Tag: Raekwon

a DJ Kay Slay rap collaboration : Rolling 110 Deep

2021

audio review : 8 Diagrams ( album ) … Wu-Tang Clan

audio review : 8 Diagrams ( album ) ... Wu-Tang Clan

Rza’s beats are still the most interesting thing about Wu-Tang Clan. Over the years, it’s transcended into an experimental mix of acid hip-hop and ghetto soul with old Kung Fu movie samples mixed in for nostalgia’s sake. This album presents it amid some of the rawest vocals the eight remaining Clansmen have to offer these days, but, despite guest crooners like Erykah Badu and George Clinton, the album is weak at the hooks; one of the main Diagrams to consider when it comes to making a good rap album.

my rating : 3 of 5

2007

audio review : Wu-Tang Forever ( album ) … Wu-Tang Clan

audio review : Wu-Tang Forever ( album ) ... Wu-Tang Clan

This album presents Wu-Tang Clan as not just a rap group but a cultural and spiritual movement, though Islam is the religion of choice and mere men are referred to as “god”. It’s a “double CD” of what Rza describes as hip-hop “in the purest form”. That’s a boastful claim, but it’s one that’s hard to argue against when it comes to the beats; raw lo-fidelity New York City slum music.

The verses; there are no nonaffiliate guest rappers; are consistently on-point, especially in the case of Rza. He’s my favorite rapper in the group, despite his mumble-mouth speech impediment. It’s the hooks, not so much the silly Kung Fu samples or sloppy mixing and mastering, that flaw the set. Reunited is a grand opener though and Bells Of War is one of their best songs.

my rating : 3 of 5

1997

audio review : Wu-Tang : The Saga Continues

audio review : Wu-Tang : The Saga Continues

This isn’t really a Wu-Tang Clan album. It’s a compilation of new songs featuring Wu-Tang Clan, U-God excluded, along with a fistful of guest rappers and singers. The project is produced by DJ Mathematics, so the beats; the sort of rough rugged hip-hop you’ve come to expect from the group; are consistently solid. So are the raps. It’s the abundance of weak breaks, like the amateurishly-cut Frozen and Hood Go Bang hooks, and awkward artistic decisions, like having nonmember Redman start things off, that flaw the set.

my rating : 3 of 5

2017

audio review : Bells Of War ( song ) … U-God + Method Man + Rza + Masta Killa + Ghostface Killah

This song should have a different title. There’s a horn sound at the end, but I don’t hear any bells. The beat, a mellow hip-hop groove, is one of Rza’s best though. He also has the best verse. “I stay highs like treble,” he declares, “Those who oppose get plucked like rose pedals.”

Wise decision not adding a hook, which, judging from other Wu-Tang joints, would’ve probably shot the quality down. Not so wise to include a discussion about the latest upsets in pro boxing, which needlessly reminds future listeners they’re listening to a song made in 1997.

my rating : 4 of 5

1997

audio review : Wu-Tang Forever ( album ) ... Wu-Tang Clan