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*'''[[Redman]]''' (born '''Bill Gates''', 1972) - Vinay fails.
*'''[[Redman]]''' (born '''Bill Gates''', 1972) - Vinay fails.


==History==
===Foundation===
The founders of Wu-Tang Clan were cousins GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and The RZA, who had previously comprised the trio Force Of The Imperial Master, who became better known as "[[All In Together Now]]" after they had released a popular single by that name. The group had attracted the attention of some in the industry, including [[Biz Markie]].[http://www.hiphopcore.net/interviews/rza_english.php3], but had never managed to secure a record deal. Since the crew dissolved,
GZA (then known as the Genius) and The RZA (then known as Prince Rakeem) had also embarked on separate unsuccessful solo careers with [[Cold Chillin' Records]] and [[Tommy Boy Records]], respectively. Their frustration with the workings of the hip hop music industry would provide the main inspiration to Wu-Tang's revolutionary business plan. According to ''[[The Wu-Tang Manual]]'', at the group's inception, RZA promised the members that if he had total control of the Wu-Tang empire, it would conquer the hip-hop world within five years, after which he would relinquish his total control.
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:060811 methodman.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Method Man in the studio working on his 2006 album ''[[4:21...The Day After]] -->'']]
Wu-Tang Clan was gradually assembled in late 1992 from friends and accomplices from around Staten Island, with The RZA as the ''de facto'' leader & the group's producer [http://www.discogs.com/release/118435]. The two cousins (GZA and The RZA) created their new Wu-Tang aliases by mimicking the sound that the words "genius" and "rakeem" would make when [[Scratching|scratched]] on a [[phonograph|turntable]].


The word Wu-Tang comes from the name of the Taoist holy mountain [[Wudang Mountains|Wu Dang]] in northwest [[Hubei]] Province in central [[People's Republic of China|China]]; it was also the site of the [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] Purple Imperial City built by Emperor Yong Le during 1404 to 1420. The RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard adopted the name for the group after seeing the kung-fu film ''[[Shaolin and Wu Tang]]'', which features a school of warriors trained in Wu-Tang style. The group's debut album loosely adopted a Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang theme, dividing the album into Shaolin and Wu-Tang sections and using dialogue excerpts as skits.[http://imdb.com/title/tt0083062/quotes]

The group have also developed various [[backronyms]] for the name (as hip hop pioneers like [[KRS-One]] and [[Big Daddy Kane]] did with their names), including "We Usually Take All Niggas' Garments," "Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game" and "Wisdom, Universe, Truth, [[Allah]], Nation, and God". This last reflects the teachings of the 5% nation of Gods and Earths.

===''Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)''===
[[Image:Wu-TangClanEntertheWu-Tangalbumcover.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Cover of Wu-Tang Clan's 1993 debut, ''Enter the Wu-Tang'']]
The Clan first became known to hip hop fans, and to major record labels, in 1993 (see [[1993 in music]]) following the release of the independent single ''Protect Ya Neck'', which immediately gave the group a sizeable underground following. Though there was some difficulty in finding a record label that would sign Wu-Tang Clan while still allowing each member to record solo albums with other labels, Loud/[[RCA]] finally agreed, releasing their debut album, ''[[Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)]]'', in late 1993. This album was popular and critically-acclaimed, though it took some time to gain momentum. Though hip hop had long had a gritty texture, the surreal aggression and minimalist production of ''36 Chambers'' nevertheless had a huge impact on the genre, and was to prove massively influential over the next decade. By the beginning of the 21st century, the album had become a regular fixture on "Best Albums Of The 90s" lists as well as a frequent choice for "Best Albums Of All Time" lists. [http://www.acclaimedmusic.net/A890.htm]

The success of ''Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers'' established the group as a creative and influential force in early 1990s hip hop, allowing GZA, The RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, and Ol' Dirty Bastard to negotiate solo contracts.

===First round of solo albums===

The period between the release of ''Enter the Wu-Tang'' and Wu-Tang Clan's second album is considered to be "the greatest winning streak in rap history."[http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0606,breihan,72083,22.html] The RZA was the first to follow up on the success of ''Enter the Wu-Tang'' with a side project, founding the [[Gravediggaz]] with [[Prince Paul]] and Frukwan (both of [[Stetsasonic]]) and [[Poetic (hip hop)|Poetic]]. The Gravediggaz released ''[[6 Feet Deep]]'' in August 1994, which became a well known work to emerge from hip hop's small sub-genre of [[horrorcore]].
[[Image:Tical.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Method Man's ''Tical'']]
It had always been planned for Method Man to be the first breakout star from the group's lineup, with the [[b-side]] of the first single being his now-classic eponymous solo track. In November 1994 his solo album ''[[Tical (Album)|Tical]]'' was released. It was entirely produced by The RZA, who for the most part continued with the grimy, raw textures he explored on ''36 Chambers''. The RZA's hands-on approach to ''Tical'' extended beyond his merely creating the beats to devising song concepts and structure. This approach would continue throughout the first round of solo projects from the Clan members. Ol' Dirty Bastard found success in early 1995 with ''[[Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version]]'', which saw the 36 Chambers sound become even rawer and rough-edged.

[[Image:Ob4cl.jpg|180px|right|thumb|Raekwon's debut solo, ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...'']]
Late 1995 saw the release of the group's two most significant and well-received solo projects. Raekwon the Chef's ''[[Only Built 4 Cuban Linx]]'' was a diverse, theatrical [[criminological]] epic that saw The RZA move away from the raw, stripped-down beats of the early albums and towards a richer, cinematic sound more reliant on [[String instrument|strings]] and classic [[soul music|soul]] [[Sampling (music)|samples]]. [[Cappadonna]], a close Wu-Tang associate, featured on the album, as did [[Queensbridge]] MC [[Nas]] on the song "Verbal Intercourse", the first non-Wu-Tang artist to appear on a Wu-Tang album, and marking the birth of the rapper's "Nas Escobar" persona. GZA's ''[[Liquid Swords]]'' had a similar focus on inner-city criminology to ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'', yet it was far darker, both in GZA's grim lyrics and in the ominous, foreboding production that saw The RZA more reliant on [[Synthesizer|keyboards]] than ever before. The two 1995 solo albums remain widely regarded as two of the finest hip hop albums of the nineties.

Ghostface Killah released his own debut, [[Ironman (album)|''Ironman'']], in 1996. It struck a balance between the sinister keyboard-laden textures of ''Liquid Swords'' and the sentimental soul samples of ''Cuban Linx'', while Ghostface himself explored new territory as a lyricist. It was critically acclaimed and is still widely considered one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums. Although the 1994-1996 albums were released as solo albums, The RZA's presence behind the boards and the large number of guest appearances from other Clan members (Raekwon and Ghostface's albums only had two or three actual solo tracks each and both included many tracks that included other Clan members) means they are usually considered as important to the group's evolution as the group albums proper.

===''Wu-Tang Forever''===
[[Image:Wtforever.jpg|left|thumb|220px|Cover of Wu-Tang Clan's 1997 album, ''[[Wu-Tang Forever]]'']]
With solo careers established, Wu-Tang Clan came back together to release the enormous [[double album]] ''[[Wu-Tang Forever]]'' in June 1997. It was eagerly anticipated and entered the charts at number one after selling 600,000 in its first week{{Fact|date=January 2007}} — no small feat for an album that made very little attempt to reach a broader audience. Its first single, "Triumph," was over five minutes long, had nine full-length verses and no chorus. The sound of the album built significantly on the sounds of the previous three solo albums, with The RZA using more keyboards and string samples, as well as, for the first time, assigning some of the album's production to his protégés [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#True Master|True Master]] and [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#4th Disciple|4th Disciple]]. The group's lyrics differed significantly from those of ''36 Chambers'', with many verses written in a dense [[stream-of-consciousness]] form heavily influenced by the teachings of the [[Five Percent Nation]]. Around the same time, the group's part in a joint live tour with [[Rage Against the Machine]] was cut short amid rumors of internal disputes{{Fact|date=January 2007}}.

''Wu-Tang Forever'' also marked the end of The RZA's "five year plan". After ''Forever'''s success, The RZA ceased to oversee all aspects of Wu-Tang product as he had done previously, delegating much of his existing role to associates such as Oli "Power" Grant and his brother Mitchell "Divine" Diggs. This move was designed to expand Wu-Tang's reach in hip-hop and take advantage of financial opportunities for the group. In keeping with this move, a large amount of Wu-Tang product (both musical and otherwise; example Wu-Wear) was to be released over the next two years.

===Wu-Fam===
Immediately after ''Wu-Tang Forever'', the focus of Wu-Tang was on promoting emerging affiliate artists (referred to by the fanbase as "Wu-Fam") rather than its own members. The group's close associate Cappadonna followed the group project with March 1998's ''[[The Pillage]]''. Soon after, [[Killah Priest]] (like Cappadonna, a close associate of the Clan, though not an official member) released ''[[Heavy Mental]]'' to great critical acclaim. Affiliate groups [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#Sunz Of Man|Sunz Of Man]] (of which Killah Priest was a member) and [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#Killarmy|Killarmy]] (which included The RZA's younger brother) also released albums while a compilation album, ''[[Wu-Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm]]'', was released showcasing these and more Wu-affiliated artists as well as including new solo tracks from the group members themselves.

There was also a long line of lesser-known releases from B-list affiliates such as [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#Popa Wu|Popa Wu]], [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#Shyheim|Shyheim]], [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#GP Wu|GP Wu]], and [[Wu-Tang Clan affiliates#Wu-Syndicate|Wu-Syndicate]]. Second albums from Gravediggaz and Killarmy, as well as a greatest hits album, and a b-sides compilation eventually saw release.

===Second round of solo albums===
[[Image:Gfk-rza-source.gif|right|thumb|200px|The RZA & Ghostface Killah on the cover of [[The Source (magazine)|The Source]] promoting ''Supreme Clientele'']]
While this round was very commercially successful, it was not as critically acclaimed as the first. The second round of solo albums from the Clansmen saw sophomore efforts from the four members who had already released albums as well as debuts from all the remaining members except Masta Killa (who would eventually debut as a solo artist in 2004). In the space of two years, The RZA's ''[[Bobby Digital In Stereo]]'', Method Man's ''[[Tical 2000: Judgement Day]]'' and ''[[Blackout!]]'' (with [[Redman]]), GZA's ''[[Beneath the Surface]]'', Ol' Dirty Bastard's ''[[Nigga Please]]'', U-God's ''[[Golden Arms Redemption]]'', Raekwon's ''[[Immobilarity]]'', Ghostface Killah's ''[[Supreme Clientele]]'' and Inspectah Deck's ''[[Uncontrolled Substance]]'' were all released (seven of them being released in the space of seven months between June 1999 and January 2000). The RZA also composed the [[film score|score]] for the film ''Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai'', directed by [[Jim Jarmusch]], while he and other Wu-Tang members contributed music to a companion "music inspired by the film" album. Wu-Tang branded clothing and [[video games]] were marketed as well. The Wu Wear clothing line in particular was massively influential on hip hop culture; initially started as merely a way to make money from the demand for bootleg Wu-Tang shirts, it evolved into an extensive collection of designer garments{{Fact|date=January 2007}}. Soon, other hip hop artists were making similar ventures and by the mid 2000s a clothing line was almost a prerequisite for hip hop superstardom, with clothing lines launched by [[Ludacris]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Puff Daddy]], [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Nelly]] and more.

The avalanche of Wu-Tang product between 1997 and 2000 is considered by some critics to have resulted in an oversaturation that was responsible for Wu-Tang's drop in popularity, or at least in critical regard, during that time [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:7n841v08zzca~T1]. Reviews such as [[Melody Maker]]'s writeup on Ghostface Killah's ''Supreme Clientele'' in January 2000 which began "Another month, another Wu-Tang side project" revealed critics' exhaustion at the Clan's prodigious output. While this may be more a reflection on the limited attention spans of critics, the reception for the second round of Clan member solo albums was decidedly mixed if largely positive, and they did not live up to their pre-''Forever'' forebears critically; however, the Wu was selling more albums than ever.

Occasional albums would still receive critical acclaim (Ghostface Killah's ''Supreme Clientele'' for one, which is regarded as one of the best solo efforts from the Clan) while Method Man and ODB remained popular in their own right as solo artists, and Wu-Tang remained as a well known force, but they had seemingly lost the ability to excite the music world in the way they had throughout the 90s.

Many fans and critics also bemoaned the lack of The RZA's input on the post-''Forever'' solo albums, which were mostly produced by the Wu-Element producers, other lower-ranking affiliates, or by outside producers such as the [[Trackmasters]] or the [[Neptunes]].

===''The W'' and ''Iron Flag''===
[[Image:Ironflagcover.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Cover of Wu-Tang Clan's 2001 album, ''[[Iron Flag]]'']]
The group reconvened once again to make ''[[The W]]'', though without Ol' Dirty Bastard, who was at the time incarcerated in [[California]] for violating the terms of his [[probation]]{{Fact|date=January 2007}}. Though incarcerated, ODB happened to make it in the track ''Conditioner'' which also featured Snoop Dogg. They sampled ODB via the telephones used for inmates to talk with visitors.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ''The W'' was mostly well-received by critics [http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/wutangclan/w], particularly for The RZA's production, and also gave the group a hit single with the uptempo ''Gravel Pit'', part of a trilogy of videos where the group would visit different eras with a [[time travel]]ing elevator, which also included ''Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)'' and the internet exclusive (due to excessive [[gun violence]]) ''Careful (Click, Click)'', which were then followed by ''I Can't Go To Sleep'' featuring [[Isaac Hayes]]. The album would go on to reach double platinum status.

In 2001, Wu-Tang Clan released their fourth album, ''[[Iron Flag]]'', to luke-warm reception. It contained hit single "Uzi (Pinky Ring)" and guest appearances by artists such as [[Flavor Flav]]. Its production was not completely handled by The RZA and had a less gritty sound than previous Wu-Tangs albums.

===Third round of solo albums===
RZA's release of ''[[Digital Bullet]]'' (as Bobby Digital) in 2001 marked the beginning of the a small wave of solo releases in between ''The W'' and ''Iron Flag'' which also included Ghostface Killah's ''[[Bulletproof Wallets]]'' and Cappadonna's ''[[The Yin and the Yang]]''. Their latest album as a group is 2001's ''[[Iron Flag]]''. It received mixed reviews [http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/wutangclan/ironflag] but still managed to go Gold very quickly. GZA's release of ''[[Legend of the Liquid Sword (album)|Legend of the Liquid Sword]]'' in late 2002 marked yet another wave that continued for the next two years. The wave included Cappadonna's ''[[The Struggle]]'', Method Man's ''[[Tical 0: The Prequel]]'', Raekwon's ''[[The Lex Diamond Story]]'', Ghostface Killah's ''[[The Pretty Toney Album]]'', Inspectah Deck's ''[[The Movement (album)|The Movement]]'', and Masta Killa's ''[[No Said Date]]''. It was perhaps the least successful wave yet, with only ''No Said Date'' and ''The Pretty Toney Album'' gaining any significant attention. Ghostface's album continued the trend of his releases each selling less than the one before it despite mostly good reviews [http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/ghostface/prettytoneyalbum?q=ghostface]. Masta Killa's album was well received by both the hardcore fanbase and critics for its attempt to return to the classic Wu sound, though as an independent release, it expectedly did not catch on commercially.

As the case usually is, Method Man's album sold very well despite both critics and fans bashing it. Even Method Man himself went on to bash the album, stating that the situation (management transition) going on at the time with Def Jam caused the poor outcome. {{Fact|date=February 2007}}

===U-God dispute===
In early 2004 U-God, for long one of the least renowned members of the Clan, apparently left the group in disgust. A [[DVD]] titled ''Rise Of A Fallen Soldier'' was released detailing his problems, which were mostly with his treatment by The RZA, who he claimed had hindered his success as a solo artist{{Fact|date=January 2007}}. He also formed a new group of young protegés called the Hillside Scramblers, with whom he released the album ''[[U-GODZILLA presents the Hillside Scramblers]]'' in March 2004. The dispute culminated in a heated phone conversation between The RZA and U-God on live radio, which ultimately saw the two reconcile{{Fact|date=January 2007}}. U-God later rejoined the group.

===Live album and greatest hits compilation===
2004 also saw the unexpected return of the Clan to the live stage, though without Ol' Dirty Bastard and Method Man (who was filming ''Method & Red''). They embarked on a short [[Europe]]an tour before coming together as a complete group for the first time in several years to headline the [[Rock the Bells IV]] festival in [[California]]. The concert was released on [[DVD]] shortly afterwards under the name ''[[Disciples of the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1]]''. They also soon released a music-video greatest hits album named ''[[Legend of the Wu-Tang Clan]]''.

===The death of ODB===
[[Image:odb.jpeg|200px|thumb|left|Funeral of ODB]]
Ol' Dirty Bastard collapsed at approximately 5:29 p.m. on [[November 13]], [[2004]] at Wu-Tang's recording studio, 36 Chambers on West 34th Street in New York City [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1493725/20041113/ol_dirty_bastard.jhtml?headlines=false]. He was pronounced dead less than an hour later, just two days shy of his 36th birthday. He was buried at Brooklyn's Christian Cultural Center {{Fact|date=January 2007}}. The group was very heavily shaken by Ol' Dirty Bastard's death.

ODB's career in Wu-Tang was marked by wild and criminal behavior. At the 1998 [[Grammy Award]]s, he protested the Clan's loss (in [[Grammy Award for Best Rap Album|Best Rap Album]]) by interrupting Shawn Colvin's acceptance speech for her Song of the Year award. ODB was also arrested several times for a variety of offenses, including [[assault]], [[shoplifting]], wearing [[body armor]] after being convicted of a [[felony]], and possession of [[cocaine]] [http://crime.about.com/od/famousdiduno/ig/mugshots_rap_hip_rb/odb.htm]. He was also in trouble for missing multiple court dates. In late 2000, Ol' Dirty Bastard unexpectedly escaped near the end of his rehab sentence, spending one month on the run as a fugitive before showing up on stage at the record release party for ''The W'' in New York City. Ol' Dirty Bastard managed to escape the club (which had several policemen outside on the sidewalk in front of it, however they were seemingly unaware of the presence of a nationally-known fugitive inside) but was later captured by police in a McDonald's parking lot in South Philadelphia and sent to New York to face charges of cocaine possession[http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=3738]. In April 2001, he was sentenced to two to four years in prison.

Once released from prison, he signed to [[Roc-a-Fella Records]]. A posthumous official [[mixtape]] titled ''Osirus'' featuring many new songs was released in March 2005, while ODB's Roc-A-Fella album ''[[A Son Unique]]'' was originally to be released in 2005, but had numerous delays. It was to be released on November 7, 2006 to commemorate the second anniversary of ODB's death, which occurred on November 13, 2004, but was delayed again.

===Resurgence===
[[Image:Fishscale.jpg|200px|right|thumb|[[Ghostface]]'s 2006 album, ''[[Fishscale]]'']]
2005 saw the release of the RZA-authored guide [[The Wu-Tang Manual]] plus the release of U-God's sophomore album ''[[Mr. Xcitement]]'' and GZA's collaboration with [[DJ Muggs]] titled ''[[GrandMasters]]'', as well as ''[[Wu-Tang Meets Indie Culture]]'': an album featuring RZA, GZA, U-God, compiled by [[Dreddy Krueger]], produced by [[Bronze Nazareth]] and put out by Think Differently Music. The group reunited for an early 2006 East Coast Tour, dedicated to Ol' Dirty Bastard, in the month of February.

On [[March 28]], [[2006]], Ghostface Killah released ''[[Fishscale]]'' to critical acclaim and commercial success[http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/ghostface/fishscale]. Many cited Ghost's near-surgical wordplay and frantic yet careful flows as being in top form on the album. Much acclaim was also directed towards the variety of topics Ghost addresses, from grand crime dramas based on the lives of drug kingpins (as in "Kilo"), to the frantic lives of street hustlers ("Shakey Dog"), childhood ("Whip You With a Strap"), love ("Back Like That", "Jellyfish"), and pure surreality ("Underwater"). The album also ventures into genre exercises, approximating a club banger with "Be Easy" and battle rhymes with "The Champ." Ghostface also released ''[[More Fish]]'' in December of 2006 to decent reception.

Method Man and Masta Killa both dropped solo albums as well: ''[[4:21...The Day After]]'' and ''[[Made in Brooklyn]]'' respectively to praise from fans. Ol' Dirty Bastard's posthumous album, ''A Son Unique'', is scheduled to be released on the [[Damon Dash Music Group]] in 2007 as well. On [[June 25]], [[2006]] Inspectah Deck released an official mixtape titled ''[[Resident Patient (album)|The Resident Patient]]'', a prelude to his soon to be released album, tentatively titled ''The Rebellion'' [http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=1518].

The summer of 2007 should see the release of Raekwon's long-delayed [[sequel]] to his 1995 debut ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'' named ''[[Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II]]''. The album will be released on Dr. Dre's [[Aftermath Records]][http://www.wutang-corp.com/news/article.php?id=742]. It will be executive produced by [[Busta Rhymes]] (informally) and the RZA, with RZA handling most of the production--including the first single--as well as tracks from Dr. Dre, among others. Raekwon credits Busta Rhymes for getting his head back in the zone to write "Cuban Link material", as well as getting Rza, Dr. Dre and himself in the same studio together. In addition to signing with a new label, Raekwon remains one of the most active members of the Clan. He continues to put out material on the streets whether it be via mixtapes or the internet. Raekwon also has his own crew of up and coming Staten Island rappers assembled called Ice Water Inc.

In the process of recording and dropping these projects, Wu-Tang has networked with several outside producers and artists as of late: DJ Muggs through GZA; [[MF Doom]] through Ghostface Killah; [[Pete Rock]] through several of the members; [[Erick Sermon]] and [[Redman]] through Method Man, the former of which co-executive produced ''4:21''; the now-deceased [[J Dilla]] through Ghostface and Raekwon, and [[Busta Rhymes]] and Dr. Dre through Raekwon, during his tenure on Aftermath. The Wu-Tang Clan had also recently signed a one album deal with Steve Rifkind's [[Street Records Corporation|SRC Records]][http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/10516] and has announced a new album titled ''[[8 Diagrams]]'', which will hit stores this summer [http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=6633]


==Rivalries==
==Rivalries==

Revision as of 22:25, 25 February 2007

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"Wu-Tang" redirects here. For other uses, see Wu-Tang (disambiguation).
Wu-Tang Clan

The Wu-Tang Clan is a loose group of East Coast rappers who frequently work together in producing albums. The Clan is an all star line-up of nine MC’s who are Grammy winners, multiplatinum-selling solo artists, film stars, TV stars, product spokespersons, hit-making producers and, most recently, major motion picture composers. Five of the nine members are from Brooklyn, New York, with the other four from Staten Island. Known for their lyrical dynamism and the pioneering sample-based production of the RZA, the Wu-Tang Clan's music draws upon a variety of far-flung and often obscure cultural sources, including Five Percenter religious lore, Hong Kong action cinema, comic books, samurai-genre film, and local slang.

The group started with just three members, RZA, GZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard, known as All In Together Now.[1] The group later added seven members, and featured ten MCs until the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004. In 1993 the group released its seminal debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and went on to release numerous solo albums from all ten members, many of which are now considered hip hop classics.

The Wu-Tang Clan derives its name from the 1981 martial arts movie, Shaolin and Wu Tang.

Members

  • RZA (born Robert Diggs, 1969) - 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, recently his popularity has transcended hip-hop. Thanks to Jim Jarmusch giving him his break with Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, he has gone on to score several Hollywood films such as the first installment of Quentin Tarantino's critically acclaimed Kill Bill.
  • GZA (born Gary Grice, 1965) - 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 [2]. He was also the first to release an album, Words from the Genius, which was released in 1991 on Cold Chillin'/Reprise. He is known for his laid-back flow and complex use of metaphor, containing references to Samurai films, chess and 5 Percenter teachings. Liquid Swords, his Wu-Tang debut album, is often considered among the group's best work.
  • Ol' Dirty Bastard (born Russell Jones, 1968 - 2004) - Arguably the most unique and erratic member of the group, his wild behavior drew significant media — and often police — attention. Along with Method Man, he 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 pronounced dead less than an hour later, with a later autopsy confirming an accidental drug overdose to be the cause of his death.
  • Raekwon The Chef (born Corey Woods, 1970) - Nicknamed "The Chef" for having "lyrical flavor", as well as his skills at 'cooking' cocaine into crack rock, his lyrics contain extensive use of New York slang and are often delivered in an aggressive, fast-paced manner. 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.
  • Ghostface Killah (born Dennis Coles, 1970) - He has very distinctive, almost abstract style of rapping, and is known for his ability to write lyrics extremely quickly. He is arguably the most consistent member of the group, having released his debut album Ironman to critical acclaim, he also played a big role in Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... as well. Mainstream hip-hop press credits his sophomore album Supreme Clientele with "saving the Wu", and later enjoyed similar success with The Pretty Toney Album (2004), and Fishscale (2006).
  • Inspectah Deck (born Jason Hunter, 1970) - 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 aswell 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 Forever, although his later solo albums failed to live up to the high expectations. Inspectah Deck is known for his ability to deliver complicated rhyme-schemes and switching up his flow multiple times throughout the verse on any given song. 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.
  • Method Man (born Clifford Smith, 1971) - He was the youngest member of the Wu-Tang Clan and the first to release a Wu-Tang solo album with Tical, his career went on to become the most successful in the group with platinum sales and a Grammy for I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need with Mary J. Blige. He has also had a significant acting career with many film and television credits to his name, most notably the comedy film How High and the sitcom Method & Red, both co-starring with Redman, with whom he also made an album in 1999 titled Blackout!.
  • Masta Killa (born Elgin Turner, 1969) - He was the only member not already an experienced rapper at the time of the group's formation, and was therefore extensively mentored by GZA during his early days with the group. He was largely absent on the group's first album due to him being incarcerated, though he did contribute the stand-out final verse to the track "Da Mystery of Chess-Boxing." He was also the last to release a solo album, though when he finally did release No Said Date, it was generally well received and considered one of the best post-2000 Wu-Tang releases.[3]
  • U-God (born Lamont Hawkins, 1970) - (a.k.a "Golden Arms") One of the lesser hailed members of Wu-Tang, (partly due to his limitied exposure, from being incarcerated for most of the recording of 36 Chambers) he has had a rather unspectacular solo career. He later blamed this on RZA and a short beef between them ensued, though they eventually reconciled.
  • Redman (born Bill Gates, 1972) - Vinay fails.


Rivalries

The FBI

John Gotti, "The Dapper Don"

The Wu Tang Clan and their associates are being investigated by the FBI for weapon trafficking in Staten Island and their relationship with the Gambino crime family. Rza admitted to being friends with several members of the Gambinos in The Wu-Tang Manual, both before and after his rise to fame.

In 2000 the Village Voice ran a story about the FBI infiltrating the Wu Tang Clan through a criminal-turned-informant named Michael Caruso who got a job as the personal manager for Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna. Several other members of the group did not like Caruso, however his ties with Ghostface and Cappadonna got him into the inner circles of the Wu. [4]

Due to Caruso's criminal past he was prohibited by law to associate with felons (which many members of the Clan are) or leave the state of New York, however these restrictions were lifted in return for providing information on the group. The federal government turned their head and allowed Caruso to tour around the country with Wu-Tang as long as he was kicking back info on their involvement in gunrunning and the Gambino crime family.[5]

Bad Boy Records

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, on his song "Through The Wire" "...If you could feel how my face felt/ You would know how Mase felt..."

P Diddy

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 Puff Daddy. 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!" (He evidently was confused between Shawn Colvin and Sean Combs, Puff Daddy's real name). His bizarre onstage antics were widely reported in the mainstream media. [6]

Rza went on record multiple times calling P Diddy "RnB - Rap n Bullshit", saying that his only problem is that he's being labeled as hip hop when he makes pop music. [citation needed]

Influence

Wu-Tang has influenced many current-day hip- hop acts in the areas of rapping, production technique, subject matter and image. Among these contributions have been RZA's sampling style, certain Clan members' mafioso rap personas, usage of slang terms, and the tendency of artists to run in tightly-knit groups.

According to himself, RZA 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. After The RZA watched the Thelonious Monk documentary, Straight, No Chaser, he created the piano part to "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'."[1]

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 briefly flooded the rap market with what was dubbed "chipmunk soul," the speeding 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 the RZA's production,[7] 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.[citation needed]

Before the Wu-Tang Clan's debut in 1993, few popular rap music acts operated in groups, and at nine main members with several affiliates, the Wu was the largest around at that point; the only popular groups coming close to that size at the time were Public Enemy and the Death Row Records roster. Since that time, several collective-sized groups have gained popular status, including Dipset, the Dungeon Family, and No Limit Records; though the Wu-Tang Clan may not have been directly responsible for the formation of these groups, they helped encourage popular acceptance of the idea. They were also among the first to start the trend in hip-hop of diversification; specifically, the hip-hop clothing line with Wu-Wear, which was later picked up by Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z and Puff Daddy, among others.

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, No Limit Records, 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 5 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" and money as "C.R.E.A.M.") Though all the members indulge in this, Raekwon and Ghostface have been the most notorious for it. Since then, other acts have coined phrases of their own, such as Mobb Deep's "Dunn Language" and several Southern acts such as Three 6 Mafia naming things like drinks "sizzurp" and "purple rain".

TV & film

Chappelle's Show

File:Wu tang financial.jpg
The RZA and GZA appearing on the Chappelle's Show sketch Wu-Tang Financial

Members of the group have appeared in several Comedy Central shows, most notably two appearances on Chappelle's Show. The first was in episode 107, in a sketch titled "Wu-Tang Financial", in which The RZA and GZA run an investment firm, lampooning the over-saturation of hip-hop endorsed brands (which Wu-Tang were guilty of at one point). The second appearance was in episode 201, in the sketch "Racial Draft 2004", in which the group is drafted to become ethnically Asian. Various members have also appeared in episodes of Upright Citizens Brigade and Crank Yankers.

Rza Scores

In 1999, The RZA made a brief appearance in Jim Jarmusch's Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, a film he also scored and which features songs by Wu-Tang Clan. In 2003, The RZA and GZA appeared in another Jarmusch movie, Coffee and Cigarettes, in the sketch "Delirium" with Bill Murray. Several members appeared in Scary Movie 3 (with many other rappers) in a scene where, originally coming to save the day, they end up arguing with other rappers until guns are drawn and everyone shoots each other to death.

The RZA scored the first film of Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill saga, and also had a role in the 2005 film Derailed, which won praise from Roger Ebert, [8] though the film itself received mixed reviews. Several members also appear in the movie Black and White. RZA has gone on to score several more productions including Blade Trinity, Afro Samurai, The Protector, Freedom Writers and several others. Rza can regularly be spotted at some of the larger Hollywood events. Afro Samurai 2007 is also scored by the RZA

Method Man

Method Man has the most successful acting career of any member in Wu-Tang with many credits to his name, including a stint on HBO's Oz, appearances on CSI, The Wire and The Twilight Zone, roles in the films Garden State, Belly, Soul Plane, One Eight Seven, Cop Land and many others. He had starring roles in the feature film How High and the now-cancelled Fox series Method & Red.

Raekwon

Raekwon played 'Cigar' in the 1999 film Black and White, and has played several other smaller roles throughout the years. He has also made cameos in numerous films as himself.

Other

The RZA, Cappadonna and affiliate group Killarmy made an appearance in the "Adolf Hankler" episode of the HBO sitcom The Larry Sanders Show. In the episode, the group are booked to perform on the show-within-the-show by guest host Jon Stewart, who then comes into disagreement with the show's network over whether or not the Clan are "too urban" for the show's audience. In one of their two scenes, the group is seen rehearsing the song "And Justice For All" and in the other scene, they are awkwardly conversing with the show's sidekick character Hank Kingsley (played by Jeffrey Tambor) who asks where 'Dirty Old Bitch' is.

In the Fall of 2006, Wu-Tang was honored as one of the premier and influential rap groups by VH1's 2006 Hip Hop Honors with other influential perfomers: Afrika Bambaataa, Beastie Boys, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, MC Lyte, Rakim and Russell Simmons. During their performance, Lil Jon portrayed the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Other involvement

Clothing line

In 1995 Wu-Tang created their own clothing label called Wu-Wear due to the high amount of low-quality bootleg Wu-Tang clothing. Wu-Tang hired Executive Producer Oli 'Power' Grant and Rza's brother and label CEO 'Divine'. and tailors to make clothes for the first year. Wu-Tang was not the first hip hop group to create a clothing line, but Wu-Tang created an unprecedented amount of clothing. Even though The RZA liked Polo Ralph Lauren

Video games

All nine members of the group featured in the game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, released for the PlayStation on October 31, 1999. Method Man and Ghostface Killah also play themselves in all three games in the Def Jam series, Def Jam Vendetta, Def Jam Fight For NY, and Def Jam: Icon.

Discography

Main article: Wu-Tang Clan discography

Studio Albums

Album cover Album information
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Wu-Tang Clan
November 9, 1993
Platinum
US: 41
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 8
File:Wu-Tang Forever.jpg Wu-Tang Forever
Wu-Tang Clan
June 3, 1997
4x Platinum
US: 1
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 1
File:TheW.jpg The W
Wu-Tang Clan
November 20, 2000
2x Platinum
US: 5
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 1
Iron Flag
Wu-Tang Clan
December 18, 2001
Gold
US: 32
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: 6
8 Diagrams [9]
Wu-Tang Clan
Summer 2007
US: -
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: -

Music samples

References

  1. ^ The RZA; Chris Norris (January 2005). The Wu-Tang Manual. New York: Riverhead Freestyle, 243 pages. ISBN 1-59448-018-4

Further reading

  • The RZA (2005). The Wu-Tang Manual. Three Rivers Press. p. 243. ISBN 978-1-59448-018-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

See also

External links

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