Wu-Tang Clan

UP FROM THE 36 CHAMBERS… it’s the Wu-Tang Clan, back again to strike fear in the hearts of those who would take hip-hop as a joke. Long before party-hearty playaz ruled the rap game, presenting a portrait of life that ain’t nothing but women and money, Wu-Tang brought the ruckus, creating their own industry within the industry. Not only were they responsible for hits like “Protect Ya Neck,” “M.E.T.H.O.D. Man,” “Brooklyn Zoo,” “C.R.E.A.M.,” and “Triumph,” but they infiltrated every major label. In 1995, Wu-Tang was one of the first rap acts to tie-in hip-hop and fashion by establishing their own fashion brand name, Wu Wear. In 1998, they were the first rap act in the world and in the history of hip-hop to create their own video game, “Shaolin Style” through Activision. Now the Wu-Tang saga continues into the 21st century as the Wu prepares to drop their third release, the W.

It’s been seven years since Wu-Tang signed to Loud Records and burst out of the forgotten borough of Staten Island (Shaolin). “After we released ‘Protect Ya Neck’ we decided to shop for a deal but had problems getting signed because labels either thought we were too hardcore or they wanted to keep the whole group locked down. Steve (Rifkind) and Rich (Isaacson) allowed us to record for them as a group but gave us the freedom to do individual deals outside of Loud.” Before, they were underdogs, struggling like every man on the street. Now each of the clansmen – The RZA, The GZA, Raekwon the Chef, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Masta Killa and Cappadonna – are certified stars blazing an indelible trail through the industry with a slew of gold and platinum records. Their distinct and charismatic personalities have made the Clan rap’s version of the WWF.

While lesser talent has come and gone, Wu-Tang have maintained their reputations through consistency, originality and innovation as they constantly add on, pushing the game to the next level. They were the first rappers to take on alter egos like the Wu Gambinos. They were also the first ones to break into the industry as a family, and spin off successful solo careers.

Inspectah Deck explains, “It’s like in the flicks. THe Grandmaster got years of doing this, and he taught the student. The student learns to a point that he’s nice and he feels he could challenge the Grandmaster. We coming to show them, you good young student, but you not ready yet. ‘Cause I’ve taught you only one of the styles. There’s thirty-six. We showed you one and you mastered that style, but now let me show you why we are masters.

At the dawn of the 21st Century, Wu-Tang stands as a well-established institution in hip-hop representing beats and rhymes par excellence. On the W, however they are about to break it down to the essence and take us back to where it all began – the gutter.

“It’s a B-Boy album, ’cause we strictly hip-hop,” says The RZA. “It’s an album that will make you take off your gators and put your Timberlands back on. Take off your silk shirt, and put your hoody back on, nah mean?” RZA remains firmly at the helm of the W, an album of 13 cuts with a running time of not more than 45 minutes. The all-killa, no-filla program thrills with up-tempo bangers like first and second singles off the album. “Proect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)” and “Gravel Pit,” soothes with more soulful pieces like “Hollow Bones,” and gets ill with the downright spine-tingling “Careful.” Even Ol’ Dirty, who was absent during much of the recording, checks in with “Conditioner,” a cut that features Snoop; it’s everything you expect from the microphone madman and the King of the West Coast Rap. Other featured guests on the album include Nas, Busta Rhymes, Redman, Junior Reid and Isaa c Hayes.

“Niggas have matured,” says Ghostface Killah, speaking on what to expect from the W. But, RZA adds, laughing, “Niggas think things are sweet ’cause we movin’ with our children today — Good thing we brought the glock,” referring to the Clan’s attitude on another song title. Survey says: Expect some of that good ol’ New York hardcore – an element that’s been sorely lacking from rap these days. After spending two intensive months in L.A. and another two in New York, the Wu-Tang Clan has distilled their best work into the W. It’s all about knowledge – knowledge of self, knowledge of the streets.

The W is only the latest chapter as the Wu-Tang saga continues…