Wu-Tang Clan: The 50 Fatal Strikes Pt. 1

Jul 05 '04    Write an essay on this topic.


The Bottom Line Be prepared.....for the 50 fatal strikes...Diseased's top 50 Wu-Tang songs of all time

I have always wanted to show some gratitude and appreciation for one of the best musical groups of all time, the Wu-Tang Clan. I decided to review my catalogue of Wu-Tang related albums and then indulge myself in this laborious procedure. I have finally finished the lineup of my 50 favorite Wu-Tang songs of all time. It took a few months, because I worked at it on and off, and I was still in the middle of accumulating my Wu-Tang collection. So, this is how the list stands at this point. You will definitely have thoughts of animosity and disagreement, but I hope you will also find this very amusing. Check it out for yourself:



" Good morning, time to get uuuuuuup!!!!"

50. The Sun- Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Slick Rick (Prod. The Rza)

"Good morning, get up, look it's the Sun shining!!!" The voice of Raekwon and Ghost interrupts my dreams as the bright production shoots through the speaker. A lot like the morning Sun rays penetrating through the curtains on your window. Yes, believe or not, this song is my official alarm for every morning. You really do need some enthusiasm when it's 6' O clock and you're trying to instill Life into your dead corpse. Ghostface gets the Best Verse Trophy in this one, and Slick Rick sounded incredibly fluid on this thing of beauty.



" I'm holding my nuts, f*cking thousand dollar lesbians!"

49. Older Godz - Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Gza (Prod. 4th Disciple)

This is probably the first Wu-Tang song I have ever heard."Older Godz" is an anomaly on Wu-Tang Forever. The odd couple holds a special bond that is stronger than most Hip-Hop duets these days. The bond only solidifies with the appearance of Gza. His self-acclaimed mellowness dignifies his performance every time. Ghostface and Rae might had more time on the mic, but this song is owned by the God Gza himself, distending his poetic prowess among us. This is his best verse on his circumscribed stay on Wu-Tang Forever.




"Hot Nikkel, we break bread, at the Vatican."

48. The Diesel- ODB, Raekwon, Meth, Rza, U-God (Prod. The Rza)

I'm not sure which album or compilation that this song appeared on, but you are always reaped when had found the hidden treasure. This track, captivated by a sturdy bassline and un-coordinated synths, moves with passion. The MCs all dance with their words, but none can match the choreographed flow of Method Man. Here he shows that he is capable of getting serious and up in that azz when needed to. I was also thinking, if it were anyone else rhyming over this beat, it would have probably been a failure. This is why no one can quite do it like the Wu.




" I'll put your brain in my cobra clutch...

47. R.E.C. Room - Inspectah Deck (Prod. Tru Masta)

"Rec Room" is the best song on Uncontrolled Substance. The two-key piano-tune works wonders on the ears. This production was made for Wu-Tang and Deck himself. It is very lively and in the same vein as "Daytona 500", "Glaciers of Ice". And right at the beginning of the song, there is a sample of the sound of bees buzzing. A horrific introduction, but this is exactly what Deck's words resemble, a swarm of angry bees that came to...crash the party.





"We the young Shaolin monks, taking heads with the tongue."

46. Young Godz- Shyheim, 9th Prince, Rubbabandz, Killa Sin (Prod. Rza)

This is the debut, I believe, for Killarmy. This is back when Shyheim was still a juvenile, and when 9th Prince was known as Madman. Searching for this album is harder than searching for water in the Sahara. This makes the song that much more delicate and admirable. This is also one of the few times that you will hear 9th Prince as the Madman, who sounds hungrier than a starving lion trapped in a cage. But the best part is of course, Killa Sin. The best rapper to never drop an album. His verse will just...sweep you off your feet. I just go bananas every time he says "Wu-Tang live forever any day/ You better pray for better ways to get away when my baretta spray/ We never play with commercialism/ Our hardcore rhythm give' em more hell than an exorcism/" Sin, get your butt outta jail and make a solo album NOW.





"Seven of them left, six returned...what happend?"

45. Tribute to the 5th Brother - 9th Prince, Rza (Prod. Rza)

This song made its way onto 9th Prince's solo album, Grandaddy Flow. Rza brings a very traditional beat using synthesizers and shakes. I don't how he does it, but he makes the weirdest music sound so incredibly awe. This is your typical Kung-Fu track. Rza narrates of a huge battle that took place somewhere in Shaolin I guess, he uses entertaining and strategical lyrics:

Approach like a ghost, in a thousand men host
Prepare for the battle, all you saw was their shadows
Solomon's thought, was hit on fort, swords drawn
The king in the back, they formatted like pawns
Prepare for the attack, heard the whips crack
Fatal guillotine's took flight, snatch heads, brought them back
Before they can blast, one gun, half a cal., he was done
One fourth was blinded by reflection of the sunlight



Then 9th Prince does a fair job of rapping about lyrical wolverines and sub-atomic weapons or whatever the heck was on his mind at the time. Although the track had questionable chemistry, the beat was just too ill¡¢storytelling was too graphic, and the song was just too good to be ignored.




" We be filling clips fuller than sperm swelling ya genitals"

44. Heist of the Century- La the Darkman, Killa Sin (Prod. DJ Muggs)

Killa Sin can do no wrong. A song with Killa Sin can do no wrong. This kid knows how to masterfully lay it down. His voice is a mixture of Raekwon and Method Man. His lyrics comes from the influence of the Inspectah Deck£® And he has the absolute best flow I have ever heard in my Life. His partner is La the Darkman, and their scheme is to break into the First National Bank, steal the loot, and jet. And this beat is evil, because it makes me want to put on my black ski mask and go rob my neighbor or somebody.




"Ain`t no half-stepping, my last weapon is cocked to keep that azz jetting"

43. Burning Season- Killa Sin (Prod. 4th Disciple)

Killa Sin has made only two solo tracks, this and Have Mercy. The other I have yet to hear but this everyone needs to hear. He is one of the most underrated rappers ever because of his affiliation with average MCs, I never see Hip-Hop fans at Epinions ever mention this guy. Let me put it this way, if Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars was just a Killa Sin solo, it would be the best Hip-Hop album ever made. Period. He melts the mic and everything he comes in contact with. This kid is just...ahhhhh!! Where's your album at???




"I'm ducking spikes, in an ancient temple, where nothing's bright."

42. Crunch Time- Black Knights (Producer unknown)

Black Knights, the west coast Wu-Tang Killa Beez. These guys should be grateful for even having their name mentioned on my list. First of all, their worst member, Monk, is retarded. Second, Crisis is below average. Doc Doom is alright, at least tolerable. And then, you have Holocaust. Holocaust. Holo-muthaf*cking-caust. He is the only reason why this song is number 42. Who is Holocaust you ask??? To answer that question...I will present snippets of his verse right now:

"Hazardous wastes leak out my brainstem, light up a dark room
Then mark goons with large wounds from now you're shark's food
It's harsh doom which starts soon, the gifted merchant
F*ck the apple, I tackled and bit the serpent
You get the curtains, I call it controversial critical thinking
Because my sound intensity bedazzles pitiful weaklings"


........

"Back-slap wack-cats for touching mics
Ducking spikes in an ancient temple where nothing's bright"


.........


"Touching me will cause a tremor
Burnt and scold into sinners I`ll blow you in a hall of mirrors."


Now you know him.





"Man walks the Earth with a 1000 fears"

41. A Day to God is a Thousand Years- Rza (Prod. Bronze Nazareth)

This beat should have been Rza's. I remember not too long ago, The Rza was actually capable of making something like this. Not anymore, I guess. When he entered Bobby's Digital world he forgot everything, all skills were lost. But not to fear, because you got Bronze Nazareth. A rapper/producer from Michigan who recently got signed onto Wu-Tang records. On this song he reveals the best beat of 2003, a sweet lifting sample with cheerful flutes in the mix. Rza also make use of his time here and explain the concepts.




"I like it raaaaw, I like it RAAAAW!!!!"

40. Shimmy Shimmy Ya- Ol' Dirty Bastard (Prod. Rza)

There is something about pianos and Hip-Hop just connect. They are easy to make, and their sound very crisp and meaningful. I just love this four note piano loop that rhythmically plays out (with two notes being licks). Rza just lays it all down, and this could be his best piano beat ever. Ol' Dirty Bastard is like an unleashed King Kong....on crack. This is a favorite among all Hip-Hop fans.






"Snatch a kid by his braids, and cut his head off"

39. Cutting Headz- Rza, ODB (Prod. Rza)

The Rza made this beat. This piano loop is orderless, densified, and has a barbaric assonance. That is why I like it so much. And on the track, you can actually hear ODB being normal for once in his rapping career. I still think he's a little more entertaining when he's drunk¡¢but I just adore his verse here, his last line being "snatch a kid by his braid, and cut his head off."





"She told me I was handsome----I knew I looked funny with big lips!"

38. Feel It (Extended Version)- Killarmy (Prod. 4th Disciple)

I will to be totally honest. This heavenly production of gospels and piano has to be the best Wu-Tang beat in years. We know that Rza isn't himself anymore. He had a few razor sharp ones on The W and Iron Flag, but NOTHING beats this. This melody is not of this World. It's like angels in the background singing, with their wings stretched, and take your soul into a higher realm or something like that. "Feel It" is a song with bold affections, which is really an understatement (By the way, get the extended version because Killa Sin is on it, for he's absent on the album version).






"Shame on a nuh,,,who try to run GAME on a nuh!!"

37. Shame on...Black Guy - ODB, Meth, Rae (Prod. The Rza)
So hilariously austere, so outrageously stunning; ODB, Meth, and Raekwon spills the hysterics all over the floor on "Shame on a...¡± Not to mention this is one of Rza's most intriguing productions ever. The rushing tempo of violins with another basement-sounding piano loop. Will the sickness ever stop?? Probably never, and tha's a good thing. I will never get tired of listening Enter the 36 Chambers.





"You know a kid Asiatic, holding power like a craftmatic/ You like ya fish fried or battered? The day he ratted/"

36. The Faster Blade- Raekwon (Prod. Rza)

This is so cool. The song title is just awesome. Raekwon's flow is charismatic and energizing. His alien lyrics make no sense to us Humans, but he makes it sound so awesome. Sci-Fi awesome. Lord of the Rings awesome. Check the Faster Blade, with Rza, cutting you up like scissors, oops ha Cindarella lost his walley slipper. And check out the view like an oceanfront while you¡¯re at it too. And tell your friends too, respect Wu.





"I bust'em down with verbs and nouns bombing they brain cells like herb...attacking like a German hound"

35. Fear, Love, and War- Killarmy (Prod. 4th Disciple)

I think this is the only time that bagpipes were used in Hip-Hop. Oh my, 4th Disciple smoked this song with bagpipes believe or not. This is why 4th Disciple is one of the best producers ever. He uses bagpipes to engender a feeling of war and fear. Who can even think of accomplishing that?? This is a hidden treasure in the locked chambers of Wu-Tang.





"Before he left he flashed his teeth like Denzel"

34. Cash Still Rules- Ghostface, Raekwon, Method Man (Prod. 4th Disciple)

This track is perfect for nighttime listening. The production is very investigative and mysterious this time around. The reduced female vocal in the background sets the tone for the track, making it sound completely different from C.R.E.A.M. I still can't decide who had the better verse. I really want to vote for Method Man, but Ghost just jumps out with his everlasting acuteness every time.





"I'm going to chop off your arm...so are you READY??"

33. Severe Punishment- Wu-Tang Clan (Prod. Rza)

Yeah, I always wanted to say that to somebody while emitting that penetrating glare from my eyes. This is one of my favorite Kung-Fu samples. The sound here is very brutal, almost like an assault towards an individual. The music attacks with low keys, heavy bass, and a discharging drum loop. All of the MCs turn into a bloodlust rage and crushes the microphone. Masta Killa, Rza, and Gza stands out with their lyrics.




"Proceed with caution as you enter the symphony¡­."

32. Glaciers of Ice - Raekwon, Masta Killa, Ghostface (Prod. The Rza)

You will not believe this, but Rza actually sampled the tune from the NES game Ghouls and Goblins. I have played the game before and only the theme in the cinematic intro sounded anything remotely like this beat. This guy is a genius, yeah I'm sure you have heard this too many times but he really is Einstein in the field of music. Masta Killa is the bonus in this song. He sneaks up on you and delivers a fatal dosage to the brain. A Wu-banger to the fullest.





"We eat fish, toss salads and make rap ballads."

31. Fish - Ghostface, Raekwon, Cappadonna (Prod. Tru Master)

Yeah u...I like fishing too. Anyways, it was either this or "Ice Water". Fish just went a little furthur upstream than its spitting image because of Tru Master. This instrumental is my favorite on all of Ironman. It is a slow, almost oriental intonation of a two-key piano loop. The horn melody is simply fantastic, with descending notes simultaneously serving as the backup instrument. Lyrically, this song is about Mafia connections, it was something that gave it off but I forgot what it was. The trio of Ghost, Rae, and Cappa really do make legendary rap ballads.





"One-hundred percent mind, one-hundred percent body, one-hundred percent soul, individual."

30. Box in Hand - Ghostface, Raekwon, Method Man (Prod. Rza)

One of the most interesting processes for a student in pursuit of martial arts is trying to take the box out of the Abbot¡¯s hand. It could be why this is called "Box in Hand." But then again, it could also just mean having a boom box in your hand. Either way, this song is my favorite off of Ironman. The pianos on here are slick and flat pitched, almost playing a style of its own. Method Man exerted his arrogance to the maximum capacity here, writing his best verse ever.




"In suspended animation, love is the highest elevation"

29. Queen- Masta Killa (Prod. Tru Master)

Camay what? Ice Cream who? I don't care what you say. This song is better than both of them because it actually treats female with some respect. Masta Killa's soft vocals harmonizes with the romantic piano melody by Tru Master. This is the best Wu-Tang song of the year so far.




"They say Carlton, you'se an ill muthaf*cka/ Cuz I made it look like they both killed each other."

28. Mr. Sandman - Method Man, Rza, Deck, Streetlife, Carlton Fisk (Prod. Rza)

Word up. Who knew that the great Carlton Fisk was also a rapper. Okay, seriously speaking, this has to one of the roughest Rza production ever. The heavy rock organs are crazy enough to bring nightmares to a brigade of wack rappers. And I just LOVED Rza on here. His voice sounded like a maniac trapped inside Bedlam on something. This song is just straight up crazy.




"I'm the bastard, the total package, like Lex Luger."

27. Shaolin What? - Method Man (Prod. 4th Disciple)

Tical 2000: Judgement Day has to be one of the most frightening albums ever. I can only think of one word when listening to this: Satanic. I remember owning this back in middle school and was creeped out by many of the nasty and unfriendly noises, sounds that it spawned. But it had this classic track called "Shaolin What?" 4th Disciple, surprised me with an assortment of piano chorus effects, talent is displayed for both the producer and the MC. The result is absolute sickness.




"Holocaust, a loud mouth who roams wise/ I'm hideous, my glance will gouge out your own eyes."

26. Bastard Swordsman - Killarmy ft. Holocaust (Prod. Mathematics)

This is one of the most underrated songs in the history of Hip-Hop. This track has a faster tempo than average Hip-Hop songs and the production is simplistic. But all of that is forgotten once you are greeted by Holocaust, his first line is "inflicted with a rare disease, MC's flee/ fought wars for centuries, my wounds bled Killer Bees." After that, it's all over. We are treated to some poisonous poetry and some of the strongest visuals that you will ever hear. Definitely one of the best Hip-Hop verses ever.





End of Part 1...your comments are much welcome.

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