The Wu Tang Clan Dynasty
Jul 05 '04 (Updated Jul 06 '04)
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Wu Tang Clan
Ever since the Wu Tang Clan formed in 1993 with their debut album 36 chambers they have always been in the spotlight but still kept it underground. RZA plan was to branch off each member from the success of their group album so each member could get paid for solo albums. The first wave of albums followed with classics such as Cuban Linx, Ironman and Liquid Swords. Wu Tang was on top of the world when they decided to release a double album in 97. Their album forever was a great album was forgotten about very soon. People did not except the changes in the Wu's sound and wanted more vintage sound. In 1999 they released a follow up, The W, which gained them more commercial success, but long time fans felt uneasy about this album.
The Wu had slowed down already from that point with huge let downs from Raekwon, RZA and Inspectah Deck with the Movement. But after Ghostface's Supreme Clientele, the Wu hit an all time low. Artist continued to drop average to weak albums during that span with releases such as Bulletproof wallets, to Tical 0 and Rae's The Lou Diamond story. Other then Iron flag the clan struggled to find a great album to showcase in the following years. Can the Wu pull a trick out of their sleeves and be reborn to the 36 chambers or are they just another group victim to falling off?
The Members (From strongest to weakest):
GZA
Best album: Liquid Swords
The Genius is the strongest lyrical force on the Wu Tang. With three great albums under his belt he is also the most consistent member. He is one of the founders along
with RZA and is a veteran on the mic with his smooth flow and lyrical skills. He is best known for lyrical masterpieces with Killah Priest and Inspectah Deck.
Raekwon
Best album: Only built for Cuban linx...
The Chef has a very large role on each album and has released 3 albums. He is a great lyricist and is great with storytelling. He has the most style with a smooth voice and flow like Meth but is a much more well-rounded and intelligent rapper. Raekwon is best known for Mafioso rapping with Ghost.
Ghostface Killah
Best Album: Supreme Clientele
Along with Meth and Raekwon, Ghost has a lot of commercial appeal and is one of the most popular members of the clan. His famous slang has made him a unique member who is a strong lyricist and is more versatile then appears. His strange flow makes him a unique member of the group that is capable of making classics as he has shown on his first 2 albums.
RZA
Best album: The Prince
RZA is the producer behind the classic beats found on the Wu albums. He is a strong lyricist with a booming voice and at times awkward flow makes him less accessible then the other members. He has had many side projects including his Bobby Digital albums and working with the Gravediggaz. RZA is one of the founders of the Wu and is one of their strongest overall members of the clan.
Inspectah Deck
Best Album: Uncontrolled Substance
The Rebel INS is one of the forgotten members of the clan. He is the second best pure lyricist right behind GZA. Deck would be more popular if he released a stronger album, as both his albums could not compete with the classics from Ghost Rae or GZA. Deck has a smooth, traditional flow and is a great battle rapper and all around lyricist.
Masta Killa
Best album: No Said Date
Along with Deck Masta Killa is extremely underrated. His smooth relaxed flow makes him less popular then the unique members but he is still a great artist who should have more time to shine as he has proven on his solo album. He is a great lyricist and is very consistent and always takes advantage of the little time he gets on the mic. He released his first album this year No Said Date that helped him gain the attention of everyone.
Method Man
Best Album: Tical
Method man is the commercial member of the Wu and is very overrated. His smooth flow, rough voice along with clever wordplay has made him the most popular member of the clan. He is a solid member but lacks substance that most of the other members have. He is best known for his commercial success and songs with Redman.
Old Dirty Bastard
Best album: N/A
The most unique member of the clan is the bizarre ODB. His strange flow and lyrics makes him one of the strangest rappers ever to touch the mic. While not a horrible member of the group I can only listen to him in small amounts on the crew albums because his crazy style and lack of anything to say makes him the second worst artist on the Wu.
U God
Best Album: N/A
U God is a very average member of the clan and is by far the worst. Although his strong flow and average lyrics do not make him a horrible member his verses are usually uninteresting and he does not capture my attention like the others. U God has always been known was the weakest member, while not bad U God is the worst member in the group.
The Best Songs:
10 Auto Bio
This song is off GZA legend of the liquid swords. Over epic production GZA gives an autobiography of his rap career from joining the Wu Tang Clan and how his life was before then.
9 Better Tomorrow
Method Man, U God, RZA and Deck sit pure introspective rhymes about life and death. Over some great 4th Disciple production they speak about how you cant waste your life or your children will do the same.
8 The Jury
The Jury is off the forgotten Immobilarity from Raekwon. Here Rae reflects on life and how he wants to make more of his life. The amazing production consists of a nice piano loop and RnB chorus.
7 Protect your neck
This is the first single off 36 chambers. All members but Masta Killa spit some great lyrics over some classic RZA instrumental. From Decks opening verse until GZA final verse this is a Wu banga.
6 All I Need is you
This is the heartfelt ballad to Ghostface mother of the Ironman CD. RZA gives us a soft piano loop for Ghostface to rap about his mother and all the hard times they have faced, but he still has love for her. Mary J Blige handles the second half of the track to add some RnB to it.
5 Cold World
The two pure lyricist of the clan join as we get a track about street violence. GZA opens it up with an amazing verse and Inspectah Deck closes it perfectly. The light yet grimy production fits in perfectly with this track.
4 Verbal Intercourse
Nas joins Rae and Ghost on the Cuban Linx Classic. As the title implies this song is just a lyrical fest as Nas ruins the Show but Rae and Ghost keep up with two strong verses. RZA uses fast paced production with violins.
3 Babies
My three favorite members, GZA, Ghost and Rae speak about crocked cops and all the trouble they have causes. Each verse is very emotional and fits perfectly with this soft, saddening production. This track is off Wu Tang Iron Flag and has never been considered as good as it actually is.
2 Cream
Rae and Deck speak about the streets with two great verses about money controlling the world and how they need some. Meth handles the hook while RZA gives us one of the greatest pieces of production ever with his smooth addicting piano loop, which is easily recognizable.
1 Triumph
All ten members of the Wu perform on their leading single off Forever. Each member gets time to shine but Inspectah Deck steals the show with the best performance of his career. The production is a nice baseline, which speeds up and slows down much like One Mic's amazing production.
Look for a collection of the best Wu Tang Clan and Fam reviews Soon:
Ciao
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bdog08
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