Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) CD

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) songs LIFE AFTER DEATH was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. "Hypnotize" was nominated for a 1988 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. "Mo Money Mo Problems" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. The double-CD LIFE AFTER DEATH arrives in stores, ironically and tragically, less than three weeks after the Notorious B.I.G. was killed in a drive-by shooting in Los Angeles. Biggie Smalls, as he was known, quickly became one of rap's most respected MCs after the 1994 release of his debut album, READY TO DIE. His music sparked the comeback of East Coast hip-hop, while his very being added fire to rap's over-publicized East-West rivalry. For some (see "Playa Hater"), Biggie's success was too much to handle, and he became a primary target in hip-hop's continuing feud. Never feeding into that war on wax, B.I.G. chose to remain silent, until LIFE AFTER DEATH became a reality, and the situation spoke for itself. Although song titles like "You're Nobody (Til Somebody Kills You)" eerily mirror the real-life tragedy, the music on LIFE AFTER DEATH serves to bring the Notorious B.I.G. back to life. As anything that he appeared on, the production (by a superstar conglomerate including Sean "Puffy" Combs and the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA) is top-notch, and his lyrical skills are razor sharp. Biggie was loved for his versatility. On "Notorious Thugs," he switches up his style to rhyme like a member of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Tracks like "Hypnotize" showcase his ability to be hardcore and commercial at the same time. Another talented rapper lost to senseless violence; B.I.G.'s winning album streak will, sadly, have to end here. Personnel: The Notorious B.I.G. (background vocals); Quinnes Parker, Daron Jones, Marvin Scandrick, Michael Keith (vocals, background vocals); Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Carl Thomas (vocals); Michael Ciro (guitar); Faith Evans, Deborah "Portia" Neeley Rolle, Karen Anderson, Keanna Henson (background vocals). Audio Mixers: Eddie Sancho ; Charles "Prince Charles" Alexander ; Lane Craven; Michael Patterson ; Paul Logus; Richard Travali; Sean "Puffy" Combs; Tony Maserati . Liner Note Author: The Notorious B.I.G. Recording information: Caribbean Sound Basin, Trinidad; Daddy's House Recording Studios, New York, NY; NRG Recordings, Hollywood, CA. Photographer: Michael Lavine. Personnel includes: The Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, The Lox, Too Short, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Bizzy Bone, Lil' Kim, Puff Daddy (rap vocals); Daron Jones (vocals, various instruments); 112, R. Kelly, Carl Thomas, Angela Winbush, Quinnes Parker, Michael Keith, Marvin Scandrick (vocals); Carlos "July Six" Broady, Stevie J., Paragon (various instruments); Deric "D-dot" Angelettie (programming); Faith Evans, Pam Long, Kelly Price, Keanna Henson, Karen Anderson, Deborah "Portia" Neeley Rolle, Michael Keith, Marvin Scandrick (background vocals); Ron Grant & Friends. Producers include: Sean "Puffy" Combs, Stevie J., Easy Mo Bee, Daron Jones, Kay-Gee, RZA, Buck-Wild, DJ Premier, ...

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) CD music The acknowledged head of the Wu-Tang Clan, Genius (a.k.a. GZA) delivers the fifth Wu-banger with his sophomore solo album. Musically, LIQUID SWORDS is the Clan's strongest solo release to date, and lyrically, Genius comes correct with a style he describes as "too swift to bite." LIQUID SWORDS contains two types of songs, all backed by the RZA's skillful production. On the one hand, Genius schools the Clan's followers through songs that address serious problems experienced in every day inner-city life. "Cold World," which is backed by whirling wind sound, contains mini-stories that illustrate the misfortunes of gun-slinging in the hip-hop community. "Investigative Reports" goes even deeper in administering the blame, suggesting that drug-related crimes stem from a higher authority. On the other hand, there are the Clan's kung-fu metaphors, which show up on Genius' more Wu-styled songs. On "Duel Of The Iron Mic," he's joined by a number of fellow Clansmen to reinstate the idea that no one can match them, despite numerous attempts to copy their image and concepts. Similarly, the production on songs like "4th Chamber" and "Shadowboxin'" closely relates them to ENTER THE 36 CHAMBERS, and helps make LIQUID SWORDS a complete Wu release. The song titles of LIQUID SWORDS do not appear in order on the CD package. Photographer: Mark A. Humphrey. Personnel includes: Genius/GZA a.k.a. Maximillion, Lou Diamonds a.k.a. Raekwon The Chef, Tony Starks a.k.a. Ghost Face Killer, Lucky Hands a.k.a. U-God, Ol' Dirty Bastard a.k.a. Dirt Megirt, Rolly Fingers a.k.a. Inspectah Deck, Johnny Blaze a.k.a. Method Man, Master Killer a.k.a. Noodles, Killah Priest, Dreddy Kruger, Life (vocals).

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) buy CD music The Wu-Tang saga continues. Raekwon "The Chef" is already an irreplacable part of rap music's largest breed, the Wu-Tang Clan, but his debut proves him also capable of standing on his own two feet. On ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX..., Raekwon's street-tough lyrics spotlight the roughness of his everyday life and, combined with short story interludes, shape the plot for this gangster movie of an album. The topics on CUBAN LINX are all Chef-centered braggadocio, and the beats constantly reflect the hip-hop underground. Raekwon defines the politics of the rap game on "Incarcerated Scarfaces," and invites any non-believers to test his skills. Joining Raekwon on just about every cut, fellow Clan-man Ghost Face Killer gives a great solo effort on "Wisdom Body." In fact, CUBAN LINX bares closer resemblance to an actual Wu-Tang Clan album than any solo record by a Wu-Tang member. The backing track for "Guillotine (Swordz)" was previously introduced on Method Man's solo album TICAL, and Raekwon and his crew expand on it for a quick flashback. "Can It Be All So Simple" also returns--this time in a remixed form. These two songs, along with "Ice Cream" and "Wu-Gambinos" (both of which feature Method Man), should feed the habits of hungry Wu-fiends. Raekwon's chamber briefly escapes the Clan's musical borders on "Verbal Intercourse," and though the track evokes other Wu-Tang material, Nas' lyrical presence adds a different dimension to the album's haunting reality. As usual, The RZA dominates the production on each razor-sharp cut, and with appearences from just about every Clan MC, ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX... could easily be a Raekwon-sponsored Wu-Tang reunion. Audio Mixers: Fourth Disciple; RZA. Photographer: Daniel Hastings. Arranger: RZA. Personnel includes: Raekwon, 62nd Assassin Of Sunz Of Man, Lucky Hands a/k/a Golden Arms, Cappachino, Noodles a/k/a Master Killa (rap vocals); Blue Raspberry (vocals). Personnel: Raekwon (vocals); Masta Killa, Nas (vocals).

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) album for sale One of the most impressive debuts in hip-hop history belonged to the Wu-Tang Clan, who took the industry by storm with their chambers of underground artists. Among the Clan's royalty is the Method Man, the lyrical mastermind behind the group's breaking single, which happens to carry his name. TICAL, then, is basically the "return of the Wu-Tang" in the form of the Meth. Where any Wu-Tang release is concerned, Prince Rakeem The RZA is responsible for the production, emphasizing da beats. On TICAL, he drops a discordant, two-note piano all over "What The Blood Clot," and a loud, wandering electric piano line which competes with the vocals in the mix of "Biscuits," offering a sort of hip-hop analogy for buzzing lo-fi guitars. The RZA also accents the pop feel of "Release Yo' Delf," which mischievously swipes the melody of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," with an anthemic trumpet line that could have come from the ROCKY theme. The anxiously-awaited TICAL humbly portrays Method Man's capability to "impregnate the rhythm with the wisdom." But his bravest move, in the midst of street-tough raps that promise to "Bring The Pain," is to offer a hardcore love song. "All I Need" is a promise of devotion to a woman who has stood by him through thick and thin, and serves further notice that TICAL is not just another ruffneck release. Recorded at 36 Chambers, Staten Island, New York; Chung King Studios, Firehouse Studios and Platinum Island Studios, New York, New York. Personnel includes: Method Man, Booster, Carlton Fisk, Inspector Deck, Street Thug (vocals); Blue Raspberry (background vocals). Engineers include: Prince Rakeem "The RZA", Method Man.

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) CD music WU-TANG FOREVER is an Enhanced CD. The audio portions are available on any standard audio CD player; interactive content, including videos and biographies, can be accessed with a CD-ROM unit. WU-TANG FOREVER was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. By the time the Wu-Tang Clan finished their first round of solo projects and reconvened for their second album as a group, the double-disc album had become the hip-hop fad of the moment. So why not give it a shot? With a main crew of nine MCs (plus new protégé Cappadonna), the Wu wouldn't have to depend heavily on guest appearances to flesh out two whole discs of material, as Biggie and 2Pac had. While the result, Wu-Tang Forever, is frequently brilliant, it's also sprawling and unfocused, losing its handle on the carefully controlled chaos of Enter the Wu-Tang. On the one hand, there's more social consciousness on Wu-Tang Forever, taking hard looks at ghetto life while finding pathos and offering encouragement and uplift ("A Better Tomorrow," "Impossible"). On the other hand, you also get some of the group's most explicit sex raps yet ("Maria," "The Projects," the utterly bizarre ODB solo track "Dog Shit"). In other words, the group is starting to go off in more individual directions here, making it harder to maintain an overall focus. Once you get past the rambling Five Percenter introduction, the first disc is pretty tight, partly because it was kept short to leave room for enhanced CD content. The second disc is far too long, diluting the impact of its better songs (the terrific single "Triumph") with an excess of lackluster material. Wu-Tang Forever easily would have made a brilliant single CD; RZA's production is more polished than the debut, thanks to a bigger budget and better equipment, and leans heavily on soundtrack-style strings to underscore the album's cinematic scope. Some hailed Wu-Tang Forever as the best double-disc hip-hop album yet released, but others regarded it as a disappointment; despite its many high points, it's the first time the Wu didn't quite fulfill their ambitions. ~ Steve Huey Wu-Tang Clan: RZA (aka "The Abbott"); GZA (aka "The Genius"); Dirty (aka "Osiris"); U-God (aka "Golden Arms"); Masta Killa (aka "High Chief"); Method Man (aka "Hott Nikkels"); Raekwon (aka "Lex Diamonds"); Ghostface Killah (aka "Ironman"); Inspectah Deck (aka "Fifth Brother"). Producers: The RZA, 4th Disciple, True Master, Inspectah Deck. Engineers: The RZA, 4th Disciple, True Master, The Rebel. Additional personnel: Roxanne (background vocals); Poppa Wu, Uncle Pete, CappaDonna, Tekitha, Street Life.

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) buy CD music All songs written or co-written by R. Jones. Samples include "Hip Hug Her" (as performed by Booker T. & The MGs). "I'll grab the mic and I'll damage ya," boasts Ol' Dirty Bastard on his debut. Along with his producer, The RZA, the man with no father to his style has crafted a fine record, both solid and experimental--a Wu-Tang Clan solo project that can stand alongside the group's groundbreaking album. Whether crooning "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" mid-song or speaking in tongues, ODB constantly stretches the limits of what an MC sounds like. He'll damage your sensibilities, perhaps even your speakers--but remember, no pain no gain. The success of hip-hop albums often rests on the character of a rapper; and though Ol' Dirty Bastard may not have the pure skills of Method Man, his persona is as complex as it gets. "The reason why I curse is cause my momma and daddy, they grew up cursing, so please respect my style," he states, demonstrating awareness of his image. The image is important: a staggering, foul-mouthed street urchin, ODB balances his braggadacio with humility (at least twice, he thanks us for listening). He explodes mid-sentence with exclamations, repeatedly punctuating his "Brooklyn Zoo" with a menacing "What?!" He may be unpredictable, but for the most part he's good-natured. For fans of the Wu, this is a must have, truly a RETURN TO THE 36 CHAMBERS. But ODB is not just filling the void until the next Wu-Tang album; he is making the case that if The Genius is the Clan's head and Method Man its heart, Ol' Dirty Bastard is its sex drive and funny bone. Recorded at Chung King Studios, Fire House Studio, Battery Studio and 36 Chambers Studio, New York, New York. Engineers: Ethan Ryman (tracks 2, 4, 11); The RZA (tracks 3, 6, 9-10, 15); Ethan Ryman, The RZA (track 5); The RZA, Tim Latham (track 7); Jack Hersca (tracks 12-13, 17); Jack Hersca, The RZA (track 14); John Wydrycs (track 16). RETURN TO THE 36 CHAMBERS: THE DIRTY VERSION was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Personnel: Ol' Dirty Bastard (vocals). Audio Mixers: John Wydrycs; Buddah Monk; Deden Sumandani; Martin Czembor; Ol' Dirty Bastard; RZA; Tim Latham. Photographer: Danny Clinch. Personnel includes: Ol' Dirty Bastard; Method Man, The RZA, Raekwon The Cheff, The Genius, Ghost Face Killer, Lord Buddah Monk, Master Killer, Prodigal Sun, Zoo Keeper, Murdoc, Killer Priest, 12 O'Clock, Shorty Shit Stain, 60 Second Assassin (vocals). Producers: The RZA (tracks 2-3, 5-8, 10, 12-16); Ol' Dirty Bastard, True Master (track 4); Ol' Dirty Bastard (track 9); Ethan Ryman, Ol' Dirty Bastard (track 11); Big Dore (track 17).