The Wu Is Back…Sort Of
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Wu-Tang Clan is without a doubt one of the most influential hip-hop groups ever. The nine original members released their first single in 1993, “Protect Ya Neck”, which quickly made their name known. Wu Tang has been mentioned in several songs by the Notorious B.I.G and, Wyclef Jean, and featured in compilations with rap legends such as Tupac Shakur.
For the next 12 years, Wu-Tang Clan released four studio albums until the death of Ol’ Dirty B____ in 2004. For the next three years album releases abruptly stopped, Wu-Tang went on hiatus and their status quickly declined. Yet, they still retained a strong cult following and their rough beats and poetic lyrics remained fixed in many loyal listeners’ heads.
The Clan stopped producing albums for this period while members remained busy on outside projects. Wu Tang’s members created many solo albums some of which sold 700,000 bought copies making them official Gold Records.
Wu-Tang’s style consists of lyrics to make the listener think, and beats that makes them shudder. The authenticity of Wu-Tang Clan’s lyrics about street life and crime are nothing to argue with since seven of the nine members are convicted felons. But it’s not all violence and drugs with Wu-Tang Clan. Many songs are devoted to struggles within the African-American community in songs like “Protect Ya Neck.” They sing of a time that is “crazy flamboyant for the rap enjoyment my clan, it freezes, like black unemployment”. With provocative lyrics like that it’s no surprise WTC has toured with bands like Rage Against the Machine.
After a long wait, Wu-Tang released 8 Diagrams in late 2007. The new album was expected to give hip-hop the needed edge that had been corrupted by certain releases by “Soulja Boy” and other Billboard 100 hits on the R&B chart.
8 Diagrams starts off with an old fashioned Wu-Tang style intro in “Campfire”, with features a B-movie kung-fu noir sound. Then the hard bass begins and Method Man’s rugged voice starts dropping the lyrics for which he is famous. Through “Campfire” fans can see The Clan has stayed true to their roots.
Yet, it’s no surprise Wu-Tang Clan has changed its sound, drifting away from the raw, edgy vibe that came with Enter the Wu-Tang in 1993. With age there is maturity. None of the current members are under the age of 38. (some members are even as old as 41!) The stability in the line-up does not mean the band is honoring its signature style. WTC has drifted away from the original sound that made them who they are today.
I can’t say I don’t miss that raw feeling - the time I was first exposed to “C.R.E.A.M” after plunking down $12 for their best of album, Legend of the Wu-Tang Clan. 8 Diagrams just does not possess the same minimalist beauty that producer RZA created more than 10 years ago. Instead he has made something new to conform to the iTunes generation.
Maybe the current music buyers aren’t ready for this real street poetry that created hip hop 15 years go. Maybe it tells us that as music buyers we’ve lost all desire for old school hip hop and we should just retire names like NWA, Junior M.A.F.I.A and now Wu Tang Clan.
Wu-Tang Clan may be the best thing around; but after 8 Diagrams the only place they have to go is downhill. In fact, some of you reading this review probably much prefer listening to Lil’ Jon and Shop Boyz, which shows how far we have gone from the rich roots of hip hop music. The superficial turn leaves me to wonder how long before we actually hear a song from the next Wu-Tang Clan album at a school dance.
