In an exclusive interview with Drink Champs, the legendary Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan talks about his slangin’ and bangin’ days, but none of the stories about his horrid past are quite as entertaining as his story about the shoot out he was in while riding in the car with 60s singing group The Delfonics.
Even without the microphone and beats, Ghost still has a knack for storytelling, unlike anyone you may encounter. The story of him having a shootout on Staten Island in a 15-passenger van with The Delfonics in the back is one of legend. Listen to Starks describe the situation in a way that only he can explain as N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN laugh their asses off.
Method Man is more than just a great rapper and esteemed actor. Last week, after he found out there is a patient at Staten Island University Hospital suffering from a life threatening illness who happens to be a dedicated fan of the Wu-Tang Clan, Meth decided cheer them up.
According to SILive, a young man, 26-year-old Bryson has been a patient at Staten Island University Hospital for three months. Due to privacy laws cited by the hospital, Bryson’s condition cannot be disclosed. However, the hospital revealed he is suffering from a life threatening condition and is currently fighting for his life.
In conjunction with Method Man’s own Have A Heart NY, a nonprofit organization that is “dedicated to raising awareness and creating programs and events designed to provide a better life for underprivileged youth,” and SIUH’s “Week of Surprises,” arrangements were made for Bryson to finally meet his favorite rapper.
In a video shown by SILive, the Wu-Legend is seen entering Bryson’s room, driving a calm surprise upon which the amazed fan hails for a pound.
Tamika Smith spoke on behalf of the organization about the “Heart 2 Heart” act to the Advance saying, “At Have A Heart NY we are here to do what we can to help the youth of New York City. We are glad we were able to secure Method Man for a Heart to Heart visit with Bryson through Meth’s management.”
And, because Bryson is such a hip-hop head, the hospital staff purchased a speaker system for him to blast his hip-hop in harmony. With the present hype behind all things Wu-Tang, especially in Staten Island with the Wu-Tang District Street unveil, the release of the Showtime documentary Wu Tang: Of Mics and Men, and a forthcoming Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Method Man is surely using his star power for the better.
This week, Wu-Tang Clan is screening its upcoming documentary Of Mics And Men at the Sundance Film Festival. While promoting the four-part Showtime doc, RZA and Ghostface Killah revealed that they have another film endeavor on the horizon, a Suspense Horror feature. RZA (aka Robert Diggs) will direct. Meanwhile, the story comes from none other than Ghostface Killah (aka Dennis Coles). This storyline is rooted in Wu’s real-life upbringing in the project houses of Staten Island. According to Deadline, the two Wu co-founders have teamed with Oscar-nominated producer Shaun Reddick (BlacKkKlansman, Get Out) and his Impossible Dream Entertainment to bring this project to screen. RZA said told the publication, “The creative collaboration of RZA and Ghostface [Killah] has stood the test of time through our music. Now the opportunity to put our creative energies together onto the silver screen has arisen and I’m turbo charged.” Including in a 2014 conversation with Ambrosia For Heads, Ghostface has long compared writing Rap songs and arranging albums to movie-making. Wu-Tang Clan’s Documentary Trailer Shows 9 MCs’ Triumph Through Life With Mics Ghost’ worked on the story with longtime manager Mike Caruso. Matt Leslie and Stephen J. Smith have taken that story to script. Meanwhile, as RZA scores the film, G.F.K. and Caruso are at the helm for a soundtrack of all new music from Wu-Tang Clan and presumably, some of the group’s affiliates. Deadline‘s Mike Fleming, Jr. details the premise as follows: “‘Casey’ is a normal yet exceptionally smart teenager and talented rapper but after the mysterious death of his parents he’s been forced to grow up in New York’s roughest inner-city streets (known as ‘Shaolin’ in Wu-Tang folklore), basically on his own. As life in the hood around him gets tragically worse, he must put his skills to the test to survive not only the gangs, corrupt cops, junkies and bullies, but a serial killer with seemingly supernatural powers dubbed ‘Angel Of Dust’ by the media.” Ghostface Killah Releases His First Song Of The Year & He’s Shining For the last 20 years, RZA has moved into Hollywood while maintaining his music career. The Abbott has been acting in film since 1999’s Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai. He made his directorial debut with 2012’s The Man With The Iron Fists. RZA followed with 2017’s Love Beats Rhymes. He is also producing Thriller, which debuted on the festival circuit last year. Meanwhile, Ghost’ has appeared in handfuls of movies and TV shows, typically playing himself. Next month (February 15), Ghostface will team fellow Clansmen Inspectah Deck (along with his CZARFACE collective) to release Czarface Meets Ghostface. Late last year, they dropped the “Iron Claw” single. Additionally, Wu has a 10-part documentary that is expected to arrive on Hulu later this year. Method Man Recites The First Rap He Ever Wrote (Video)#BonusBeat: Last week, Ghostface Killah re-vamped Wu-Tang Clan’s classic, “C.R.E.A.M.” with singer, Nicole Buss:
DMX is wasting no time after giving the criminal system a year of his life. Dark Man X has already hit the stage to perform for his fans.
As reported by Hot New Hip Hop, the Yonkers native was recently released after serving 12 months for tax evasion. On January 26 he performed for a packed crowd at Staten Island nightclub Mr. Ciao. Interestingly enough his former associate Ja Rule was originally booked but dropped out last minute for unknown reasons.
Even though he had been down for a year X hit the stage without any signs of hesitation or rust. Patrons at the restaurant lounge were treated to many of his hits including “Party Up (Up in Here)”, “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem” and “Get At Me Dog”.
The staff at Mr. Ciao’s gave him a personal thank you via their Instagram account. “DMX you saved the day !!! Thank you to all that came to party”.
According to long time Ruff Ryders producer and collaborator Swizz BeatzDMX is focusing on righting his many wrongs. On his Instagram he recounted a phone conversation he had with the “Where The Hood At” rapper immediately after being released. “I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH MY BROTHER DMX! HE TOLD THIS TIME HE DIDN’T WORK OUT HIS BODY IN JAIL HE SAID HE WORKED OUT HIS MIND! HE ALSO SAID HE’S ABOUT TO MAKE MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE THAT NEED HIS TRUTH AND PAIN!”
It is shaping up to be quite the year for the Wu-Tang Clan as the crew is in the midst of a world tour in support of the 25th anniversary of their debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chamber). RZA, the “Abbot” of the Clan, has partnered with high-end movie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse for a new concept bar set to open on New York’s Staten Island AKA Shaolin.
On Staten Island’s very first official Wu-Tang Clan Day and the 25th anniversary of the rap masterpiece Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers), Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Wu-Tang Clan founder RZA are proud to unveil plans for The Flying Guillotine, a kung fu-inspired bar concept. The Flying Guillotine is set to be located in the upcoming Alamo Drafthouse Staten Island in late 2019. Says RZA.
“It’s an extreme pleasure to be partnering with Alamo Drafthouse on their Staten Island location. When I first visited Alamo Drafthouse in 2004, I was blown away by the food, drink, and service that accompanied a slew of cool, genre and time-crossing films. The kung fu film selection was my favorite, and the opportunity to see these classics once again on a large screen returned me back to my youth.”
Serving an extensive menu of themed cocktails, spirits, and collaboration beers created by RZA and Alamo Drafthouse’s beverage director Bill Norris, The Flying Guillotine will also include a video store offering free rentals from an exhaustive collection of titles (including martial arts classics personally approved by RZA), as well as an archive of memorabilia and posters that cover the vast span of kung fu film history. Alamo Drafthouse Staten Island will also feature monthly screenings of martial arts classics with after-parties at The Flying Guillotine.
Check out RZA giving a virtual 360-degree tour of The Flying Guillotine in the clip below.
The space will be open to the public in late 2019.
The borough of Staten Island in NYC has formally recognized November 9 as “Wu Tang Clan Day” in honor of the pioneering hip-hop group.
The Wu celebrated the 25th anniversary of their classic debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) today, with the group appearing on the US breakfast show Good Morning America to talk about the lasting impact of the record and perform “Protect Ya Neck”.
The nine-man collective have been honored by their hometown, which they affectionately refer to as ‘Shaolin” as the borough of Staten Island declared that November 9 will forever be known as “Wu Tang Clan Day” in the city.
The news was confirmed by RZA last night (November 8) at a New York screening of the short film For The Children: 25 Years of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), where he addressed the record’s special milestone.
