On this day in 1993, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan began their reign as one of the most powerful and influential rap groups in history by releasing their debut single, “Protect Ya Neck.” With this track, Wu-Tang took the rap game by storm with a style unheard and an attitude unseen. “Protect Ya Neck” set a tone in Hip Hop that shifted the genre toward a more hardcore, rugged sound.
Originally recorded in a different order with a completely different beat, group member RZA took the liberty to reconstruct the song in post-production to the goliath that we all know and love. According to him, all he needed was the vocals of the group. The original beat used was just a placeholder used to get the verses. RZA’s unique style also incorporated the kung-fu film dialogue and fought scenes throughout the track. This unique style of production became a trend for Wu-Tang Clan.
To clarify any confusion about who is who on the song, the order of verses is as follows: Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, & GZA. The single was first released independently through Wu-Tang Records and had “After the Laughter Comes Tears” as the B-side. Loud Records later re-released it with “Method Man” as the B-side. It sold 10,000 copies.
On this date in 1970, the Wu-Tang Clan’s Jamel Irief was born in Brooklyn, New York and as fate would have it, morphed into being the most inconspicuous member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.
Many emcees, DJs, and entertainers, in general, have an almost miraculous story of how they got on, but Masta Killa was ushered into the game on one of the most highly anticipated albums of 1993 and he didn’t even try.
“I never performed until we launched Wu Tang. That was my first time as an MC. I have history since elementary school doing talent shows. Breaking and shit like that. I was that kind of dude. I loved to pop. That was me. Always doing shit around music. As far as with a mic in my hand, Wu-Tang was the first time. There never was next level for me. It was Wu-Tang and that was it. I never tried to get on. Never looked for any of this, because it was never my vision. I’m kinda like hanging out with GZA, and just stumbled across some shit. “Oh word?” And I was like, “Maybe I can do this.” When I was young going to clubs, I was just hanging out. I never went in there like I was trying to be an MC. I never tried to get a record deal, or pass out tapes. It’s just been Wu-Tang and I’m here.”
The East New York-bred emcee has dropped four solo projects, including his critically acclaimed debut album No Said Date.
Happy degree day to the God Jamel Irief on his physical nativity date! Peace!
On this day in 1993, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan began their reign as one of the most powerful and influential rap groups in history by releasing their debut single “Protect Ya Neck.” With this track, Wu-Tang took the rap game by storm with a style unheard and an attitude unseen. “Protect Ya Neck” set a tone in Hip Hop that shifted the genre toward a more hardcore, rugged sound.
Originally recorded in a different order with a completely different beat, group member RZA took the liberty to reconstructed the song in post-production to the goliath that we all know and love. According to him, all he needed was the vocals of the group. The original beat used was just a place holder used to get the verses. This unique style of production became a trend for Wu-Tang Clan. RZA’s unique style also incorporated the kung-fu film dialogue as well as fight scenes throughout the track.
In an effort to clear up any confusion of who is who on the song, the order of verses is as followed: Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, & GZA. The single was first released independently through Wu-Tang Records and had “After the Laughter Comes Tears” as the B-side. It was later re-released by Loud Records with “Method Man” as the B-side. It sold 10,000 copies.
On this date in 1970, the Wu-Tang Clan’s Jamel Irief was born in Brooklyn, New York and as fate would have it, morphed into being the most inconspicuous member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.
Many emcees, DJs, and entertainers, in general, have an almost miraculous story of how they got on, but Masta Killa was ushered into the game on one of the most highly anticipated albums of 1993 and he didn’t even try.
“I never performed until we launched Wu Tang. That was my first time as an MC. I have history since elementary school doing talent shows. Breaking and shit like that. I was that kind of dude. I loved to pop. That was me. Always doing shit around music. As far as with a mic in my hand, Wu-Tang was the first time. There never was next level for me. It was Wu-Tang and that was it. I never tried to get on. Never looked for any of this, because it was never my vision. I’m kinda like hanging out with GZA, and just stumbled across some shit. “Oh word?” And I was like, “Maybe I can do this.” When I was young going to clubs, I was just hanging out. I never went in there like I was trying to be an MC. I never tried to get a record deal, or pass out tapes. It’s just been Wu-Tang and I’m here.”
The East New York-bred emcee has dropped four solo projects, including his critically acclaimed debut album No Said Date.
Happy degree day to the God Jamel Irief on his physical nativity date! Peace!
On June 3, 1997, the Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game gave the world a double dose of their killer bee stings when they dropped the Wu-Tang Forever double CD LP.
The album was executively produced by the Abbott himself, RZA, along with assistance from 4th Disciple, Inspectah Deck, and True Master. Released to the public under the Loud/RCA imprint with direction from the illustrious Steve Rifkind, this album was certified gold in its first week and was certified 4X platinum by the RIAA within four months of its release.
Some of the hits include the album’s lead, “Triumph,” “Older Gods,” “Duck Season” and the prophetic title of their current album, A Better Tomorrow. The Clan just celebrated 20 years together in 2013 looking back on two decades of music. The Clan is also currently working on an album with Ghostface Killah running the show.
Peace to the entire Clan for giving us such a monumental project without the assistance of radio/video play, which is the mark of true artistry. Salute to RZA, Divine, Power, Steve Rifkind, and everyone who helped make this album a timeless classic!
Since 2017, the Wu-Tang Clan group has been eligible to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. However, the nine-man New York Rap collective has yet to appear on the ballot. As 2019’s induction ceremony takes place Friday night (March 29) in Brooklyn, RZA says that he believes the voting committee should properly consider Wu-Tang’s merits.
“I think we should [get inducted], and I do care,” RZA tells Rolling Stone‘s Jason Newman. The Brooklyn, New Yorker also feels that his group’s catalog fits the curation of the Cleveland, Ohio museum. “Listening to a song like ‘Bring da Ruckus,’ I thought I was making Hip-Hop, but sh*t, it has a motherf*ckin’ Rock & Roll groove like a motherf*cker. I don’t know how the f*ck I did that. I go back and listen to some of The Beatles progressions and some of [Led] Zeppelin’s progressions and movements, like, okay, I was on some sh*t, though.” Besides RZA, the collective includes GZA, Raekwon, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
The MC/producer/DJ adds that he feels that the energy of the Rock & Roll youth movement of the ’60s and ’70s evolved into Hip-Hop for the ’80s and ’90s. Hip-Hop acts in the Hall include Run-D.M.C., Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Tupac, and N.W.A. The Abbott says that he understands if it “takes time,” but feels that such a move is beneficial for Rock and Hip-Hop.
As a solo artist, RZA has worked with Rock artists including the Hall Of Fame-inducted Sly Stone as well as The Black Keys, Dog Eat Dog, The Mars Volta, and Travis Barker. In 2016, he partnered with Interpol’s Paul Banks to form Banks & Steelz. The duo released an album, Anything But Words. Meth’, Ghost’, and Masta Kill all appeared.
Tomorrow’s Hall Of Fame induction class includes Janet Jackson, Def Leppard, Radiohead, and The Cure, among others.
Since 2017, the Wu-Tang Clan group has been eligible to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. However, the nine-man New York Rap collective has yet to appear on the ballot. As 2019’s induction ceremony takes place Friday night (March 29) in Brooklyn, RZA says that he believes the voting committee should properly consider Wu-Tang’s merits.
“I think we should [get inducted], and I do care,” RZA tells Rolling Stone‘s Jason Newman. The Brooklyn, New Yorker also feels that his group’s catalog fits the curation of the Cleveland, Ohio museum. “Listening to a song like ‘Bring da Ruckus,’ I thought I was making Hip-Hop, but sh*t, it has a motherf*ckin’ Rock & Roll groove like a motherf*cker. I don’t know how the f*ck I did that. I go back and listen to some of The Beatles progressions and some of [Led] Zeppelin’s progressions and movements, like, okay, I was on some sh*t, though.” Besides RZA, the collective includes GZA, Raekwon, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
The MC/producer/DJ adds that he feels that the energy of the Rock & Roll youth movement of the ’60s and ’70s evolved into Hip-Hop for the ’80s and ’90s. Hip-Hop acts in the Hall include Run-D.M.C., Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Tupac, and N.W.A. The Abbott says that he understands if it “takes time,” but feels that such a move is beneficial for Rock and Hip-Hop.
As a solo artist, RZA has worked with Rock artists including the Hall Of Fame-inducted Sly Stone as well as The Black Keys, Dog Eat Dog, The Mars Volta, and Travis Barker. In 2016, he partnered with Interpol’s Paul Banks to form Banks & Steelz. The duo released an album, Anything But Words. Meth’, Ghost’, and Masta Kill all appeared.
Dave East is racking up his acting credits. According to Deadline, East is set as a series regular for Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga to portray the character Shotgun.
Shotgun is known to be a popular Staten Islander who works as an assistant manager at a concession stand near the Statue of Liberty. He is gifted with Hip-Hop’s rap element and manages to stay out of as much trouble as possible. Shotgun is none other than the one and only Method Man. Prior to his Wu-Tang prime time, the Staten Island MC worked at the food concession stands for the Statue of Liberty. In a 2017 appearance on James Corden’s The Late Late Night Show, he reminisced about the experience revealing he has never been inside of the actual historic statue.
“I’ve actually never went inside the Statue, and I worked there for about five to six years,” Method Man responded. “You only get half an hour break, and if I went up in the Statue, I wouldn’t have any time to make it back down to get to work on time. And I needed time to either sleep — right? On my break — eat on my break or smoke.”
Also added to the cast is Julian Elijah Martinez who will play Divine, the CEO of Wu-Tang Productions and also the brother of Wu-Tang front man RZA. Divine’s role is described as being a street smart gentleman who condones tough love on his younger brother Bobby and ends up getting locked up. His challenge is set when he faced with keeping the Wu-Tang operation flowing while behind bars.
Wu-Tang: An American Saga is a 10-episode drama that will chronicle the wee beginnings of the Wu-Tang Clan in Staten Island, New York set in the early ’90s, amid the peak of the eighties trailing crack era. It will follow the quest of Bobby Diggs aka the RZA, played by Ashton Sanders, to accumulate twelve young black men who strive to fade away from the turbulent crime life and rise to fame through the art of rap.
