Reviews (page 3 of 14)
Essential listening, need to score this one on vinyl.
While maybe not my personal favorite rap album, it is hard to deny the totemic influence this has on music, and yeah, it genuinely rocks. Just a fun album with hit after hit after hit and amazing lyricism. One of the best!
I might burst into flames if I didn’t give this a 5 star rating.
The flow is the type of hip hop I like. And I didn’t have any problems with any songs. This is the ideal rap album i would listen to. Reminds me of mf doom and joey badass type of rapping.
Never been my favourite, but also one of those groups that if you're in this kind of mood then there's nothing better. The album is technically flawless and has a vibe that just can't be replicated.
Obv
Listened to this for the first time back in college, and the quality has held up after all these years. Protect Ya Neck and C.R.E.A.M. are still my favorites in this album.
There are moments where the skits on this threaten to derail an otherwise amazing album, but I'm inclined to look the other way because -as they say themselves- Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin' ta Fuck Wit.
It's 1993. The biggest hip hop hits are Rump Shaker, Whoomp There It Is, and Nuthin' But a G Thang. This album takes such an utter swerve from where mainstream hip hop was at, and it's SO good - which I have a new appreciation for, seeing how often trail blazers are either esoteric or so raw as to be inaccessible. This happens to be raw and stripped down AND catchy; so many listen-able hits: CREAM, Shame on a N!gga, Method Man, Bring Da Ruckus, Wu Tang Clas Ain't Nothin' to Fuck With. I mean, no wonder 7th graders even now are either wearing Nirvana tees or Wu Tang tees. Classic front to back - even if it was groundbreaking at the time.
yeah this was amazing, this is an essential rap album, this is what rap should be like, they don’t make it like this now
A hip-hop classic that helped shape my youth and respect for the genre. I love this album and practically everything that came from it, including all the solo albums. Such a unique, grimy sound for the time.
Due to my waning interest in rap and living in Germany, I completely missed the boat on the Wu-Tang Clan until Forever. Which is a double bummer as my family hails from Staten Island and is still around there and the outer boroughs. So it took me a while to get around to the 36 Chambers and while I appreciate it, it’ll always be something I tried catching up on after I was best suited to enjoy it. For this project, what struck me is how economical it is, even when some of the songs are unwieldy. There’s just not a lot of fat! Some of the personae aren’t as solidly defined as they later would be on the solo albums, so there’s a sameness in tone (past ODB, RZA, and Method, who were all distinctive) that is inchoate, but in a charming way - much more of an anonymous posse vibe than “we form like Voltron,” which was only a year away at most. Anyhow, total classic, even if it almost completely missed me.
Amazing 90s era hip-hop, with stellar performances by Ol Dirty Bastard and Method across the album.
Instant classic. Fave track: C.R.E.A.M
This is one of my top 10 favorite hip-hop albums of all time and one of my top 20 favorite albums ever. I’ve listened to it for 30 years and it never gets old. Five stars all the way.
What an album. Loved it
I’ll never forget when I was 5 and heard this album for the first time.
So fucking good. Thought people were over rating it but nah it’s amazing. Top 5 album of the 90s
Goddamn, there's so much that can be said about this album musically, culturally, historically.
Listened hundreds of times, still classic
What I would give to be alive in New York in the early 90s. Hip-Hop was well on its way to global domination, and every borough cultivated their own perspective and approach to the native artform. But jesus, no one did it like Wu-Tang. RZA’s production still sounds as fresh and gritty as ever over three decades later, and every member of the young clan has bars for days, full of bravado and on-the-street reporting filtered through their disillusioned perspective — a year before Giuliani became mayor and exacerbated the historically contentious relationship with residents and police in NYC, especially in impoverished boroughs like Staten Island where the clan hails from. Skits and kung-fu flick samples abound, giving the record a raw documentary-like presence, completing the sonic hellscape they collectively painted in vivid detail. Technically speaking, RZA was notorious for being one of the first to use the ASR-10 sampling keyboard in his production; DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill fame was RZA’s west coast counterpart, using it to craft their eponymous debut record that was released the same year as 36 Chambers. This specific piece of equipment (not unlike the Emu's SP-1200 and Akai's MPC line of samplers) would go on to reshape Hip-Hop and popular music in the late 90s and early aughts: it was used by the likes of powerhouse-producers of that era, including Timbaland, Kanye, Pharrell and Chad Hugo (The Neptunes), and The Alchemist during the heights of their careers.
One of, if not the best hip-hop albums of all time. 5 stars. No question.
Fav tracks: clan in da front, wu-tang: 7th chamber, C.R.E.A.M., method man, protect ya neck Ahead of its time. The blueprint for rap and hip hop as we understand it today. The production samples are legendary, the lyricism is provoking (aka it gets the job done), and each artist has his own personality that he brings to each track. Soooo fucking cool
It’s pretty incredible how hard this still hits over 30 years later. It does a lot well where other hip hop albums fall down. It’s not too long, it’s not overloaded with skits (tho there are a few) and it’s solid front to back. If I could give it 4.5 I would (if only to still have somewhere to go to rate …National of Millions… higher) Though there are other solo Wu albums I have clung to possibly even more than this, 36 Chambers remains the one that never lets you down. So I couldn’t possibly round down rather than round up.
One of the all time greats and one of my favourite albums. Nothing like it before
who doesnt love wu tang
One of the greatest albums of the 20th century.
A hard 5
Incredible beats with incredible rhymes. Absolute classic.
Absolute classic
This is the first album I've listened to where I had added a song previously (from Squadify). As a whole, this album smacks. You can really hear how this album influenced all future hip-hop artists. It feels like several members got a chance to showcase their talents and lyricism, and it gave the record so much personality. Wu-Tang is for the kids!
Obviously, an absolute cornerstone of rap history. I feel like the sketches weren't that great, but it added to the atmosphere for sure, and it's made me reassess the similar sections in GOOD kid. 4.5* that has to be ranked up
i am giving out 5s like candy but also like. cmon.
WU TANG CLAN AINT NOTHING TO FUCK WIT!
Awesome!! One of my favorites!
Classic and a trendsetter.
Klassikkoja melkein kaikki biisit. Biitit on legendaarisia ja menee aggressiivisesta letkeenpään. Parhaat: Shame On A Nigga, Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' wit, C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me), Method Man
You know what I want to hear right? I wanna hear that Wu-Tang joint Bring Da Ruckus comes strong, I blow spots like Waco Texas. I roll with ghetto bastards with biscuits. We on the swarm I don't eat Skip, Jiff or Peter Pan...Peanut butta like my idol Method Man. I smoke on the mic like smokin' Joe Frazier, the hell raiser, raisin hall with the flavor There are so many incredible lines in every single song. Those are some of my favorites that I say regularly. Except the Method Man one is obviously not a quote from the album but from my real life
Oh yeah baby 5/5 rating before re listen
All time classic. Rap masterpiece
Oh yeah oh yeah.
This was my first time listening to Wu-Tang Clan, and I'm annoyed that I hadn't discovered them sooner. This was absolutely amazing, another fantastic example of East Coast Rap.
You can not defeat the wu-tang style
Very excited about this one, given the huge reputation of Wu-Tang Clan across the 90's hip hop scene and housing one of all-time favourite tracks, "C.R.E.A.M". Leading with "Shame on a N*" demonstrates the attitude (and slight playfulness) on this group, with the signature bassline and record scratching supporting the vocals. I notice that the jarring pianos backing vocals from the various members is a staple of the group. At first, I didn't appreciate this vocals leading like an instrument with "Clan in da front", but by the time "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" came around I began to understand. The various members also have really distinct voices, making the necessity to have anything more than the piano and the bassline defunct. Should have known this sooner, considering that's all "C.R.E.A.M" is. Something I have come to appreciate rather than dismiss in a lot of hip hop music (especially from black artists) is their sample use of historic songs from black artists, like when Ice Cube used the Isley Brothers' Footsteps in the Dark. It's more of a paying respect and a homage to those previous artists paving the way for music from black artists of the modern era. So similarly, the sample in "Tearz" of Wendy Rene's "After Laughter" was great to hear, and they really made it work. Overall, this album really grew on me after a couple of listens, as I came to appreciate the lyrical artistry of Rap and Hip Hop. Hoping to hear a lot more from this genre, and especially this decade too.
En "gamechanger" av et album! Et av verdens beste debut-album.
Classic
This may be the best hip-hop album, and one of the best debut albums of all time. I’ve listened to this album so much in my life and it never gets old.
36 Chambers has a raw, grimy, and gregarious sound that hits me right in the dopamine receptors. It's not deep or a massive leap ahead in the genre, but it is endlessly fun, hugely influential, and one of the albums (of any genre) that I return to the most.
Ugh. This album is perfect. No notes.
Easiest five (5) star so far
Classic
I dunno about 36 chambers but I've banged 36 chicks to this cracker of an album Bang on
Coming out the gate swinging and forming "like Voltron", they "bring da motherfuckin' Ruckus!"
Already listened. 47/47
I love this. Genuinely so groovy it’s unreal. Straight bars. I don’t enjoy the song with the vocal sample though. Fav song is ‘Method Man’.
An absolute classic.
What is there to say? Absolutely timeless
banger
Hard as fuck. Makes you feel invincible.
can't believe that i haven't listened to this already. absolutely excellent, so important, you can tell how influential this went on to be. as somehow who not too crazy about pre-90s rap, i have to thank wu-tang for evolving the genre i love so dearly.
Excellent album, really good vibe
one of my fav album ever. classic.
Wu-Tang clan ain’t Nuthing ta F’ With
Enjoyed each song and interlude, really loved quite a few songs. These were track 3, 8, 9, 10, and 11.
Classic 10/10
Amazing
Great tone great vibes. The use of the tinny samples and mid evil piano chords really work
East coast rap at its finest. 4.5 bumped up to 5.
I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump up to a 5. Just a total flow state for a lot of that. We managed to get every single solo Wu-Tang album here before getting this one, so while it’s a little weird coming at this from a backwards perspective, I honestly think hearing all of their individual styles fleshed out more on their own projects helped this album come across even better, in an Avengers-y sort of way. Since a lot of the references on their solo albums all eventually come back to tracks here, I feel like a lot of this album’s charisma was already prevalent in my brain, but that didn’t stop this from being a super enjoyable experience. It’s hard to really dig into individual tracks for me here (save for “C.R.E.A.M.”, which is just as good as I’ve always hoped it would be), but they were fucking flowing across the board here. I don’t think there’s a single wasted line on this album, and certainly not a wasted verse. So, why a 4.5 then? A lot of little things; no explicit flaws, just some quirks that build up in a way that just pulls the album down a little. I think the mixing of the album is just a little bit awkward; the instrumentals themselves are great & the movie samples feel classic, but I think the actual members of the Wu-Tang Clan are mixed a little lower here, leading to a quieter, muffled effect. It helps on a few tracks in a way that maintains a sort of vibe, but there are a few tracks where it just sticks out, especially on some of the softer & more simple beats. It’s not bad at all, but it feels less polished. Maybe a remaster would help, I dunno. There’s a few moments where instrumentals and outros go a little long, but those are pretty rare. I think having two solo tracks here is a little strange, but Method Man’s fucking ruled & “Clan in da Front” has some nice energy to it. I think my biggest thing is that the album ends on a remix of “Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber” that does nothing other than change the beat. I knocked Limp Bizkit for it, I knocked George Harrison for it, I knocked Marvin Gaye for it, & damn it, I’ll knock the Wu-Tang Clan for it. Sorry. Still though, none of those issues pile up in a way that would ever make me consider a 4, and as a whole, it’s a very free-flowing 58 minutes that just kills it across the board. Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing to fuck with indeed, & this is as stylish of a debut as there’s ever been in hip-hop. I do think that in terms of the East Coast sound, “Illmatic” might still be the gold standard for production of the era, but this is certainly up there, at least for some of the novelty & tricks RZA pulled here. Every member shines well, and it’s easy to see how they all managed to get solo albums out of this one. If this is the last time we’re getting the Wu-Tang Clan at all, it’s a hell of a way to finish them out. It’s a very easy bump up to a 5.
Timeless classic. One of my favorite hip hop albums ever, and probably the one I've relistened to the most. It's imperfect and raw, but it's funny and over the top explicit and violent in a way that they never take themselves too seriously. The production is dark and minimal, and the kung fu motif that runs throughout complements any heavy themes of poverty or gang violence, etc. I love that all the voices are distinct and iconic, and you can point out your favorite Raekwon or Ghostface or ODB lines, like when you listen to the Beatles and talk about whether it's a John or Paul song.
Tis is a test for the moment
I love hip-hop
One of the most important albums of the 90’s.
Loved it.
Top 5 HipHop Album
Great album and truly one that changed the direction of rap. Although I do not know if any groups were as big and wide ranging as them it seems to mark a change towards collaboration. As well as mix between the harder edge of gangster and the clever lyrics.
Can I get a Wu Tang?
Wu-Tang are the for the children, man.
This is one of my exceptions in all of my rating. There are a handful of hip hop albums that I'd put over this personally (I really enjoyed 3 Feet High and Rising and I already loved Low End Theory), I also own this vinyl, but after digging in and admitting I liked those other albums more, I still have to admit that this is objectively a 5/5 album. Groundbreaking, inventive, and as ODB would say, RAAAWWWW. Love it and love the kung fu motif too
A classic Hip-Hop album. I first got this back in 1993 while I was part of the BMG music club. I got this and a Conway Twitty album, picked completely random. Never got into the Twitty album but this one changed my view of Hip-Hop. So good.
I mean it’s fantastic. not sure what else to say - the foundation of so much modern day music. I also understand so many more funk hunter samples now lol
Arguably the greatest hip hop record of all time? Best debut album of all time? Hit like a ton of bricks at the time and still gives me goosebumps when I play it today! This album and the first run of solo albums is unfuckwithable!
Classic, just peak 90's rap, great flows, hard hitting vocal punches, laid back beats and excelent samples. What can you say - fucking badass music making whole generations jump up and down
Really neat. Funny commentary. Glad for the different genre
im sad that i didnt know about this masterpiece earlier
Classic
Some of the best lyricism I've ever heard on most of the songs on this album.
So epic
“I’m better than my competa / You mean competitor / Whatever” It’s brash, it’s offensive, it’s sophomoric. It’s also a distinct and powerfully simple sound torched with energy and stitched together in an ambitious statement. With rapid-fire mic passes and sword-slashing interstitials, this album starts strong and stop to catch your breath until it’s over.
In terms of early 90s hip-hop, this is the cream of the crop. Gritty and silly rhymes rapped behind a paper-mache of samples. The listener is left with timeless, quotable tracks that leave us all bobbing our heads and really feeling what RZA was attempting to create which, this listener believes, to be an atmosphere of close friends getting by through doing what they love.
One of the best rap albums ever created. We pulled out the vinyl for a listening party just for the occasion. 5/5
Album type shit
Dope. One of my faves of all time
Wu-Tang Y'all.
Wu-Tang Clan is indeed, nothing to fuck with
Just an hour long ass kicking where they literally tell you ways they'll torture your ass, rugged and raw is the name of the day and each member gets their chance to shine. Hard to pinpoint individual songs when the whole album is a continuous flow, but big shoutouts to "Bring Da Rukus", "Shame On A Nuh" (censored title) and "Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'" as well as the usual "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck". I do prefer the more rocking version of "Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta Fuck Wit" featuring Tom Morello of RATM and Chad Smith of RHCP thats on Loud Rocks
One of my favorites
One of my most listened to albums of all time. A staple that I discovered in my pre-teen years. One of my best memories from my teens was listening to this while drinking and smoking with some buddies on the 20th year anniversary of its release.
I fucking love this again, it never gets old. I could listen again and again and again
All time classic
WUTANG CLAN AINT NOTHIN TO FUCK WITH
Obviously
Perfect. No notes.
Classic! Favorite track: protect ya neck other picks: CREAM, can it be all so simple, wu-tang clan ain't nuthin
Never gets old. It feels like you’re there with them in a dingy man cave. Legendary.
One of my favorite albums. RZA is the king of minimalist production. The energy on this album is probably unmatched in any genre. Every MC on every verse is great. Top notch wordplay throughout. I've always gotten a kick out of five percenter rap anyway, but they are in your face about it in a good way. I've always thought the original Wu Tang wave was the pinnacle of rap.
Raw as hell. The best boy bad, showing us how it can be done in the 90s. Not timeless, but stands proud.
One of the illest ever.
Wu-Tang is for the children and it is also a group that no one should fuck with. Based on this, I am awarding them 5 bags of popcorn.
One of the best hip hop albums of all time
Rap classic
Classic
WU TANG
Better than Coldplay
An unarguable classic.
A personal favourite. Not a big fan of the interspersed skits, but they do help paint a picture to how conditions were for them. Love the grittiness throughout.
One of the greatest albums of all time. It's aged well, it was well produced, and it's culturally relevant. It demonstrates exactly what make WTC so special. Their collaboration makes them a super group.
Good but I don't like violent lyrics
This is one of my favourite albums of all time.
so good, laid the groundwork for so many great albums. you can mark a pre-wu-tang hip hop and post-wu-tang hip hop with this release. its worth noting that midnight marauders by a tribe called quest released the exact same day as this one
So F*&$ing good! Apart from all the skits, but that was every hip hop album in the 90's
Always gonna be a 5 star review!
5/5
Absolute classic, and laid the blueprint for underground hip hop. Top Tracks - Bring Da Ruckus, Protect Ya Neck, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber
Wow. Okay this is just great. Every track, every voice, every beat...definitely goes to 11.
Aw yeah, again & again
My favorite so far and honestly a group I have not checked out enough. Ive heard about this for years here and there and Im glad this was what finally got me to check them out.
Astounding. Showstopping. In my humble opinion, one of the most essential ingredients to hip hop is the theatrical aspect. I love how dirty the sound feels, like it was produced with drums in a garage in the Bronx. I love the comic book references, the Black experience, the samples. This is definitely an iconic album that launched hip hop into the stratosphere…wish it stayed at this peak.
One of the best around, if not THE best, no notes, could listen to this on repeat all day and I just might. 10.0/5.0 Best Song: C.R.E.A.M
If not the best hip hop album ever, it is definitely the most interesting, it so so weird and scary and dark, it doesn't sound like anything else. Its such an instant classic, ODB is one of the greatest of all time. Da Mystery of Chessboxin will always be my personal fav, but i think CREAM is one of the best songs ever.
Listens: Many (~17 times since 2016, according to Last.fm) Standout Tracks: C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, Protect Ya Neck This album, along with The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready To Die and Nas's Illmatic, are, in my opinion, the pinnacle of early 90s east coast gangsta rap and hip-hop. The whole album is so raw. The beats are stripped to the bone and the lyrics are so cutting, and even today still largely relevant. The skits still make me smile every time I hear them: The kung fu/samurai movies, the Method Man skit about torture, "Shameek just got bust in his head two times". Worth mentioning that I listened to the expanded edition, for two reasons: The link from here to YouTube music doesn't work, and, the non-expanded edition, containing only 9 songs, doesn't have an uncensored version, for some reason. Given how many expletives the group drops, the censored album is basically ruined and a completely bastardized take on an otherwise masterpiece.
Listened Before? Y An absolute scorcher. One of the best rap albums of all time by one of the best ensembles of all time. Amazing. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: CREAM
solid gold
Easy 5. Raw production and grimey flows over the whole album add up to an amazing experience. Legendary crew and top-tier hip hop album.
The debut album from the Wu Tang Clan was really something different. Here was an alternative hip hop album that actually achieved chart success and pretty significant name recognition. At the time of its release, the genre was dominated by upbeat jazzy groups like A Tribe Called, West Coast gangsta rap, and politically conscious protests of Public Enemy. Wu Tang came out of nowhere (aka Staten Island) to provide a whole new style. While it has allusions to violence and drug use, and crass humor often found in the genre at this time, what really stands out is the almost joyful escapism. Who else could have imagined a kung fu hip hop concept album? But it's fantastic and different and actually very fun. Beyond that concept is the diverse range of the group's members. The Wu Tang Clan are a loosely knit group who all have the freedom to do their own thing. Each has their own recording contract (from different labels) but it all ties back into, and strengthens, the Wu Tang brand. The members each contribute funds to keep the group going and thriving. Even within individual songs, the artists all contribute in a completely free way, all tied together by RZA's "dusty but digital" production. The Wu Tang Clan are unlikely heros of their genre and this debut really shows where it began.
Awesome album - tons of classics. Don't care for some of the skits but that's what you get with 90s rap.
Master class in modern hip-hop. No skips and just about perfect album.
Seminal. Masterful.
Meticulous and tastefully crafted
Amazing album. Wu forever 5/5
36 Chambers. This is an exciting, engaging, and disorienting experience brought to life by it's gritty production and often minimal sampling. Its this minimalism which adds more space to accentuate Wu-Tang's unique personalities. I was also surprised by the use of motif within the production which made me realize how this album successfully pulls the listener into the world it was cooked in. Maybe this isn't the most cohesive rap album I've heard, but it might be the most influential and possibly game changing.
You know the project is fire when Old Dirty Bastard is on the mic
One of the best of all time.
Classic
Strong album from the quintessential 90s hip hop scene. Wu Tang still resonates 30 years later.
Lets fucking go
It's for the children.
Phenomenal hip-hop album. Not a thing to hate. Wu-Tang 4 Life
Forgot about how much I loved this one
Probably top 100 album all time, it’s just so good. I love when you can tell the musicians on an album were having the time of their lives making it. They’re all committed to it, they all give insane performances, and RZAs beats are so good. I’m glad I’ve never listened to this before, I really enjoyed it. Even the skits weren't obnoxious I really feel like they nailed the ideal rap collective album.
Took me a while to get through the whole album, but I'm glad I did. This is a great record that you can just put on and let spin for the whole time. These guys really did find something special. Light 5/5
Aggressive and direct. Sounds fresh for an album from early 90's
My favourite on this project so far, just goated rap
FIRE
Wu-Tang is for me AND the children
Classic. No notes. First head this on Beats and Pieces on RDU.
Wu-Tang is for the children
Absolutely sick album. I love it.
3.6 for this is an unbelievable racist joke of a score the userbase on this website is insane and the moment any of these albums are made by a minority the score drops notably lower than on all other major music rating platforms its fucking ridiculous LOL anyway this album is crazy good but i am not the first to say this
Classic
There aren’t many albums that shifted the music landscape but in late 1993/early 1994, with just about an hour of music, The RZA, Method Man, U-God, Rebel INS, Raekwon, Ghost Face Killer, Ol' Dirty Bastard and The GZA, did just that.
A grimy classic with a long tail of influence. One of my favourites.
As the famous review goes, " This record is harsh, but so is the world that we live in. "
Hip-hop is FOR the kids
This is damn near a perfect album. It just works on all levels. Listening to it you can tell they had fun making it. It feels like some talented friends got together and had a great vacation making music. It kicked off a small universe of albums! It's one of those albums that 100% belongs on this list. It is foundational for hip-hop and music in general. Great album.
One of my favorite rap albums ever
Politicians may be temporary, but Wu-Tang is forever!
Fave song - Method Man
One of the most influential and important hip hop albums. Great listen. Themes are very grim, but that’s the environment many of us grow into.
Fantastic!
2nd best rap album all time
Best rap album ever (as said by mostly white people). Heard this shit so many times, so its always great to relisten to a masterpiece. Method Man da goat.
Already listened to this one 11/10 though
One of the best and important rap albums ever mad 10/10
I didn’t grow up watching dubbed kung-fu movies, slanging rocks on the mean streets of Staten Island or listening to hip hop in the early 90s, but hearing the opening lines of ¨36 Chambers¨ thrills me and makes me wistful for a time and place I certainly didn’t live through. What is ¨Shaolin Shadowboxing¨ anyways? Wu Tang continued what NWA had started in the late 80s, being somehow menacing and funny at the same time. Both groups detailed the dark realities of life in the ghettos of LA and NY, and did it in such a way that everyone wanted to listen. Wu Tang are obviously the better MCs, and RZA’s production has aged much better than Dre’s ¨Straight Out of Compton¨ beats. More importantly, they avoided the depths of misogyny being plumbed by some of the more prominent West Coast rappers. Does heat make rappers hate women more? With ¨36 Chambers,¨ the Clan painted a picture of Giuliani’s New York as some sort of hellscape populated by kung-fu warriors and dope fiends and rife with the kind of comic violence that would make Looney Tunes characters blush. What really makes it stand the test the time is the humor- it was never serious (and more importantly, self-serious). If there ever was an Avengers of music it would be the Clan, forever the greatest rap group of all time. Best songs: ¨Bring Da Ruckus,¨ ¨Shame on a Nigga,¨ ¨Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’Wit¨
Classic hip hop record! Light 9
Peak
Yep
Listened before, will listen again. Such a classic album.
more hip hop?
Boom.
The Wu-Tang album.
ну эт ваще разьеб парни
This is probably my favorite hip hop album, easily my favorite from this era. The fact that a whole ass group of people collaborated on this is amazing. The lyricism, the beats, the samples. Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with.
Probably the best hiphop album I have ever heard. 5 stars
4.5/5
This is a super cool album. I think it's really groundbreaking for 1993 -- it doesn't really sound like a lot of stuff that was happening at the time. It's neither gangsta rap nor socially conscious jazz rap, but instead occupies it's own space. All eight members bring a unique vibe to the album, but it somehow all works together. The flow is great, and their vocabulary and wordplay is some of the best ever. RZA's production is also fantastic. There's an offbeat, gritty, almost lo-fi quality to it, but at the same time, it's super catchy. Not really a weak song here, but the highlights for me are "Bring Da Ruckus", "Shame on a N***a", "C.R.E.A.M.", "Protect Ya Neck", and "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'". Certainly one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. 5 stars.
Lo-fi shaolin beats to curb stomp mofos and deal drugs to. A true classic for the hip hop genre and such a dangerous, dandy collective at their prime. If Winnie The Pooh was the gang leader and renamed it the Pooh-Tang Clan then that would be the only way to feasibly make this album better.
When I think of good hiphop, this is the album that comes to mind. The rawness of the beats, the variation in rap styles. What's not to love.
One my first hip hop albums that got me into the genre, it’s got some of the best sampling you will ever hear and the energy levels are off the charts, I don’t even need to mention how influential this is as well, an amazing start to the whole Wu Tang music lore as well and I think it’s really cool how this was the introduction before all if them making solo albums (some of which even add up to the quality of this one). They must be one of the only groups with that many members to have every one have verses with each bringing their own personality to the songs. The skits, despite being needlessly long sometimes and me not usually bring a fan of skits being attached to the songs, weren’t as bad as I remember to be honest, they add personality and don’t drag like I thought but I still think they can be annoying but honestly it’s worth it to hear the songs even if you can’t skip them. Favourites: all. Overall maybe not quite a 10 which feels a but strict but it’s just how I feel, 9/10.
Like a roundhouse kick to the face, Wu-Tang come crashing in and will not let up till they want to. Brilliant stuff, five stars all the way
This album is fucking awesome and I regret not listening to it sooner; so many parts of this album very obviously inspired the groups and singers I listen to now, I can hear so many samplings from this album. So great.
Iconic
This thing still sounds like a basement lab: dusty loops, chopped kung-fu flicks, and nine hungry voices crowding one mic. RZA turns cheap gear into alchemy - minimal, menacing beats that leave space for personalities to crash through. And every voice cuts different: Meth’s grin, Ghost’s technicolor slang, Rae’s street cinema, GZA’s cool precision, ODB’s beautiful chaos, Deck’s razor syllables. It’s grimy and DIY, but the vision is airtight. Staten Island mythology, comic-book world-building, and hooks you end up chanting without realizing. It’s a cultural earthquake that also works as a front-to-back album: momentum never drops, the skits stitch the universe together, and by “C.R.E.A.M.” you’re fully converted. What more can be said? It blows past expectations because it owns its environment and turns limitation into style. Standouts: “Bring da Ruckus,” “Protect Ya Neck,” “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’,” “C.R.E.A.M.” Wu-Tang is for the kids.
Good.
While I am more of a new school rap listener, this is one of the biggest exceptions. I love the inclusion of all 9 members on atleast 1 track for the album. The absolute rawness, which some may not be a fan of, is absolutely brilliant for it being a first for the group's career. The absolute rawness makes me love coming back to it. But if you aren't a fan of the harder hitting songs, there is always more softer songs like C.R.E.A.M. In which, I think this is truly the best way a group can start their careers. With more raw and more soft songs available which does make it a great listen. Favorite Song(s): C.R.E.A.M or Protect Ya Neck (split currently)
I’ve been in a rap/hip-hop mood lately, so this hits at exactly the right time. Intense, thudding production behind raps that still hold up. You can practically measure the timeline of rap by if an album came before or after this one.
Beginning to end: stylistically innovative and reverent of its predecessors. The kung-fu theme is somehow cool instead of hokey (it's incredibly earnest) and every member is an ace. This is the album that I reference when 90's hip-hop is good but not great ("it's no 36 Chambers"). There are no generic beats here. It's a million samples layered up to propel the flow and to drag you in. I'm no expert on this kind of music, so I have an enthusiastic endorsement and then a long disclaimer, because 90's hip-hop was often about looking *hard*. Advice: wear headphones. Wu-Tang's liberal use of the N-bomb has the potential to cause some folks to take notice, 30 years later. In addition, you should be warned that there are some pretty graphic references to violence, particularly various methods of torture described in the intro to 'Method Man'; I don't think there's any question that the members of Wu-Tang are serious but it's jarring if you're not expecting it. That's a part of the posturing of rap in this era, however -- and part of why someone like Kid Rock, six years later, comes off as such a poser: he vaguely gestures at being a hard character but Wu-Tang members riff for a couple of minutes about the graphic ways in which someone crossing them would meet with creative and excessive suffering. Makes Drake look pretty silly. Peak. 5/5
I've listened to this album countless times. It is complete with undeniable classics, hidden gems, and some filler that is fine. It's still maybe the most important hip hop album of the '90s.
Real solid, added 3 songs, probably could add another one or two.
I've heard this before. It's a classic!
Really good
What are the odds that I get a Wu-Tang album on the same day that Ghostface Killah released his new album? Pretty crazy coincidence there if you ask me. Anyways, this has got to be one of the most iconic hip-hop albums ever released. I mean, it's Enter the Wu-Tang. This album marked the beginning of one of the greatest collectives in hip-hop history, and the album itself has stood the test of time as a stone-cold classic of the genre. How do I feel about it? Well, I'd say that the hype is warranted. This thing's great! It's especially great for the time. This was released in 1993! While this wasn't the first great album to come from a hip-hop group, it was one of the first to really change the game, and it's an easy inclusion for a list like this. Hell, even if it was 101 albums instead of 1001, Enter the Wu-Tang would probably make the cut. It's that iconic. Of course, this isn't just a symbol. It's an actual album, and a pretty great one at that. I'll start with RZA's production, which is really cool. The samples are used excellently and the beats all fit their songs very well. Speaking of songs, there aren't any bad ones. They're all good. "Bring Da Ruckus" is an effective opener. I want to bring up "Shame On a N****" mostly because System of a Down did a version of the song with RZA and it's pretty funny to hear Serj Tankian both say the N-Word and rap verses that were originally done by a guy called Ol' Dirty Bastard. Just had to acknowledge that cover. It's pretty good, as is the original. I think the latter half is where the album really picks up though. The entire run from "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" onward might be one of the greatest strings of songs in hip-hop history. "C.R.E.A.M." has got to be the album's masterpiece. This might be one of the best hip-hop songs of all time. The beat especially is stellar. "Protect Ya Neck" is awesome. "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" is great. The whole album is great. The rapping is very good. I enjoy hearing every member of the Clan do their work. Might as well shout all of them out. RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Ol' Dirty Bastard, U-God, Inspectah Deck, and Masta Killa, I salute you. Great job. The skits work in the context of the album. They're not particularly annoying, and the old movie samples are actually a pretty cool part of the Wu-Tang vibe. I don't think I need to say anything else. Do I really need to convince anyone reading this of the value of Enter the Wu-Tang? It's one of "those albums," you know? It's not my favorite hip-hop album, but if you said it was your favorite, I'd get it. This thing's great. 5/5.
I mean what else can it be but 5 Stars
Такого продакшену не було й не буде. Ні RZA, ні всі навколо Вуфем продюсери так і не змогли повторити цей сирий та брудний, проте супер качовий звук. В кожній пісні є дуже коротенькі семпли чи клавіш чи струнних і це звучить дуже потужно. Ну і склад MC. Починаючи з першого куплету на Bring Da Ruckus, де Гостфейс з двох ніг влітає на своєму фірмовому флоу, і далі весь альбом 9 голодних топ МС видають свій максимум. Дуже атмосферні скіти з фільмів про Шаолінь та проханням поставити Вутенг again and again. Щиро люблю цей альбом. На жаль жодна інша спроба як гурту навіть не наблизилась до цього успіху.
One of the most groundbreaking and influential albums of all time. Wu-Tang Clan had such a unique sound that they crossed over into fans of rock and electronic music. I prefer Wu-Tang Forever, but the debut is certainly one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever created.
GOAT
Ahhh yeah, again and again!
A perfect middle ground between gangsta rap and the nerdier stuff of TCQ, DP and AD
thoughts: NO SKIPS. i’m more into the ghostface style but these guys are so different in their flow and their approach that this never gets old. i’m a huge fan of sample-based/instrumental hip hop and man, this scratches that itch. the production of “C.R.E.A.M.” with that sample is unbeatable. it’s a perfect album. songs: “bring da ruckus”, “can it be all so simple/intermission”, “C.R.E.A.M.” rating: 10/10
slaps
'DO YOU THINK YOUR WU-TANG SWORD CAN DEFEAT ME?' How do we give something 100 stars?
Hip hop has never been so good
One of my hip hop favorites. Except for a few places where they are talking to each other for distracting amounts of time this is an amazing album, hip hop or otherwise.
дебютный хип хоп альбом, оставивший свой огромный отпечаток на этом жанре. big influence полностью оправдано (пианино в некоторых песня так круто сочетается с хардкор хип хопом) стоит послушать для развития музыкального кругозора
A great album that defined more than a decade of hip hop. It’s an absolute classic full of legendary tracks. You can almost touch the raw energy of an enthusiast crew of newcomers eager to prove themselves. Let’s be real : the music itself is far from perfect. The production is rough and still a bit simplistic, very far from the absolute gems that RZA would later come to produce. The sound recording is pretty awful (I swear it feels like they’re in someone’s basement), and the overall lack of experience is obvious. From a strictly musical point of view, it probably doesn’t deserve more than a 4*. Later Wu Tang albums are objectively better produced than the 36 Chambers. However, its importance in the history of hip hop can’t be ignored. It’s the album that started it all. It gave birth to the Killa Bees super-possee, served as a platform to launch countless artists who would later have a fantastic solo career, like Method Man and Ghostface, and turned the Wu Tang into a production powerhouse with a myriad of affiliated bands like Killarmy and Sunz of Man. And let’s not forget the subjective component... I’ve listened to this album so many times over the years, I can’t give it any less than a full 5*. ‘nuff said !
can’t believe i didn’t listen it before. breathtaking
Absolute classic
ODB For President
Top 5 All Time Album
It’s so good
a classic!
I first heard this in probably ‘94 when a mate lent me his tape and I was just blown away. Hugely influential album and it’s easy to hear why. The only thing that marks this down are the skits which I could do without but the rest is pure fire!
Game changers!
Stone cold classic
On a regular rotation, probably listen to this album a few times a year. Right up on the pinnacle of rap for me
This is so cool!! Would listen again, not every day but so fun
So raw. Like cocaine straight from Bolivia. Maybe the best hip-hop album ever, although Illmatic and Aquemini would like a word. A true classic.
literally just absolute fire. firing on every possible cylinder. their flows are insane. one of the guys is named rizz or something. favorite song: "wu-tang: 7th chamber: overall: 10/10
One of the greatest ever debut albums in hip hop. Wu-Tang Clan has incredibly impressive talent and technical expertise that they showcase excellently in this album.
Charged by the system for murdering the rhythm WTC4E
From it's opening track this album set the tone for the immense success and influence this group would have in the world of hip hop. I recently went to a Wu-Tang concert and perhaps I may be biased writing this but seeing almost the entire lineup of this collective live on stage performing tracks from this very album gave me goosebumps. Something about these tracks resonate with hip hop fans. Perhaps it's the gritty delivery, catchy lines, or timeless production. There is something about this album that stays with you, a "je ne sais quoi". If I were to listen to one of these tracks in my late 80s I will still be throwing up the W. Bring da Rukus, Shame on a N***, Can It All Be So Simple, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Wu-tang aint nothing to F* Wit, C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, Protect Ya Neck, and Tearz. What else do you want in a hip hop album? This one set the bar.
One of the greatest ever. Enter the 36 chambers was life changing when I first heard it and it continues to be incredible today. Every song on this album has iconic verses and incredible production
Super Fun! Really great stuff and a nice listen.
Un autre classique de 90s rap, dans un registre différent cette fois. Que dire de plus que wow! Des classiques indémodables tel que CREAM, protect ya neck, Shame on a N****, Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin to fuck wit, et j’en passe. Les samples de vieux films de kung fu ajoutent une saveur unique. La production de maître de RZA est encore à ce jour un masterclass. Malheureusement les skits, eux, semblent avoir fait leur temps. Le début de l’ère de domination du Wu-Tang avec tous les albums solos qui ont suivi. J’en veux plus!
Favorite Track: Protect Ya Neck
This deserves its reputation. Hard to come up with anything that hasn't been said a million times before. I love this album - to me it's pure rap at its best. RZA's production is godlike (especially love the sample loop on Can It All Be So Simple and the way the Kung Fu theme is worked in throughout) and, it's intricate and layered yet still sounds raw and stripped back, providing the perfect platform for the group to come in with some of my favorite delivery and flow ever. It might also be the only hip hop album with these skits that I don't find totally grating after a few listens. They slot right into the raw atmosphere of the album and don't feel as obligatory as they would on many hip hop albums in the next 10 years. 5*
I don't know what it is, but I really like this crew style rap with a ton of absolute talent. It's silly, lyrically clever, and a flat out blast. Stuff like this, De La Soul, and Pharcyde are so much fun with absolute banger samples backing samples. It's so much better than gangsta rap that is just flat offensive, like the Ice Cube, Snoop, or Eminem albums. Defintely my golden era of hip hop.
Awesome.
Great record. Wu-Tang comes out strong on their first album. 90s hip hop just hits the spot in a way that newer entries in the genre just can’t reach.
I struggle a lot with giving albums "3's", mainly because I can understand the appeal to the album, but it's not my particular cup of tea or because I'm not familiar with the context of the album. This is not one of those albums. 36 Chambers not only checks the nostalgia box for me, but I recognize how important it truly was in shaping the sound and culture hip-hop of the 90s and even early 00s. It launched the solo careers of some of my favorite rappers who ended up dropping some of the greatest rap albums of all time. For me, these reasons are more than enough to give it 5 stars.
The original rap collective - the careers they respectively went on to have is testament to the skill of the collaborators. If I could pick just one thing that I love about this album - it’s the production skills of RZA. One of the few albums of this era that also excels as a pure instrumental. Every element is great though. C.R.E.A.M might be my favourite hip hop track of all time
Joins the list of unreal debut albums. Hearing more Wu-Tang, the thing that grabs me more than anything is how much it feels like they just know what they're doing. It can be unique and interesting but it seems like it's all old hand to them and they deliver it so comfortably and casually. It gives a lot of the strength of what makes it stick. The Voltron analogy; how do they pull that off and make you nod your head without it just sounding like lame trash. Reading into it, this was hugely influential and I can see why. Da Mystery of Chessboxin' feels like it could keep going seamlessly for all of time, maybe in an evil ghost sorcerer's lair.
This is where the randomness is interesting. From Beach Boys to Wu-Tang so opposite, yet oddly similar. I was into older boom bap and party hip hop, but gave this a chance on a recommendation a long time ago. The detail and care given to the production is so far beyond the average rap album being pumped out. This was influential. This is a debut album. RZA, layering and peppering in texture on every track. Brining that cinematic vibe. The fact that this came together the way it did, then launched so many careers is also impressive. The Voltron analogy. Each member just needs to bring their best, smack you with it then step back before you know what hit you. Da Mystery of Chessboxin', The way the flow goes as they tag each member in. Come on, C.R.E.A.M. I personally like Liquid Swords a little more, but it's so, so close. Method Man really shines on this album. Not just a great hip hop album, but one of the great albums.
Shame on a Nigga Can It Be All So Simple Da Mystery of Chessboxin' C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Method Man Protect Ya Neck
This is absolutely the kind of truly unique record that deserves to be on the 1001. I'll even overlook the "Saw"-esque lyrical content on one of the tracks. Such a cool mashup, old kung-fu movies, rapping about all sorts of things including children's programming and nursery rhymes, and hip-hop. Great beats too!
fun, crass, clever, funky, raw, funny, weird, culturally rich, dynamic. sew ya asshole closed and keep feedin you and feedin you and feedin you and feedin you. give me more. i can take it.
how can a band sound so hard, but be so nerdy at the same time? wutang has a sense of humor...a way of not taking themselves too seriously, that I value in all music but especially appreciate in very macho landscape like hip hop. But they aint soft. They are weird, they say whatever they want, they write about what they want, they sampled whatever the hell they wanted....they are unapolagetically themselves. and they sound fucking great while doing it. wutang is undeniable and infectious. what a debut album. hard af 5
Wu-Tang forever!
Wu Tang Clan ain’t nothin' ta fuck with.
This is probably one of the best hip-hop albums around, period.
Truly mendous
Loved this album and owned it when it came out. Still listen to them often.
Якось так вийшло, що на цьому каналі є дуже багато про рок музику і дуже не часто зʼявляється щось, що присвячено хіп-хопу. Насправді на це є причини, адже гарний хіп-хоп останнім часом виходить не так часто, а найкращі альбоми жанру «прогриміли» під 90-ті. Саме тому реп альбоми і зустрічаються тут найчастіше саме в цій рубриці. Але що ж такого стало з репом, що він не настільки ж цікавий як був колись? Ну принаймні на мою думку, жанр дуже сильно спростився, і за вийнятком деяких крутих виконавців став «беззубим», одноманітним та занадто мінімалістичним. 36 Chambers якраз є яскравим прикладом того наскільки проривною могла бути хіп-хоп музика на початку 90-х. В цей час політичний та «розумний» реп, на кшталт Public Enemy якось притих. На західному узбережжі набирав популярності, породжений Dr.Dre, G-Funk, а на східному панував джаз-реп. Загалом це означало, що у тогочасному репі панував «мʼякий» та чіловий вайб, де майже не залишалося місце справжній похмурості. Натомість ця робота звучить наче «крик андеграунду» - сирий продакшн, складні та закручені рими про комікси, дух вуличного Нью-Йорку тих часів, та звісно ж - бойові мистецтва. Навіть сама назва Wu-Tang Clan відсилає нас до старих фільмів про кунг-фу, які в дитинстві обожнював лідер гурту RZA. Але, на мій погляд, основна магія тут в подачі - вона «складна», та не намагається сподобатись. Натомість, навпаки вимагає зосередженості, адже при «фоновому» слуханні - пройнятися темною атмосферою та красою, часом дивних, але цупких метафор, що посилаються до тогочасної гік-культури, буде майже неможливо. Цей альбом, навіть, чимось схожий на старі комікси. В ньому не така «вилизана» картинка, багато тексту та дивних, іронічних/само-іронічних моментів. Це, між іншим, і є для мене відповіддю, чому сучасний реп, здебільшого, є більш примітивним ніж ця робота - сучасному слухачу просто складно сприймати подібну «технічну»подачу в наші дні, бо «занадто заморочено». Навіть соулові семпли, що на той час вже не були новиною, якимось чином, примудряються тут звучати нетипово та підкреслюють напругу, що «літає» поміж лоу-фай бітів, та не відпускає до останнього треку. Альбом здобув неймовірний успіх, фактично ставши одних з перших «хардкор хіп-хоп» альбомів, та зумовивши перехід Нью-Йорського репу «на темний бік» - альбоми, що невдовзі випустять The Notorious B.I.G. (що має одну з найбільш моторошних обкладинок за всю історію) та Nas є тому підтвердженням.
Favorite: Protect ya Neck Least Favorite: Clan in Da Front
How have I never heard this?! Too violent for me in places but undeniable beats and verses and when I let go and vibe with it I love it so much.
i’ve always loved this album. the best wu-tang album hands down, something that could only exist at that moment in time.
I'm a Wu-Tang guy now.
Greater than the sum of it's parts, this album is timeless. Never a dull moment. Easily one of the greatest hop hop albums ever made. Me at age 14: "Wait, you can rap about Voltron and Spider-man?"
100/100.
These guys couldn’t fumble a verse if they tried. The flows are effortless. Every single one of these guys went on to make an iconic record of their own. Samples are perfect. Production is perfect. Lyrics are funny and dark when they need to be. They make their life experience in New York sound like an operatic drama. This record is flawless. I love it. 5/5
I've never actually listened to this whole album before and it was such a great listen. Top tier rapping and awesome beats. Ridiculous skits. Wubby Tang was so influential for all of hip hop, and this album was quality all the way through.
Easily the best hip hop album ever. The production and all the Wu-Tang members unique styles working seamlessly together haven't been dethroned yet. No need for a length review, this is an album everyone should listen to.
Le plus grand album de hip-hop de l'histoire, et je m'y connais, j'en ai écouté au moins 10.
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit
Lori- 9.5 Mike- 9 Michael- 9 Miles- 8.5 Cole- 8
Incredibly fun. Crude, but fun. A showcase of comradery and innovation.
Not just one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time, but one of the greatest debuts of all time. Raw, gritty, and downright amazing. From the beats to the lyrics to the flows, it is just a banger from start to finish.
one of the best rap albums ever
Very good album, it sounds very underground and grimy, very raw sounding vocals and production which I think is a great thing for a hip-hop album like this The storytelling cuts such as “C.R.E.A.M” and “Tearz” were my favorites because I appreciate storytelling in rap a lot, but tracks like “Method Man” where the members show off their rapping were excellent as well. They manage to fuse all of their unique personal styles together into something amazing. Also the impact this had on hiphop can’t be ignored, without it I wouldn’t have some of my favorite rappers like Nas and Lupe Fiasco which deserves all the credit in the world. Favorite Tracks: Tearz, Can It All Be So Simple, and C.R.E.A.M.
I love this album so much that for my birthday last year, my brother gave me a Wu-Tang Clan doormat. (It’s got the logo with ‘watch ya step kid’ written underneath.) Easy five stars for both the present and the Wu.
So many years later and this album still rules, it’s amazing. This is a culturally significant album in many ways, and rightfully so. Top tier lyricism, excellent samples, excellent execution. Wu Tang Forever
Wu Tang forever! That said I haven’t listened to this album in least a decade until now. For hip hop it’s full points from me.
Greatest rap album of all time
The day before was Lincensed to Ill by the Beastie Boys. I think for many that may be a 5 star album but I just couldn't get to 4 stars knowing that eventually I'd be getting 36 Chambers, Takes a Nation of Millions and some other classics. As soon as I hit vote I got 36 Chambers which is my all time favorite rap album and its one of the few I've been able to take the vinyl out for and play after receiving the daily recommendation.
For the children
Original stuff
Unbelievable, improbable coalescence of talent. Like 4 dudes from a grimy ass port town just being the fucking beatles. Somehow all these talents manage to put together a very unified work of art but shine individually. Love the gimmicks, love the flows, love the simple but HARD production.
I have to admit that I was very hesitant going into this album. Unfortunately, the older I get, the less appealing hip hop becomes to me. Nothing against it—it has its place—but most of it resonates more with a younger version of myself. Now that I’m older and past that stage of my life, it’s hard to find that neutral ground. So, I started this album with my guard down and my criticism left behind. Right from the beginning, it reminded me how much fun this era of hip hop was. All these MCs really blew up and went on to successful solo careers. It’s amazing to look back at how they all evolved after this album. Another great aspect of this album is the music production. I love the production and beats.
probably one of the best albums i have ever listened to; songs were fucking incredible but also the transitions and use of sampling throughout was so insanely sick
fuck yeah with this one. It’s even better than the last time I listened to it. They were on FIRE! Greatest rap group of all time. RIP ODB!
I can't believe I never listened to this until recently. Just last week actually. I understand why its so lauded. Its fun, catchy and a blast to listen to. Just incredible.
Five stars. No notes.
My list started with a lot of albums that I am very familiar with the only exception being "Jazz Samba" by Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd. Of all my albums so far I have not listened to any as much as I have listened to "Enter the Wu-Tang." It is very cliched that I as a 46 year old white guy love Wu-Tang but I will have to lean into it. I have loved this album since I was 15 years old and it is an absolute masterpiece. What people say about Illmatic, To Pimp a Butterfly, My Twisted Dark Fantasy, etc. is probably undeserved but this is one of the top albums of all time across genres.
fucks heavily
This is an aesthetically cohesive album from a really lurid and inventive group. It's very stylized (the movie clips, the samples, the weird production) but still authentic. It's often absurd and messy and full of obscure references, like real life, and I think that's helped it age better than your more didactic political hip hop from the same era. Favorite tracks were 'Tearz' and 'Protect Ya Neck'.
One of the first hip-hop albums I heard as a teenager (around the late 00s/early 10s) and I still love the gritty lo-fi atmosphere this album gives off. C.R.E.A.M. & Can It Be All So Simple are damn near perfect, Chessboxin’ & Protect Ya Neck are hits, I personally prefer 7th Chamber Pt. II to Pt. I and while the Wu truly are nuthing ta f’ wit, that’s easily my least favourite song here. Great album overall!
Stone cold classic. Great album.
1993 might be the golden age of the golden age of hip hop. So many strong releases that year. This one was the stylistic antithesis to all of them. Dark and gritty east coast vibes, and a deep roster of incredible talent somehow coming together in the right time. IMO, this is Wu's strongest group album, paving the way for more than a few immaculate RZA produced solo efforts over the next five years or so. Got to check Wu on their last tour with Nas and De La Soul, and that felt like a gift.
Good hop music
Double up on your socks because this album ( & group ) will knock your socks off!!!
This record speaks for itself so I'll pose a question. When, in hip hop have we ever had a group like WuTang? They are truly one of a kind and pioneers of almost every contemporary rap genre.
Beats were ridonkulous, each member had a very distinct style. The feel seems to me to be quite characteristic of a time and place with which I am unfamiliar, yet I recognize it all the same.
A unique work of dark, hardcore garage rap, where each member of the collective had to earn their right to rap through battles, giving it a very special raw spontaneity and yes, it’s fun. Only Onyx, emerging at the same moment and on the same scene, gave me similar chills. A definitive reference, one of the top album ever made in rap. Absolute fire.
5 come le canzoni che ho ascoltato.
Honestly, I’ve listened to this album enough to rate it, but I wanted to hear it again. I even listened to the extended version to hear acapella C.R.E.A.M. This is top form for one of the best hip-hop groups of all time. The flow is just so good.
One of the best albums ever not just rap
BRING DA RUCKUS Best Song: Bring da Ruckus Rating: 10/10 Stars: 5/5
Already was a favorite of mine. Can rate easily as masterpiece CREAM
Wu-Tang again and again. it's probably only been a few week since my last listen to this record, but if it's on the list I listen to it. Dollar dollar bills y'all