Wu-Tang theme, dividing the album into Shaolin and Wu-Tang sections. Though there was some difficulty in finding a record label that would sign Wu-Tang Clan while still allowing each member to record solo albums with other labels, Loud/ RCA finally agreed, releasing their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), in November 1993. Wu-Tang Clan became known in 1993 following the release of the independent single " Protect Ya Neck", which helped gain the group a sizable underground following. Problems playing this file? See media help. It samples the Charmels' 1967 song "As Long As I've Got You". "C.R.E.A.M." features two verses from Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, who discuss their upbringings while living in New York City. 1992–96: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and solo albums The group developed backronyms for the name (as hip hop pioneers such as KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane did with their names), including "We Usually Take All Niggas' Garments", "Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game", and "Wisdom of the Universe, and the Truth of Allah for the Nation of the Gods". RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard adopted the name for the group after the film Shaolin and Wu Tang. Wu-Tang Clan assembled in late 1992, with RZA as the de facto leader and the group's producer. The duo decided to create a hip hop group whose ethos would be a blend of " Eastern philosophy picked up from kung fu movies, Five-Percent Nation teachings picked up on the New York streets, and comic books". RZA began collaborating with Dennis Coles, later known as Ghostface Killah, another rapper from the Stapleton Houses in Staten Island. The Specialist also took on a new name and became known as Ol' Dirty Bastard. They then adopted new monikers The Genius became GZA (pronounced "jizza"), and Prince Rakeem became RZA (pronounced "rizza"). The Genius released Words from the Genius (1991) on Cold Chillin' Records and Prince Rakeem released Ooh I Love You Rakeem (1991) on Tommy Boy Records. By 1991, The Genius and Prince Rakeem were signed to separate record labels. The group never signed to a major label, but caught the attention of the New York City rap scene and was recognized by rapper Biz Markie. Each member recorded under an alias: Grice as The Genius, Diggs as Prince Rakeem or The Scientist, and Jones as The Specialist. In the late 1980s, cousins Robert Diggs, Gary Grice, and Russell Jones formed a group named Force of the Imperial Master, also known as the All in Together Now Crew.
Wu-Tang Clan are regarded as a highly influential group in hip hop, helping to popularize and develop the East Coast hip hop and hardcore hip hop styles.Īfter signing to Steve Rifkind's label Loud Records in 1992, Wu-Tang Clan released their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in 1993 it received widespread critical acclaim and has since been consistently rated as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992.