Wu-Art Thursday #274

Masta Killa X Inspectah Deck “WU & THE 1LLY” Feat Dok2, The Quiett & Keem Hyoeun

Masta Killa and Inspectah Deck of Wu-Tang Clan team up with Dok2, The Quiett, and Keem Hyoeun of Illionaire Records from South Korea over a beat by Kato.

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.

RZA Expresses Regrets About Ol Dirty Bastard's Death

Much respect to acclaimed journalist, Toure. He launched a new podcast this month called the Toure Show through Cadence 13. On the show, Toure talk to successful to see what jewels are dropped for us to snag along our own journey to the next checkpoint. Wu-Tang’s RZA was the guest this week. 

The wide ranging discussion tackles how he became the leader of the Clan, his relationship with Quentin Tarantino, chessmaster Bobby Fischer, the time he went on trial for attempted murder charges. It gets deep. In one of the episode’s most visceral moments RZA reflects on the passing of Ol Dirty Bastard and explains why he believes he could’ve done more to prevent his untimely death.

[via Ambrosia For Heads]

In this exclusive sit-down with TheSource.com at the Wu Tang Inspired Beer Dinner at the Han Dynasty Restaurant in downtown Brooklyn, the WTC storyteller chops it up about the inception of his “Pretty Toney” sneakers by Asics. He also talks about his involvement with the Versus Hip Hop talent show on the WAV Network and the current state of Hip Hop. “If we really would’ve came out with C.R.E.A.M. right now, we would have never got played.”

He continued to discuss the importance of his new cryotocurrency, which Starks has dubbed “Cream Capitol”. Check out the full interview above.

[via The Source]

The Dan Le Batard Show - Hour 3: Method Man: 11/22/17

Happy Thanksgiving from the WU

Wu-Art Thursday #273

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.

Killah Priest Attacks ’70s Breakbeats On A Mixtape Featuring Ghostface & Raekwon (Audio)

New project from Killah Priest & 4th Disciple "Don't Sit On The Speakers Vol. 1" features include Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Wu-Tang, Moon Crickets and Cappadonna.

THE BEST 36 OL’ DIRTY BASTARD SOLO CUTS, RANKED.

The greatness of Ol’ Dirty Bastard is tough to measure within the traditional “Who’s the best MC?” rap debate parameters. The lane he carved out defies description, which is another way of saying that “there is no father to his style.” Purists who wrote him off as a court jester, or rock critics who saw him as some kind of hip hop GG Allin, severely undervalued his talent.

There’s a reason Dirty was a focal point, onstage and on record, of the greatest rap collective in history. His fellow Wu members all vouch for his singular creative genius. It’s also not a coincidence that the group never truly recovered from ODB’s descent into addiction, imprisonment and, eventually, death.

What Dirty brought to the Wu was essential. There was no father to his style, and there will be no son. Now, 13 years after passing, Ol’ Dirty Bastard still shines.

As part of MASS APPEAL’s Wu-Tangsgiving Celebration, below are ODB’s 36 best solo cuts, meaning cuts from his solo albums, which may or not include other rappers, as well as solo cuts from soundtrack albums—but which will not include such memorable features as “Fantasy.” This list, and MASS APPEAL’s other Wu-related lists that follow, were assembled with curatorial guidance by hip hop consigliere and esteemed Wu-Tang scholar, Bönz Malone.

>> READ THE LIST HERE <<

[via MassAppeal.com]

RZA Takes "Woof-Tung Clan" Dog Walking Company To Court

Wu-Tang Clan frontman RZA is making a move to protect their valuable trademarks.

RZA is taking a Brooklyn dog company to court over the name of their company.

The rapper/producer files a lawsuit against Woof-Tang Clan, which is a dog-walking service.

The owner of the company is also selling merchandise which also co-ops the group's logos in what the owner said was an attempt to pay homage to the Clan.

“I am a fan,” owner Marty Cuatchon told the New York Daily News. “We walk dogs. I thought it was a good idea."

According to Marty Cuatchon, he is currently seeking legal advice to figure out how to deal with the RZA's lawsuit.

[via AllHipHop.com]

"Warning Shots" by Hue Hef and Young Dirty Bastard

New track from Hue Hef and Young Dirty Bastard. Released November 15, 2017 in honor of ODB's birthday.

Wu-Art Thursday #272

Tajiri talks about Wu-Tang Clan Member Shyheim

Shyheim - Tajiri Talks About Wu Tang Clan Member Shyheim (The Bottom Of NYC 3) Full Mixtape / Album / Playlist Here : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...

Ghostface Killah set to Perform at Wu-Tang Inspired Dinner in Brooklyn

Wu Tang fans will soon get the opportunity to be serenaded by Ghostface Killah while enjoying a full course meal that consists of 36 flavors.

Han Dynasty is partnering with Dogfish Head Brewery and Founders Brewing Company to host a Wu Tang-inspired dinner complete with 20 dishes. The event began at Han Dynasty’s original Philadelphia location, and when the word got out that a Hip Hop inspired dinner was happening an unidentified Clan member reached out to the owner Han Chiang and said, “Hey, how are you going to do a Wu-Tang dinner without us?” Then the rest was history.

“So they came in, Han met them and they collaborated [on] the dinner,” Liang said. “Han’s always been a big fan of Wu-Tang.” The 36-flavored smorgasbord is a salutation to the group’s debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

The event is taking place at Han Dynasty’s Brooklyn location on November 20th. Stay tuned for exclusive coverage from The Source. Tickets for the event are $185, and must be purchased in advance. To reserve your seat inquire at handynastybrooklyn@gmail.com

[via The Source]

L.A.D aka LA THE DARKMAN

NEW L.A.D aka LA THE DARKMAN "The Strong/Darkman Mask" Video off "PAID IN FULL 2" mixtape album hosted by DJ CAESAR OUT NOW! EMBASSY ENT APHILLIATES MUSIC GROUP AMG WUTANG

EVERY WU-TANG CLAN SONG, RANKED

Twenty-four years ago yesterday, the Wu-Tang Clan brought the muthafuckin’ ruckus and taught us all about Shaolin shadow boxing and their own special sword style. The release of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) transformed the rap landscape, as kung fu flick samples, dirty basement beats and raw free associative rhyme patterns set the stage for an East Coast renaissance one year after The Chronic.

After that it didn’t matter how many times RZA told us the Clan was nuthing ta fuk with, everybody was fukkin’ with them heavy. And subsequent generations have continued to do so over the course of six official group albums (not counting that one-of-one joint that nobody’s ever heard).

The Wu-Tang brand may be the most powerful in hip hop history, but even the most ardent Wu head will admit that the Clan has had its ups and downs over the years. (And speaking of Wu heads, have you tested your Wu IQ?)

Between Enter the Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang Forever, The W, Iron Flag, 8 Diagrams, and A Better Tomorrow, there is a LOT of music out there and it’s time someone took the trouble to evaluate it all carefully as a public service to hip hop and to the Clan. MASS APPEAL is that someone and today is that day. We’ve subjected all the cuts from their official albums to the sharpest scrutiny. (That means no soundtrack or compilation joints, and the solo albums are a whole different chamber, which we’ll be dealing with one day… soon). So without further ado, let’s step inside the room and prepare for the boom.

>> READ MORE via MassAppeal <<

Wu-Art Thursday #271