U-God's memoir "RAW" is filled wiith intriguing moments of anecdotes both for those who's a hardcore Wu-Tang fan and for sociologists want to know more about wht it was like growing up in the drug infested buildings of New York for a young black man with not much going for him. "RAW" has plenty of both and as it's the first true biogrphy of a Wu-Tang Clan founer it holds a littl exttra weight; I guess you could call RZA's "Tao Of Wu" at least in part an autobiography but it's so much more (and of coure also comes highly recommended).
One of the illest annecdotes of the book is the real semi-professional recording of the first Wreck/D.M.D. Posse cut (Method Man, U-God, Inspectah Deck and Prince Rakeem on the production tip). Luckily for us tracks like this, "16th Chamber" and "Cuttin' Headz" managed to survive at a relative pristine quality "RZA's home studio was our first studio, and that four-track was our first equipment ... With RZA's four track - we keep making bangers [and at the end of the night] we leave his place with a tape of what we done", U-God remembers. "One night while working on our first Wreck posse cut, "I Get Down For My Crown", - Meth wrote a verse which a portion from would later be used for one of Ghost's biggest hits "CherChez La Ghost"".
Once Meth laid down his verse, I went into my rhyme book and pur down my verse, and then Deck came behind us and laid the last verse. RZA evem sampled the flushing toilet and sound effects to the joint as well. Back then we would dub them off for the other brothers in the hood" ... next thing we know everyvody in the 'jects had "I Get Diwn For My Crown"," He's keep talking about a few other songs he dd, jut him, Meth and Deck with RZA on tthe boards. specifically mentioning "Let Me Put My To´Two Cemts" that seems to have been dubbed on cassette for a lot of people as well so hopefully we will get a leak of that one day.
The month of Match 2017 is U-God month, one of the dopest voices in Hip Hop and one of the realest emcees to touch a microphone on really succesful level is HUNGRY as hell. If you haven't read his book "RAW" (Faber and Faber) yet be sure to do that ASAP before you get the "Venom" album which drops on March 30 because you will understand why he's so hungry to make this a coherrent album. And while "Golden Arms Redemption", ""Dopium" and "Keynote Speaker" all had their moments they sure as hell wasn't coherrent albums that you could bump front-to-back. Check out the snaky RZA diss around the 1 minute mark.
"DOPIUM" looks a lot more promising since the majority of the album, more than half is produced by DJ Homocide and Jose Reynoso, who fans know better as Choco and has been around the Wu-Tang Clan since 1993 although he originally come from a House movement, In fact it was he who helped RZA find all those dusty drum samples for the early Wu-Tang albums through the drum samples LP:s he put out together with Carlos Bess. As a hip-hop producer he produced "Bob N' I" for RZA, "Digital Warfare" for RZA, GZA's "0% Finance". Not any of my favorites from those repsective albums to say the least, but U-God has put him together with his longtime producer DJ Homocide who has produced a lot of bangers on the low all hw way back to U-God's first solo outing. I mean "Mr. Xcitement" was shit but who can deny that THAT song was anything but a monster? Oh and the two have produce before as a unit on his last album - on these two joints ("Skyscaper") and ("Stars"). I fuck with that.
This is getting long winded what I'm trying to say that the production which has been Uey's achilles heel seems to be in find hands. Not only are Choco and DJ Homocide co-producing 7 of the records, but we get one joint each for Lord Finesse and one from Large Professor. DJ Green Lantern is lacing two jonts, including the immaculte single "Epicenter" so no need to worry there. So that leaves two joints, one by Powers Pleasant of Pro Era fame who has worked with Joey Bada$$ and Capiral Steez, and Ill Tall who sets off the entire album, and everyone knows that you don't set off your album with one of the weaker tracks of the album. This is reassuring and with the singles Babygrande and Uey has given us I have a feeling this will be U-God's best album yet. The album that "Dopium" was supposed to be if it hadn't been watered dwn with weak ass tracks like "Hips", that tea joint, the painful Dubstep remix, the Jim Jones track, you get it. Not to mention that Scotty Wotty The Jackpot, real Wu heads not, get two fetures - one which might actually be a solo joint! Tracklist: 1. “Exordium” (Produced by ILL TAL) 2. “Unstoppable” (Produced by Powers Pleasant) 3. “Epicenter” featuring Raekwon, Inspectah Deck and Scotty Wotty (Produced by Green Lantern) 4. “Bit Da Dust” (Produced by DJ Homicide and Jose Reynoso) 5. “Elegance” f/ Nomdiq (Produced by Green Lantern) 6. “Climate” (Produced by Jose Reynoso) 7. “Venom” (Produced by DJ Homicide and Jose Reynoso) 8. “Felon” (Produced by Large Professor) 9. “Legacy” (Produced by DJ Homicide and Jose Reynoso) 10. “Whole World Watchin’” (Produced by Lord Finess & he Bossmen) 11. “XXX” featuring Method Man (Produced by DJ Homicide) 12. “Jackpot” featuring Scotty Wotty (Produced by DJ Homicide and Jose Reynoso) 13. “Wisdom” (Produced by Jose Reynoso)
As most of you probably know U-God of Wu-Tang Clan has just released his memoir, entitled "RAW" on Picador USA (Faber & Faber for the UK/Europe market) and as this is the first true biography of one of the original members of Wu-Tang Clan people should flock to the stores or online places to pick this up. I received the hardcopy US version in the mail today and it looks very professional and from what I heard it's an exceptional book so I really think you should "Hurry up and buy". Filled with anecdotes, the story behind the workings of the Clan and an autobiography of Lamont Hawkinx from when he was young to today. This is a must have for any Wu fan and there's even an audiobook read by Uey himself on there. Here's an audio exceprt to have your mouth watering: Check the snippet below and order the book from your usual bookstore: You can book from Amazon amogst other retailers.
Real Wu-Tang heads know that Scotty Wotty is a beast on the mic who at one point in time was supposed to hold down a part in the legendary Clan before drugs and life happened. Scotty and GZA even was the Staten Island rhyme teacher on the street corners so for U-God to not forget where he is coming from speaks volumes. "Epicenter" is like the fourth cameo from the older God and it's a monster record from March 30th BabyGrande release "Venom" so be sure to check that one out. And if you're like me having trouble waiting DJ Green Lantern, DJ Homocide and Baby U has released the second installment in the "Bring Bad God" mixtape series while we wait for the official album. March will also see the release of the official first autobiography of one of the nine generals, so be sure to support and pick up "RAW: My Journey into The Wu-Tang" as soon as that drop.
Any Wu-Tang related sites since the beginnings have had a FAQ about what that music that was played in the interlude to Spot Rusherz. Any even pretending Wu fanatic know by now that dope beat and rhymes was a RZA-produced Clan commercial commisionned in the first half of the '90s. Like the snakes these corporate business is, St. Ide's was at the time aiming for a big splash in the black and minirorities community. Think of it, what other product in 1992/1994 was marketed to blacks. Sure there were the Sprites and Mountain Dew commercials as we willll, but that was still a couple years down the road.
But back to the topic - although only one minute in length (barely), it's ovvious the grop didn't just see this as an easy paycheck but rather made sure they had some real hot, well thought out shit. RZA's production evokes outdoor neighborhood barbeques on a hot summer day. And there's no question that Meth Ghostace, Raekwon, U-God and RZA were taking their time to write their short verses to make sure this came out the right way. Just check this immaculate Ghost verse, delivered with his nasal power bars style of the '90s. "Call me the Wallabee Champ, stretched out, could never be Son/ Ricochet daily hit the deli for a cold one/ Naturally blessed, yes, my rap is like a laser beam/ That blows in the bushes, St. Ide's fill the canteen". A 30 second edit was aired on MTV, while the full 60 seconds joint appeared from time to time on radio. Thanks to the homie Cilvaringz for the first time we have "St. Ide's Commercial" not only in full, but for the first time in as good a quality as possible. This was given to him by RZA and taken straight from the ADAT so the quality is really superior to anything you heard before though it's not really mixed. Oh by the way, track is produced by The RZA with co-production by Method Man according to 'Ringz.
The St. Ide's commercial is relatively known after all, it had its TV spot and been all over the net. However only the real Wu heads know that RZA and the Clan was commisioned to do a Mountain Dew commercial somewhere between '96-'98 and a 30 second snippet used to to be available online around 2002, but I haven't seen it for YEARS (the actual collaboration was aborted I believe). Now, once again thanks to Cilvaringz, he has uploaded the full one minute song - which plays more like an interlude than a commercial. Produced by The RZA, it deifinitely got that "Wu-Tang Forever" sound and the five legendary emcees all sound like they did on that album (where they do me was at their absolute peak). Again, Ghostface steal the show for me, caught in between his stream-of-consciousness style and his more rugged street persona, while Deck is always Deck, Masta Killa does what he always does, etc. A must hear! And a big thank you goes out to Cilvaringz and the peeps at Wu-Corp. for these gems - but more people deserve to hear them imo!
01. Wu-Tang Clan - "St. Ide's Commercial" [1994] [prod. by RZA & Method Man]
02. Wu-Tang Clan - "Mountain Dew" [1997] [prod. by RZA
Lurking the Wu-Tang Corp. forums (whcih is close to dead right now but there's still somee good heads representing) member Soob found and posted an absolutely excellent radio interview predating the release of "36 Chambers". Recorded and sent out through the airwaves on March 1, 1993 this is an absolute must hear for any hardcore Wu fans (and you know I'm one of them, as I know many of my readers are). Of course the real props for this shining gem goes to YouTube's Wu-Tang Messiah number #1, Mister Hezakayah who has uploaded the full 25 minutes segment on to the Tube for free streaming and enjoynment for heads all over the world. Hosted by legendary DJ's and hosts DJ Ritz and Steve Wildman this is like an extended skit from the "Enter The Wu-Tang" LP, with Ghostface, Raekwon, Method Man and U-God holding it down together with Ce Style and Kamal Bee of Total Pack. This been up for a few months but I and many with me has been sleeping so in the words of Sunz Of Man and Killarmy - Wake The Fuck Up!! As some interesting bonus footage check out this very rare clip from Prnce Rakeem doing a short freestyle for Music Video Box in 1990, now that's a Lost Tape. Again tahnks to Hezakaya, you're definitely the man!
Yes this has been out for a whole week now but I'm not gonna be the guy that didn't post the follow-up album to one of my all time favorites. 2001:s "The Cold Vein" still stands as one of the bigget and most mindblowing projects ever crated in hip-hop, on level with albums like Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew", Sly & The Family Stone "There's A Riot Goin' On", Velvet Underground & Nico's self-titled debut, The Beatles' "Revolver", you get the drill. To me it's by far El-P's best work ever and I doubt he will ever be able to top it, and Vordul and Vast was such a fresh duo that fed so well off each other's energy. While they have ocassionally made guest apperances on each respective solo albums (if you haven't checked out Vordul's solo catalouge, your doing yourself a huge disfavor) until in 2011 they finally released the first new release under the Cannibal Ox name. A three track EP entirely produced by BILL COSMIQ, who delivered a melodic yet thumping sound that was a new sound for the OX, yet also a right sound.
Two of the songs from the "Gotham" EP also appears on "Blade Of The Ronin", and the majority of the album is prodicued by BILL COSMIQ, which I like since I'm a fan of albums where the producer and artists works extremely closely and evolve the sounds and vibes of the records together. The only song not made in this fashion is the extraordinary single and posse cut with U-GOD and The Artifacts, "Blade: The Art Of Ox", which is produced by the always interesting Black Milk. So here we are, 14 years after I and many of us fell deeply in love with "The Cold Vein" about to press play on their first official sophomore, no bootlegs, no bullshit, no solos with features, 100% pure OX - today was a good day! Visit CannibalOx.com, head over to iTunes and purchaseor get your CD from UGHH (haven't heard anything about a vinyl release yet unfortunately).
Cannibal Ox dropped one of the best albums this side of 2000 some 15 years ago; an album that still holds up to this day as one of my all time favorites. While Vast Aire and especially Vordul Mega (especially the latter) has dropped some really hot solo projects, fans has been eagerly awaiting that sophomore, long awaited LP that finally lands in stores on March 3 (pre-order @ iTunes). So far all the singles have sounded incredible, with Bill Cosmiq stepping in to fill El-P's big shoes from the classic debut, but for the new posse cut "Blade: The Art Of Ox" the duo grabs the always impeccable Black Milk to provide a soulful backdrop that lets Vordul Mega, Vast Aire, U-GOD and The Artifacts loose to create a real headnodder. Can't wait for this album, for real!
After the failed adventure that was Soul Temple Records (RZA and Bob Power's label which signed and released dope artists and albums, but failed to ship them out for months) U-God is signing back to BabyGrande Records where he released his pretty damn sick "Dopium" LP. While currently working on his as of yet untitled fifth solo album, Babygrande is set to give his "Keynote Speaker" a more proper release. With that Uey and the label just dropped the official video for one of the LPs strongest cuts, "Heads Up" featuring GZA/Genius and Scotty Wotty. If you know you're Wu history it's a real special thing to hear the two latter on the same song. You can cop a digital copy from iTunes where you can also see the updated Babygrande cover art. Physical copies drop February 17.
A lot of Wu stuff today, and I really can't complain since the release of the criminally underrated "A Better Tomorrow" I've been real heavy on my Wu shit. I don't know too much about LD and Ariano, but I believe that LD is the DJ/producer of the duo and I'm definitely feeling his jazzy heavy hitting beat for "Gotta Get Mine". U-God really came through on "A.B.T." and here's another solid verse that sounds great over this beat, while LMNO, the Kev Brown/Evidence affiliate does a good job as well. This track was originally released in 2008 but I believe it hasn't been made available on a full-length album until last years "The Singles"which you can check out via Spotify below.
The 8th member of Wu-Tang Clan, U-GOD dropped his fourth solo album ´"The Keynote Speaker" yesterday. After a slew of hot singles, grabbing The RZA to executive produce the project, I was definitely hyped to see what Uey would cook up this time, as I always felt he had a lot more potential than his previous solo albums have let on. "The Keynote Speaker" is not a masterpiece, but it's actually a pretty damn good album that should please Wu heads everywhere. With 19 tracks there's a few weaker songs and some corny hooks but there's more than enough of hot bangers to make up for that. Just take the new DJ Homocide produced single/video "Skyscraper" for a good example of what the project has to offer..
Released on Soul Temple Records, it seems a lot of people have had problems getting their shipments (it should be noted that I personally received my order of the Ghost / Adrian LP however) so you might want to order your copy from Fat Beats or UGHH.The CD is out now (and also features a bonus seven tracks Soul Temple sampler disc), while the 2xLP hits retail outlets on July 30.
There's a lot of hot shit stirring up the hip-hop game right now, just take this new leak from U-God's upcoming "Keynote Speaker" LP. "Mount Everest" follows the formula of the previous two singles by pairing Golden Arms with two stunning emcees; in this case Inspectah Deck and eLzhi, an interesting collaboration indeed. As I mentioned in a previous post on the album, I so hope that Uey will get it right this time and deliver that absolutely superb Wu-Tang album that a little more than half of "Dopium" represented. "Keynote Speaker" is being released by Soul Temple Music on July 23; pre-order here (but beware as several buyers have reported problems when purchasing directly from the label's site). Thanks to FeLo for the wupload and supplying the tracklist below!
Following "Heads Up", Uey the God once again grabs the unfairly unknown, but very talented, '80s Shaolin legend Scotty Wotty The Jackpot who along with Method Man creates another powerful single to get our mouth watering for "The Keynote Speaker". The singles, and in fact the majority of 'songs on U's last LP "Dopium", was A-grade stuff so if Uey manages to stay cleer of the pointless filler this could and should be the will be LP that finally solidifie Golden Arms as a real dope solo artist to count on!
U-God brings a semi-sequel to 2009:s "Train Trussle" with GZA and Scotty Wotty The Jackpot for the lead single from his upcoming fourth LP, "Keynote Speaker". Like its predecessor, it's a pretty rugged, ruthlessly forward moving track with standout verses from all three spitters. Of especial interest to me is the apperance of Scotty Wotty, a name that probably doesn't mean much outside of extreme Wu-Tang fanatics like myself. I first heard about him in an extensive interview with RZA published in Hip Hop Connection back in 2006... Apparantly, Scotty Wotty and GZA was the number one street rhymers that pretty much everybody in Shaolin's hip-hop circles worshipped and learned how to rhyme from. Unfortunately, Scotty was caught up in a lot of negativity in the which prevented his guaranteed spot in The Wu-Tang Clan. So it's great to hear that he's back on his feet and ready to get his rhyme on again, so mad props to U-God for bringing him back again and again.
And now on to some more depressing news; I have been informed that RZA and Bob Perry's Soul Temple Records, the newly started label behind most of the great Wu releases of the past two years, seem to be less than trustworthy in their dealings. In fact so much that a Facebook group, BoycottSoulTempleMusic, has been started and is quickly gaining members who are complaining about lack of receivements of orders. In fact, I myself ordered both LP sets of Ghost's "Twelve Reasons..." over a month ago, and have got a conformied PayPayl payment to Bob Perry's account but have yet to receiver neither. Until this matter is resolved I suggest you purchase these great releases from other retailers such as UGHH, or Fat Beats.
It seems that RZA and Divine's recently started Soul Temple Records is the new Razor Sharp/Wu-Tang Records. In a relatively short time span, we got the soundtrack and score to RZA's "Man With the Iron Fist", both versions of Ghost's "Twelve Reasons...", the RZA Presents "Shaolin Style" compilation, and plenty of really tight singles. The next entry in the label's catalouge is the fourth official full-length album from Wu General U-God, a.k.a. Golden Arms, which has been given the title "Keynote Speaker". I always felt that Uey has an absolutely terrific voice, and when he's really on his A-game he can spit out pretty mindblowing verses ("Black Jesus", "Dat's Gangsta", "Impossible", "Triumph", "Take It Back", etc.). Yet, he hasn't yet managed to really deliver that A+ album we know that he's capable of. Both '99:s "Golden Arms Redemption" and 2009:s "Dopium" had loads of fantastic material but unfortunately had their share of filler and wackness that ultimately dragged down the overall impact.
"The Keynote Speaker" might be the U-God masterpiece we know he's capable of, the six minute album sampler feature nothing but gully beats and rhymes. Executive producer of the project is The RZA himself and guest spots are held down by the likes of eLzhi, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Styles P, and Kool Keith. Combine that with the fact that Golden Arms recent verses on "8 Diagrams", and albums by Ghostface, Bobbby Digital, Method Man and Masta Killa, has been some of the most energized of his career and the recipe definitely seems to be in place. Check out the album sampler below, and pre-order the album on either CD, 2xLP, or a T-shirt @ Soul Temple Music which drops on July 23.
The fourth single from the super anticipated Ghostface (emcee)/Adrian Younge (producer)/RZA (exec.) is here as the album is soon out (April 16 for those with short memories). "Murder Spree" is by far the grittiest of the singles leaked yet, with Ghostface hooking up with half the Wu-Tang Clan (Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and U-God) and a rare and very welcome apperance from Killa Sin. As I'm really anticipating this like crazy, this will definitely be the last song I'll listen to before I get the chance to hear the complete album as 1/3 of it has already been given away as singles.
About an hour ago, I posted the first video from above mentioned soundtrack, Meth's, Gibb's and Street's "Built For This". Turns out, I got something a whole lot better for y'all today, something that I'm definitely gonna give a real through spin later tonight. I'm talking about a stream of the complete "Man With The Iron Fists" original soundtrack, not the score that is, but the 17-tracks exclusive joints version that drops on October 23. As I said before, the half I do have heard is nothing short of exceptional, so it will be real fascinating to see if the remaiing tracks lives up to the same standard; in that case, this is another absolutely amazing soundtrack directed by The RZA (see the trailer below). A lot of Frank Dukes production, a lot of live instrumentation by The Revelations, a RZA/Kanye production collaboration (that has wack lyrics but an exceptionally well produced backdrop), two new Wu-Tang Clan joints; one of them featuring Kool G Rap, a couple of RZA collaborations, the beautiful cover of "I Forgot to be Your Lover" by Tre Williams and The Revelations, a smooth but excellent Talib Kweli & RES collaboration, the final version of "Tick, Tock" with Danny Brown added, etc. For some reason the last song, Wu-Tang Clan's "Six Drections of Boxing" is not included in this set. Neither is the Wu-Block type of bonus joint which is good since that means there's still a suprise in store for us left once the album drops. If you're still not convinced by everything written abovfe, then this is clearly not for you. For us others, put on your favorite pair of headphones, click play below and let the 15 tracks play in full from front-to-back...And enjoy!
