RZA Breaks Down Coming Soundtrack

Late October to early November is gonna be church for Wu-Tang aficionando's across the world; the extremely anticipated directorial debut from Wu-Tang Abbot The RZA shows that he's reallty fully taken the step to Hollywood scene now, especially with the backing of producer Quentin Tarantino and co-writer Eli Roth (I really don't like the latter, but I doubt he'll screw this up), and will release debut feature film "The Man With The Iron Fists" which hits US theaters on November 2. RZA has composed a 30-segment original score the flick with a little help from arranger Howard Drossin; pretty similiar to RZA's work on "The Protector" score CD.

What reallty intrigues me and will make it to my collection however, is the Original Movie Soundtrack, featuring 16 songs prouced by the the likes of RZA, Frank Dukes, S1, Fizzy Womack, KanYe West, Bob Perry, and new music from Wu-Tang Clan, KanYe, RZA, Black Keys, Flatbush Zombies, Kool G Rap, Killa Sin, Talib Kweli, The Revelations, Tre Williams, RES, and more. I've heard half the soundtrack in perfect CDQ quality and trust me when I say it's a fucking BANGER on both the production and lyrical tip. Resurrecting the old soul label, Soul Temple, the O.S.T. hit stores on October 23 while the score, which will be available on both vinyl and CD drops the same day.

There's also a more expensive deluxe set available directly from Soul Temple's Bandcamp; a monster set, including all versions of the OST/score and then some., Instrumentals to the soundtrack, and a 2-CD set of soul classics that inspired The Wu, RZA and their music throughout the years, picked out by The Abbot himself. It's pricey, but it's an incredible set that will look great in your collection, and the 5-CD set also comes packed with the vinyl. The set is up for pre-orders now. If you've heard a few cuts you know the drill, this shit got some incredible production, great posse cuts with fierce lyrical assaults, and some new interpretations of some amazing soul classics, so this is really what a soundtrack should be. RZA took the time to break down each song track by track, where you can listen to the leaked songs in high quality, while you read The Abbot's take on each track. Very interesting read!! All hail to Complex Magazine and The RZArerucctor.

RZA ON "IRON FISTS" O.S.T. @ COMPLEX

More Large Pro memories @ Complex

As expected, William Paul Mitchell got a lot more stories to share for Complex during their Large Pro throwback interview. For this second edition, the Professor focuses on classic material he was involved in creating between 1996 and today. And while you're at it, grab yourself a copy of "Professor @ Large"!

LARGE PRO TELLS ALL PT. 2 @ COMPLEX

The Making of Nas' "It Was Written"

One of the best examples of an album that has been reevaluated over time, Nas' sophomore LP "It Was Written" saw the Queensbridge emcee reach for the charts while maintaining integrity. Lyrically, it's as strong as "Illmatic" although the topics were much different and The Trackmasters, Havoc, L.E.S., Dr. Dre and DJ Premier constructed a rather dark, and often moody, soundbed for Escobar's words to flourish on. Because of its tangible differences from his much praised debut, the '96 follow-up led to the first accusations of Nas' as a sell-out. Today, "It Was Written" is more often considered a true hip-hop classic, and a good representation of the time and place hip-hop was at during the time the LP was conceived. Something I personally agree with.

Complex Magazine follows their recent Nas interview/article with a trip down memory lane, with Nas, Trackmasters, DJ Premier, Prodigy and Steve Stoute discussing the making of "It Was Written". A very interesting read, no doubt; much props to Complex for their incredible in-depth articles!

"The Making of 'It Was Written'" @ Complex

Large Pro on his Classics

Just as I hit play on Akinyele & Extra-P's 1993 masterpiece, "Vagina Dinner", I discovered that the producer is the latest to be featured in Complex's always brilliant "...Tells All: The Stories Behind the Classics" article series. There's few pieces in The Professor's catalouge that's not right down amazing, so you can bet this is an interesting read while we're waiting for the next LP. Especially cool to read the words on his early, largely uncredited work, on Eric B. & Rakim's and Kool G Rap / Polo's early '90s albums.

LARGE PRO TELLS ALL @ COMPLEX

DJ Clark Kent tells all @ Complex

Following Complex Magazine's superior series where some of the finest producers and artists of the '90s (and in many cases those who's still superior). This time has come to DJ Clark Kent, a true DJ pioneer that's been responsible for countless classics for legendary artists like Audio Two, Capone-N-Noreaga, Nas, Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, Original Flavor, A.D.O.R., Rakim, Notorious B.I.G, Das EFX, Mad Skillz and many, many more. Complex + hip-hop artists interviews = The G.O.AT. interviews at the moment for sure.

DJ CLARK KENT ARTICLE @ COMPLEX.COM