Record Label: Loud Records
Featured Artists: George Clinton, Erykah Badu, Sunny Valentine, Dhani Harrison
Fourteen years ago, an unknown group from Staten Island, New York took the Hip-Hop world by storm. With their unconventional rhyme schemes, a new form of Hip-Hop slang and references to old Kung-Fu movies, the 9-man group would cement their legacy among Hip-Hop lore. If you haven’t guessed by now who the group is (which is highly doubtable), the members include; Method Man, Raekwon, The GZA, The RZA, ‘Old Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ghostface Killah, and Masta Killa (later joined by Cappadonna) and is known to everyone on this planet as the Wu-Tang Clan.
What followed after the break through success of Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was solo success from a handful of clansmen, a solid sophomore album in Wu-Tang Forever which sold over 8,000,000 copies to date, two sub par albums in The W and Iron Flag, the untimely death of ‘Ol Dirty Bastard and bickering between clan members.
But the veterans that helped usher in a new wave of Hip-Hop return with their fifth offering, 8 Diagrams in 2007. The album starts off with "Campfire" featuring Method Man, Ghostface Killah, and Cappadonna. Right after a quick Kung-Fu movie intro, the trio jump right into action over production that has become synonymous of The RZA.
"Take It Back" features Raekwon, Inpsectah Deck, Ghostface Killah and U-God contributing on rhymes and the hook along with Method Man. The Rebel INS has arguably been considered one of the most lyrical MC’s in the clan and he lets the world know why with lines like; “Bloomberg make a n***a cop the Mossberg/shorty ain’t a shorty/he’s a shooter like Wahlberg.”
"Rushing Elephants" might give fans a "Gravel Pit"-esque feel to it, but none the less this track is one of the more unique ones on the album with Raekwon, The GZA, Masta Killa and The RZA providing lyrics for your listening pleasure. Always one to display his uncanny rhyme pattern The RZA spits lines like; “This is my man Chef Auto/like Grand Theft Auto/the 18th letter followed by the mark of Zorro.”
"Unpredictable" gives you that feel of a psycho path running through the woods with an axe hunting for his next victim, and The RZA along with Inspectah Deck play with that theme perfectly. Erykah Badu comes out of hiding to assist on "The Hearts Gently Weeps" with Ghostface, Raekwon and Method Man rounding out the back. The duo of Ghostface and Raekwon have always had the best chemistry between them regardless of what album they were featured on, and it still shows as their storytelling styles compliment each other, while Method Man didn’t really seem like he was needed on this song.
It’s painfully obvious that the colorful sounds of the Ol’ Dirty Bastard are non-existent on this album, but The Wu conjure up some magic and some never before heard material by the ODB is featured on "16th Chamber O.D.B Special". By the style of his rapping, it’s evident that the material is pretty old but regardless of the fact, it’s still nice to hear his voice along with his brethren.
In all, songs like "Wolves" with U-God, Method Man, and Masta Killa, featuring George Clinton, "Sunlight" with The RZA, "Windmill" with Raekwon, The GZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, and Cappadonna are solid contributions while songs like "Weak Spot" may miss the mark a little bit.
8 Diagrams will never be a Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and it’s unfair to judge the clan against one of the best pieces of work in Hip-Hop history, and just musical history for that matter. So even though this album isn’t their best, it still makes up for the last two previous to releases, and its still a good listen for all Wu-bangers out there.
It’s refreshing to know that even with all the members going onto their own endeavors over the years, they can still put their differences aside and work together proving that Hip-Hop isn’t dead, because Wu-Tang is forever.
03-26-08, 02:52 PM
#1
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