Wu-Tang Clan

[Adam B]

After some advice from hip hop fans about this bewildering group. I am not a massive rap/hip hop fan but have some in my collection, mainly old skool Ice T, Ice Cube, Dr Dre, NWA etc plus of course the essential Public Enemy. Various members are critically acclaimed so I want to have a listen and I like to try new music with an open mind.

So where do i start for the most accessible, commercial sound from RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty bd? Figure I start there and work my way out if I like it.

[alex b]

Why not try "Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)", their 1st album (I think)

I also thought the 1st Method Man album was pretty good & you can't beat a bit of ODB.

[alex b]

I actually prefer Jurassic 5, Blackalicious & the Quannum Projects though.

[RV8]

... 'aint nuthin to fk with

[Adam B]

Will try 36 chambers and Tical

Thanks all so far but rather than personal preferences i am really after advice from more knowledgeable folks about which albums are the most accessible for a novice

Thanks

[Adam B]

alex b said:

I actually prefer Jurassic 5, Blackalicious & the Quannum Projects though.

Can you describe them, are they more hard core than the original WTC stuff?

[alex b]

Adam B said:

Can you describe them, are they more hard core than the original WTC stuff?

No I would say they were more laid back hip hop style, when compared to the Wu Tang.

Check them out on Youtube 1st to see which style you like.

[Straight6DOHC]

I love the album called The W. It's awesome.

[dorme]

Adam B said:

Will try 36 chambers and Tical

Thanks all so far but rather than personal preferences i am really after advice from more knowledgeable folks about which albums are the most accessible for a novice

Thanks

try wu-tang forever just for its epic-ness and of course the single "triumph"

"the w" is the most accesible, along with "iron flag".

for stand alone albums from the mcs in wtc, try raekwon's "only built for cuban links" (1&2) they are both great and all of ghostface killahs albums.

[Miguel Alvarez]

Adam B said:

alex b said:

I actually prefer Jurassic 5, Blackalicious & the Quannum Projects though.

Can you describe them, are they more hard core than the original WTC stuff?

Jurassic 5? Imagine a more up to date sounding Sugar Hill Gang. Concrete Schoolyard (I think) was there biggest tune.

As for the Wu.

Wu Tang - Enter The 36 Chambers
Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx (best Wu album IMHO)
Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx 2
GhostFace - Iron Man (not my fave but many fans swear by it)
GhostFace - Supreme Clientelle (one of my faves)
Gza - Liquid Swords (classic)
Method Man - Tical (wasn't a massive fan bar a few singles but again Wu fans swear by it)
Ol Dirty bd - Return To The 36 Chambers (didn't like the album but Brooklyn Zoo was an anthem along with Shimmy Shimmy Ya)

Raekwon and Ghostface were/are my favourite memebers. I also liked The Gza. There are also a tonne of off shoots, Shyheim, Gravediggaz etc.

One thing to bare in mind is that the Wu Tang (Rza) had a very dirty/sloppy for want of a better description with regards to production. Lots of random loops, static, muffled bass lines and soul harmonies. Pretty much like their assualt on the industry they came out of nowhere and it just worked.

[Miguel Alvarez]

If you like artists such as NWA, Ice T, PE (I'm assuming your around the 30 age group) have you tried listening to acts like EPMD, Nice and Smooth, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Paris, Above The Law....

[Dift]

Wow, takes me back!

I'm not massively keen on heavy hip hop, but I did like Wu Tang forever. That must have been 12 years ago now!

Also massively agree with J5! I will be digging those albums out tonight! Jurassic 5 got me through uni !
Brilliant songs. Plus anything with q-Tip, de la soul or a tribe called quest.

Edited by Dift on Tuesday 21st February 19:34

Edited by Dift on Tuesday 21st February 19:38

[Adam B]

Miguel Alvarez said:

If you like artists such as NWA, Ice T, PE (I'm assuming your around the 30 age group) have you tried listening to acts like EPMD, Nice and Smooth, Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Paris, Above The Law....

Thanks for the tips!

Actually remembered I have a Jurassic 5 album (i have a big collection and forget whats there sometimes) and I like it a lot.

Well i listened to 36 chambers and that style is not for me, way too raw for my white boy tastes i think I prefer my hip hop/rap to be more musical for want of a better word, something where the lyrics sit on top of some catchy rhythms and beats, probably epitomised by dr dre.

Will try the raekwon Cuban tracks on youtube

[Miguel Alvarez]

I get what you mean. You might not like teh Cuban Linx albums then. I'd skip straight to the Ghost Face albums, (Bullet Proof Wallets - Fish Scale - Supreme Clientelle - Ironman etc).

Other stuff you might like if the music is the driving force.

Slum Village - Fantastic Voyage
Common - Like Water For Chocolate
The Game - Documentary
Any Busta Rhymes Album
Any De La Soul Album
Any Tribe Called Quest Album

[Adam B]

Cheers Miguel and dift, will check out all those recommendations

Might come back for more tips when I have fine-tuned my taste

[entropy]

Ghost Dog OST by RZA is a personal fave.

[Miguel Alvarez]

entropy said:

Ghost Dog OST by RZA is a personal fave.

I've never listened to this album. I've got a copy in the collection I really must dig it out and give it a spin.

[SimonBeeeeer]

Miguel Alvarez said:

Jurassic 5? Imagine a more up to date sounding Sugar Hill Gang. Concrete Schoolyard (I think) was there biggest tune.

As for the Wu.

Wu Tang - Enter The 36 Chambers
Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx (best Wu album IMHO)
Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx 2
GhostFace - Iron Man (not my fave but many fans swear by it)
GhostFace - Supreme Clientelle (one of my faves)
Gza - Liquid Swords (classic)
Method Man - Tical (wasn't a massive fan bar a few singles but again Wu fans swear by it)
Ol Dirty bd - Return To The 36 Chambers (didn't like the album but Brooklyn Zoo was an anthem along with Shimmy Shimmy Ya)

Raekwon and Ghostface were/are my favourite memebers. I also liked The Gza. There are also a tonne of off shoots, Shyheim, Gravediggaz etc.

One thing to bare in mind is that the Wu Tang (Rza) had a very dirty/sloppy for want of a better description with regards to production. Lots of random loops, static, muffled bass lines and soul harmonies. Pretty much like their assualt on the industry they came out of nowhere and it just worked.

I'd agree with all of this post!

RZA produced pretty much all of the Wu's stuff in the 90's, including the spin-off albums from each of the members. It all has a rough sound to it, but not in a bad way, its the classic sound of early 90's Hip-Hop way. (I wouldn't bother with RZAs albums though, he also goes under the name 'Bobby Digital' but its average at best)

You have to listen to the original 'Enter the 36 chambers' first. It gives you a good starting point.

Lyrically Raekwon and GZA are the best.

'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' by RZA is a story, so listen to the album the whole way through, its claimed to be one of the finest Hip-Hop albums of all time.

'Liquid Swords' from GZA is packed with strong tracks, the first two in particular. The track 'Liquid Swords' also has some classic lyrics 'Cause n***'s styles are old, like Mark 5 sneakers. Lyrics are weak, like clock radio speakers'

What ever you listen to, you can't go wrong with 90's Wu!

[Ruskie]

Top 3 for me...

Wu Tang - 36 Chambers
Gza - Liquid swords
Rza- Only built 4 Cuban Linx


Proper raw, original music, both I production terms and lyrically.

May I suggest some more underground stuff.

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=...

Immortal Technique


http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=...

Cage

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=...

Non Phixion

[Miguel Alvarez]

Another vote for Non-Phixion.