Wu-Tang Clan discussion thread

[Thunderbane]

So this summer I finally transferred my supreme love of Ghostface Killah into an in-depth research of all things Wu-Tang.

I got "Enter the Wu (36 Chambers)" and it blew my mind. I then listened to Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" and GZA/Genius "Liquid Swords" and was equally blown away by both.

So to anybody else that is a Wu-Tang fan, please discuss favorite album, songs, solo album, etc. I'm still getting into everything and would love to know where to go next. But also I'd love to maybe give anybody else interested a blueprint.

Because Wu-Tang fucking rules period.

[MrGraham]

I've heard they ain't nothin' to fuck with.

Confirm/deny?

[Thunderbane]

Confirm, for when they form like Voltron.

[Hateyou]

Listened to 36 chambers for a long time 12 or 13 years ago. Couldn't get into anything other than that album. I did end up liking a few tracks from the Gravediggaz album 6 feet deep. Those are the only 2 rap albums I own, or ever will own.

I really just despise rap though. I'd rather listen to any other genre before rap. Country makes me want to slit my wrists, and I'd listen to that before rap^^

[Grimmlokk]

Originally Posted by Thunderbane

So to anybody else that is a Wu-Tang fan, please discuss favorite album, songs, solo album, etc. I'm still getting into everything and would love to know where to go next. But also I'd love to maybe give anybody else interested a blueprint.

Aside from all the stupid fucking interlude bullshit on 36 Chambers(like every rap album), it's a pantheon rap album. If you haven't yet, pick up Tical by Method Man. Some great shit on there, Meth at his best.

They never really re-captured the vibe from 36 Chambers on later efforts.

I really just despise rap though. I'd rather listen to any other genre before rap. Country makes me want to slit my wrists, and I'd listen to that before rap^^

I used to love rap when I was younger. I feel like an old man now when I talk about it, but I just can't fucking stand all the shit from the last few years. It's all just bragging about rims, bling, and bitches. I remember songs where they used to tell actual stories in the song. Scarface, MC Eiht etc. Instead of just random "I gots dubs, titties is what I rubs" there'd be an actual narrative to the songs. I still occasionally listen to Pharcyde or old Bone songs and long for the days of yore.

Now the only rap I listen to is gimmicky shit, nerdcore or british people or something. Just because it sounds different and they at least try to be clever with their rhymes.

[Hateyou]

Originally Posted by Grimmlokk

Now the only rap I listen to is gimmicky shit, nerdcore or british people or something. Just because it sounds different and they at least try to be clever with their rhymes.

Check out Bottle of Humans, by Sole if you haven't. I actually forgot about it until this thread. It's the only rap album I've been able to listen to since 36 chambers. It was released last year I believe. The song named after the album is great. (track 5 I think)

[Sarrasis]

Wu-Tang Forever is good stuff. Iron flag was decent. The W sucked.

Tical is a classic. Meth's last album was pretty good also.

[Thunderbane]

Hmmm, quite the rap hating.

First off, I don't think ALL rap is about bragging & rims and shit. That's just what they show on TV.

You mention telling stories while rapping, that's exactly what you get off the first song on "Fishscale"... Ghostface's newest album that came out last year. Also another reason why I made this thread, since if Wu-Tang can make a classic album like 36 Chambers in '93 and still make great songs over 10 years later, if not as Wu-Tang, but any of their members - then there's gotta be something they're doing right.

Personally, I think Wu-Tang's interlude/sketch stuff (whatever you want to call it) is actually unique when compared with other rap artists attempts. I used to think it was all stupid but I think Wu-Tang, and ESPECIALLY Ghostface have a very unique humor to their inbetween stuff. Ghostface cracks me up all the time, no matter how many times I hear it. The "Heart Street" bit on "Fishscale" is a great example... not as much for the content, but just the way Ghostface talks.

I think the inbetween tracks on 36 Chambers act as the glue that help tie that whole album together. Really unravels a deeper meaning of how they were really rapping for the right reasons and didn't want to be used/exploited by a record company. I think that's one of the big reasons 36 Chambers really stands out... and I mean you HAVE to have the bit where they describe every member in Wu-Tang.

And HateYou... how can you not listen to "Illmatic"? That's like the easiest & one of the most enjoyable rap albums I've ever heard. It's like Nas verbally sails over the entire album. Smmooooooootthh

[Regime]

It's all about some Liquid swords.

[Grimmlokk]

Originally Posted by Thunderbane

Personally, I think Wu-Tang's interlude/sketch stuff (whatever you want to call it) is actually unique when compared with other rap artists attempts.

It could be the greatest sketches ever put together by the hands of mortal man, and I still wouldn't want the shit on my *MUSIC* album. I absolutely can not fucking stand that shit. It might be interesting once or twice, after that it gets skipped every single time until the end of time.

I wouldn't buy a Mitch Hedberg CD to hear him rap.

[kcxiv]

Only really liked ODB. Method had some cool songs, but i am not really into east coast music.

[Soygen]

36 Chambers is one of my all-time favorite hip-hop albums and was played a whole lot in my high school years. Gah...getting old.

[Alexzandra]

Wu-Tang should never, ever be degraded by referring to it as "rap." Wu-Tang is proper Hip-hop. Come correct, son.

lols. I said, "come correct, son."

[Biggyto]

One of the greatest records ever released.

People who say the only rap coming out now is about bling and bitches are like people who think the only rock coming out now is Nickelback and Fallout Boy.

[Menoz]

Liquid swords is an amazing album.