Wu-Wednesday: Reverend William Burks - Fight

wise men come in peace yet prepare for War.
Still sometimes you gotta fight your way.
Here's another demo from Rev. William Burks
- the RZA

Portugal. The Man's "All Your Light" Remixed By RZA

All Your Light (Times Like These)," first a single off Portland-based Portugal. The Man's sixth album, In the Mountain in the Cloud, is now a remix specimen for none other than Wu-Tang Clan's RZA. The track's newfound crunchy percussion provides a truly fresh contrast to John Gourley's singing, and only strengthens the song's already march-like appeal.

But how did this remix even come about, you ask? Well, according to the Fader, the guys in PTM asked RZA if he'd do it, and the Wu producer answered in the affirmative. Simple enough. You can listen and download below

Wu-Tang Clan - Paid Dues 2012

Wu-Tang! Wu-Tang! The best that ever did it!

Even without all the members present, the Wu sure knows how to put on a good show. And last weekend, the Clan brought the ruckus at Paid Dues. Watch ya step kid.

Latest Cappadonna Interview For Rapreviews.com

Uncle Ray's Weekly Wuspiration #10: Problems

Never tell your problems to anyone...20% don't care and the other 80% are glad you have them.

- Ray Acosta (President/GM @ Wu Music Group)

The RZA To Be Thanked For Jack White Solo Album

Many Jack White fans have been waiting for a solo album from their hero for years, and they'll finally get their wish later this month when he releases Blunderbuss. Well, here's something you might not have known about the forthcoming album: it's only thanks to Wu-Tang Clan's RZA that Jack even made it at all.

In the New York Times' recent interview with the former White Stripes leader, it's revealed that Jack had booked a recording session with RZA, presumably for one of White's many collaborative seven-inches. The session was due to take place at Jack's home studio in Nashville, TN, but the rapper was a no-show.

While waiting on RZA with nothing else to do, White apparently decided to work on his own songs. Before long, this writing blossomed into Blunderbuss.

White had previously mentioned that the album began when an artist didn't turn up for recording, but he referred to the other party only as "someone," and didn't reveal that it was RZA.

White also gave the New York Times the scoop on his separate male and female live bands. When he takes both on tour, only one will perform each night and no one -- not even the players themselves -- will know who until the morning of. What's more, the two bands aren't allowed to listen to each other, because the leader wants them to remain musically distinct.

Wu-Wednesday : Reverend William Burks - Thank God

'Now its April, a very religious month for most of us so lets take it back to Chuuuch with the Rev. William Burks, here is the demo versiou of a song called 'Thank God'.... Hit him up @revwillyburks

#WUWEDNESDAY

- The RZA

Do You Want To Feature On GZA/Genius's Next Album?

In conjunction with the launch of his new website, hip-hop ninja GZA is inviting fans to “put their MC skills to the test” in a contest called “Duel of the Iron Mic”, named after his track of the same name. The contest winner, which is also judged by GZA, will appear on a future GZA album.

To enter the contest, entrants must rap the first verse of the track “Liquid Swords”, record it on video, upload it to Vimeo, and posting it on GZA’s website. More info about the contest will be announced when the website launches next week.

About the contest, GZA said, “This contest was inspired by my countless tours all over the world where I would see my fans, many of them non-English speakers, reciting every lyric of the song back to me. It’s become clear to me that my music is appealing to a whole new generation: I’ve had a bunch of people tell me that they first heard my album because their parents listened to it. That might make some artists feel old but I’m happy that my music is still relevant today. I am honored that Liquid Swords the song and album have been so widely embraced for so long. This contest is one way of giving back to my fans, of letting them share their take on the record.”

Source

GZA Talks Wu-Tang, Lectures, Science and 'Dark Matter'

Wu-Tang Clan rapper GZA has been known as the Genius since the early days of his career – but in recent months, the name has been particularly apt, as he has spent much of his free time chatting with scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and giving lectures at Harvard and New York University. The emcee also recently completed work on Dark Matter, a new album inspired in part by his interest in quantum physics, which will hit stores later this year.

Rolling Stone caught up with the rapper to discuss the new record, his university visits, his interest in writing for television and the low chances of hearing a new Wu-Tang Clan album any time in the foreseeable future.

You've been pretty busy on the lecture circuit recently. What have you been talking about?

It's just about music, Wu-Tang, whatever they ask. Lately, they had a little outline about what they wanted to hear me speak about: the globalization of hip-hop, lyrics, Wu-Tang's early years, my affiliation with Wu. Everything is hip-hop, it's all about hip-hop, but there are some specific things they wanted me to touch on.

So how did you start doing these?

It all started with Harvard several months ago. I don't know exactly how it unfolded. Y'know, the schools have been calling, and I have been going.

So when you say "the globalization of hip-hop," what do you mean by that?

Y'know, how hip-hop has gone mainstream all over the world. The globalization. Japan, Europe, Africa. It started here in New York, but it's all over the place right now.

You have a new album, Dark Matter, that is coming out. I understand that you put another record on hold to start on this. What made this record more urgent?

I didn't make it urgent. I just pick and choose. I mean, it would probably be urgent in the sense that I decided to do this before. Plus, the other needed more of a setup and different type of approach. I mean I had several different ideas and concepts in my head. It's just a journey of the universe. Dark matter, dark energy.

So this is about astronomy and physics?

Yes. And not necessarily so in that sense. It's just a beautiful story – planets, black holes, comets.

How did you get interested in this subject?

I've been interested in it for years. I mean, if you think about it, if you go back to Legend of the Liquid Sword – I put that out in 2002. I had a song on there, a verse where I say:

Why U-N-I-verse run like clock works forever?

Words pulled together, sudden change in the weather

The nature and the scale of events don't make sense

A story with no warnin' you're drawn in, environments

Gravity that's gone mad, clouds of dust and debris

Moving at colossal speeds, they crush an emcee

Since this rap region is heavily packed with stars

Internal mirror in the telescope, noticed the Czar

From far away, they blink as the lightnin' strolled

Great distance of space between precise globes

So I've been rhyming about this stuff – it's not anything new to me.

Did your visit to MIT have much impact on your writing for this record?

The thing at MIT didn't really have anything to do with it. This was just something that added to it. I mean, I never went to a university and linked up with, you know, quantum and astrophysicists and things of that nature. But it's not like this is what sparked the idea for me to want to do this album.

It was an interesting experience. I went to MIT and met with Penny Chisholm, a marine biologist. She was looking at viruses, bacteria, all kind of stuff. It was actually new for me to be up in there. It was a great experience. I went over to Harvard and spoke to David Kaiser, who is a quantum physicist. I met with him today and a few other quantum physicists. We sat down, we had lunch. I just had a chance to meet several professors, students. You know, scientists.

What else do you have coming up on the horizon, aside from Dark Matter?

I'm just working. I'm constantly writing. I'm always out. I have been running several months now. I've been on the road. I was just in Europe for a month. I did 31 shows in 29 days in 14 countries. I spent New Year's in Australia. I toured out there for about two weeks alone. Then I came back and linked back up with Wu-Tang. I was on the road with them for a month or so. I'm writing, doing pilots. Working on a script or two, and some ideas.

What was the pilot thing?

It was an idea by an actor/writer/friend that I know from L.A.. He had this idea going on he wanted to do this pilot for, this television series. But that fell through and they wanted to attach me to it and be a part of that. But I've been working on stuff aside from that.

What kind of stuff do you want to do for TV?

I'll do anything. Just like I can write anything lyrically. I don't really want to throw ideas out, because once stuff is in the air, people subconsciously take your idea and run with it.

You said you were touring with the Wu-Tang Clan, is there anything coming up with them, as far as another Wu-Tang record?

I have no idea. There's been talk. But I don't know what going on, you know? I can't say.

Is it too hard to get you all on the same page?

I mean, we haven't been on the same page in years.

Do you feel bad about that?

Nah. It is what it is. Sometimes that match burns out. So, no, I don't feel bad about it. It's good. I'm grateful for everything we have done throughout our careers and if there's nothing else to put out, then there's nothing to put out. I'm constantly writing and working. It doesn't stop there.

Source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/gza-talks-lectures-science-and-dark-matter-20120403

Colin Munroe Hits The Studio With RZA To Record "Invincible"

Colin Munroe records with RZA for his upcoming project "#Unsung Hero."

After a hiatus from the spotlight, Colin Munroe has released footage of him in the studio with RZA recording the song “Invincible.”

The darkly shaded song features rolling drums and snaking synthesizers. In the clip from the session, Munroe and the Wu-Tang Clan member discuss placements of instruments on the track, which plays in the background.

Munroe is currently gearing up to release his new mixtape #UnsungHero. He most recently dropped his new single “The Fight of My Life” featuring Pusha T. It is unclear if the cut will appear on the project.

Watch the video below, courtesy of Karmaloop.

Method Man European Tour 2012

20/04/12 Zenith Arena Lille, France

21/04/12 Ancienne Belgique Brussels, Belgium

23/04/12 Zenith Paris - La Villette Paris, France

24/04/12 Melkweg The Max Amsterdam, Netherlands

26/04/12 Le Cargo Caen, France

27/04/12 La Sirene La Rochelle, France

28/04/12 Parc des Expositions, Lann-Sévelin Lanester, France

29/04/12 Le Transbordeur Villeurbanne, France

30/04/12 Le Phare Tournefeuille, France

04/05/12 Backstage Werk Munich, Germany

05/05/12 Alte Stadthalle Bingen Bingen, Germany

Source: http://wu-international.com/Tours.htm

Uncle Ray's Weekly Wuspiration #9: Troubles

'Troubles are like washing machines, they twist, turn & knock us around, but in the end we come out brighter than before.'

- Ray Acosta (President/GM @ Wu Music Group)