Wu-Tang Clan

"Wu-Tang" redirects here. For other uses, see Wu-Tang (disambiguation).
This article is about the musical group. Not to be confused with Tang Clan.

Wu-Tang Clan
Several members of the Wu-Tang Clan performing on a stage in front of a giant logo shaped like a "W"
Wu-Tang Clan at a Yo! MTV Raps concert in the 1990s
Background information
OriginStaten Island, New York City, U.S.
Genres
DiscographyWu-Tang Clan discography
Years active1992–present[4]
Labels
Members
Past membersOl' Dirty Bastard
Websitewutangclan.com

Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop musical collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992.[4] Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and, until his death in 2004, Ol' Dirty Bastard. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member. They are credited for revitalizing East Coast hip hop[5][6] and are considered one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.[7][8]

After signing to Steve Rifkind's label Loud Records in 1992, Wu-Tang Clan released their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1993; initially receiving positive reviews, it has since garnered widespread critical acclaim and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.[9][10][11] Members of the group released solo albums between 1994 and 1996. In 1997, the group released their second album, Wu-Tang Forever. It debuted atop the Billboard 200 and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1998 Grammy Awards. The group later released the albums The W (2000), Iron Flag (2001), 8 Diagrams (2007), and A Better Tomorrow (2014), to less popularity. The only copy of their seventh album, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (2015), was purchased for $2 million by former hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli.[12]

Wu-Tang Clan has introduced and launched the careers of a number of affiliated artists and groups, collectively known as the Wu-Tang Killa Bees.[13]

  1. ^ Miszczynski, Milosz; Helbig, Adriana (2017). Hip Hop at Europe's Edge: Music, Agency, and Social Change. Indiana University Press. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-253-02321-6.
  2. ^ Morris, Chris (September 20, 1997). "Hot Rap Act Wu-Tang Clan Runs Into Troubled Waters". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 1. ISSN 0006-2510.
  3. ^ "Drum: A Magazine of Africa for Africa". African Drum Publications. 1998. p. 59. Rap gems for hip hop brigade Hip hop fans should enjoy the soundtrack of the movie Soul In The Hole featuring hardcore rap artists the Wu-Tang Clan, Organized Kon- fusion, Mobb Deep and Xzibit. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  4. ^ a b Matt Diehl (December 8, 1996). "Brash Hip-Hop Entrepreneurs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
  5. ^ Huey, Steve. "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – Wu-Tang Clan". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2009.
  6. ^ Green, Dylan. "Wu-Tang Clan: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  7. ^ Unterberger, Nefertiti Austin,Kyle Denis,Raquelle Harris,Carl Lamarre,Jason Lipshutz,Joe Lynch,Heran Mamo,Gail Mitchell,Neena Rouhani,Dan Rys,Andrew; Austin, Nefertiti; Denis, Kyle; Harris, Raquelle; Lamarre, Carl; Lipshutz, Jason; Lynch, Joe; Mamo, Heran; Mitchell, Gail (June 28, 2023). "50 Greatest Rap Groups of All Time". Billboard. Retrieved December 31, 2023.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Adaso, Henry. 25 Best Rap Groups of All-Time Archived April 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. About.com. Retrieved June 19, 2010.
  9. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (Vinyl LP) at Music Direct". Musicdirect.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  10. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan :: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) :: Loud/RCA". Rapreviews.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  11. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan's Anniversary LP Gets A Symbolic Title". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas; Prato, Greg (2007). "Wu-Tang Clan – Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2010.