NTWRK LIVE: WU TANG CLAN + CLARKS

GZA Rates Björk, Republicans, and Crazy Rich Asians | Over/Under

[via Pitchfork]

Hulu Enters The Wu-Tang Clan With A Scripted Series About The Iconic Hip-Hop Group

Hulu has given a straight-to-series order to Wu-Tang: An American Saga, a scripted drama about the early days of Wu-Tang Clan, the iconic hip-hop group whose original lineup was composed of RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa.

Based on The Wu-Tang Manual and The Tao of Wu, both of which were written by RZA, the New York in the 1990s-set An American Saga (which should have been called Clan: A Wu-Tang Story) shows “the Clan’s formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs a.k.a. RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, black men that are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories,” according to a press release.

Method Man called the series a “major win for hip hop,” while Ghostface Killa added, “Ayo u know what it is, Wu-Tang is forever. We’re stepping into new chambers with Hulu and bringing our fans with us.” Producer Brian Grazer claimed he’s been a fan of the group since the mid-’90s, and he “recognized quickly how significant Wu-Tang and The RZA were to the world of hip-hop music and culture… Hulu is the perfect partner to bring this story to a global audience.” Feel free to imagine Grazer playing “As High as Wu-Tang Get” to his Imagine Entertainment co-founder Ron Howard. It’s fun.

[via UPRXX]

Wu-Tang Clan Earns 1st Billboard Charting Single In 16 Years Thanks To Logic

Logic enlisted the surviving members of Wu-Tang Clan — GZA, Cappadonna, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Method Man, Raekwon, RZA and U-God — for the cut “Wu-Tang Forever” from his Young Sinatra IV project. Consequently, the legendary Hip Hop crew has earned their first Billboard charting single in 16 years.

While “Wu-Tang Forever” didn’t chart on Billboard’s Hot 100, it still hit No. 17 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Sales and No. 44 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales.

The track serves as their first group appearance on any Billboard chart since 2002. “Uzi (Pinky Ring)” made it to No. 16 on Hot Rap Songs in 2002 and claimed No. 93 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.

According to Forbes, the Wu has two other singles that reached the Hot 100, which both come from 1993’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). “C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)” reached No. 60, while “Method Man” peaked at No. 69.

Logic’s Young Sinatra IV debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 this week, trailing behind Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter V. 

Revisit the song above. 

[via HipHopDX]

Watch GZA, Ghostface Killah & RZA In "Wu-Tang In Space Eating Impossible Sliders" Episode 1

OUTER SPACE – Wu-Tang Clan are no strangers to pushing products, but the group’s latest campaign might their most bizarre and entertaining yet. GZA, Ghostface Killah and RZA are starring in a new web series called Wu-Tang In Space Eating Impossible Sliders.

While the series exists to promote White Castle’s addition of Impossible Foods’ plant-based burger to its menu, it barely comes across as an ad for the fast-food chain. Instead, the debut short is a Star Trek-inspired creation reminiscent of something from Adult Swim or Mystery Science Theater 3000.

“We knew we wanted to set an idea in space for our partnership with White Castle,” Impossible Foods’ Executive Creative Director Sasha Markova said. “At Impossible, we’ve become obsessed with the idea that it’s only when you go to space that you realize how beautiful earth is.

“Then we thought, who can we send up into space? Who are the people who most embody that philosophy? And, in the midst of a crazy time on planet earth, who are the people who might have the answers? We knew it immediately. The Wu-Tang Clan.”

[via HipHopDX]

RZA & GZA Support Chicago’s Joey Purp With Some Exceptional Verses (Audio)

Twenty-five-year-old Chicago MC Joey Purp first made waves when he dropped his sophomore mixtape iiiDrops in 2016. His buzz-worthy project balanced socially conscious, often braggy lyricism with gritty Windy City realism with a punchy delivery. The beat selection ranged from addicting dance rhythms to horn-laden production akin to an explosive early-2000s Just Blaze. And appearances by fellow Chi-town artists Chance The Rapper, Mick Jenkins, Vic Mensa, and Saba aided in Purp creating a name synonymous with Chicago. iiiDrops was the type of breakthrough success many rappers could only hope to achieve.

But Joey Purp seems to have solidified his undeniable Chicago charm with his recently-released debut LP, QUARTERTHING. Rather than only dabble with fellow Chi artists for his debut, Purp gathered some helping hands by reaching toward the east and tapping into the Wu-Tang Clan.

QUARTERTHING’s second track, “Godbody – Pt. 2,” features RZA spitting a dizzying set of boastful bars. He serves the song’s intro up before Purp demolishes the beat, rapping: “A billion data, bitcoins and microchips, Intel Pentium, silicon and biochips / Sitting on Oprah’s sofa, my drink is on a solid gold coaster / Cigars with the capio, a Rock & Roll’er, you still rock the Casio / Ace Of Spade, popped on the patio, Aston Martin, powder, Blue and Pistachio.” Purp takes the reigns as he hastily spits into the mic some verbal daggers to prove he’s worthy of some RZA support: “I don’t owe nobody nothing, everything come straight from me / Young ni**a go get your bread, only thing that’s bred in me / Some my ni**as still alive, they already dead to me.”

Perhaps the most surprising feature on QUARTERTHING comes from GZA, who delivers a Spoken Word poem as the album’s closer. The poem, titled “In the Morning,” 30 seconds of GZA delivering an acapella : “I wake to the sound of the alarm clock ringing / Squirrels leave the burrows, early birds are singing / Just coming out of a dream state / Awake, visions fade, I think new thoughts and meditate / I open the curtains and pull back the drapes / A beautiful blue sky reflecting off a lake / Eyes fixated on the amazing view / The windows to my soul I am gazing through / The sun has risen in the east.”

QUARTERTHING is a stellar release in the ’18 landscape, just as iiiDrops was two years prior. This year, we’ve already seen Purp’s Chicago rap contemporary Saba release his solid 2018 effort, CARE FOR ME(included in Ambrosia For Heads‘ mid-year list), while this past weekend saw Noname release her album, Room 25. Joey Purp joins them with his explosive record, shouting from the city’s rooftops: And you say Chi city…

[via Ambrosia For Heads]

Supreme x GZA "Liquid Swords" Collab In The Works

Supreme unveiled a preview of their upcoming project with GZA today, which will serve as a nod to GZA’s debut album "Liquid Swords." 

In the video clip posted on the Supreme IG account today, GZA is shown wearing the collaborative "Liquid Swords" tee shirt while describing the meaning of the name.

"Liquid Swords - sharp tongue. Swift, sharp tongue. You know, the tongue is symbolic to the sword. When in motion, it produces wind. That's why you hear that 'Wu, wu, wu wu, wu' sound when you're swinging a sword. Your tongue is a sword. A double-edged sword. And wisdom is symbolic to water, because of its flowing capability. So words flow off the mouth as water flows down the banks and the rivers, so this is why it's called a liquid sword - a sharp tongue."

Supreme has not yet revealed when their latest Wu-Tang collaboration will be available, but we expect more details in the near future following up today's announcement.

[via HotNewHipHop]

GZA + Ray Charles - Genius Vs. Genius

This is a collection of 12 tracks of GZA remixes of his classic material behind heavy samples of classic and hard to find Ray Charles albums, with all production done by Gutter Water Music’s very own Dysposable Heroes. This is a concept remix project, with no ties to the artists or their respective labels, estates, etc. and is for promotional use only. Please burn this and give it to anyone you think might enjoy it! 

A-OK All Day is dedicated to providing you with the nicest new Hip-Hop releases, including full albums, amazing mash-ups, instrumentals, and exclusive DJ A-OK underground Hip-Hop mixes. All full albums and mixes are properly tagged with easy shortcuts to each song. You can hear A-OK All Day’s underground Hip-Hop show, "Can't Stop, Won't Stop: Hip-Hop w/ DJ A-OK," every week on Kauai’s public radio station, 91.9 FM KKCR. Putting real underground Hip-Hop back on the radio. Tune in every Wednesday from 8-10 PM (HST) streaming worldwide at: http://www.kkcr.org/ 

Follow A-OK All Day on Instagram for exclusive updates and Hip-Hop gear: https://www.instagram.com/aokallday808/

Wu-Tang Clan Plots "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" 25th Anniversary Tour

Wu-Tang Clan’s seminal album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), was released in November 1993. To celebrate the upcoming 25th anniversary, the bona fide Hip Hop legends have started teasing a tour on their social media group account.

On Saturday (July 28), a video was posted to Wu-Tang’s Instagram account featuring live footage of each member — RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, U-God, Masta Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA and Cappadonna — rocking the stage.

Toward the end of the clip, it simply reads, “25th Anniversary Tour.”

While the details are scarce, the collective has already been doing shows in celebration of the album’s milestone.

On Friday (July 27), Wu-Tang performed material from the classic project at the Expo Hall in Los Angeles. The following day, they were in Canada as part of the Center of Gravity 2018 festival.

But that wasn’t all. Wu-Tang also shared another Instagram post announcing a deluxe edition of “Pearl Harbor” featuring the late Sean Price. The post, which shows off the cover art, promises a remix from DJ Mathematics and instrumental versions of the single.

“New LP for Pearl Harbor from Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues goes up on 36chambers.com for pre-sale next Wednesday,” the caption read. “Includes a brand new remix from @mathematicswu featuring Pharoahe Monch and Tek. #wutang.” 

Pre-orders begin on August 3.

[via HipHopDX]

GZA Compares Gun Violence In Hip Hop To Wildfire: "Put Them Out Or They Spread"

GZA: "hip-hop started (initially) to stop violence."

GZA understands the paradigm shift we are undergoing, and the weight it carries on our musical choices as artists. The founder member Wu-Tang sat down with the Miami New Times for an exclusive interview where the discussed the evolutionary path of hip hop. What differentiates GZA's account of current day, from say.. the words of Rakim or some other Generation Xer, is an understanding of material consequences.

When asked if he thought we were living through a golden age for rap, GZA laughed in the face of his correspondent, well not exactly, it was phone interview, and the person who asked was merely probing for a sensational response. Once GZA regained his composure he said, “Nowhere near, it’s not even the silver or the bronze age (right now)."

GZA has noticed an infinite regression in lyricism. He broke it down like this: "I’m not knocking producers or the artists nowadays. Some of the stuff sounds good and some doesn’t, but it’s just my opinion. But I think, lyrically, there’s been a regression."

The legendary chessboxer reserved his greatest concern for the violent state of alarm in the hip hop community. The interviewer cited the deaths of Jimmy Wopo and XXXTentacion as examples of this perceived state of unrest, to which GZA issued a warning in the form of an analogy."Hopefully, it’ll (violence) cease to exist at some point," GZA agreed. "Of course it has the potential to escalate, it’s a fire. And what happens with fires? Either you put them out or they spread."

[via HotNewHipHop]

GZA Plays A Game Of Chess While Rapping During Live Performance

Rappers have been known to do weird things at live shows sometimes. Typically it's along the lines of doing a massive stage dive off the top of the scaffolding or something, but GZA is much classier than that.

[READ MORE via HotNewHipHop]

DJ Muggs vs. GZA / The Genius ‎- General Principles

From the 2005 album: "Grandmasters" 

Grandmasters is a collaborative album by DJ Muggs and GZA. The album was released on October 25, 2005 on Angeles Records. The album is the first in the "DJ Muggs vs. " series, followed by his 2007 collaboration with Sick Jacken, Legend of the Mask and the Assassin, 2008s Pain Language with Planet Asia and 2010s Kill Devil Hills together with Ill Bill. Grandmasters serves as GZA's fifth studio album.

GZA & The Soul Rebels - Tiny Desk Performance

GZA's performance at the Tiny Desk was a rare appearance for the legendary Wu-Tang Clan emcee, in part because he's notoriously introverted, and because he brought along The Soul Rebels, an eight-piece New Orleans brass ensemble. Once they stepped behind the desk they got right down to business, opening with the sparkling "Living In The World Today," from GZA's 1995 solo album Liquid Swords. These 23-year old lyrics and metaphors felt timeless.

GZA continued his onslaught of poetic precision with another beauty from Liquid Swords, "Duel of the Iron Mic." "I ain't particular," he spat, starting to break into a sweat behind the desk. "I bang like vehicular/Homicides on July 4th in Bed-Stuy." At one point, GZA even channeled his cousin, the late great Ol' Dirty Bastard, who provided the hook on the original version of the track.

>> READ MORE via NPR <<

RZA Says GZA Was Deserving Of A Pulitzer For Writing On "Liquid Swords" & "Beneath The Surface"

Earlier this week, it was announced that Kendrick Lamar would become the first Hip Hop artist to receive a Pulitzer Prize for his much-heralded album DAMN. In a recent interview, founder of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan, RZA, shared his congratulations — and excitement that the culture was finally being recognized by such a high-minded institution.

“I’m glad that in today’s society Kendrick Lamar, who has got to be considered one of the best and most poignant lyricists out there, can win that prize,” RZA said in a conversation with TimeOut Miami. According to The Abbott, he’s always felt writing in itself was a large component, and that many classics in the pantheon of Hip Hop have been deserving of the same honor.

“When I go back and see some of the lyrics that GZA wrote on Liquid Swords, and Beneath the Surface, some of the writing he did was well-deserving,” he says. “Take a song like ‘Fame,’ where every verse and every line is somebody’s name. Everything he did to me was at a genius level of writing.”

>> READ MORE via HipHopDX <<

Why GZA Is One Of The Greatest Of All Time

A Case for GZA as One of Hip-Hop's GOATs

In this series, we'll be making the case for specific rappers to be included in "greatest of all-time" discussions. The more obvious choices (such as André 3000, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, 2Pac) will be ignored in favor of artists who tend to get overlooked these days, for one reason or another. Previously, our writers have made cases for Pusha T, Ice Cube, DJ Quik, Big Boi, DMX, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Lloyd Banks, and Three 6 Mafia. Today, we're going to bat for GZA.

>>READ MORE via HotNewHipHop<<

A Conversation with GZA

Xavier and Rohit sit down with GZA of the Wu-Tang Clan to talk about beef, B.o.B. and Betamax. 

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He was down with Wu-Tang before there was a Wu-Tang.

Mathematics, or Allah Mathematics, is a DJ and producer who has been part of the Wu-Tang Clan since before there was a Wu-Tang Clan. He DJ’d for GZA in the early 1990s, back when the rapper was known as “The Genius.” At the same time, Mathematics kept seeing a young rapper named Rakeem around town. That guy, Rakeem, would soon become the RZA, and would assemble an all-star team of MCs to form one of the most influential rap groups of all time.

Mathematics DJ’d for almost all of the Wu members at different points, as well as spinoff groups like Red and Meth. But starting in the mid-1990s, he really made his mark as a producer. Mathematics produced some of the best-loved songs from Wu-related projects, including “Mighty Healthy,” “Cobra Clutch,” “Wu Banga 101,” and more. He also designed the crew’s famous “W” logo.

Masta Killa on Joining Wu-Tang, "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" His 1st Rap Ever (Part 1)

Brooklyn MC, Masta Killa discusses meeting GZA back in the early 90s and how the friendship inspired him to become a rapper and eventually a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He says at first he was just fan of hip-hop and would hang around GZA as he pursued his music. 

That all changed the moment, he heard a rough version of "Protect Ya Neck" and was wowed by it even though it only had 4 of the members on it at that time. After that, he tried his hand at writing raps, and the first bars he ever wrote in his life became "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" on 36 Chambers. Listen to Masta Kills talk the early beginnings and how it was a financial struggle recording music at first.

The Oral History of GZA/GENIUS

GZA - "The Spark" [Official Audio]

PURCHASE / STREAM "THE SPARK": https://fanlink.to/gza-spark You are now listening to "The Spark" by GZA/Genius, available worldwide via Babygrande Records. For more info on GZA, please visit: https://twitter.com/therealgza https://www.facebook.com/theGZA https://www.youtube.com/user/RealGZAG...