The most famous and influential rap group of the last century is the Wu-Tang Clan, they are considered the greatest and unique phenomenon in the world concept of hip-hop style.
The themes of the group's works are familiar to this direction of musical art - the difficult existence of the inhabitants of America.
But the musicians of the group were able to bring a certain amount of originality into their image - the philosophy of their songs has a clear bias towards the east. For 28 years of existence, the team has become a truly cult.
Each of the participants can be called a real legend. Their solo and group albums have become classics. The first disc, Enter the Wu-Tang, has been hailed as the greatest thing in the genre's history.
Background to the creation of the Wu-Tang Clan collective
It all started when Robert Fitzgerald Diggs (nickname - Razor) together with relative Gary Gris (Genius), with the participation of their friend Russell Tyrone Jones (Dirty Bastard) were engaged in the "promotion" of the Forse of the Imperial Master group. The work was not very successful, so they decided to do something fundamentally new.
Once, friends watched a film about the rivalry between two monasteries - Shaolin and Wudang. They liked many Eastern philosophical ideas and the opportunity to combine them with street romance. Friends took Wu-Tang (Wudang) as the basis for the name of the group.
Composition of the Wu-Tang Clan
January 1, 1992 is considered the official date of birth of the team. It was at this time that ten like-minded people gathered: RZA (Razor), GZA (Genius), Ol' Dirty Bastard (Dirty Bastard) and their comrades Method Man, Raekwon, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, U-God and Cappadonna.
Each of them can be called a real star and a bright personality. Another member of the team modestly remains in the back rows. He came up with the symbol of the Wu-Tang Clan in the form of the letter W, he was engaged in song processing.
This is the group's producer and DJ, Ronald Maurice Bean, nicknamed the Mathematician. The logo designed by Mathematician has become a well-known brand. It can often be seen on clothing and sports equipment.
The main feature of the Wu-Tang Clan group is that each of its members is an accomplished performer with their own history. It turned out that they could achieve real success only by rallying into a single whole.
That's why they consider themselves a family. In the name of the group, the word Clan was added to the name of the Chinese mountain. Nevertheless, the joint work did not prevent the musicians from continuing to work on personal projects.
In the fall of 2004, the comrades suffered a heavy loss - one of the founders of the team, Ol' Dirty Bastard, passed away. His life was cut short due to excessive drug use. There are nine members left in the Wu-Tang Clan. The place of the departed friend was left unoccupied.
Creativity Wu Tang Clan
The career of musicians began with the single Protect Ya Neck. The group was immediately noticed. Adding Kat Nu and Cypress Hill to the first song, the rappers went on a tour that brought them to a fairly high level.
First Wu-Tang Clan album
In the fall of 1993, the band released their first disc, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The name refers to the highest level of martial arts skill. The number 36 symbolizes the number of points of death on the human body. The album was immediately elevated to the rank of a cult.
The styles of hardcore rap and oriental hip-hop that are its basis still inspire contemporary artists to this day. In the charts, the disc quickly took a leading position. Its first print run was 30 copies and sold out within a week. Between 1993 and 1995 More than 2 million units were sold, and the album earned the status of "platinum".
On composition Method Man and Da Mystery of Chessboxin' videos were made, which added to the group's popularity even more. One of CREAM's songs was a real highlight. It was named one of the 100 Greatest Songs and one of the 50 Famous Hip Hop Songs of All Time.
Activities outside the group
Then the musicians devoted a lot of time and energy to solo projects and some of them created personal albums - RZA presented Gravediggaz, Method Man received a Grammy Award for the song All I Need, and the Ol' Dirty Bastard collection of songs is now considered a true classic. Also successful were the results of the work of Raekwon and GZA.
Musicians were engaged not only in songwriting. They, planning to earn some money, organized the production of clothes. At the moment, their project Wu Wear has grown into the most popular design house.
The members of the group also became famous for the fact that they came up with a special language consisting of street slang, religious sayings and oriental terms.
In subsequent years, the group's arsenal of discs was replenished: Wu-Tang Forever (1997), The W (2000), Iron Flag (2001) and other works. Including 8 Diagrams, written in honor of Ol' Dirty Bastard's deceased friend.
Wu-Tang Clan group currently
For the members of the team, 2019 was a very fruitful year. The main event was the Gods of Rap concert tour, in which, in addition to the Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, De La Soul and DJ Premier also took part. The musicians do not plan new albums yet, successfully performing with their past masterpieces.
