BWW Series - Hip Hop Through History: Part V - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Today, BWW continues its new series, 'Hip-Hop Through History - Part V. In the last installment, I discussed The Chronic of Dr. Dre. Today, we focus on Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

Cousins Robert Diggs (The RZA), Gary Grice (The GZA), and Russell Jones (Ol Dirty Bastard) formed the Wu-Tang Clan in the late 1980s, and brought in members during the early 90s. These members included Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, and others. The Wu-Tang Clan began to make a name for itself with the release of their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

The Wu-Tang Clan was formed in Staten Island, New York, although there are also members from Brooklyn. Their place of origin is clear from the language present on the album, as they frequently speak in slang that they associate with Staten Island, or as they call it, the Shaolin. Another thing that makes their music very unique is the obsession with using quotations from Kung-Fu films, and the lyrics themselves feature many Kung-Fu references.

But their legacy is important because the album was monumental in the rise of Hardcore Hip-Hop. The RZA's beats were gritty, minimal and very much morphed to fit the rappers that were present on each track. RZA also brought something new to rap with his production style. Whereas many rap producers simply rapped over other songs, RZA used samples much more sparingly. In terms of the variety of rappers, they each have their own unique and exaggerated personalities, but there is one member, now deceased, who must be commended.

The Ol Dirty Bastard, who was dubbed by many as rap's "Clown Prince of Psychosis" was a fascinating rapper who is known widely because of his entirely nonsensical lyrics, and off pitch, drugged out crooning. The best example of his charm is in his entrance on "7th Chamber," when he raps "Are you, uh, ah, uh/Are you a warrior? Killer? Slicin s**t like a samurai/The Ol Dirty Bastard wunderbar/Ol Dirty clan of terrorists/Comin at your a** like a sorceress." This off the wall, nonsensical, not even rhyming word structure is indicative of what made people love Ol Dirty.

At Wu-Tang's best on this album, they all mirrored the crazed energy of Ol Dirty Bastard without being crazed themselves. This energy is a prime example of Wu-Tang's strength, and it, as well as strong, unique production, is why they are so influential.