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]

Wu-Tang Forever turns 20 - June 3, 1997

Wu-Tang Forever is the second studio album of American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released June 3, 1997, on Loud/RCA Records in the United States. Pressed as a double album, it was released after a long run of successful solo projects from various members of the group, and serves as the follow-up to their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Forever features several guest appearances from Wu-Tang affiliates Cappadonna, Streetlife, 4th Disciple, True Master, and Tekitha. The original run of compact discs featured an "Enhanced CD" which allowed users to walk around the "Wu Mansion" and access additional content.

Despite limited radio/TV airplay, and a lead single that famously clocked at nearly six minutes with no chorus, Wu-Tang Forever debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 612,000 copies sold in its first week.The album was certified 4× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 15, 1997 (each disc in the double album counted as separate unit for certification purpose),and has sold over 2 million copies in the United States. It is the group's highest selling album to date. Upon its release, Wu-Tang Forever received favorable reviews from most music critics, while it also earned the group a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album at the 40th Grammy Awards in 1998.

U-God Releases Fiery New Track 'Venom,' Announces New Album: Exclusive

U-God has a lot to get off his chest. After reportedly suing his rap crew Wu-Tang Clan in a $2.5 million lawsuit for unpaid royalties in November, the MC decided to use the booth as his refuge and release his new record, "Venom."

Here, he puts on a lyrical showcase and lets his bars do the talking. "We goin' through hell, we tryna get it right," he says about his "brothers" at the the top of the track before spitting, "Bust through by any means/Squeeze on my enemies/Then escape to the Phillippines/Watch out for this guillotine."

According to a TMZ report, U-God claimed in the lawsuit that he had not received royalty payments for at least six years, including money owed from Wu-Tang merchandising and the release of their secret double album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (Controversial pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli purchased the LP for $2 million).

"Venom" also serves as the title track off his fifth studio album set to drop next year. You can listen to the track below and purchase it on iTunes here.

[via Billboard.com]

The Wu-Tang Clan Sign To Warner Bros

The Wu Tang Clan have announced that they’ve signed a deal with Warner Bros to release their new album, A Better Tomorrow. Revolt reports that the hip-hop group revealed the information earlier today in a press conference at the Warner Bros headquarters in Los Angeles. Earlier this week, RZA told Billboard that a limited edition version of the new album will be packaged with a Bluetooth speaker with the Wu-Tang logo on it. A Better Tomorrow will be released on 12/2, though the Bluetooth speaker version will be out on Black Friday. 

(L-R, standing) Rappers Ghostface Killah, Method Man, GZA, RZA, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Raekwon, (L-R, seated), Masta Killa and U-God of the Wu-Tang Clan pose at a press conference to announce they have signed with Warner Bros. Records at Warner Bros. Records on October 2, 2014 in Burbank, California.

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[photos via ZIMBIO]