A beginner's guide to the Wu-Tang Clan, one of hip hop's most unique, innovative, wildly creative and indomitable powerhouses.

There aren’t many collectives in hip hop history as iconic and infamous as Staten Island, New York’s Wu-Tang Clan. Since their inception in 1992, Wu-Tang’s history has been truly fascinating: one of the most instantly recognizable logos of all time, video games, clothing lines, prison, death and the creation of the most expensive album of all time (purchased by some sort of Bond cosplay villain… then confiscated by the US government) all fuel their myth. Take note to quiz fans: they are also the first hip hop artists to have their own residency in Vegas.

But more importantly, it was Wu-Tang who introduced us to some of the genre’s most famous and revered names. Inspired by classic soul, the dangerous underbelly of New York, and ’70s kung fu films, the group has created some of the most unique, idiosyncratic, and legendary works in rap history.

Here’s our guide to their best work. Apart from Once upon a time in Shaolin… because it’s not like any of us can buy the only copy that exists, right?

Enter Wu-Tang (36 Rooms) (1993)

One of the best debut albums ever made, a legitimate classic, the greatest release in hip hop history. These distinctions and many others have been awarded to Enter Wu-Tang…, and it is worthy of them all. In 1993, nothing like this had really happened, and no one compared to the Wu-Tang Clan.

Recorded on a low budget in the cramped confines of Firehouse studio in Brooklyn, it’s dark, angry, disorienting and full of violent imagery, with a variety of distinct, original vocals and a raw production style that influenced the sound direction rap. and usher in a new era in the process. And it still looks as exciting and terrifying as it did when it was released over 30 years ago.

Choosing highlights from such a perfect album seems futile, but The Wu-Tang Clan has nothing to do with it, CREAM And Protect your neck are among the most memorable songs in hip hop history. Essential listening.

Wu-Tang Clan – Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit (Official HD Video) – YouTube
Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit (Official HD Video) - YouTube

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Wu-Tang Forever (1997)

Wu-Tang forever

(Image credit: Fort / RCA)

Waiting four years before releasing the follow-up to one of the most important albums in the history of the genre meant that Wu-Tang forever was under serious pressure to succeed. In hindsight, perhaps making a patience-testing double album that would deliberately broaden and soften the harsh, minimalist sound of…(36 Rooms) wasn’t the smartest idea.

Wu-Tang forever certainly divided their audience, but decades later one has to admire RZA’s pioneering production techniques, and there are undoubtedly some gems here too. Inspectah Deck gets a lot of credit for its performance on Triumph, but it is undoubtedly even better The City, and people like For heaven’s sake And As high as Wu-Tang (featuring a typically unhinged performance from Ol’ Dirty Bastard) are all-time bangers.

That said, the criticisms that it is too clean and too long are completely fair.

Wu-Tang Clan – As High as Wu-Tang Get (Official Audio) – YouTube
Wu-Tang Clan - As High as Wu-Tang Get (Official Audio) - YouTube

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The W (2000)

The W

(Image credit: Loud / Columbia)

Three years later, following the release of several members’ critically acclaimed solo albums, The W This certainly felt more like what fans wanted and expected.

It does not completely remove the smoother edges introduced on Wu-Tang forever (Discover the splendor of dancehall and the Bond theme of A blood under W or a singing Isaac Hayes appearing on the soaring soul of I can’t fall asleep), but it certainly hits harder. The menacing and stalking rhythms of Attention (click click), the nervous beats of Redbull, ODB’s drawling, broken voice Conditioner, they all look like Wu-Tang at its best. It also features what is arguably their biggest crossover hit, the floor-filling sublime Gravel.

Wu-Tang Clan – Gravel Pit (Official HD Video) – YouTube
Wu-Tang Clan - Gravel Pit (Official HD Video) - YouTube

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Iron Flag (2001)

Iron Flag

(Image credit: Loud / Columbia)

Wu-Tang’s star was fading by the time their fourth album was released in 2001. Iron Flag lacking contributions from important members such as Ol’ Dirty Bastard and Cappadonna, it peaked at a disappointing 32 in the US Billboard 200 and Sony would disband the group’s label Loud Records a year after its release.

A difficult period therefore, but musically Iron Flag it’s not the disaster it might appear on paper. Building on classic funk and the more electronic elements that RZA had explored under his Bobby Digital pseudonym, tracks like the funky Chrome rims, classic blaxploitation Uzi (Pink Ring) and the Sly Stone-aping Power of the soul (with a manic guest spot from Flava Flav of Public Enemy) are all fantastic. Not everything works, but Iron Flag worth revisiting.

Power of the Soul (Black Jungle) – YouTube

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8 diagrams (2007)

8 diagrams

(Image credit: SRC / Universal Motown)

After ODB’s death in 2004 and the perceived failure of Iron flag, Wu-Tang was silent for a few years. When they returned with 8 diagrams, hip hop had changed significantly.

Clearly put off by the pop influence of the genre, Wu-Tang wanted to retreat from commercial rap, return to their roots and produce their darkest and most intense album since. …(36 Rooms).

Opener Campfire immediately lays out his intent with a dark, snarling piece of street-level brutality, followed by the sound of guitar. Take it back, featuring a timeless verse from Raekwon. It’s a thrilling start, and 8 diagrams never really comes down from there; George Clinton student Wolves with its dirty funk, Unpredictable is a glorious old-school homage to 80s rap and Rushed elephants it seems like everyone is piling into the vocal booth and fighting in the most exciting ways.

A superb mid-career renaissance, and a clear silver medal in their discography.

A Better Future (2014)

A better future

(Image credit: Warner Bros)

The creation of A better future was marred by a public argument over RZA and Raekwon’s direction of the album, but fans were also excited by the news that ODB’s unused verses would be included on the record.

Unfortunately, this all resulted in A better future being somewhat of a mixed bag. Opening track Rukus in B minor is a terrific way to start things off, sounding like an edgier, more mature version of classic Wu-Tang. Unfortunately, the desire for more contained, low-energy sound misses the mark due to the uninspired and tired sound. 40th Street Black/We Will Fight And Hold the healer. While nothing really feels embarrassing, the manic energy and danger that personified the Wu-Tang Clan in their early years is sorely lacking.

A year later, they would sell the only copy of the ABTs follow up, Once upon a time in Shaolin, to businessman/con artist Martin Shkreli for $2 million. So unless you’re a billionaire, this album is the last Wu-Tang music you’ll ever hear. Too bad, because that’s no way to go out.