Wu-Tang Clan Group History

About
Latest Posts

Colin is a content creator based out of New York City. Colin loves rap music because it brings together various things that he enjoys, like art, fashion, and film. He spends his time writing and producing music when he's not working. He's eager to share with you his first hand experiences in the industry.

Who Are the Wu-Tang Clan?

The Wu-Tang Clan is a nine-member hip hop collective that originated in Staten Island, New York, in the early ’90s. Led by rapper and producer the RZA, the Wu-Tang Clan were an undeniable force in East Coast hip hop, and their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is considered one of the best in the history of the genre.

They’ve released seven studio albums as a group, and there are dozens of solo and collaborative albums between the core members and various Wu-Tang affiliates. They are often regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time and have had a career that spans more than three decades.

Wu-Tang Clan Members

RZA

Wu Tang Clan Member RZA — Image from Fandom

Robert Diggs, aka RZA., is the group’s leader and primary producer. He was the creative genius behind the group, although they each brought something unique to the table. He is the cousin of other Wu-Tang members, GZA. and Ol Dirty Bastard, who were the group’s three original members.

Outside of the Wu-Tang, the RZA has also found success acting and scoring films, in addition to a solo career. The RZA was never my favorite rapper in the Wu-Tang, but I think he’s one of the greatest producers in the history of hip hop and was instrumental in the sound and aesthetic of the group.

GZA

Wu Tang Clan Member GZA — Image from Fandom

Gary Grice, aka GZA or the Genius, is the cousin of the RZA and one of the founding members of the Wu-Tang. GZA has a one-of-a-kind style that artfully blends science, mathematics, and philosophy. He raps in complex metaphors packed with deeper meaning and has a vivid way with words that makes him one of the most lyrical members of the group.

His album Liquid Swords is a hip-hop classic and my personal favorite of all the Wu-Tang albums. GZA is tied with Ghostface Killah as my favorite rapper in the group. While not as prolific as some of the other members, he’s one of the greatest lyricists in the genre’s history.

Ol Dirty Bastard

Russell Jones, aka Ol Dirty Bastard or ODB, was the cousin of the RZA and GZA and a founding member of the group. He is one of the most unique voices in the history of hip hop and added both character and comic relief to each Wu-Tang album. ODB had a wild, sing-rap style that was very stream of consciousness and absurd. According to the rapper, his name came from the fact that there “ain’t no father to [his] style.”

His solo record Return to the 36 Chambers is one of the most eclectic hip-hop albums of all time, and many consider it to be among the best in the genre. However, ODB struggled with bipolar disorder, which partially fueled his strange behavior.

He developed an addiction to crack cocaine and other drugs and passed away from an overdose in 2004. ODB was always my favorite character in the Wu-Tang, and he had a distinct style and voice that was unlike anything else in the history of rap.

Method Man

Clifford Smith, Jr., aka Method Man, was one of the core members of the Wu-Tang Clans and the group’s breakout star. He was one of their most visible members in their early days and even had his own solo song on the group’s debut album.

He was also the first rapper in the group to drop a solo project, Tical, which came out in 1994 to critical acclaim. Method Man is one of the most laidback members of the Wu-Tang and possibly the closest to a traditional East Coast rapper.

Outside of rap, he’s also had a successful career as an actor and appeared in films like 187, Belly, and of course, How High, a hip-hop classic he starred in alongside frequent collaborator Redman. I’ve always found Method Man to be the most accessible rapper in the group, and he’s contributed some of the best verses in Wu Tang’s history.

Raekwon

Corey Woods, aka Raekwon, is another one of the core members of the Wu-Tang Clan. His debut solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…was an instant classic upon its release and one of my favorite Wu-Tang albums of all time.

Raekwon’s style is more rooted in street rap and the criminal underworld than some other members, bringing a new dimension to the group’s sound. Raekwon has excellent chemistry with his childhood friend, Ghostface Killah, and the two frequently appear on each other’s projects. Raekwon is one of my top favorite lyricists in the group and can paint a picture in a way that few others can.

Ghost Face

Dennis Coles, aka Ghostface Killah, is one of the most prolific and creative rappers in the Wu-Tang Clan. Ghostface has a distinct style characterized by his stream-of-consciousness flow and colorful vocabulary. He’s a great storyteller who uses his own invented slang to paint a vivid picture of whatever he’s rapping about.

He’s had the longest run of successful solo projects of any Wu-Tang member and has released 13 studio albums in his career. Ghostface is tied with the GZA for my favorite rapper in the Wu-Tang because he has a witty and philosophical style and never drops a bad verse.

Inspectah Deck

Jason Hunter, aka Inspectah Deck, is one of the more low-key members of the Wu-Tang. He had some of the best verses on Wu-Tang’s debut album, including classics like CREAM and Protect Ya Neck. He went to school with Raekwon, Ghostface, and Method Man and was around from the very inception of the group.

He’s had a more modest solo career than many other members, but his debut Uncontrollable Substance is still a hip-hop classic. I always felt that Inspectah Deck was one of the most underrated rappers in the Wu-Tang Clan.

U-God

Lamont Hawkins, aka U-God, is a lesser-known member of the Wu-Tang Clan, famous for his deep yet melodic voice. Due to brief incarceration, U-God was mostly absent from the group’s debut album except on the bridge to Protect Ya Neck and the intro to Da Mystery of Chessboxin’. But he’s been around since the beginning and contributed consistently to the group’s later projects.

Masta Killa

Jamel Irief, aka Masta Killa, is another one of the lesser-known Wu-Tang members and the last original member to join the group. He was only featured on one song on the group’s debut, Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ but has appeared frequently on subsequent group projects and Wu-Tang solo albums.

Wu-Tang Professional History

Early Days

The RZA, GZA, and ODB had collaborated on music in groups since the ’80s. Both RZA and GZA had brief solo careers and were signed to labels before the Wu-Tang but didn’t see much success. Around that time, RZA was also collaborating with Ghostface, who grew up nearby on Staten Island.

They decided to form a group based on their shared interest in comic books, Kung Fu and crime films, eastern religion, and the teachings of the 5% Nation. RZA recruited his cousins GZA and ODB, and Ghost recruited his classmates Raekwon and Method Man.

Along the way, they recruited Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and various other affiliates. They named themselves the Wu-Tang Clan after the 1983 film Shaolin and Wu-Tang.

Enter the Wu-Tang

The Wu-Tang began working on their debut record in 1992 at Firehouse Studios in NYC. RZA arranged, mixed, and produced the entire album. Because they had a limited budget, they could only afford a small studio where they couldn’t all fit at once.

So, RZA used to make them battle each other to decide who would be allowed to record a verse on each song, which is how the record came together.

Wu Tang Clan Debut Album Enter The Wu Tang — Image from Fandom

The project debuted on November 9th, 1993, through Loud Recordings. It had a raw, unfiltered quality that instantly connected with an audience, and the sheer number of gifted rappers in the group shocked the world. The album was a critical success and did well commercially despite its grimy, underground sound.

It peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100, and many consider it a hip-hop classic. It’s my favorite Wu-Tang album because I think it’s their most raw and authentic, plus it has a timeless quality that still sounds fresh today after almost 30 years.

Solo Albums

After the success of Enter the Wu-Tang, the RZA started producing a solo album for each member. Part of what made the Wu-Tang so compelling is that they all had their own niche corner of the Wu-Tang universe that was distinct yet borrowed from the same stylistic elements.

The run of solo albums started with Tical in 1994, followed by Return to the 36 Chambers, Only Built 4 Cuban Links… Liquid Swords in 1995, and Ironman in 1996. Almost every first-generation Wu-Tang solo album was critically acclaimed, and many are hip-hop classics in their own right. My favorite Wu-Tang solo album is Liquid Swords, but it’s neck in neck.

Wu-Tang Forever

The Wu-Tang Clan would reunite again in 1997 for their second studio album, Wu-Tang Forever. The double album was released on June 3rd, 1997, and featured guest appearances from every core member and affiliates like Cappadonna, Streetlife, 4th Disciple, and True Master.

Wu-Tang Forever debuted at number one on Billboard and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album. They lost to Puff Daddy, leading Ol’ Dirty Bastard to famously storm the stage and inform the crowd that “Wu-Tang was for the children.” Wu-Tang Forever was a major critical success and featured classic Wu-Tang songs like Triumph, Reunited, and As High as Wu-Tang Get.

The Wu

The release of Wu-Tang Forever kicked off another round of solo projects, including sophomore projects from Method Man, G.Z.A., Raekwon, Ghostface, and ODB and debut albums from U-God and Inspectah Deck. Except for Ghostface’s Supreme Clientele (my favorite second-gen Wu-Tang album), this wave of records didn’t fare as well with critics as the first, which many contributed to an oversaturation of their sound.

They returned for their third album, the W, in November 2000, which featured guest appearances from the core Wu-Tang members and celebrity friends like Snoop Dogg, Nas, and Busta Rhymes. ODB was incarcerated at the time of the album’s recording but still managed to hop on the song Conditioner alongside Snoop Dogg.

The album debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually went double platinum. While the album was well-received commercially and has some classic Wu-Tang tracks like Gravel Pit and I Can’t Go to Sleep, it’s clear that the group’s chemistry wasn’t what it used to be.

While it’s still a decent album, it didn’t quite live up to the high expectations set by the two that came before it.

Iron Flag

They each began focusing more on their respective solo careers as time passed. They returned in 2001 with the project Iron Flag, released as their record label Loud Records was shutting down. The album did not feature appearances from Ol Dirty Bastard or Cappadonna and only debuted at 32 on Billboard.

The album was generally well-received by critics, but the group’s energy and enthusiasm were waning. Iron Flag is among the most forgettable Wu-Tang albums, in my opinion.

Later Albums

In the proceeding years, there were a series of disagreements and creative differences within the group that led to a hiatus from group projects. Cappadonna left the Wu-Tang in 2004, although he later returned. Then, in November 2004, Old Dirty Bastard collapsed while at RZA’s recording studio in New York.

He died of a heart attack brought on by a lethal mix of cocaine and tramadol. ODB’s death was a significant blow to the group, and they haven’t been quite the same since he passed away.

After a 6-year hiatus, they released another album called 8 Diagrams in 2007. This project had a more experimental and orchestral sound compared to the grimy street rap that made them famous. Ghostface and Raekwon both stated that they weren’t happy with the stylistic change and felt like it didn’t sound like a true Wu-Tang album.

I like that RZA decided to switch things up on this project and try a different sound, but it is one of their weakest projects because you can tell the creative chemistry is off.

From there, they would primarily focus on their solo careers. While they never officially broke up, there were rumors of problems behind the scenes and disagreements over the sonic direction of the group. They would not release another group album until 2014 with A Better Tomorrow.

That album debuted at number 29 on Billboard and featured the singles Keep Watch, Ron O’Neal, and Ruckus in B Minor. It received mixed reviews from critics, and while it’s certainly not on par with the group’s early work, it was nice to hear them reunite for one last project.

Once Upon a Time in Shaolin

In 2014, news broke that an RZA-affiliated producer named Cilvaringz was working on a Wu-Tang compilation album called Once Upon a Time in Shaolin. The album would feature 31 unreleased tracks and exist as just one copy, to be showcased at art galleries and festivals before being sold to the highest bidder.

The album was housed in a handcrafted silver and nickel box and auctioned off to former hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli for $ 2 million. Shkreli was a controversial name at the time after his company raised the prices of the drug Daraprim by over 5000%.

Shkreli played snippets of the album on platforms like Periscope and Hitbox.tv, but he was eventually arrested for securities fraud and was forced to hand the album over to the FBI. In July 2021, the US Government bought the album for an undisclosed amount.

Once Upon a Time in Shaolin remains controversial, and several Wu-Tang members, including Method Man and Ghostface, have spoken out against the album’s concept. But according to the Guinness Book of World Records, it remains the most valuable record in the world.

Wu-Tang Clan Group History: FAQs

Question: Are the Wu-Tang Clan Still Together?

Answer: Yes, the Wu-Tang Clan never officially broke up. So technically, they are still together. They have had their creative differences and don’t work as closely as they did at the height of their success. But they are all childhood friends and continue to perform together frequently. While it seems unlikely that fans will ever get another full-length group project, it’s not entirely out of the question.

Question: What Does Wu-Tang Mean?

Answer: The group took significant inspiration from Kung-Fu films, and their name is a reference to the 1983 films Shaolin and Wu-Tang. They have also claimed that its acronym stands for Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game.

Question: How Many Members of the Wu-Tang are There?

Answer: There are nine core members of the Wu-Tang and dozens of other affiliates and collaborators. The main members featured on their debut album are RZA, GZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Inspectah Deck, and Masta Killa. Cappadonna is also a close affiliate and is often cited as the tenth member of the Wu-Tang Clan.