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Biography
Wu-Tang Clan were the antidote to Dr. Dre's G-funk domination, offering a distinctly grimy, hardcore alternative to the West Coast sound with their 1993 debut, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)." Formed in Staten Island, New York, US, the Clan developed into a sprawling collection of artists, rooted by RZA's musical direction and vision. Made up of roughly nine members, each artist delivered their own persona and style, with the crew being started by GZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard, soon expanding to include Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, and Inspectah Deck.
Their debut release forged a new sound in hip-hop, through darkly funky soundscapes full of a sense of eerie, urban-dystopian menace which grounded their seamless, gritty vocal attack loaded with violent martial arts imagery. Achieving widespread critical acclaim and commercial success, Wu-Tang's sound became instantly recognizable which would go on to influence countless artists across genres subsequently.
Following their debut, the various artists embarked on a host of solo ventures, with five of the crew landing solo contracts on the strength of the single "C.R.E.A.M" alone. The may artists of Wu-Tang became household names, collaborating with many others in the industry and finding their new projects receiving the same success as their collective recordings.
In 1997, Wu-Tang Clan reunited together to work on their second album, the double-disc "Wu-Tang Forever," finding huge anticipation for the release. The album went straight to number one in the charts and sold over 600,000 copies in its first week. Wu-Tang Clan became a branded franchise, expanding its roster of artists to include new members and to aid young protégés gain their first exposure. The collective became a huge business, dominating the airwaves. Meanwhile, Ol'Dirty Bastard's behavior began to become erratic and a series of incidents in 1998 left the rapper incarcerated and in and out of rehab for drug addiction.
Following "Wu-Tang Forever," the many artists released further solo albums and projects, although they were unable to maintain such high levels of fervor around these releases, although they were still widely critically acclaimed. The Wu-Tang Clan project was perhaps spread too thin, with the vast number of ventures causing inconsistency and over-dilution. In 2000, the Clan returned with a new effort, "The W," which was a more focused offering, a release marred by Ol'Dirty Bastard's continuing erratic behavior that was quickly spiraling out of control.
It was only a year later that a new Wu-Tang release arrived, with their fourth record, "Iron Flag." Solo projects continued subsequently, with the next release for the collective only being the 2004 live album, "Disciples of the 36 Chambers." Sadly that same year, Ol' Dirty Bastard suffered a fatal heart attack, with this release being his last.
In 2007, new Clan material surfaced, with "8 Diagrams," which suffered from criticism from GZA and Raekwon about RZA's chosen direction. Another bout of solo albums followed before the 2011 compilation, "Legendary Weapons" was released. To huge anticipation, in 2013, a new studio album was announced, planned for 2013 to commemorate their 20th anniversary. However, the album did not appear until 2014, when it was finally released on Warner Bros., titled "A Better Tomorrow." Alongside this album, Wu-Tang Clan also made music history, after announcing their creation of "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin," a secret album that was only to have one copy pressed, to be sold to the highest bidder, likely to be housed in a museum, with RZA suggesting the music would not be available for another seven years. An artistic statement never before created in popular music.
Live reviews
With a breakthrough from the streets as rugged as their styles, New York City's Wu-Tang Clan emerged as the most revolutionary hip-hop group to enforce their eccentric prominence and establish the group's everlasting legacy. Brought together during the early 1990's, the Wu-Tang Clan adopted its name from the martial arts film 'Shaolin and Wu Tang'. The initial founder, member and producer of the group, referred to as RZA, describes the character's sword wielding technique as incredible and exquisite. Quickly inspired, RZA made the analogy between the sword and the tongue. Like the sword, the tongue speaks words as equally powerful and severe as the slice of a sword's blade. Thus brought the creation of the widely acknowledged Wu-Tang sword style. The assembly of the nine MCs known as RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and the Method Man, brought forth a team of fearless personas each as phenomenal and distinguished as the next. With a congregation of fearsome, lyrical warriors with distinct and eccentric rapping styles and techniques every member brought something new to the table.
With an accumulated group hungry with ambition, the album 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' was produced and released in 1993. Regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, it can truly live up to its status. Unlike many other hip-hop albums, '36 Chambers' surfaced as a magnificent masterpiece expressing the influence and creative force for which the Wu-Tang Clan is known and established for. With such an impressive development in producing '36 Chambers', the menacing and fierce approach taken into expressing Wu-Tang's fervor is widely evident in their stage performances. In the past, underground fanatics as well as devoted fans can be seen cheering, screaming, and going berserk in coherence with the groups live appearance and liveliness. Up to recent date Wu-Tang's performances resurfaces the vivid nostalgia to the hardcore enthusiasm felt when the initial impact of '36 Chambers' was made. Upon attending a present day performance, those present radiate a prideful gusto determined to pay homage to the legendary legacy that is immortalized as the Wu-Tang Clan.
KillahBeez_MC
As a true Wu Tang fanatic since the age of 12, it was inevitable that I would eventually make it to a Wu Tang concert. Albeit wouldn't be until 2018 for their 25th year anniversary of 36 chambers tour, but alas, I made it! It was in Washington DC and it was an older crowd but the energy was alive and it was there. The whole clan was there, Young Dirty Bastard, ODB's son is now touring in his late father's place but delivers the same hype energy that only the Ole dirt dog could bring. Redman was an opening act, which was amazing. Although they had told us all while in the line that there would be no weed smoking or the perpetrators would be removed, as soon as "How to Roll a Blunt" came on all you could smell was that sweet cheeba cheeba. Security threw their hands up and said it's too many people smoking and just let us partake in the bonding that only Mary Jane can induce. The rest of the night was a smash. The group preformed the album in order and you could feel the nostalgia in the air as the audience rapped along to every word. Including me a white girl from Maryland who was finally living one of her teenage dreams and FINALLY seeing her favorite rap group of all time perform live. There was no disappointment, only pure unfiltered joy and love. Now if only I could have my dream of smoking a blunt with Method Man. Then I could die happy. That's always been something I've wanted to do since 13. I am now 40. Meth, what's the math? I am praying that I can go see this concert when they will play with another living legend, Nas. Yasss....I want those vip tickets and I NEED to be as close to the stage as possible, so my Boyz will see this chicken rap along to every single word. And I am hoping they will see my wutang tat that immortalized them as well as my bestfriend/brothafromanothamotha, who was an EVEN bigger WuTang fanatic than me!!!! If yall want a good show go see this!! And feel free to take me with you!!!!!
stephanie-cornell-2
Wu-Tang Clan are an act that possess perhaps more confidence than any other performer I've seen live. Striding onto the Bestival stage under the summer sun, the R & B legends had drawn a massive crowd to the mainstage to catch their set.
Although their material is not as well known in the UK as it is in the States, the audience remained enthusiastic throughout. The group is a great festival act as they are fantastic at hyping up a crowd and building up the party atmosphere that is what the revellers have come for. Performing onstage rap battles with each and initiating everyone into the 'clan', they perform throughout.
The highlight is their biggest international hit 'Gravel Pit' which evokes cheers from the British crowd as they dance along with the hip hop heavyweights. As RZA and co command everyone to form 'W''s with their hands and wave along, the concert was never too serious but still a fantastic experience for a sunny Saturday afternoon. It fitted the Bestival mentality perfectly.
sean-ward
So, I don't usually purchase festival tickets.
Reason being that I'm fussy with music and paying a ridiculous amount for one or two acts I wanna see. But this year, Parklife, Wu Tang was one of the groups I wanted to see.
However, the beautiful faceless creatures at Songkick alerted me to the Afterlife event where I could catch the clan for a snipped of the price, so I went for it.
My oh my was it a night to remember.
Yes there were a couple of missing faces from the original lineup however the vibe was electric. These guys know just how to work a crowd. The air was quickly filled with suspicious smelling smoke, have-a-go rappers singing along and of course, like a Bat symbol above Gotham, the many hands of all colours, united in the symbolic W symbol. Respect was paid.
They tore through the classics like it was still the 90s, proving (as if more proof were needed), that Wu Tamg Clan ain't nuttin ta f**k wit!
dan-fryar
As always Wu-Tang came out and dod their thing! Despite people complaining Meth wasn't there they still rock and I will still go to see them everytime they tour the UK! How ever, I will never go to Glasgow Apollo again the atmosphere was dull the sound system was awful and even Wu-tang had to keep stopping to tell them to deal with the speakers and the blinding lights with regulary glared in our direction. Some twisted fool stole my coat from the back of my wheelchair but even that didn't dampen my spirits! Wu-Tang forever but will skip Glasgow!
mary-jane-hartley-1
Seen Wu-Tang at Primavera in 2013. Wow, do they know how to get a crowd hyped. The crowd was cold, tired, and worn out but Wu-Tang turned that all around. They weren't about to keep playing until the crowd showed they really wanted it. They played every song you wanted to hear from Wu-Tang and made it better live. Rza even almost hit me with a champagne bottle he kicked off stage. Definitely an entertaining show, even if you only know the hits.
weslie-wenzler
At the C-Halle we was scared because we was late and the concert changed the show to Arena Halle, in Berlin. But when we get the Arena the concert was not started yet. Everything was so beatifull, kick with the classics hit, even so underground like Slang Editorial, of Cappadonna. I just wish be there Method Man, Raekwon and RZA, buth the rest of the Clan made us fellin everything was ok and surrounding us.
Octavio36
It took forever for them to get on stage even after the 'warm up band'. It was very challenging to wait that long! (more than 2,5 hours overall!) The sound was a little too much for the small place and the security was very impatient with us to leave. They urged us immediately as the concert finished. I mean 5 more minutes wouldn't hurt anyone?!
The concert was alright but the rest? Not really!
vadasz15
I’ve been vibin’ with Wu-Tang since 1993 and it has been a dream of mine to see them live. Last night I finally had the chance and let me tell you, they did not disappoint! Sad to have missed Method Man, but I understand he has a project he is working on and couldn’t make it. ODBs son did a great job representing his father. It was an amazing show!
robin-cole-4
Vancouver show was disappointing would have liked to see inspectah deck and method man show was good but it could have been better not mad that they no showed but just disappointed don't really feel like i saw wu tang just got to see raekwon ghostface cappadonna u-god GZA RZA idk was pretty lack luster without method man and inspectah deck.
stevenlongden92
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