Wu-tang clan

The founders of Wu-Tang Clan were GZA , Ol 'Dirty Bastard and RZA (who were also members of the All In Together Now Crew group that had broken up by that time) and the rest of the group were friends and friends from Staten Island . RZA is the unofficial leader of the group and producer of the albums of many band members. The two cousins RZA and GZA created their pseudonyms by treating the words “razor” (razor) and “genius” (genius) on vinyls. The name of the group takes its name from Wudang ( English Wudang ) - mountains in Hubei Province in China , which traditionally were the center of Chinese martial arts. The RZA and Ol 'Dirty Bastard took their aliases from the movie Shaolin and Wu-Tang about kung fu , which told about the warriors of fighting style Wu-Tang (many dialogues from the movie are found on the first album of the group). There are also several transcripts of the band's name, such as “Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game” (witty unpredictable talent and natural strength) and “We Us Take Take Niggaz Garments” (we usually wear black clothes).

For the first time, Wu-Tang Clan received recognition from fans and large record labels in 1993 , after the release of their single Protect Ya Neck, which gave the band a noticeable impetus to further progress. The first album of the group Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was released in 1993 via Loud / RCA, it is noteworthy that The RZA signed a contract with the label, according to which each of the members of the group could independently record on other labels.

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) received positive reviews from critics. This album has established the Clan as an influential and extraordinary rap group. This allowed GZA, The RZA, Raekwon , Method Man , Ol 'Dirty Bastard and Ghostface Killah to sign solo contracts and release albums in the early 1990s .

Razor / RZA

The RZA (Robert Diggs) is the most important person in the Clan, he is also one of the most respected people in hip-hop in general, not only because he is a rapper, but also because he is one of the most successful producers, he is the head of such a formation, as Wu-Tang, as well as the owner of the label Razor Sharp Records. RZA, Genius and Ol 'Dirty Bastard formed the core of the Clan from the very beginning. After unsuccessful attempts at a solo career, RZA, together with cousins ​​and best friends, formed the Wu-Tang Clan. After the success of Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers The RZA founded the first side project , Gravediggaz, along with Prince Paul, Frukwan and Poetic. In 1994, Gravediggaz released the album 6 Feet Deep, which became the basis of a new section in hip-hop - horrorcore. The RZA produced the tracks of such famous artists as Tricky , Cypress Hill , Shaquille O'Neal , Notorious BIG Also, The RZA, along with Cappadonna and Method Man, organized the Wu-Wear clothing line. There are nine talented, original MCs in the whole Clan, but RZA is in the center. The real sound of The RZA is a rather dirty, damp, piercing bit, but it is always recognizable. RZA is also the ideologist of Wu-Tang, the ideas of Wu-Tang Clan and the idea of ​​the name of their album Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers were taken from the collection of The RZA's Shaolin films.

Genius / GZA

The Genius / GZA (Gary Grice) is one of the oldest and most experienced members of the Wu-Tang Clan, he was born and raised in Staten Island. GZA is the only member of the Clan who quickly became a group classic. He is also a cousin of The RZA and ODB. GZA released his third solo album, “Beneath the Surface” in 1999. GZA is the director of most Clan clips. GZA is one of the best clipmakers in hip-hop.

Method Man

Method Man has always been the star of the plan in the group. He gained fame after the track METHOD MAN from the group's first album. In 1994, his album Tical was released , the producer of which was The RZA. The RZA continued the tradition of Wu-Tang Clan and made the album quite heavy in sound. In general, The RZA had a hand in all solo albums of the Clan members from 1994-1995 . Thanks to his unique style, these albums are forever remembered by the audience.

Raekwon

Corey Woods, known by his stage name Raekwon, is an American East Coast rapper, one of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan group. His album “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx ...” is rightly considered one of the best solo albums of Wu-Tang Clan members, and it is one of the best and most influential hip-hop albums of the 1990s. Over the years, Raekwon has become known for staying true to his New York street fans. The leader of the Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, explained that Raekwon also has the nickname “Chef” (cook) due to his experience in the catering industry (“He was known for making really tasty fish.”), It is noteworthy that the word “chef "Street slang is used for people who prepare drugs, and the word fish refers to cocaine. The term “fishscale” (fish scales), as is known, denotes the pure form of cocaine, another of the clan members, Ghostface Killah, has an album of the same name.

Masta Killa

Masta Killa (Elgin Turner) is the most mysterious member of the Clan, he rarely gives interviews and also rarely speaks during Clan appearances in the light. Masta Killa became known to fans, after he became the 9th official member of the Clan in 1996 (before that, he was simply present at the releases ). Masta Killa has appeared on most Wu-Tang Clan albums, including Killarmy and Sunz Of Man, while outside Wu-Tang he has worked with Bounty Killer on Eyes A Bleed and Public Enemy . Masta Killa appeared only on one song from Enter the Wu-Tang debut album : 36 Chambers , Da Mystery of Chessboxin ', due to being in prison. He took his nickname from the kung fu movie The Master Killer. His solo album “No Said Date”, released in 2004, is distinguished by measured rhymes and quiet old-zkulovsky sound.

Inspectah Deck

Inspectah Deck (Jason Hunter) Born and lives in New York, on Staten Island. He is considered one of the most talented MC Clan. But not only his lyrical talent is his personality, he is also a producer. He produced albums by some Wu-Fam members, and some other MCs. Inspectah Deck became a favorite of the Wu-Tang since its appearance on the album Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers (this happened in 1993 ). This album was probably the most stellar for him in lyric terms, the track CREAM (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) brought great success, but this was not his only success on this album, Inspectah Deck was also present on almost all tracks. Since 1993, Inspectah Deck has been “guest” on almost all solo albums by Wu-Tang members. It is worth noting his appearance on the albums Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx , released on Loud Records in 1995, and Ghostface Killah Ironman Razor Sharp / Epic 1996 year. But he didn’t confine himself to the presence of Wu-Tang Clan members on the albums; in addition, he worked with various artists such as 2Pac , Pete Rock, Gang Starr , Big Punisher, 7L & Esoteric. October 5, 1999 - the long-awaited debut of Inspectah Deck Uncontrolled Substance was released on Loud Records, it was a rather interesting album, but many people thought that working with the Clan took all the time and energy from Inspectah Deck. Recording was often delayed, on the original version of the album 2 tracks were shifted. But despite this, the album was well received by critics and fans.

Ghostface Killah

Ghostface Killah (Dennis Coles) was first heard on the debut album Wu-Tang Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers , but he is also recognized as the most successful solo performer from the entire Clan. Between 93 and 94 years old, Ghostface wore a mask on his face, while taking video clips, and an interview, with this he wanted to show that he was really faceless. Success to Ghostface Killah came after the release of the album Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx , which is considered one of the most popular and successful albums of the entire Wu-Tang Clan. On it, about a third of the entire site was provided by Ghostface Killah, and he managed this place in the best possible way. Ghostface Killah has developed his own, unique style of reading, he uses more slang than anyone else, but at the same time his lyrics are quite easy, he speaks words plainly and easily. In November 1996, Ghostface Killah released his solo album Ironman . In his album, Ghostface Killah showed his own style, combining it with real Shaolin taste. On the Ghostface Killah album, as in The RZA and Raekwon, you can hear the classic R'n'B and Soul samples from the early 70s. The fourth song on the album - All I Got Is You became very popular in Europe and America, and the second album, called the Supreme Clientele Ghostface Killah, was released in March 2000 . The album was quite successful, and at the same time it was praised by critics. The album was produced by The RZA and other members of the Clan, who greatly helped in the development of the album. There was a lot of discussion and controversy about this album, since Razor Sharp Records released 2 versions of this album, the second one had completely different arrangements, and it was more alternative than the first version of the album.

U-God

U-God (Lamont Hawkins) was present only on two tracks in the album Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers , because he was in prison. He was little heard until the revolutionary album Wu-Tang Forever , where he showed all his skill. In Golden Arms Redemption - his first album, U-God showed that he can no doubt record a good album. The production team of U-God has provided him with good support.

Ol 'Dirty Bastard

Ol 'Dirty Bastard / ODB (Russell Jones) began his solo career in 1995, which makes him the second (the first was Method Man, with his "Tical", released in 1994), a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, who released a solo album. The album "Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version" was released on March 28, 1995. The Brooklyn Zoo and Shimmy Shimmy Ya singles helped the album become platinum. In 1999, between lawsuits, he released his second solo album, “Nigga Please,” which became successful. The album took 10th place on the Billboard 200. Also on the album was the track “Got Your Money”, which was also a success. ODB was born and grew up in a musical family. Despite his fortunes during family evenings, he always sang and if you do not look at his movements and facial expressions, but listen, you can hear unique melodies. Most often at concerts, ODB began to warm up the audience. Shortly before his death, many began to notice the strange behavior of the rapper. Critic Steve Hugh writes that “it was difficult for those who knew him to say what was the result of his strange behavior: serious drug problems or mental disorder.” On November 13, 2004, at about 5:29 pm, Jones lost consciousness at the recording studio. An hour later it was announced that he was dead. The funeral took place in Brooklyn. About a thousand people attended the funeral. The official cause of death is a drug overdose; an autopsy revealed a lethal dose of a mixture of cocaine, Tramadol and synthetic opiates. Overdose was accidental. Witnesses say that on the day of his death Jones complained of chest pain.

Cappadonna

Cappadonna (also known as Cappachino) was a member of the team in the early stages of the development of what was supposed to be Wu-Tang Clan, with RZA, Ol 'Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon. However, Cappadonna went to prison and was replaced by Method Man. Cappadonna debuted on recordings as a Raekwon partner with the Wu-Tang Clan hit single - "Ice Cream". He was also a guest star, along with Raekwon, on the presentation of the solo, debut album Ghostface Killah 'S, Ironman. He made his first appearance on the Wu-Tang Clan album in 1997 on Wu-Tang Forever on the single "Triumph". After his appearance on Wu-tang forever, he made a significant contribution to the recording of the band's third studio album, The W, in which the moment of his appearance was no longer marked by “feat. Cappadonna ”, as they were at the Wu-tang forever. After a quarrel with RZA next year on licensing rights, he does not appear at all on the subsequent album of the Iron Flag group. In the end he reunited with the band for their concert in 2004 at Rock the Bells, and in 2007 appeared on the album 8 Diagrams.

After the first lap of solo albums came out, Wu-Tang Clan got together again to release Wu-Tang Forever . It was an album that fans were looking forward to. In the first week, sales exceeded 600,000 copies. The title track on this two-disc album was Triumph , one of the few songs in which all nine Clan members are present (admittedly, Ol 'Dirty Bastard only said the introduction). In the lyrics there is a noticeable impact of the teachings of the Nation 5% , which the members of the Clan began to get involved in, and which is closely related to numerology . But despite the success of the album, the support tour was canceled in the middle. According to rumors, this was due to disagreements within the group.

The release of Wu-Tang Forever also marked the end of the five-year plan of The RZA, aimed at capturing the hip-hop market, within five years of the formation of the group. After the success of Wu-Tang Forever , The RZA announced that it was no longer controlling all the activities of Wu-Tang Clan. This move was aimed at ensuring that the Wu-Tang empire continued to grow and cover the larger hip-hop market. Thanks to this thoughtful step, a large number of Wu-Family albums were released over the next two years.

Immediately after Wu-Tang Forever , the Clan focused on the development of friendly groups and participants. In 1998, the album was released close to the clan artist Killah Priest - Heavy Mental, which was approved by critics. Friendly teams Sunz Of Man and Killarmy (of which the younger brother of The RZA is a member) also released albums.

In the same year, 1998, Ol 'Dirty Bastard began his career as an eccentric madman, thanks to which he appeared regularly in the headlines and also regularly went to prison. At the Grammy Music Award, ODB, dissatisfied with the fact that the Clan lost the best rap album in the nomination, climbed onto the stage and interrupted the host, announced that Wu-Tang Clan is better than Puff Daddy (he won in this nomination) and that the music Clan for children and teaches children. He later announced the name change to Big Baby Jesus, although he almost never used it. Ol 'Dirty Bastard was arrested several times for a wide variety of violations: an attack on a policeman, a fight, petty theft, possession of cocaine , and underpayment of alimony (he had 13 children). Also on his account wearing a bulletproof vest the next day after the adoption of the law on the prohibition of wearing a bulletproof vest.

Despite these problems, the clan continued to release solo albums of participants. For three years, Bobby Digital (The RZA), Tical 2000: Judgment Day (Method Man), Blackout! (Method Man and Redman), Beneath the Surface (GZA), Nigga Please (Ol 'Dirty Bastard), Golden Arms Redemption (U-God), Immobilarity (Raekwon), Supreme Clientele (Ghostface Killah) and Uncontrolled Substance (Inspectah Deck) . The RZA also wrote the soundtrack for the Jim Jarmusch film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai .

But, despite the fact that a fairly large number of albums of the Clan members came out, this period was also marked by a large number of rather weak albums of friendly teams. As a result, the hip-hop market was oversaturated with Wu-Tang products. Despite this, such bright members of the Clan as Method Man and Ol 'Dirty Bastard, still remained popular among the listeners. One of the reasons for the decline of the Clan’s popularity was also that the band’s style began to be faked by other performers. Also, most of the albums released after Wu-Tang Forever were produced by obscure producers.

In 2000, the group met again to record a new album, did not participate only Ol 'Dirty Bastard, who was serving his sentence in a California prison. The album, called The W , was largely critically acclaimed. A hit on the album was the song Gravel Pit . In 2001, The RZA released their second album, Digital Bullet and Bulletproof Wallets (Ghostface Killah). The band’s latest album in full force, but without ODB (which was still in prison) was Iron Flag , this album received negative reviews from fans and critics. Iron Flag was often compared to the band's first album.

The next two years after the release of the 2002 album GZA - Legend of the Liquid Sword , were marked by a large number of solo albums: Tical 0: The Prequel (Method Man), The Lex Diamond Story (Raekwon), The Pretty Toney Album (Ghostface Killah), The Movement (Inspectah Deck), No Said Date (Masta Killa), also have several Wu-Fam members' albums. T he Pretty Toney Album , released by Ghostface Killah, was approved by the press and critics and became part of the best rap albums of 2004. The album Masta Killa No Said Date pleased the fans with its rather simple, but at the same time appealing sound. At the same time, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, and Method Man albums received a wide variety of feedback from both the press and fans.

In 2004, an incident also took place that aroused Clan fans; for the first time in several years, Wu-Tang Clan spoke in full force. The band was a headliner at the Rock The Bells festival in California . After a while, the concert was released on DVD along with a collection of top hits. This shook up fans, and rumors were spreading that the clan was preparing to release a new album, although nothing concrete had been announced. The death of ODB cut short his work on a new album, which he recorded on the label of the famous rapper Jay-Z - Roc-a-Fella Records . These songs, along with previously unreleased tracks, were released in a posthumous mixtape entitled Osiris. In 2005, GZA released their album with DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill

On May 5, 2019, in Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York, the opening ceremony of a new district, named after the Wu-Tang Clan, was held. The city has united several streets in the Park Hill area under the general name Wu-Tang Clan District. This place is located at the intersection of Targee Street and Vanderbilt Avenue, where Clan members grew up. In their tracks, Wu-Tang Clan was often called Staten Island Shaolin, and now many fans will probably make a pilgrimage to the area that was renamed in their honor. ^[one]

On May 17, 2019 ^{[2] the} band released a new mini-album inspired by the show "Showtime of Mics And Men". DJ Mathematics is responsible for the production of the record.

The track list “Of Mics and Men” includes 7 tracks. In the EP, the monasteries of Nas and the creator of the series “Luke Cage” Cheo Hodari Coker were included ..

The RZA, Cappadonna and Killarmy (one of the Wu-Fam groups) appear in the episode of The Larry Sanders Show , in two scenes. In one they read the song And Justice For All , and in the other they talk to one of the main characters Hang Kingsley (Jeffrey Tambor)

In the 1999 Jim Jarmusch film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai , The RZA played a cameo role, and also wrote a soundtrack . In 2014, a film by Camil Delamarr was released on screen, according to the scenario of Luc Besson, the 13th district: Brick mansions . In 2003, The RZA and GZA starred in one of the parts of the movie Coffee and Cigarettes with Bill Murray . But Method Man's most famous moviegoers are due to the large number of roles they played in such films as 187, Black and White (in addition to Clifford Smith, another 4 members of the group are filmed in Black and White), Oz, How High (Sticks), My Baby's Daddy (Young daddies), The Wire (Intercept), Belly (Belly) and Soul Plane. Many members of Wu-Tang starred in the third part of the comedy “Scary Movie 3 (Scary Movie 3)” during the rappers' shootout.

RZA also played a role in the film “The Price of Betrayal” with Jennifer Aniston and starred in the TV series Californication. In 2009, 9 episodes of the series Method & Red show were filmed after which the series was closed.

Ghostface Killah (short: Ghost) (Dennis Coles)

• Tony Stark (from Iron Man comics)
• Ghostface
• Pretty toney
• Tone-tanna
• General tony starks
• Starkey love
• Wally champ
• Ironman
• Black jesus
• Ghost deini

The GZA (Gizha) (Gary Grice)

• The genius
• Allah justice
• Justice
• The scientist
• The head
• Maximillion

Inspectah Deck (short: INS, deck) (Jason Hunter)

• Fifth Brother
• Rebel ins
• Ayatollah
• Manifesto
• Charliehorse
• Rollie fingers

Masta Killa (short: Masta) (Elgin Turner)

• High chief
• Jamel irief
• Noodles

Method Man (short: Meth) (Clifford Smith)

• The Ghost Rider (from the Ghost Rider comic)
• Johnny blaze
• Methtical (Meth-tical)
• MZA ("The Mizza")
• Shakwon
• The panty raider
• Tical
• Ticallion stallion
• Hot nixon
• John-John McLane
• John-John Blaizini
• Johnny Dangerous
• Long john silver
• Iron lung
• Hot nikels
• Meth
• Mef

† Ol 'Dirty Bastard (short: ODB, Dirty) (Russell Jones)

• Big baby jesus
• Ol 'Dirt Dog
• Joe bananas
• Freeloading rusty
• Dirt McGirt
• The projessor
• The bebop specialist
• The specialist
• Prince Delight
• Unique ason
• Cyrus
• Dirt Schultz
• Joe bannanas
• Ol 'dirty bza
• Osiris
• Brother osiris
• A son unique

Raekwon The Chef (briefly: Rae) (Corey Woods)

• Lex Diamonds
• Louis diamonds
• Louis Rich
• Rick diamonds
• Shallah
• Shallah raekwon

The RZA (Robert Diggs)

• Bobby steels
• Bobby digital
• The abbot
• Chief abbot
• The scientist
• Prince Delight
• Prince Dynamite
• Prince Rakeem
• RZArecta (from "resurrector", awakening the dead by the mind)
• Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig-Allah
• Funny bone tickelah

U-God (Lamont Hawkins)

• 4-Bar Killer
• Baby u
• Universal god of law
• Four-Bar Killer
• Golden arms
• Lucky Hands
• UGodz-Illa

Studio Albums

• Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
• Wu-Tang Forever (1997)
• The W (2000)
• Iron Flag (2001)
• 8 Diagrams (2007)
• A Better Tomorrow (2014)
• Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (2015)

Collections

• The Swarm (1998)
• Wu-Chronicles (1999)
• Wu-Chronicles, Chapter 2 (2001)
• The Sting (2002)
• Disciples of the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1 (2004)
• Legend of the Wu-Tang Clan (2004)
• Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture (2005)
• Mathematics Presents Wu-Tang Clan & Friends Unreleased (2007)
• Wu-Tang Clan's Greatest Hits (2007)
• Wu-Box: Cream of the Clan (2007)
• Return of the Swarm (2007)
• Return of the Swarm, Vol. 4 (2007)
• Wu XM Radio (2007)
• Lost Anthology (2007)
• Return of the Swarm, Vol. 5 (2008)
• Soundtracks from the Shaolin Temple (2008)
• Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan (2008)
• Killa Bees Attack (2008)
• Wu-Tang Chamber Music (2009)
• Wu-Tang Meet the Indie Culture, Vol. 2 (2009)
• Legendary Weapons (2011)
• The Essential Wu-Tang Clan (2013)
• The Saga Continues (2017)

• Once upon a time in shaolin

• "Meth, Ghost & Rae" Wu-Massacre "- better less, yes better. Review on the site PRORAP.RU (inaccessible link from 04/09/2013 [2153 days] - history , copy )
• “Wu Tang Chamber Music vol.1” is a big stir in a chamber orchestra. Review on the site PRORAP.RU (inaccessible link from 04/09/2013 [2153 days] - history , copy )
• Biography of Wu-Tang Clan in Russian
• Russian site fans Wu-Tang Clan