Wu-Tang Clan

The Wu-Tang Clan is a group of American Rap of the medium of the Années 1990. The nine members who compose it are originating in Staten Island, at the moment when the wave West Coast dominated the world of the American rap.

Biography

At the Beginning

At the origin of the group are RZA, GZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard. Rza comes from Staten Island while GZA and ODB come from Brooklyn, two of the five districts of New York. Impassioned by the music Drunk their parents and by the omnipresent culture Hip hop in the Ghetto of New York, they create together a first outline of group, All in Together Now , which will not know any continuation. It is at that time that they invent their first alter-egos. RZA is the “Scientist”, GZA the “Genius” and Ol' Dirty Bastard the “Specialist”. On its side, own-produced RZA on individual with the light tone which will not go in 1991 on the label Tommy Boy: Ooh, We Love You Rakeem . For its part, GZA is the only member of the group to have carried out an album before the advent of the Clan. In 1991, Words from the Genius , signed at Cold Chilin' and preceded by individual the Like C Me , remains confined in New Yorkean the underground medium and does not manage to take off. These two failures will forge the determination of RZA which feels injured by labels that he judges inefficient.

Enter the Wu-Tang

Little by little, the nebula of the members will widen with the arrival of Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, U-God and Masta Killa which signs a pact together in order to form an artistic and financial community. Wu-Tang Clan is not that a collective, it becomes its own industry. Certain members are originating in the Bronx although the HQ of the formation remains Staten Island, late district still at the time as regards Hip-hop. Since, the district, that they re-elect Shaolin, became indissociable name of Wu-Tang. The nine rappeurs are quickly made know with the arrival of a first maximum own-produced in September 1992, Protect ya Neck (which one can translate by Protège your neck ), which quickly becomes a success underground with passages out of radio on Hot97, a popular station of New York.

In 1993, located by many recording companies, the group, of which it is one decision most paradoxical, meets finally around the table of the president of the label Loud Records established on the west coast and obtains a first contract for a disc. Thanks to the skilful negotiations of RZA, each rappor preserves freedom to leave future solo projects at other recording companies. Thus Wu-Tang Clan leaves its first album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) , in November of the same year. This opus changes gives it hip-hop while giving the rap East Coast to the last style. RZA with the orders delivers a its innovator through samples of drunk person of the seventies, interfering glaucous environments and dialogs film of Kung fu, the whole been useful by happy minimalists and flows rageurs. The album is divided into two approaches, Shaolin and Wu-Tang Sword, thus symbolizing the combat as a form of discipline which they applied to their rep. Although it began only with the 41e place from the charts in November 1993, the album quickly becomes impossible to circumvent kind, receives two awards, of which that of better group of rap, then becomes little of time after platinum disc. The title C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) is one of the title-headlight of the album.

To the same time, RZA is also devoted to a parallel project, Gravediggaz, in company of Prince Paul (the producer of the beginnings of Of the Drunk person), Frukwan (ex- Stetsasonic) and Poetic. The first album, 6 Feet Deep , is presented in the form of rap hardcore or rather a horrorcore as they define it, interfering environment film of horror and black humor to them-even. RZA once again confirms its talents of producer but also of rappor.

The period following this first hour of glory marks the era of the solo projects. Like agreed in their contract, each member, put aside Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa, carry out their first albums exclusively produced by RZA. The first to know glory with its Tical is Method Man at Def Jam which will become platinum disc. A little later on the Elektra label, Return to the 36 Chambers: the Dirty Version of the troublemaker Ol' Dirty Bastard where this one reveals a little more its character of “crevard” which it endorses with wonder. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… of Raekwon left in 1995 at Loud draws with its manner a picture of the pitiless life in the hollows of New York. Liquid Swords of GZA appeared on the Geffen label delivers an at the same time dark and nostalgic environment. As for the album of Ghostface Killah, Ironman , left in the last, it becomes one big hit commercial, in particular with its duet in company of Mary J. Blige on All that I Got is You . It is the first album of the group to be left on Razor Sharp, the label assembled by RZA.

The saga continues…

In June 1997 leaves the second album the group to large complete, Wu-Tang Forever , which is composed of two CD and a track CD-ROM. Success is immediate: the album rises directly in the first place of the charts and: 600000 copies are past as of the first week. Always realized by RZA in spite of the appearance of other producers on a few pieces (4th Disciple: producer of Killarmy and True Master), this album is moreover less experimental than his predecessor but also envoûtant.

It is truly starting from this album that the group is made known general public with titles like Reunited or As High As Wu-Tang Get . The appearance of the violins on the loops of certain titles remains “the” claw of the album. It should be noted that a novel member, Cappadonna, made on this occasion officially its appearance within the group.

The following period sees the arrival of the second wave of albums solo and the first opus of Cappadonna in 1998 with The Pillage and of Inspectah Deck, Uncontrolled Substance in 1999, which appears both of excellent invoice. A little later U-God is also tested with the solo with a Golden Arms Redemption much less memorable. As for the veterans Method Man, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, they leave successively their second album. In the knowledge of all, RZA publishes an experimental album, In Stereophony signed Bobby DIGITAL, is delirious schizophrenic which constitutes actually the original soundtrack of a short-measuring éponyme turned by its care.

The possee extends little by little its seizure on the industry of the rap by producing new artists like Killarmy or Sunz Of Man, while launching a mark of clothing: Wu-Wear, various production companies: Wu-Tang Production and two labels: Razor Sharp and Wu-Tang Records. The concept of Killa Bees makes its appearance, the “tueuses bees” representing the artists revolving around the original group. The albums Wu-Tang Killa Bees - The Swarm: Volume 1 and Wu-Chronicles are mixtures of compilation and collection of new titles which introduce in turn the members attached to Wu-Tang such as Northstar, Wu-Syndicate, Shyheim, Popa Wu, DJ Allah Mathematics or Royal Fam.

End of old of gold

The publication of the album The W remains a half-disappointment for the fans. In spite of excellent the Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off) and Gravel Pit , this project sounds less authentic than its predecessors and more formatted. Ol' Dirty Bastard, then in detoxification therapy, is present only on one title. This album marks the end of the voluntary insulation of the clan with the participation of external artists on certain pieces such as Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Nas or Isaac Hayes.

The last album goes back Iron Flag to it appears the December 18th 2001 and follows the same way as its predecessor with no title really arriving to replonger the listener in single environments of the beginnings of the group. It would seem that the artistic unit of the crew eroded with the wire of the albums.

March 17th, 2003, a compilation of the various artists of Wu-Tang clan is marketed, it is entitled Wu-Tang Collective.

The group started a round of good-bye in the middle of the year 2004, with in particular a passage to Paris in July, before the publication of what will be probably their last album as a group in the form of a best-of and live as well as a work on the history and the philosophy of the group. The Wu-Tang Manual , written by RZA, will constitute the only official written support treating history of the group. To note that Masta Killa finally left its first album solo: No Said Dates , voted by plebiscite by the major part of the amateurs of Wu of the first hour.

The November 13rd 2004, a page is turned with the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard, one of the founding members of the group, following an heart attack whereas it recorded its new album in studio. The autopsy concluded that it had been victim of a too great consumption of antidepressants and cocaine. Several versions of posthumous albums left under the form since then of mixtapes. ODB had left a complete album: has Its Single which unfortunately never left officially in spite of, or because of its diffusion underground on the networks peer to peer. Today still, Wu-Tang Clan profits from an hard core of fans, nostalgic of the golden age of the collective.

Wu-Tang however remade surface in 2007: a world tour led it to give several concerts in France (to Paris and Belfort in particular), and a new album entitled 8th Diagram is announced for on December 11th, 2007.

Members of the group

RZA (Rèzza delivery) (of its true name Robert Diggs) alias Bobby DIGITAL, Prince Rakeem, The Abott - born the July 5th 1969 with Brooklyn. He is regarded as the leader of the group. It is him which produced the totality of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) as well as the majority of the other titles of the Clan. He took part in good number of solos projects of the members of the group like to the band of film of Quentin Tarantino: Kill Bill . He is also responsible for the production and the selection of the titles for the excellent band-original one of Ghost Dog, of Jim Jarmush.

GZA (Jizza delivery) (of its true name Gary Grice) alias The Genius, Justice, The Head, Maximillion. It was born the August 22nd 1966 with Staten Island. It is oldest of the group and more tested since it started to grate in 1991 with a first album “Words From Genius”. It is the only one to have left an album solo before the first album the group. It since left three albums solo, (Liquid Swords, Beneath the Surface and Legend off the Liquid Sword) in the continuity of the first albums of Wu, and a collaboration with Dj Muggz, the DJ of Hill Cypress, that certain fans of the first hour décriée: baclées productions, the happy pretentious ones, one is far from the ambience to which accustomed us the 9 Gods de Shaolin!

Method Man (of its true name Clifford Smith) alias Mr. Meth, Johnny Blaze, Ticallion Stallion, Tical, Methtical (Meth-tical), MZA, Iron Lung, Hot Nickels, Shakwon. It was born the March 2nd 1971 in Hempstead, Long Island. It is the first to be launched out in a career solo after the blossoming of the group. Several of its albums will be discs of platinum and its duet with Mary J. Blige I' L Be There For You/You' Re All I Need is a business success. It makes appearances with the cinema with Redman, in particular in the film How High.

Ol' Dirty Bastard (of its true name Russell Jones) alias Joe Bananas, Dirt Dog, Dirt McGirt (under label DEF JAM), ODB, Osirius. It was born the November 15th 1968 in Brooklyn (New York). ODB dies the November 13rd 2004 of an heart attack, in a studio of recording in New York.

Raekwon (of its true name Corey Woods) alias The Chief, Ice Toilets Inc, Lou Diamonds, Lex Diamonds. It was born the January 12th 1970 in Park Hills, Staten Island (New York).

Ghostface Killah (of its true name Refusals Adhesives) alias Ironman, Tony Starks, Sun God. It was born the May 9th 1970 in Staten Island (New York).

Masta Killa (of its true name Eglin Turner) alias High Chief, Noodles. It was born the August 18th 1969 in New York.

Inspectah Deck (of its true name Jason Hunter) alias Rebel INS, Fifth Brother, Rollie Fingers. It was born the July 6th 1970 in Bronx (New York).

U-God (of its true name Lamont Hawkins) alias Arms Golden delicious, Baby U, Lucky Hands, U-GODZILLA. It was born the October 11th 1970 in Staten Island (New York).

Cappadonna (of its true name Darryl Hill). It was born the September 18th 1969 in Staten Island (New York). At the 15 years age, it starts to write and to grate but it is only in 1995 qu ' it makes its beginnings on the album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx de Raekwon. He then becomes an official member of Wu Tang Clan and appears on the album Wu-Tang Forever, imprisoned during the recording of 36 Chambers. In 1996, it helps its accomplice of Wu Tang Ghostface Killah to record its album Ironman solo and, the following year, it grates on the second album of Wu Tang Clan Wu-Tang Forever. In 1998, Cappadonna decides to make its beginning in solo. It signs the album The Pillage produced by RZA and where certain members of Wu Tang Clan find themselves of which Method Man, U-God and Raekwon. The album is a success and directly places number 3 of the American charts. 2001: the album The Yin & The Yan leaves.

The imagery of the group

Wu-Tang Clan includes in his texts the broad topics of the American rap which are poverty, drug and the black conscience. They incarnate sometimes the myth of the black macho sowing terror in the streets. The majority of the members profit from a certain culture. Just like GZA is an amateur of the play of failure, much practices an martial art and is impregnated by the Asian mythology which they First of all reproduce in their rep. through films of series Z of Hong-Kong that they were going to see in the cinema of Chinatown. The Eastern imagery is a recurrent theme of the group through passages of film dialog of Kung-fu or more simply the name of the group: Wu-Tang, name of a mountain constellated with temples taoists, one of the two mythical places of Chinese martial arts with the Buddhist monastery of Shaolin. They are in addition, and that is also worth for the médiatisés members of the group such as Method Man or Ghostface Killah, more or less all associates with the Five Percenters . One finds very many references, in particular on the album Wu-Tang Forever.

Anecdotes

the sword of Wu-Tang is the name of the ultimate exercise shaolin to learn when each monk must pass at the level (or room) more difficult than the precedent. The suffix 36 Chambers present in the title of the first album refers to first film of a trilogy of Shaw Brothers ( Enter the 36 Chamber , Return to the 36 Chambers and Disciple off the 36 Chambers ) in the scenario of film, the 36e room is created by the “Hero”, it makes it possible to the nonBuddhist laymen to learn Kung fu shaolin. As opposed to what much of people believe, it is the first room which is the ultimate level of the monastery shaolin.

In a city of New York, a wall painted for the turning of the clip Edge It Be All So Simple? in 1994 covered forever by the taggeurs. One does not touch with an urban legend.

the Chinese name of the group refers to a film of kung fu of Hong-Kong, Shaolin vs Wu-Tang .

the third album of Killarmy, a group attached to Wu-Tang whose allusions to the war, terrorism and the Islamic religion are currencies, left on September 11th, 2001. Titrate album: Fear, Coils & War . The chance is sometimes disconcerting.

Ol' Dirty Bastard, the member more removed from rim group, one is accustomed of the bars. Decree many times in possession of weapons and drug, it carried out of long stays between prison and detoxification therapy, in particular during the realization of the album Iron Flag where it does not appear on any title.

the pseudonyms of GZA and RZA were obtained by reproducing their first names (Gary and Roberts) scratchés on a turntable but also have a religious connotation

the logo of the group representing at the same time W and a bat was drawn by the producer Allah Mathematics with the whole beginning of the group.

the first album Enter the Wu-Tang was recorded in their own studio.

the pseudo one of Ghostface Killah is resulting from film of Kung-fu Mystery off Chessboxing and its hero, Ghost Faced Killer.

a concert of the group in July 2001 with Los Angeles degenerates and shows a shooting. Assessment: 1 died and 3 wounded.

In 1994 the son of U-God then old of two years, Dante Hawkins, is touched by a crossfire in a shooting whereas he played in front of the house of his baby-sitter.

Inspectah Deck chose its pseudonym when, teenager, U-God had said to him that it made oddly think of the Clouseau Inspector of the cartoon the Panther Rose by looking at people systematically.

Masta Killa was to be present on the first title of the group Protect ya Neck but it was in prison at this time.

the small pocket of Liquid Sword of GZA represents combatants on a chess-board. The blacks seem to massacre the white with blows of chain and saber, involving a controversy showing GZA of racism anti-white.

a video game of combat, Shaolin Style , putting in scene the members of the group left in 1999 on PlayStation. The goal of the play is to clean the hollows of Staten Island, to cross the 36 Rooms and to face the demon in order to restore the Wu dynasty.

Tricky, one of the kings of the Trip hop, regards RZA as the “Mozart of modern times”.

Masta Killa is vegetarian.

Quotations

“It is at the same time the largest group of rap of the world and more the amateur” (Eva Ries, responsible for the marketing of their first album)

“They left notes of: 17000 dollars. They refused to drink in already décapsulées bottles, by fear which the US government does not poison them” (Eva Ries)

“They had never left America, like two thirds of the American citizens. When I wanted to make their passports, that was complicated, because they had all of the racks. Some, like Ghostface or ODB, did not have papers identity, even not a driving license. Nothing, except their numbers of ex-prisoners. ” (Eva Laugh)

Discography

1993 Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
1997 Wu-Tang Forever
2000 The W
2001 Iron Flag
2003 Wu-Tang Collective
2004 Disciples off the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1 (album live)
2004 Disciples off the 36 Chambers: Chapter 2 (live DVD) Video of the album live
2005 Legend off the Wu-Tang Clan (Best-of)
2007 8 Diagrams

External bonds

Official site of the group (in English)
an article criticizes on “Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)”, on Artelio
integral Traduction in French of the album “Liquid Swords” of GZA/The Genius
Official site of their line of clothing (wu wear)
European Site of their line of clothing (wu wear)
Legal downloading of songs
myspace official of the group (in English)

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