-Bühne. Sie machten sich auf eine kurze Europa-Tournee, bevor sie sich zum ersten Mal seit mehreren Jahren als komplette Gruppe zusammenfanden, um das Rock the Bells-Festival in Kalifornien ^{zu zitieren} . Das Konzert wurde auf CD unter dem Namen Disciples of the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1 veröffentlicht, und sie veröffentlichten auch ein Musikvideo-Album mit den besten Hits, Legende des Wu-Tang-Clans . ^{Zitat erforderlich ]}

Tod von Ol 'Dirty Bastard

Ol' Dirty Bastards Karriere in Wu-Tang war durch unberechenbares Verhalten gekennzeichnet. Bei den Grammy Awards 1998 protestierte er gegen den Verlust des Clans (gegen Puff Daddy im Best Rap Album), als er Shawn Colvins Annahmerede für ihren Song of the Year unterbrach. ^[23] Darüber hinaus wurden die Rechtsverletzungen von ODB mit dem Gesetz gut bekannt gemacht Er wurde mehrmals wegen Zuwiderhandlungen wie Körperverletzung, Körperverletzung, Körperschutz nach einer Straftat und wegen Besitzes von Kokain ^[24] festgenommen und mehrere Gerichtsdaten verpasst. Ende 2000 entkam Ol 'Dirty Bastard unerwartet kurz vor dem Ende seiner Rehabilitierungsstrafe und verbrachte einen Monat als Flüchtling auf der Flucht, bevor er auf der Bühne für die Plattenfreigabe für The W in New York City auftauchte . Es gelang ihm, aus dem Club zu fliehen, wurde jedoch später von der Polizei in Philadelphia gefangengenommen und nach New York geschickt, um sich wegen Kokainbesitz anzuklagen. Im April 2001 wurde er zu zwei bis vier Jahren Gefängnis verurteilt. ^[25] Nach seiner Entlassung aus dem Gefängnis unterzeichnete er einen Vertrag in Höhe von einer Million Dollar bei Roc-a-Fella Records. ^{[ Zitat benötigt}

Am 13. November 2004 brach Ol 'Dirty Bastard in Wu-Tangs Aufnahmestudio 36 Chambers in der West 34th Street in New York City zusammen und wurde später in dieser Nacht für tot erklärt. ^[26] Wu-Tang Er wurde mehrmals mit einer Ehrerbietung geehrt: Im August 2006 kam einer seiner Söhne bei einem Wu-Tang-Konzert in der Webster Hall heraus und klopfte mit seiner Mutter den "Brooklyn Zoo" sowie während eines Konzertes im Hammerstein-Ballsaal den Clan seine Mutter auf der Bühne für ein Mitsingen von "Shimmy Shimmy Ya". ^{Zitat erforderlich ]}

2006–10: Vierte Runde von Soloalben und 8 Diagrams

2005 erschien das erste Buch von RZA, The Wu-Tang Manual die Veröffentlichung des zweiten Albums von U-God, Mr. Xcitement und die lang erwartete Zusammenarbeit zwischen GZA und Produzent DJ Muggs mit dem Titel Grandmasters . Die kollaborative Aufzeichnung erhielt gute Kritiken und spielte ziemlich gut mit Fans, die im Großen und Ganzen darauf gewartet hatten, dass die Wu die Qualität ihrer Veröffentlichungen steigerte. ^{[ Zitat benötigt ]} [19659003] Am 28. März 2006 veröffentlichte Ghostface Killah Fishscale mit viel Kritik und kommerziellem Erfolg. ^[27] Der gesamte Clan, einschließlich Cappadonna und der verstorbene Ol 'Dirty Bastard, erschien auf dem Track "9 Milli Bros ". Das Album bot auch eine Erweiterung des traditionellen Sounds von Ghostface - angeführt durch den mäßig erfolgreichen Clubsong "Be Easy" und Schlachtreime in der von Just Blaze produzierten "The Champ". Nach dem Empfang von Fans bat das Label Def Jam Ghostface Killah, in diesem Jahr ein weiteres Album zu veröffentlichen. Das Ergebnis, More Fish begeisterte Fans und Kritiker etwas weniger. ^{[ Zitat benötigt ]}

Am 25. Juni 2006 veröffentlichte Inspectah Deck ein Straßenalbum mit dem Titel The Resident Patient ein Vorspiel zu seinem kommenden Album mit dem Titel The Rebellion das sein letztes Soloalbum sein soll. ^[28] Im Spätsommer 2006 wurde Masta veröffentlicht Killas zweites Studioalbum, Made in Brooklyn zu lauwarmen Kritiken sowie Method Man's 4:21 ... the Day After auf dem der Rapper nachholte schlechte Reaktion auf Tical 0: The Prequel. ^{Zitatbedarf ]} Um diese Zeit war er in den Medien stark vertreten, weil Def Jam seinen früheren Kollegen nicht gern gesehen hatte Projekt. Trotz allem, was der Rapper im Vergleich zu anderen Künstlern von Def Jam als wenig Werbung empfand, 421 ... debütierte in den Billboard Top Ten und erhielt viel bessere Kritiken als sein vorheriges Album. ^{[ Zitat brauchte ]} Method Man traf auch die Entscheidung, aus Hollywood zurückzutreten, und nur zu Schauspielarbeit an Filmen, die von engen Freunden gehandhabt werden. ^{[ Zitat benötigt ]}

Der Sommer 2007 war der ursprüngliche Veröffentlichungszeitpunkt für Raekwons lang erwartete Fortsetzung seines 1995er Debüts Nur 4 kubanische Linx gebaut mit dem Titel Nur 4 kubanische Linx gebaut ... Pt. II . Das Album sollte auf Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records veröffentlicht werden ^[29] es würde sich jedoch nach zahlreichen Verzögerungen bei Raekwons Ice H2O Records und EMI am 8. September 2009 herausstellen.

Ghostface Killah veröffentlichte im Dezember 2007 sein siebtes Album in voller Länge The Big Doe Rehab und genau eine Woche später veröffentlichte Wu-Tang ihr fünftes Album in voller Länge, 8 Diagramme. ^[30] über Steve Rifkinds SRC Records, ^[31] deren inzwischen verstorbene Loud Records die vier vorherigen Alben der Gruppe veröffentlichten. In diesem Album wurde Cappadonna als offizielles Mitglied der Gruppe aufgenommen. ^[32] In einem Interview mit MTV.com gab Ghostface Killah an, er sei über RZA verärgert gewesen, als er das Projekt 8 Diagrams gestartet hatte in der Mitte des Schreibens und Aufzeichnens The Big Doe Rehab ^[33] und weitere Verärgerung mit RZA, um 8 Diagramme das gleiche Veröffentlichungsdatum wie The Big Doe Rehab zu geben ^[34] Das Endergebnis von 8 Diagrams erhielt gemischte Ansichten von Fans und Kritikern und gilt als die experimentellste Arbeit des RZA bis heute. [19659] 19659129] Sowohl Raekwon als auch Ghostface Killah waren mit dem Album unzufrieden und schlugen vor, ein Gruppenalbum mit dem Titel "Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang" ohne RZA-Produktion aufzunehmen. ^[36] Dieses Album würde schließlich zu Raekwons fünftem Soloalbum werden Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang .

Im Sommer 2008 veröffentlichte RZA Digi Snacks ein weiteres Album von Bobby Digital. Er nutzte das Album in erster Linie, um weniger bekannte Wu-Tang Clan-Mitglieder wie Freemurder, Killa Sin, Black Knights und andere zu überlisten. Im Sommer 2008 erschien auch das Pro Tools -Album von GZA .

Ungefähr ein Jahr später veröffentlichte U-God sein drittes Soloalbum mit dem Titel Dopium das Gastauftritte von mehreren Wu-Tang-Mitgliedern und zugehörigen Mitgliedern enthielt, und wurde überwiegend mit lauwarmen Kritiken bewertet. Eine Woche später erschien Wu-Tang Chamber Music ein Nebenprojekt, das von RZA ausführend produziert wurde und Live-Instrumentierung einer Brooklyn Soul-Band namens The Revelations enthielt. Das Album enthält Auftritte von fünf Wu-Tang-Mitgliedern, zusammen mit den New Yorker Hauptstützen AZ, Kool G. Rap, Cormega, Havoc, Sean Price und M.O.P. Die erste Single von Chamber Music war ein Titel mit dem Titel "Harbour Masters" mit Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck und AZ. ^[37] Um die Verwirrung zu klären, sprach RZA zu Billboard.com über das Album: "I Ich denke, der Titel von Chamber Music ist sehr passend: Diese Musik befindet sich vollständig in der Kammer oder im Gedächtnis von Wu-Tang wie in [ Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)]. ] Tage, aber es ist kein Wu-Tang-Album, der gesamte Clan nicht auf diesem Album, aber es kann keine andere Kategorie sein als Wu-Tang. ^[38]

September 2009 erschien das lang erwartete Album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx ... Pt. II das Gastauftritte verschiedener namhafter Künstler und Clanmitglieder enthält, wobei Ghostface der prominenteste ist Produktion von RZA, Dr. Dre, Pete Rock und J Dilla ua Das Album debütierte auf Nummer 4 der Billboard 200 und auf Platz 2 der Top-R & B / Hip-Hop-Alben-Diagramm, und wurde von den meisten Musikkritikern gelobt. Einige Wochen später veröffentlichte Ghostface Ghostdini: Der Zauberer der Poesie in Emerald City einem Hip-Hop / R & B-Album.

Talk of the album Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang wurde im Juli 2009 erneut aufgetaucht; ^[39] war ursprünglich als Full-On-Wu-Album ohne RZA-Input geplant, das RZA umfasste das Projekt MC-Standpunkt, ohne zur Produktion beizutragen. Raekwon erklärte, "[It'll] seien Alter Egos, die sich gegenseitig herausfordern, was es der RZA wirklich erlaubte, auf die Produktion zurückzugreifen, und erlaubte uns, ihm einen Rückblick auf die Dinge zu geben, die wir vom Abt [RZA] brauchen. Wir wollen, dass er es ist [with the album as an MC] beteiligt, aber das Konzept bestand darin, dass er nicht produktionsmäßig involviert war. "[19456549] Zitat erforderlich

Im Gespräch mit MTV.com enthüllte Method Man sein, Ghostface Killah und Raekwons Pläne, ein eigenes Album als Trio aufzunehmen, sind: "Ich möchte nicht sagen, dass es in Stein gemeißelt ist, aber es wird diskutiert. Ich möchte etwas Feedback von den Fans, um zu sehen, wie sie das aufnehmen würden. RZA produzierte Tracks , natürlich einige andere externe Produzenten, und wir werden Wu-Tang-Mitglieder auf dem Album haben, aber es wird ein Rae-, Ghost- und Meth-Album sein. " ^[40]

Ghostface Killah zementierte die Details: Der Rekord - mit anderen Wu-Tang-Clanmitgliedern - wird hauptsächlich aus ihm, Method Man und Raekwon bestehen. Der Titel, der in drei separaten Trailern (Regie: Rik Cordero) für die bevorstehende Veröffentlichung angekündigt wurde, lautet Wu-Massacre . Ghost sagte, die drei würden in den nächsten Monaten mit der Aufnahme beginnen und schätzten das Veröffentlichungsdatum auf Ende 2009 oder Januar 2010. ^[41]

In jüngerer Zeit Es wurde angekündigt, dass das Album von Dezember bis 30. März 2010 zurückgedrängt wird. ^[42] Die Single "Meth vs. Chef Part II" wurde nach der Ankündigung veröffentlicht. Es wurde von Mathematics produziert und ist ein Update des Songs "Meth vs. Chef" aus dem ersten Soloalbum von Method Man, Tical mit Versen nur von Method Man und Raekwon. Es war von Raekwon bestätigt worden, dass Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang sein nächstes Soloalbum ^[43] sein würde und dass Wu-Massacre ein separates Projekt ist, während der Rapper feststellte er selbst hatte einen Antrag gestellt, Wu-Massacre ' verschoben zu haben, um mehr Studiozeit zu erhalten. ^[44]

Am 25. Februar 2011 Wu Tang Live at The Palladium NYC wurde über die offizielle Facebook-Seite der Gruppe als digitaler Download für Sammler veröffentlicht. Dazu gehörten exklusive, unveröffentlichte Freestyles. Es war auf 100 Downloads begrenzt, bevor die Seite deaktiviert wurde, nachdem diese Zahl erreicht wurde.

Geschäftsabschlüsse

Im September 2008 gab RZA bekannt, dass er einen Vertrag mit dem digitalen Musikunternehmen The Orchard abgeschlossen hatte, um den weltweiten Wu-Tang Clan-Katalog zum ersten Mal zu veröffentlichen. In addition to forthcoming material, the Wu-Tang Clan's catalogue includes 13 previous releases that have been previously unavailable digitally, including recordings by the group as a whole, U-God, Wu-Syndicate, Killarmy, Shyheim, West Coast Killa Beez, Black Knights and others, and would be available online beginning September 23. "The time is right to bring some older Wu material to the masses digitally," said RZA, de facto leader of Wu-Tang Clan. "Our fans have been dedicated and patient and they're hungry to hear the music that has set us apart from so many others. Hip-hop is alive in Wu Music, and with The Orchard, we've got a solid partner that understands our audience and is committed to doing all they can to help us reach the fans. I'm definitely looking forward to working with them to see what else we all come up with. There's much more to come."^[45]

Documentaries

Wu-Tang Revealeda GZA-directed documentary, promised to show behind the scenes of the Clan, has yet to be released.

U-God: Rise of a Fallen Soldier details U-God's side of the struggle between him and RZA circa 2004-2005.

Gerald K. Barclay directed the Wu-Tang documentary, entitled Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clanwhich premiered on BET on November 13, 2008. The documentary was released on DVD on November 18, 2008.^[46]

On November 10, 2009 a documentary on Ol' Dirty Bastard was released entitled; Dirty: The Official ODB Biography. The documentary features interviews and stories from his family members, Wu-Tang members, and affiliates, as well as old interviews with Ol' Dirty, and live performances.

Wu Tang Sagastarring Cappadonna and featuring footage of the Clan dating back to the early nineties through their most recent tours was released on February 25, 2010.^[47]

2011–present: A Better Tomorrow

On June 29, 2011, Raekwon announced that the group were working on a new studio album, still in early stages.^[48] Ghostface Killah later said that the album should be released in May 2012.^[49]

Members went back and forth on the issue. While GZA hinted that a new album was unlikely,^[50] the RZA said a new Wu-Tang Clan album might happen after all, on the occasion of the group's 20th anniversary,^[51] though Raekwon doubted it.^[52]

On January 9, 2013, work on the sixth Wu-Tang Clan album was announced via the group's official Facebook page.^[53] In early March 2013 Method Man announced that the Clan was working on a sixth studio album and it would be released during 2013 in celebration of their 20-year anniversary since 36 Chambers.^[54] Cappadonna has said the album is in recording process taking place in New York, Los Angeles and the Wu mansion in New Jersey.^[55] RZA has also said he had talked to Adrian Younge about working on a song for the album.^[56] On April 11, 2013, it was announced via a press release that their upcoming sixth studio album would be titled, A Better Tomorrow and was set to be released in July 2013.^[57] During late April 2013, the Clan performed at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.^[58] On May 17, a unreleased Wu-Tang song titled "Execution in Autumn" was released for purchase through RZA's record label Soul Temple Records.^[59] They performed at the 2013 HOT 97 Summer Jam at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, twenty years after they performed at the first annual Summer Jam concert.^[60] On June 5, 2013, the first promotional single "Family Reunion" featuring Masta Killah, Method Man, Ghostface Killah and RZA was released via the Soul Temple Records website.^[61]

In June 2013 RZA said so far every member of the Clan except Raekwon and GZA had put in work on the A Better Tomorrow album and that recording was being done at the Wu-Mansion, and the Wu-Mansion West. Unreleased verses from Ol' Dirty Bastard will also be featured on the album.^[62] He also stated he was hoping to release the album in November 2013.^[63] In July 2013 Cappadonna indicated the album was half way finished.^[64] Once November 2013 arrived, RZA gave an update on the album, saying that not every member had been significantly working on the album. He gave credit to Method Man, Cappadonna, U-God and Masta Killa for working hard on the album, while saying he needed more effort from Ghostface, Raekwon and GZA.^[65] Shortly after Method Man stated that Raekwon had not worked on the album at all, and Ghostface had only recorded two songs for the album so far.^[66] In late November, RZA suggested that the album was approximately six weeks from completion.^[67] In January 2014, the group posted a message on their Facebook page, saying: "The new Wu album 'A Better Tomorrow' coming soon."^[68] After several disputes between Raekwon and RZA about the direction of the group and album, they reconciled, with the latter agreeing to record verses for A Better Tomorrow.^[69] On October 3, 2014 it was announced that the album will arrive December 2, 2014 courtesy of a new deal with Warner Bros. Records.^[70] The album was released late 2014.

Once Upon a Time in Shaolin

Wu-Tang Clan performing at Budapest – 2015.07.07

In March 2014 it was reported that in addition to work on A Better Tomorrowa Wu-Tang Clan compilation album entitled The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin had been recorded, with Wu-Tang-affiliated producer Cilvaringz as the primary producer instead of RZA.^[71] The album, a double album consisting of 31 tracks, will not be given a conventional commercial release and only one copy has been produced; this copy will be toured in museums, art galleries and music festivals before being sold at a high price to a single individual. In August 2014, a reporter from Forbes traveled to Marrakech to meet Cilvaringz and hear a 51-second snippet of a song from the album, which featured Cher.^[72] The snippet was subsequently put on their website. The album is encased in a handcrafted silver-and-nickel box made by British-Moroccan artist Yahya and features never-before-heard music recorded over years.^[73] RZA stated he has been receiving multiple million dollar offers for the album.^[74] Despite the album's exclusivity it made an appearance in electronic dance music producer Skrillex's music video for his song "Fuck That" even though he did not purchase the project.^[75] The album was sold through Paddle8, an online auction house, for $2 million to Martin Shkreli. When the FBI arrested Martin Shkreli on December 17, 2015, they did not seize the Wu-Tang Clan album.^[76] Following the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Shkreli broadcast excerpts from the album on streaming platforms Periscope and Hitbox.tv.^[77]

The Saga Continues was released in 2017.

Members

• RZA (born Robert Fitzgerald Diggs1969) – The de facto leader of the group. He produced the entirety of Enter the Wu-Tang and the majority of the tracks on subsequent Wu-Tang albums. He has also produced many of the group's solo efforts, especially early on. Considered a producing pioneer, his popularity has transcended hip-hop. Thanks to Jim Jarmusch giving him his break with Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samuraihe has gone on to score several Hollywood films such as the first installment of Quentin Tarantino's critically acclaimed Kill BillTony Jaa's The Protector and Ridley Scott's American Gangster. Most recently he scored the music for the anime series Afro Samurai. Before signing with SRC Records in early 2007, RZA was flooded with offers from Bad Boy Records, Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope and Def Jam among others.^[78] In 2012, RZA directed, co-wrote, and had a lead acting role in The Man with the Iron Fists.


• GZA (born Gary Grice1966) – He is the oldest member of the group as well as the most experienced, having begun rapping in 1976, when hip hop was still a local New York phenomenon.^[79] He was also the first to release an album, Words from the Geniuswhich was released in 1991 on Cold Chillin'/Reprise. The interplay between and other members on the group's recordings shows him as the wisest MC of the group. He is known for his laid-back flow, deliberate style, and complex use of metaphor, containing references to Samurai films, chess and 5 Percenter teachings. Liquid Swordshis Wu-Tang debut album, is often considered among the group's best work, perhaps only challenged by Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx....


• Ol' Dirty Bastard (born Russell Tyrone Jones1968–2004) – Arguably the most eccentric and erratic member of the group, his wild behavior drew significant media – and often police – attention. He was known for his off beat rhymes, charismatic ululations, slightly garbled style, and unpredictable vocal inflections. ODB was among the most popular members of Wu-Tang, with high sales and guest spots with industry giants like Mariah Carey. He collapsed in Wu-Tang's recording studio on November 13, 2004 and was pronounced dead less than an hour later, with a later autopsy confirming a drug overdose to be the cause of his death. The overdose was ruled accidental.^[80]


• Method Man (born Clifford Smith1971) – He's the youngest member of the Wu-Tang Clan and was the first to release a Wu-Tang solo album with Ticalhis career went on to become the most successful in the group, while maintaining an underground rep. His career is highlighted by platinum sales and a Grammy for I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By with Mary J. Blige. He is recognized by his distinct voice and smooth, yet "grimy" flow. He has also had a significant acting career with many film and television credits to his name, most notably the popular series, The Wirewhere he portrayed the character of Cheese Wagstaff, the lieutenant of drug lord Proposition Joe. He also acted in the comedy film How High and the sitcom Method & Redboth co-starring with Redman, with whom he also made an album in 1999 titled Blackout! as well as the 2009 sequel Blackout! 2. Method Man's friendship with The Notorious B.I.G. is credited for preventing more heat between Biggie, Raekwon and Ghostface.^[81]


• Raekwon (born Corey Woods1970) – Nicknamed "The Chef" for having "lyrical flavor", and ability to cook cocaine into "crack rock." His lyrics contain extensive use of New York slang (and some of which he invented), which is often delivered in an aggressive, fast-paced manner. He is also known for his vivid storytelling about wealth, power, and prestige derived from the illegal drug trade. His influential solo album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is often credited with initiating the Mafioso rap phenomenon of the mid-to-late-1990s, and is generally considered one of the best of the solo albums by both fans and critics. The sequel to the influential album was released in late 2009 titled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II.


• Ghostface Killah (born Dennis Coles1970) – He has a very distinctive, abstract, energetic and emotional style of rapping and is arguably the most consistent member of the group. He had a large role in Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... and later released his debut album Ironman to critical acclaim. Mainstream hip-hop press credits his second album Supreme Clientele with "saving the Wu." He has enjoyed similar success over the course of 12 solo albums, more than any other member of the group.


• Inspectah Deck (born Jason Hunter1970) – He was one of the star members of the group, gaining attention by providing stand-out performances on both Wu-Tang albums and on other member's solo albums as well as being a popular guest rapper in 1997 and 1998. He is considered by many in the fanbase as the stand-out member on Wu-Tang Foreveralthough his later solo albums failed to live up to the high expectations. Inspectah Deck is known for his ability to use metaphors and deliver complicated rhyme-schemes. He is also a successful producer, providing beats for many artists both in and out of the Wu-Tang family such as Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Big Pun, Prodigy, and others.


• U-God (born Lamont Jody Hawkins1970) – A founding member with his own solo career, U-God's has had a relatively low profile, in part due to his limited exposure, from being incarcerated for most of the recording of 36 Chambersin which he only delivered short verses on "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" and "Protect Ya Neck." He is known for delivering strong verses, his unique "bass-like" voice, and his style of blaxploitation rap.


• Masta Killa (born Elgin Turner1969) – He was the only member not already an experienced rapper at the time of the group's formation, and was extensively mentored by GZA during his early days with the group. He was largely absent on the group's first album due to his being incarcerated, though he did contribute the classic final verse to the track "Da Mystery of Chessboxin", He also had stand-out verses to Wu-Tang Forever and other members solo albums, delivered with an intelligent talk-rap style. Fans have praised his work on classic Wu tracks like "Duel of the Iron Mic", "Snakes" or "Winter Warz" among others. He was also the last to release a solo album, though when he finally did release No Said Dateit was generally well received and considered one of the best post-2000 Wu-Tang releases.^[82]


• Cappadonna (born Darryl Hill1969) – After growing up as friends with many of the Clan members, Cappadonna made his debut as an affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan on Raekwon's hit single "Ice Cream". He was also a guest star, along with Raekwon, on Ghostface Killah's solo debut album, Ironman. He made his first appearance on a Wu-Tang Clan album in 1997 on Wu-Tang Forever on the single "Triumph". Following his appearance on Foreverhe contributed significantly to the group's third studio album, The Wat which point his appearances were no longer marked with "Feat. Cappadonna", as they had been on Forever. After a falling out with RZA the next year over royalties, he did not appear at all on the group's subsequent album Iron Flag. He eventually reunited with the group for their concert at 2004's Rock the Bells, and appeared on 2007's 8 Diagrams.

Cappadonna's status as an official member was at one point unclear. While long referred to by both the group and fans as the "unofficial tenth member", there was no confirmation on whether he actually became the official tenth member following the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard. MTV.com's biographies of both him and the group claim that he is an official member.^[83] However, while his vocals on 8 Diagrams were not marked with "Feat. Cappadonna", much like his contributions to the group's The W album, he does not appear on the front cover with the original eight living members, and is not featured in the album's booklet with a picture, although he is included in the group's shout-out's sections. A 2007 interview about the Clan before the release of 8 Diagrams also claims that RZA officially added him as a member, but there were no quotations or statements to back up this claim within the article.^[84] He would also appear credited as a member on the 2012 Wu-Tang Clan song "Six Directions of Boxing" off the soundtrack for RZA's The Man with the Iron Fists and be confirmed to be working on the group's sixth studio album. Cappadonna would be one of the most significant workers on the sixth album A Better Tomorrow.^[85] More recently, multiple publications such as NME,^[86]XXL,^[87]HipHopDX,^[88] and MTV^[89] have referred to Cappadonna as an official member of the group. In 2014, RZA definitively clarified Cappadonna's status as an official member stating that Cappadonna had been an official member of the group since the group's 8 Diagrams album.^[32]

Production

According to RZA, he tries to have no more than 20–25% sampling on any given record, something starkly different from many other major hip hop groups. He uses "the sampler more like a painter's palette than a Xerox. Then again, I might use it as a Xerox if I find rare beats that nobody had in their crates yet". He played much of the piano himself, with Bill Evans and Thelonious Monk as major influences; for instance, he created the piano part to "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" after watching the Thelonious Monk documentary, Straight, No Chaser.^[90]

RZA's production technique, specifically the manner of chopping up and/or speeding or slowing soul samples to fit his beats, has been picked up by currently popular producers, most notably Kanye West and Just Blaze, the two main producers behind Roc-A-Fella Records. West's own take on RZA's style^[91] briefly flooded the rap market with what was dubbed "chipmunk soul", the pitch bending of a vocal sample to where it sounded as though the singer had inhaled helium. Several producers at the time copied the style, creating other offshoots. West has admitted that his style was distinctly influenced by RZA's production,^[92] and RZA has acknowledged his influence in an issue of Scratch magazine, saying he wished he had produced "Jesus Walks" and "Breathe", two 2004 hits produced by Kanye West and Just Blaze, respectively. Kanye West commented:

Wu-Tang? Me and my friends talk about this all the time... We think Wu-Tang had one of the biggest impacts as far as a movement. From slang to style of dress, skits, the samples. Similar to the [production] style I use, RZA has been doing that.^[93]

Lyrics

Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... helped (with the likes of Kool G Rap) popularize the Mafia theme in rap music that remained widespread for more than half a decade. The landmark album touted a lifestyle patterned on drug dealing, regrets of living in harsh conditions, and partying (including popularizing the Cristal brand of champagne) which Nas, Mobb Deep, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, and other popular artists all borrowed and/or expanded upon these themes at points in their respective careers.

The Wu-Tang Clan's slang has long been a staple of their music, wherein members would blend Five Percenter terms, Kung Fu/oriental words, and comic book and street terms to create their own nicknames for actions, people, places and things (such as the christening of Staten Island as "Shaolin Land" and money as "C.R.E.A.M."). RZA noted in The Wu-Tang Manualthat Raekwon was the resident "slang-master" of a great deal of the slang used by the group.

Syndication

Video games

All nine original members of the group were featured in the game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Stylereleased for the PlayStation on October 31, 1999, as well as a special collector's edition controller. Ghostface Killah and Yung Dirty Doucette, as well as collaborators, Redman and Keith Murray, also play themselves in all three games in the Def Jam video games Def Jam VendettaDef Jam Fight For NYand Def Jam: Icon.

Method Man is an avid fan of video games himself and has publicly stated that he loves playing SOCOM online with other PlayStation 2 users, and is part of an online clan ("KMA/Kiss My Ass"). His SOCOM II name is "ICU". He has a fellow SOCOM player featured on a skit on his album 4:21... The Day After.

In Army of Twomain character Salem talks about Wu-Tang asking his teammate Rios who the best member is. Salem says it's RZA but he says Ghostface Killah is pretty good himself. In the ending cut scene, a reference is made when Salem says "Survey says?" and Rios replies "You're dead". The exchange referenced the lyric, "And the survey says? / You're dead!" from "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin' Ta F' Wit", from the album Enter the Wu-Tang Clan (36 Chambers).

Several tracks by Clan members and affiliates such as Method Man, Ghostface, Cappadonna, Trife, DJ Mathematics and others were featured in the 2006 game Saints Row.

Afro Samuraibased on the TV series, was released in January 2009 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Its soundtrack, like the show, was produced by RZA.

Clothing line

Oli "Power" Grant was one of the first to move from music to clothes. The Clan's executive producer, Grant began making clothes in the early 1990s, with little success. But in 1995, after the platinum success of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)manufacturers who earlier wouldn't extend Power credit saw the potential. He opened four Wu Wear stores, in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Norfolk, Virginia. The line was carried in Macy's, Rich's, and d.e.m.o, among others. Power says he earned $10 million in 1998.^[94]

Method Man was unhappy with the decision to bring Wu-Tang into the fashion world with Wu Wear, despite the brand being a major money-maker for the group. "When Wu-Wear started making shoes and sneakers and pants, it was shoddy material. I never rocked that shit."^[95]

"I'm going to bring out Dirty Wear," declared ODB. "A set of ready-worn clothes: 'Dirty Wear, for the girl who likes to wear her panties three days in a row.'"^[96]

In 1999, Nike released a Wu-Tang Clan themed dunk hi. The shoes were produced in low quantities. Their rarity and popularity makes them very sought after, with reseller prices as much as $7,500.^[97]

A partnership between Wu-Tang and the Alife NYC clothing group took place in 2007 through 2008 for an exclusive series of custom sneakers, T-shirts, hoodies and other accessories for men and women. The collection was named "A Wu-Tang Life".

Controversy

G-Unit

Ghostface had a non-publicized feud with 50 Cent in the late 1990s and early 2000s. On 50 Cent's track "How to Rob" insults were aimed at many high-profile rappers, including Wu-Tang. In the early 2000s the argument made it on to wax with skits titled "Clyde Smith" on Supreme Clientele featuring a low-pitched recording of what most fans believe to be Raekwon's voice derisively making fun of 50 Cent's behavior and his methods of attracting attention to himself. The skit also joked at other unnamed "gangster rappers" in New York. 50 Cent took offense and came back with a short track dissing Wu-Tang Clan, and Ghostface in particular. That track was later reworked into the titled Too Hot with 50 rapping over a sample of Ghostface on Raekwon's album.^[98] 50 rose to fame, both he and Ghostface talked in interviews with SOHH.com and Hot 97 Radio about the supposed argument, both saying that the argument was never that serious and nothing major had happened.

A supposed diss song, "Small Change (Who The Fuck Is 50 Cent)", which circulated the web in the beginning of 2001 was rumoured to be by the Clan, but was proven to be recorded by Polite and Lord Superb of American Cream Team (Raekwon's then side-project). On "One Blood Under W," from The W album, Masta Killa raps, "Fuck fame, I shoot a hole in a 50 cent piece to test my aim/how dare you call the gods in vain."

G-Unit member Tony Yayo has alleged that Ghostface had a ghostwriter for his critically acclaimed album Supreme Clientele. In an interview with Spin magazine, Yayo claimed that Far Rockaway native Lord Superb, who guested on the album, wrote a majority, if not all, of the lyrics.^[99] In an interview with hiphopdx.com Raekwon, who also appears on the album, responded saying: "He [Tony Yayo] know damn well he [Superb] ain’t write that fuckin’ album. I don’t even wanna get into shit like that, because it just makes me upset that muthafuckas be running they mouth all kinda ways. But at the end of the day, I think Ghost gonna have to really say what he gotta say."^[100] However, in a November 2007 interview with Rhapsody Music, Ghost responded with "...'Perb [Superb] is Rae’s [Raekwon] man. He been in the studio a few times while we’re doing shit. He ain’t write shit. All ‘Perb contributed was a couple of lines that you could put in the air. When we write, we all do that. 'Say this one right here' or 'Put this one right here.' We all catch lines with each other ‘cause you in the studio. You got niggas around you that write. Even if he did write a verse, he could never make an album of mine. He couldn’t make an album, you feel me? I made Supreme Clientele what it is. Those are my stories, based around whatever they’re based upon. It’s me. I can’t see what songs ‘Perb wrote. He ain’t write 'Mighty Healthy' or 'One' or 'Apollo Kids' or 'Cherchez LaGhost' or 'Saturday Nite' or 'Malcolm.'"^[101]U-God called Tony Yayo "a bitch" in an interview with Undergroundhiphop.com, and threatened to beat him down when he sees him, but said that no diss tracks will be recorded.^[102]

The Notorious B.I.G.

During his career, The Notorious B.I.G. had a checkered relationship with the Wu-Tang Clan. He collaborated with Raekwon on the 1994 Ron G song "Stop the Breaks," which also featured Killa Sin and KRS-One; the same year, on B.I.G.'s debut album Ready to DieMethod Man was featured on the song "The What" (and was the only featured rapper on the album.) The song, "The What," was produced by Easy Mo Bee, who had strong ties to Notorious B.I.G. as well as several Clan members, such as RZA and GZA. According to Method Man, though even at this point friction was present between Biggie and the Clan, the two rappers got along:

It was no secret: Rae didn’t like him, Ghost didn’t like him. They thought he was a biter. But if you look at Rae and Ghost, they don’t like nobody! The rest of my niggas had love for Big. It was just Rae and Ghost...and my niggas—-it’s like we’re a unit, we moved as a unit. So where if one of my niggas ain’t speakin’, then nobody was speakin’. And we would just roll right by [B.I.G.]walk right past. But Lil' Cease can vouch for this, and my niggas can vouch for this—-I always stopped to give word with Big. No matter what. There was a show...and he had performed, and Wu-Tang had performed that night...outside the club Big approached me and shit. Like, "Yo, I wanna do something with you on my album."^[103]

In 1995, on the album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Raekwon and Ghostface Killah commented on Big in a skit called "Shark Niggas (Biters)." Alleging that he copied the cover from Nas' landmark release Illmaticas well as styles from other rap artists. This generated longstanding controversy over their differences with B.I.G., and in later interviews, both rappers would downplay the incident: "It was one of them skits where we was looking at our competition. And when Ghost is saying whatever he was saying, we kinda knew who he was talking about, but it wasn't like we was trying to start a beef. It's just sometimes, when you get in the booth and you start saying what you wanna say, it just happened."^[104]

God bless the dead, I love B.I.G. He's a fucking icon. Even when I seen him out in Cali, I wanted to tell son, yo, let's go ahead and make this record together because I matured through the years, and at the same time, I recognized good music. We shook hands on some peace shit, but that was all, cause they was on their way to leaving out. A day or two later, niggas [killed him].^[104]

In the Wu-Tang Manuala book by the RZA on the origins of the Wu-Tang Clan, he recalls a concert at which Biggie and Wu-Tang both performed, at which Raekwon and Ghostface were reportedly under the influence, and angry at some comments B.I.G. made in The Source. In RZA's view, had the artists and their entourages met up that night, things could have gotten violent, but nothing of the sort ever occurred. It is worth mentioning that on B.I.G.'s final studio album Life After Death he took a shot back at Raekwon on the song "Kick in the Door" (which was a diss song to several other rappers as well) with the line; "Fuck that, why try/Throw bleach in ya eye" which was a response to lyrics from Raekwon's song "Ice Water", where Raekwon rhymed; "...To top it all off, beefin' for White/Pullin' bleach out, tryin'a throw it in my eyesight." On the posthumous 1997 song "Victory," released on Puff Daddy's album No Way OutB.I.G. also rhymes, "Militant/Y'all faggots ain't killin' shit," in response to a Ghostface Killah line on the song "Criminology" where he raps; "RZA baked the track and it's militant/Then I react like a convict, and start killin' shit." It is also worth mentioning that B.I.G. chose RZA to produce the track "Long Kiss Goodnight", a song allegedly aimed at Biggie's longtime rival Tupac Shakur, which appeared on Life After Death.
RZA went on to comment about the collaboration, saying "Biggie was always pretty cool with me. He liked the Wu-Tang sound. He requested me to be on the album. I didn’t know if everybody in his camp agreed with it...but we was always cool with each other...at the end he’s talking about everybody was fucking with them at that time. He could have even been talking about me [laughs]’cause there was some cuts at Biggie on the Cuban Linx... album"^[105]

On the same album, B.I.G. gave thanks to Wu-Tang in the album's liner notes, and also inserted lyrics praising the Wu-Tang Clan single "C.R.E.A.M."; on the song "Notorious Thugs," he states, "I'mma tell you like a nigga told me/Cash rules everything around me." On his 2002 album God's SonNas references the feud on his song "Last Real Nigga Alive," implying that although he and Big had their differences, they were friendly; while he was also on good terms with Raekwon, neither Big nor Raekwon got along, and both warned Nas the other would copy his lyrics and style. In 2006, Ghostface and Raekwon did a posthumous collaboration with B.I.G., on the song "Three Bricks," which was originally intended to appear on the posthumous Biggie album, Duets: The Final Chapterbut it instead became a bonus song on the Ghostface Killah album Fishscale. In 2008, Raekwon did a cover of Jadakiss' hit "Letter to B.I.G.," injecting his own thoughts on his deceased former rival.

Sean Combs

In 1998, ODB rushed onstage unexpectedly during Shawn Colvin's acceptance speech for "Song of the Year" at the Grammy Awards, and began complaining that he had recently purchased expensive clothes in anticipation of winning the "Best Rap Album" award that he lost to Sean Combs. Before being escorted off-stage, he implored the audience, "I don't know how you all see it, but when it comes to the children, Wu-Tang is for the children. We teach the children. Puffy is good, but Wu-Tang is the best. I want you all to know that this is ODB, and I love you all. Peace!"^[106] His bizarre onstage antics were widely reported in the mainstream media.^{[citation needed]} Dirty made it known on The Howard Stern Show that he meant no disrespect to Combs, but that feelings were hurt on Combs' end. Later that night Combs' bodyguards would physically threaten ODB, but Dirty insisted to his friends and family in attendance that no violence broke out. Following the award show, Howard Stern asked Dirty about the incident with Diddy's bodyguards on his radio show, but Dirty wouldn't play up the incident as he didn't want to shine a bad light on hip hop because of one minor altercation.^[107]

Ghostface appeared on the 2002 Bad Boy Records release, We Invented the Remixalong with Combs on the remix to the song "Special Delivery." Ghostface even gives Bad Boy Records a shout out for inviting him on the track when he raps "Bad Boy, thank you for this special delivery." Combs was one of the executive producers for Method Man's 2004 album Tical 0: The Prequelalthough Meth later voiced his displeasure with the final product. "On the third LP, it was suggested to bring in Harve Pierre and P Diddy. Who am I to argue? Puff knows how to sell some records. But that wasn't the direction to go in, and I know that now."^[108] In 2006, Method Man also called out Combs' decisions on the posthumous Notorious B.I.G. album Duets: The Final Chaptersaying that Biggie never would have rocked with some of the sub-par rappers featured on it.^{[citation needed]} He also brought up the fact that he was the only other rapper that Biggie chose to feature on his debut album Ready to Die.

Mase

After badmouthing Wu-Tang at a concert, Bad Boy recording artist Mase had a run-in with Ghostface and his entourage at a club in New York City. There was some sort of physical altercation between Mase's and Ghostface's camps, and Mase left the incident with a broken jaw. Kanye West is among several rappers who have made reference to the incident, rapping "...if you could feel how my face felt/ You would know how Mase felt..." on his single "Through the Wire". Shyheim also referred to the incident in a freestyle, with the line "The Empire State, where Ghostface retired Mase". In the June 2007 issue of Hip Hop Connection magazine, Wu-Tang affiliate Cilvaringz stated that Ghostface had in fact done time in jail for "beating up" Mase.

Joe Budden

In 2009, Joe Budden posted a video blog voicing his opinion on a "Best rapper" readers' poll posted in Vibe magazine. Throughout the video, Budden gave examples of rappers who were ranked too high, and claimed to be better than half of the rappers on the list. Some of the people he mentioned were Melle Mel, Prodigy, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Method Man. At the end of the video, he went on to say that he'd beat Method Man in a battle if they were face to face. Shortly after this, Budden called into Ed Lover's Power 105.1, and took his claim on Method Man even further by stating, "Lyrically, I will cut that man's head off his shoulders". Several weeks later, Joe Budden did a freestyle track titled "D.O.A. Freestyle", which many speculated of containing veiled shots towards Method Man and several members of Wu-Tang. Method Man was overseas while all of this occurred, but eventually spoke out about it on several radio interviews. While Raekwon was on the Rock the Bells tour with Joe Budden and his group Slaughterhouse, the two got together to settle any bad blood.

This calmed things down for a short while, until Wu-Tang member Inspectah Deck released a Joe Budden diss track entitled "House Nigga", which was a response to Budden's remarks. A few days after releasing this track, on July 9, 2009, Deck went on stage at the Columbia, MD show of Rock the Bells, during Raekwon's set, and told the audience the reason for the diss track was because "the nigga tried to diss my brother, he tried to shit on my nigga like my nigga ain't a made man ... fuck Joe Budden" (referring to what Budden said about Method Man). Joe Budden did not retaliate with a diss track, but however, posted a five-minute video blog in which he said that he wanted to slap Deck and called Deck a coward. At the San Bernardino stop of Rock the Bells, Raekwon approached Budden with his Ice Water Inc. entourage, resulting in Budden getting punched in the right eye. Shortly after this occurred, Joe Budden posted yet another online video blog of him with an ice pack over his eye, with many speculating Raekwon as the one who did the assault.

It was later revealed that the punch was thrown by a member of Raekwon's entourage named Hanz.^[109] Hanz stated that he "did not appreciate Budden speaking disrespectfully about Inspectah Deck and Method Man in interviews over the summer." He further commented "I punched him in the face because he was outta line. I look at him like, not the school yard bully, but the motherfucker that's always picking on a motherfucker that don't fuck with nobody. To say something about a nigga like Meth is crazy, Meth don't fuck with nobody. I'm not gonna sit here and say Rae made me do it, that was a spontaneous decision on my own. I'm glad I did it, 'cause he got a big mouth...It wasn't actually planned, he could have actually changed that whole situation as it unfolded, as it went on".^[109]

Although Joe Budden and Raekwon reportedly were sat down and forced to settle things on the final day of the tour, Budden released a video on his website challenging Raekwon to a one-on-one fight, and called on all his fans to help persuade Raekwon to accept, despite the fact that it wasn't Raekwon who threw the punch. Raekwon however did not accept, and explained that he is a grown man with a family, and that fighting would be childish.^[110] He also stated "This has never ever been a Wu-Tang versus Slaughterhouse thing, this is about a kid who gets off on doing blogs. My thing is this, I'm a business man, I'm here to make money, take care of my family and keep as many people safe and sound as possible. We not gonna take it there 'cause that's little shit, we are grown men. I will never jump out the window to sacrifice the situation with my family for something that ain't worth it".^[109] Since the incident, Budden has stated in interviews the feud was over,^[111] and Raekwon made a similar announcement during a show, stating that he "had love" for Joe Budden.^[110]

Collaborators

The Wu-Tang Clan has a wide range of collaborators and associates. Close collaborators to individual members or the group as a whole include or have included mainly East Coast-based artists, including Redman, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Erick Sermon, Nas, Pete Rock, and others.

Wu-Tang Killa Beez aka Killa Beez

The Wu-Tang clan also has many "affiliates" which receive support, financial and otherwise, from within the Clan. These are collectively known as the Wu-Tang Killa Beez, aka Killa Beez. The association of these artists with Wu-Tang varies greatly, and they include solo artists and groups.

Easy Mo Bee

In the late 1980s, future Wu-Tang Clan co-founders RZA and GZA were signed under different monikers to Cold Chillin' Recordsthe label home of Big Daddy Kane and Kool G. Rap, among others. During their tenure, producer Easy Mo Bee provided RZA (under the name Prince Rakeem) with his first hit single, "Ooh I Love You Rakeem", and produced much of GZA's (under the alias The Genius) true first album, Words From the Genius. Around this time, according to the Wu-Tang Manual, RZA accredits Easy Mo Bee with mentoring him and providing equipment for RZA to continue practicing beatmaking.^[112]

In 1994, after linking up with Bad Boy EntertainmentMo Bee began producing a fair share of Ready to DieThe Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album. The only rap feature on the album was Method Man, who appeared on the Easy Mo Bee-produced "The What." 1998 saw the producer produce for RZA once again, on the Ras Kass song "The End," and Wu-Tang member Raekwon was featured on Easy's solo album, Odyssey 2000: Now or Never alongside Busta Rhymes on the song "Let's Make a Toast." Seven years later, Mo Bee would go on to co-produce a track alongside RZA on the group's fifth group album, 8 Diagrams. Wu-Element producer True Master has also credited Easy Mo Bee with teaching him certain production tips, such as snare, hi-hat and volume change techniques.^[113]

Pete Rock

Like Easy Mo Bee, New York producer Pete Rock first began his association with the Wu-Tang before it was formally founded—by playing mentor to RZA, then under the moniker Prince Rakeem. In the book "The Wu-Tang Manual," RZA admits to effectively stealing equipment from the successful producer, borrowing and never returning an MPC.^[112] Pete first produced for the Wu-Tang when its members Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck and Method Man made appearances on his 1998 album Soul Survivor. The following year, the producer provided beats for Raekwon's second album ImmobilarityInspectah Deck's debut album Uncontrolled Substanceand Wu members RZA and GZA appeared on Pete's 2004 follow-up solo album Soul Survivor II. Since then the frequency of Pete Rock's collaborations with the Wu-Tang have increased, as he provided production for Ghostface Killah's two 2006 solo albums, Fishscale and More Fish (including the unreleased song, "Chunky"); Masta Killa's 2006 second album Made in Brooklyn; the Raekwon- and Masta Killa-featuring song "PJ's" from his own third solo album, NY's Finest; the single "A Yo" from Method Man & Redman's Blackout! 2; the song "Sonny's Missing," from Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... pt. II; and the track "How You Like Me Baby?" from Ghostface Killah's Apollo Kids.

Nas

In 1995, New York rapper Nas became the first artist with no previous ties to the Wu-Tang to be featured on any Wu-Tang album—namely, Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.... Following this appearance, Nas and Raekwon began to collaborate more often, frequently being featured on the same songs. That same year, Nas and Raekwon appeared on Mobb Deep's The Infamouson the track "Eye For An Eye;" in 1998, they appeared on the Fat Joe single "John Blaze," alongside Big Pun and Jadakiss. During the same time period, Nas and Method Man co-starred in the film Bellyand collaborated on its soundtrack. Nas was later featured on the Wu-Tang Clan album The Won the song "Let My Niggas Live," which also featured Raekwon, as well as Inspectah Deck. In 2009, before the release of his anticipated Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. IIRaekwon stated that Nas was intended to be on the song "Broken Safety" with Jadakiss,^[114] but Nas was never able to find time to record.^[115] However, Nas was able to appear on Raekwon's fifth solo album titled Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang on the song "Rich and Black" although his verse was from an old mixtape from 2001.

Mobb Deep

In 1995, the same year that Raekwon's debut came out, the Wu-Tang rapper appeared on Mobb Deep's seminal The Infamous; aside from "Eye For An Eye," he and Ghostface Killah appeared on the track "Right Back At You." A year later, Method Man and Raekwon made appearances on separate tracks on the duo's follow-up album, Hell on Earth. In 1997 Mobb Deep member Prodigy and Method Man collaborated on the soundtrack to Bulworth, on the DJ Muggs-produced song "Bulworth," which also featured KRS-One and Kam; in 1998, Prodigy was featured on "The Game," a song from Pete Rock's solo debut Soul Survivoronce again alongside Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. The same year, Prodigy made an appearance on Big Pun's debut album Capital Punishmenton the song "Tres Leches (Triboro Trilogy)," also featuring Inspectah Deck as well as produced by RZA.

Also in 1998, Mobb Deep appeared on Method Man's second album, Tical 2000: Judgement Dayon the song "Play IV Keeps," which was produced by Mobb Deep producer Havoc. 1999 saw Prodigy, Inspectah Deck and U-God appear on the Blondie single, "No Exit," as well as a Raekwon appearance on the duo's third album, Murda Muzik. Havoc later appeared on Raekwon's 2003 album, The Lex Diamond Storyon the song "King of Kings," and in 2006 he produced the song "Somebody Done Fucked Up Now" for Method Man's album 4:21... The Day After while Prodigy and Ghostface would collaborate on the song "Trials of Life" for DJ Green Lantern. More recently Havoc collaborated with the Wu on J. Dilla's posthumous single "24K Rap" alongside Raekwon, and "Evil Deeds" from the Wu-Tang Clan compilation album Chamber Music. Raekwon also leaked a 2009 song with Mobb Deep called "Road to Riches." Havoc also made a guest appearance as a producer and rapper on the song "Your World, My World" which was a bonus iTunes track off of Raekwon's fifth studio album Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang.

Redman

Method Man and Def Squad member/EPMD protégé Redman were signed as solo artists to Def Jam Records in 1994; their first recorded collaboration was "Double Deuces," a commercial recorded for St. Ides malt liquor. They were also featured on "Got My Mind Made Up," a 2Pac song on his All Eyez on Me. With a chemistry based in similar rhyme delivery and stoner humor, their collaboration led to a hit single, "How High". Method Man and Redman went on to make two albums as a duo, Blackout! and Blackout 2with RZA and Mathematics contributing production to both projects. The successful partnership of Redman and Method led to a major studio film "How High", and a short-lived sitcom "Method & Red". Method Man and Redman were frequently featured together on other rapper's songs, such as LL Cool J's "4, 3, 2, 1" single in 1997. While best known for his partnership with Method Man, Redman has collaborated with the rest of the clan on several occasions. Redman was featured on the track "Redbull" from Wu-Tang Clan's The W in 2000, and on "Troublemakers" from Ghostface Killah's Apollo Kids' in 2010. Redman has toured with Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, and was brought on stage by the entire Wu-Tang as a surprise guest during their sets at 2013's Coachella and Bonnaroo music festivals.

Due to his constant visibility next to Method Man, and his tendency to wear Wu-Tang related clothing on stage, some fans have confused Redman for being more than just an affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan. Redman raised speculation himself when a quote he gave to XXL made headlines in 2010, "I am the last member of Wu Tang, like Method Man he’s a part of Def Squad. Meth has been a part of Def Squad before I was a member. I was like a member. But I was affiliated and I wasn’t signed in, but, I’m definitely—they got my number. Number 11th and I am officially a Wu Tang member right now." ^[116] When asked to respond, RZA downplayed the notion, stating that although Redman was like family to Wu-Tang, he's more "like a first cousin".^[117]

AZ

AZ began his career as an affiliate of Nas. The Brooklyn rapper first recorded with the Wu in 1996, when Raekwon joined him for a RZA-produced remix of his first single, "Doe or Die."^{[citation needed]} In 1998, the rapper linked up with RZA again on the album Pieces of a Manand in 2005 he featured Raekwon and Ghostface Killah on his album AWOL. In 2009, AZ was featured on the Wu-Tang compilation album Chamber Musicand appeared alongside Raekwon and Ghostface again in 2010 on DJ Kay Slay's album More Than Just a DJ.^[118] In 2011, AZ appeared on the title track of Wu-Tang's Legendary Weapons alongside Ghostface Killah and M.O.P. Additionally, in 2013, he was featured on the remix to Raekwon's track "'86" from the compilation album Lost Jewlry. In 2014, AZ made his most extensive collaboration with a Wu-Tang member to date, appearing on five cuts from Ghostface's 36 Seasons concept album. AZ played a major role in the album's narrative as a partner in crime from the past to Ghostface's character that was released from jail after nine years.

Busta Rhymes

New York rapper Busta Rhymes first collaborated with the Wu-Tang Clan when he and Method Man appeared together on the 1995 remix to the Boyz II Men single "Vibin'." In 1996 he released a remix to his single "Woo-Hah!! (Got You All In Check)" featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard, and was featured on the soundtrack to Space Jam with Method Man. In 2000 Ghostface Killah and Raekwon appeared on Busta's album Anarchyon the song "The Heist", and Busta appeared with Raekwon on Easy Mo Bee's solo album, Odyssey 2000: Now or Neverand guested on The W on the song "The Monument." Busta later contributed to Method Man's album Tical 0: The Prequel. As executive producer Busta helped Raekwon assemble Cuban Linx II and provided the rapper with a link to Dr. Dre.^{[citation needed]} Raekwon appeared on Busta's 2006 album The Big Bangon the Dr. Dre/Erick Sermon-produced song "Goldmine," and Busta in turn appeared on the Dr. Dre-produced "About Me" from 2009's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. In addition, Busta later appeared on Capone-N-Noreaga's 2010 album The War Report 2: Report the Wartheir first on Raekwon's label IceH20 Records, on the song "The Oath" which also featured Raekwon. Busta also appeared on Ghostface Killah's album Apollo Kids later that year, and appeared in 2011 on Raekwon's fifth solo album Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang.

The L.O.X.

Jadakiss, one-third of Yonkers, New York-based group the L.O.X., first collaborated with a member of the Wu-Tang Clan in 1998 on the single "John Blaze" with Raekwon. While the collaboration led to associations with Nas and Fat Joe as well, Jada's group began to collaborate with the Wu-Tang on a more regular basis. L.O.X. member Sheek Louch collaborated with Method Man and Redman on Ryde or Die Vol. 2 in 2001, on the track "Two Tears in a Bucket." He also appeared on Raekwon's third album The Lex Diamond Story in 2003; in 2004, Jadakiss appeared on "Run," the RZA-produced hit single from Ghostface Killah's The Pretty Toney Album, which also featured the song "Metal Lungies," a collaboration with the other two L.O.X. members, Styles P and Sheek Louch. The following year Ghostface appeared on Louch's 2005 album, After Taxes; in 2006, Sheek made a return appearance on Ghostface's Fishscaleand Raekwon appeared alongside Jadakiss and others on Hi-Tek's album Hi-Teknology 2: The Chipon the song "Where it Started At." Ghostface Killah appeared on L.O.X. member Styles P's 2007 album, Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman)and Styles was set to appear on Ghostface's Big Doe Rehabhaving recorded a version of the song "Tony Sigel A.K.A. Barrel Brothers" with Styles.

In 2009, Jadakiss featured Raekwon and Ghostface Killah on his album The Last Kisson the single "Cartel Gathering", and Raekwon featured Jadakiss and Styles P on his album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II; Sheek Louch and new D-Block addition Bully also appeared on the Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon album, Wu-Massacre. Inspectah Deck has also stated that he intends to reach out to Jadakiss to appear on his next and final album, The Rebellion.^[119] In addition, Ghostface and Sheek Louch have announced a collaboration album called Wu-Block. A joint effort released in 2012, the album is a street orientated sound full-out collabo between the D-Block and Wu camps.

Kool G Rap

Kool G Rap began appearing with the Wu-Tang starting in 1999, on the single "Cakes", produced by and featuring RZA for the soundtrack to Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. He had always been held in high regard amongst clan members, particularly RZA, Ghost, and Rae. In 2003, G Rap appeared on Inspectah Deck's album The Movementand went on to make appearances on the Ghostface Killah/Trife da God joint album Put it on the Lineand Raekwon's EP Dope on the Table in the years following. In 2009, he was featured on RZA's Afro Samurai Resurrection soundtrack, and Wu-Tang Chamber Music. In 2012, Kool G Rap was featured alongside Wu-Tang Clan members on the soundtrack to RZA's film The Man with the Iron Fistson the track "Rivers of Blood". In 2014, Kool G Rap appeared on three cuts from Ghostface's concept album 36 Seasons.

DJ Muggs

West coast producer and Cypress Hill co-founder DJ Muggs began collaborating with the Wu-Tang in 1995, when RZA and U-God appeared on the RZA-produced Cypress Hill song "Killa Hill Niggas" from the album III: Temples of Boom. In 1997, Muggs produced the Method Man/Prodigy collaboration "Bulworth." In addition, RZA and GZA appeared on his album Soul Assassins Iand GZA appeared on the 2000 followup, Soul Assassins II. In return, Muggs produced a song on GZA's 2002 album Legend of the Liquid Swordwhich led to Muggs and GZA recording the 2005 joint album Grandmasters. That same year Muggs produced the song "Black Opera" for Skillz, which featured Raekwon. Additionally, GZA appeared on the DJ Muggs-produced Planet Asia album Pain Language in 2008. In 2009, Raekwon spoke about recording new material with DJ Muggs, presumably for his album Cuban Linx II,^[120] but nothing surfaced until he appeared on the song "Chase Manhattan" from the DJ Muggs/Ill Bill album Kill Devil Hills.

MF Doom

The underground rapper/producer MF Doom's first collaboration with the Wu-Tang Clan was in 2005, when he appeared with the RZA on "Biochemical Equation" (which RZA also produced), from the compilation album Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture. When Doom anonymously submitted a beat tape for Ghostface Killah, several of his tracks made the cut for Ghostface's 2006 albums Fishscale and More Fishincluding the song "9 Milli Bros.," which featured the Wu-Tang Clan in its entirety. Doom also provided production for Masta Killa's 2006 album Made in Brooklyn. An album-long collaboration with Ghostface Killah was rumored for several years, and various songs leaked that reportedly were recorded for the project, which was to be entitled either Ghostface Meets Metalface or Swift & Changeable. The project has not yet surfaced, but in July 2009 Ghostface reported having recorded his parts for the record and said he was simply waiting for Doom to finish his parts.^[121] Since More Fishseveral new collaborations by the two have surfaced, including "Chinatown Wars" (from the soundtrack to Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars), "Angeles," "The Mask," and the J. Dilla-produced "Sniper Elite" and "Murder Goons." Additionally, Raekwon appeared on Doom's album Born Like This. Ghostface Killah and Doom released the track "Victory Laps" and in early 2013, Ghostface announced that the collaboration album Swift & Changeable is on track to be released by the end of the year.

Kanye West

In 2000, Kanye West got some of his first major production placements on former Bad Boy producer D-Dot (The Madd Rapper)'s debut album, Tell 'Em Why U Maddincluding the song "Ghetto," which featured Raekwon. In 2001, West produced the bulk of Jay-Z's successful and highly praised album The Blueprintimplementing an augmented version of a technique pioneered by RZA; Kanye has since revealed that the beats he and fellow Roc producer Just Blaze produced were originally created for Ghostface Killah, before announcing that Ghostface inspired his sound and style.^[122] During the recording sessions for West's 2004 debut The College DropoutWu-Tang member and then-Roc-A-Fella artist Ol' Dirty Bastard recorded a chorus and backing vocals for the song "Keep the Receipt," which was left off the album but released on a mixtape.

In 2006, Kanye was featured on the remix to Ghostface Killah's hit single, "Back Like That." In 2010, West and Raekwon collaborated again on the Kanye-produced remix to Justin Bieber's single "Runaway Love." The beat, produced by West, playfully utilized elements from "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit." Following up on the song, Raekwon guested on several tracks cut from West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasywhich were released as songs in the producer's weekly G.O.O.D. Fridays series. On the album's proper release, Raekwon was featured on the track "Gorgeous" alongside West and Kid Cudi; in addition, RZA co-produced the song "Dark Fantasy" with West and producer No I.D., and appeared on the song "So Appalled" alongside Jay-Z, Pusha T and CyHi da Prince. RZA also produced the song "New Day" with West off the Kanye West & Jay-Z's collaborative effort Watch the Throne. More recently, both Raekwon and Ghostface Killah were featured on the G.O.O.D. Music compilation album, Cruel Summer. In 2012, he and RZA collaborated on the track "White Dress" for the soundtrack for The Man with the Iron Fists.

M.O.P.

In 2005, a remix to Ol Dirty Bastard's "Pop Shots" was released on M.O.P.'s St. Marxmen mixtape. The track was recorded when M.O.P. and ODB were label mates on Roc-A-Fella records.
In 2009, M.O.P. appeared on the compilation album Wu-Tang Chamber Music; the project was almost completely produced by Lil' Fame of M.O.P., under the moniker of Fizzy Womack, alongside RZA, The Revelations and others. The duo appeared on the track "Ill Figures" alongside Raekwon and Kool G. Rap; in 2011, they also guested on the title track for the compilation album Legendary Weaponsalongside Ghostface Killah and AZ. M.O.P. appears on a single for the soundtrack for "Man with the Iron Fists," on the track "Black Out" with Ghostface Killah and Pharoahe Monch, which is also produced by Lil' Fame.

Other artists

Ghostface Killah's Fishscale also boasted work by underground sensation and Detroit, Michigan producer J. Dilla, who died shortly after. However, just as the producer's music has continued to surface in other artists' projects, several productions Dilla created for Raekwon made the final cut of the rapper's 2009 album. The year 2009 witnessed the release of the long-delayed, highly anticipated Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II. The album made heavy use of longtime and short-term Wu-Tang associates, featuring frequent collaborators Pete Rock, Erick Sermon and Busta Rhymes while cementing the associate status of newer collaborators: namely, Beanie Sigel, J. Dilla, The Alchemist and Dr. Dre, all of whom have worked—in a limited capacity—with the Wu-Tang Clan previously.

As of 2010, the number of Wu-Tang affiliates has grown further: Capone-N-Noreaga, a rap duo from Queens, New York City, signed with Raekwon's IceH20 Records on February 18, 2010 and enlisted the Wu-Tang rapper to serve as an executive producer of their latest album, The War Report 2.^[123]Bun B has also appeared on several songs with Wu-Tang members in 2009–10: after being featured on Method Man & Redman's Blackout! 2Bun made appearances on Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II (Gold Edition)made up of tracks cut from the original product, and appeared on Redman's latest album Reggie alongside Redman and Method Man.

Since 2009, RZA has made a series of appearances alongside Ohio blues rock band The Black Keys: "Dollaz & Sense" and "Tellin' Me Things" from the Dame Dash-sponsored collaborative album Blakrocand the single "The Baddest Man Alive" from The Man with the Iron Fists soundtrack. Pharoahe Monch appeared alongside RZA and others on the 1999 "Wake Up Show Anthem," most of which uses the beat from "Airwaves," an interlude from RZA's album Bobby Digital in Stereo. Monch also featured Method Man on the remix to his 1999 single, "Simon Says"; he also collaborated with RZA on "Dollaz & Sense," and appears with Ghostface Killah and M.O.P. on the soundtrack for The Man with the Iron Fistson the track "Black Out."

Discography

Studio albums

Other albums

See also

References

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External links

Wu-Tang Clan related articles