Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

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

I regret not listening to Wu-Tang in the past, hoping for more in the album generator list, Method Man was by far my favorite song from this.

Easily one of the greatest rap albums of all time. C.R.E.A.M. is one of my absolute favorites. The interludes make it really immersive, and honestly a lot more approach than the gritty hip hop would be on its own.

There are only a handful of albums that truly define my musical taste, and this is undoubtedly one of them. This album is a masterpiece that reshaped hip-hop and set a new standard for the genre. Simply put, this album is solid gold.

recently i had a fixation on The Best Of Muddy Waters which rly is a collection of spaces that are filled Entirely with personality, its only just now occurring to me fsr that the genre that rly ran with that effect is hip hop and possibly nowhere more so than this album. every wu tang member is something like the idealized version of themselves on record, obviously not an uncommon thing in hip hop but the aesthetic coherency, sense of mythology and ofc variety in the roster have always left an imprint both on Me and obviously music history generally. rly is just pure formal pleasure and energy!! rza's production has also fully clicked for me, in part because ive been thinking a lot about jazz form recently LOL the sour spicy bits of his samples are rly compelling and (compared to later hip hop beats that more try to stand On Their Own) particularly important as a harmonic component, as if the verses on top are a bebop solo. odb and ghostface are my my faves :) inherently a lil exhausting ofc but still one of the best times u can have listening to a record probably!

WU-TANG CLAN AINT NOTHIN TO FUCK WITH That’s it, that’s the review

No other rap group like the Wu. So individually talented and well-balanced. They had it all -- lyricism, beat selection, lore, and technical execution. This is an absolute S-tier, GOATed album from Voltron in full attack mode. What I love most about this album is how incredibly cohesive it's production feels. From the moment the album opens we are launched into RZA's universe. A delightfully grimy one in which Kung Fu is king, the drums are dusty, and the keys sprinkle their light through the dark burbling basslines. Within this universe Wu Tang are at the helm, bobbing and weaving, flowing off one another, and, in the case of ODB, losing their god-damned minds. Each song builds upon a common lore in which Wu Tang are larger than life and in charge of their own destinies among a gritty and often bleak street life. Across the hour playtime, are littered plenty of quality posse cuts (Da Mystery of Chessboxin', C.R.E.A.M, Protect Ya Neck) and examples of individual prowess (Method Man). Notes on a few of my favorites: Da Mystery of Chessboxin': such a simple beat, but I love the Asian plucking and little vocal doo-da. And each member goes off -- especially ODB and Ghostface. Method Man: classic intro and just unparallelled flow from the man himself. Never tire of this one.

Every single one of these songs bangs. Even the chillest of songs Can It All Be So Simple. Just nothing really like the Wu. Crazy that a group of that many people can stay together for so long while going off doing "solo" stuff. This might be my favorite hip hop album of all time. Insane production from RZA with the kung fu influences. The beginning of Method Man cracks me up every time. Wu-Tang. For the Children!

5/5 The Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band of Hip Hop. If you have any interest at all in Hip Hop this is an essential album. Clan in da Front!

Bring the motherfucking ruckus! This is a classic for a reason, the beats still hit hard and cut like 1000 blades. There is an edge to the production. As a group they would never top this, but individually they have come real close a few times

30/1089 - Energy is super high and fun. I like how the high octane rapping contrasts with the relaxed jazz and soul samples. This has some good variety due to the many different rappers contributing to this album. A few interludes seemed a bit unnecessary but they were luckily short.

The Staten island slaughters. A stone cold classic. That midsection of the record is just one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time just back to back to back ect. It's wild. The production is so great. Every beat is the quintessential ny 90s sound. It's insane. Then just a handful of the best to ever do it just laying bar after bar down like it ain't nothing. I just can't believe it.

very solid, lotsa bangers

As a certified rap hater I'll try to be open minded... I love Wu Tang. Constant bangers. Different styles to mix it up. Fun music. That's a 10

"I'll sew your asshole closed and keep feeding you and feeding you." Now that's good 90's rap. What a wicked album, many of the songs are bangers with fantastic beats. The members all bring their own flair to the group while everyone sounds in tune with everyone else. The 90's were a great time with great rap, but this album truly stands out as one of the better albums of the decade. I have returned to edit: Apon further review, this album gets a 5. It's nothing but bangers from start to finish. This could hype up anybody and I stand by that!

Rap at its most raw, gritty, and lyrical. A landmark in hip hop history, and a template for numerous rap albums to follow. This album is waaaaay better than I remember. Dark, hardcore new york style. Protect ya neck and Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II hit so unbelievably hard.

Not a genre I listen to normally. Enjoyed it, but I don’t really have the context to judge it. No rating

I heard Bring Da Ruckus and went – yep, that's a classic/5 alright.

Perfect no notes

Wu Tang again? Yes, again and again! Depending on the day, this is my number one (or number 2) hip hop album of all time. The beats are so grimy and dusty and dialed in. The samples are so perfect. Kung Fu and hip hop? Yes Please. RZA's production on this will never be matched. The rhymes are insane. These guys just got in the booth for hours and looked for ways to one up each other. The skits are actually worth listening to. We get some of the most memorable hooks in all of hip hop. And just some of the best rappers who ever played the game. GZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man! Are you kidding me?! We're introduced to ODB, raps insane dirty uncle who lays down some of the funniest bars. I have listened to this album countless times, and I still hear new things. 10/10. It's a perfect album

I mean shit. Wu-Tang forever

What can you say? If you don’t like this record, you don’t like 90s hip hop. This record is a masterpiece of grimy beats, violent scenery, crew-based battle raps, dark humor, and massive ego. The skits are tiresome after the first time, but they contribute to the feeling that this is a whole world you are stepping into. RZA’s world. Where every street corner has its own dope slinger, all the b-boys are strapped, Land Rovers stalk like predators, and….kung-fu. It’s pretty cool that 32 years later this music is still shockingly weird and immediate and fresh. RZA’s production style is like no one else, except for all the people who came after and wanted to be RZA. The MC talent is so ridiculously deep here that they already sounded like a supergroup on the first album. Anyway, if this isn’t a 5-star rap album, then there isn’t a 5-star rap album.

Ok it’s good

Few hip hop albums get better than this.

A museum worthy masterpiece.

One of the best rap debut album ever. This was a game changer and still relevant to this day. Probably their best album and I really love triumph in enter the wu like a lot. This was groundbreaking and still is. One of the best rap albums ever

Amazing album fucking great not the last time I will listen to this

Bangs

Heard a song from this because of Joe Rogen Pod

Peak, I don't usually listen to songs with much swears but its peak.

I was feeling pretty terrible today but this album got me off the ground and back into the fight. 4 stars for the ruckus, and 1 extra for the Chappelle's Show skits.

5/5

A classic.

Bursting with personality and creativity, there’s no other rap group quite like Wu-Tang Clan.

If what you say is true, the Shaolin & the Wu-Tang could be dangerous.

Great flows and great samples. These guys were cool when no one knew what cool was. A true testament to creativity and smart ideas. 9.5/10

A classic. One of the best hip hop albums of all time.

Wu-Tang clan ain't nuthin to fuck with. You wanna talk about a masterpiece of an album look no further than this one. Banger after banger the clan does not disappoint.

Amazing, have listen a million times.

Le gen da ry.

Great production and great rhymes. One of the most influential hip hop records ever.

I have pretty much nothing to add, no unique angle to take. Enter the Wu-Tang is one of the most discussed albums of all time, and it's not hard to see why. this Clan really did signal a new era of New York hip hop! the RZA's use of not just jazz samples, but soul samples, was a landmark innovation which created a seismic shift in the sound of the genre which we can still feel to this day. I'm honestly surprised this album became such a major success given its incredibly lo-fi production quality, but it was the starting point in a long line of grimy hip hop acts from the East Coast and, eventually, all over the country. that's not to even mention the larger-than-life personas created by the half-dozen rappers that handle the bulk of this record's material; Method Man, GZA (A.K.A. The Genius), Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and especially Ol' Dirty Bastard. (I don't want to take anything away from U-God and Masta Killa; they're just hardly featured here!) what would otherwise be your average violent, sexual rap braggadocio gets elevated to an almost cartoonish extent by the veneer of martial arts references applied to the whole thing. you get a really full spectrum of rapping styles that combine to create a powerful sense of momentum. I do wish the skits were their own separate tracks, though, so they could be skipped easier. decent 9/10.

Probably one of the easiest 5's for me. RIP ODB.

Крутой олдскульный альбом. Музыка не устарела, очень кайфово и атмосферно звучит. Нравится читка.

For this review, I will not include the bonus version tracks tacked onto the expanded edition. Today, I listened to Wu-Tang Clan proper after hearing the various members show up for their brother Raekwon's debut. It took me multiple listens, but I can accept that the hype for their debut Enter the Wu-Tang is real. This album is already highly regarded as a classic for its impact in bringing the focus of hip-hop back to the East Coast in the 1990s. The success of Enter the Wu-Tang paved the way for the likes of Nas's Illmatic and The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready to Die, both of which I've already covered. Of the three though, I'd say the Wu did it best. The first props I'm going to give here is RZA's production. I know his early production style didn't click for me on Raekwon's Only 4 Cuban Linx. But then I checked this out and heard how well-integrated the various soul-jazz samples and quotes from martial arts films were here, creating a thematic vibe that elicits power and intellectual thought. This leads me to my next prop going to the lyrics. I already knew these guys spat fire from Raekwon's debut, but all of them having roughly equal time to complement one another and share in their kinetic energy just popped off so well. A lot of the wordplay and cultural references meshed neatly into the dark comedy vibes they had stemming from the harsh streets of New York City adapted into their Shaolin theming from the film quotes they pulled. Finally, I've come to appreciate the skits across various songs, which add to the violent comedic nature of this album. It's possible that some of what they talked about is loosely based on past experience, but for the most part, I just went along with it because the overall vibe makes it feel like it's for entertainment and shock value. I could buy into the idea of Method Man and Raekwon coming up with various torture methods near the start of the top bearing the former's name, or the crew going out to avenge their fallen brother near the start of "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber". Plus, they do take the time to hype each other out and show their support for one another such as during the intermission after "Can It Be All So Simple" and the "Conclusion". All these elements coalesce into a debut album that is such a strong showcase for the Wu-Tang Clan, where every track was a banger and the landscape of hip-hop was changed in part because of this.

One of the best of the 90's and in contention for the top Hip Hop album ever

Easiest 5 stars on here

Classic

This is still debatably the hardest rap album of all time.

This is a classic!

Basically Method Man is like Roll that shit, light that shit, smoke it And then Baby U, he a psychopathic He a psychopathic thinker And and, then we got, then we got the Ol' Dirty Bastard 'Cause there ain't no father to his style That's why he the Ol' Dirty Bastard Ghostface Killah, you know what I'm sayin'? He on some "now you see me, now you don't" Know what I'm sayin'? And and, the RZA He the sharpest motherfucka in the whole Clan He always on point, razor sharp With the beats, with the rhymes, whatever, any DJ [Raekwon] And the GZA, the G is just the Genius He, he's the backbone of the whole shit [RZA] It's self-explanatory, Genius, word [Method Man] He the head, let's put it that way We form like Voltron, and GZA happen to be the head You know what I'm sayin'? I'll fuckin', I'll fuckin', sew ya asshole closed, and keep feedin' ya, and feedin' ya, and feedin' ya, and feedin' ya.

“You become so Pat as my style increases What's that in your pants? Ahh, human feces! Throw your shitty drawers in the hamper Next time, come strapped with a fuckin' Pamper” God damn legend of an album and deserves to be

Grim, grimy, grindhouse—raw, muddy, and menacing, born from RZA’s Staten Island apartment studio. My upbringing couldn’t be further from these fellas, but somehow they still speak to me, lol.

Classic rap. Hard to get better.

"First of all, who's your A&R?/A mountain climber who plays an electric guitar?

One of the seminal east coast rap albums. It is raw, gritty and was one of my introductions to hip hop. Wu-tang for life!

There are two types of people in the world. People who like Wu-Tang and people without taste. After all, they are for children. Seriously though this is top 5 hip hop of all time (I think this is the third time I've said this and I'm like 100 albums into this project so... maybe I have more than 5 favorites?) 10/10

Nuthing Ta F’ Wit

Wu-Rang is forever.

Wu-Tang is for the children.

I absolutely love the aesthetic of Wu-Tang Clan, mixing the East Coast hip-hop/rap of early/mid 90s with the backdrops of Martial Art movies and Motown grooves and samples. I have always appreciated that aspect of it without really listening to it before recently. And this is a banger. This album is a landmark, watershed moment for the band that absolutely enshrined them into the Music and Pop Culture Landscape. Wu-Tang is for the Children.

What is there to say? An iconic album that lives up to the hype in every way. Greatness across the album.

I'll leave the 5 for the Wu-gazy mix.

EASY 5 STARS GTF OUTTA HEEAAHHHHH

Classic. 7th grade me bopping down the street to Bring the Ruckus. Smooth transitions and lots of strong standalone tracks. GZA the GENIUS.

Wu-Tang forever

An incredible 10/10 project, The Wu-Tang Clan's 'Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' stands as a singular moment in Hip-Hop history. I could honestly write full essays about the carousel of voices, how it moved old school boom bap groups away from seeming like they're just colleague's making to capital in booths to a vivid visualisation of a team each engaging in a playful Dozens, but since this is 1001Albums, I'm just going to advise those who weren't gripped to listen to this end to end reading along to the lyrics, knowing exactly who is saying what. The depths you'll discover from each member of the group will astound you.

30 years on I still hear new things in every listen

A big rap fan anyway, but great to hear some of the earlier examples of where I would hear eastern rap influences from the 90s. Very enjoyable

Listened to the expanded edition, as the only version of the recommended nine track (original?) I could find on streaming was the censored version. Honestly what is there to say about this? Game changing, genre defining, pure heat from beginning to end. Easy 5/5

Wutang is for the children

Reviewing the reviews of everyone who less than 3 starred. Unimpressed. Ironically, these people are probably children. WU-TANG killa bees

One of the best rap albums of all time.

Tie for best 90s rap album with illmatic. Terrific album. It's holds up so much better than it should.

This is a classic. RZA is the genius here. If you think that sampling isn't original, listen to this. RZA provides a masterclass on laying down backing tracks. Overall, it's an incredible debut album. Liked Songs Added: Bring Da Ruckus Can't It All Be So Simple Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Method Man Protect Ya Neck

Man, what a cool theme for a hip-hop project! Always wanted to listen to this one, and it did not disappoint at all.

The best thing to ever come from Staten Island. A little more profanity than I care for but the sounds and rhymes are great.

Classic rap album.

Possibly greatest old school hip hop album of all time?

ABSOLUTE hip-hop classic!

One of the most important pieces of sound ever put to recording...historically speaking and also to me...personally. To say my ears weren't ready for this when I first listened to it would be an understatement. My melody-seeking ears weren't primed for anything this rugged, filthy, and unrelenting in its consistency. But it took only a few listens to awaken something in teenage me, and for that, this album will always remain a personal favorite. Not going to dabble into this album's historical context 'cause it'd be redundant at this point, you can read up on it in a billion different places, though I recommend the RZA-authored 'Tao of Wu'. But setting the scene, it's the early '90s in Staten Island and this group of 9-or-so emcees drops this tight little package filled with the dirtiest hip-hop to date. No studio polish and no large production crews, just 9 dudes sounding as unique as 9 different dudes on one album can possibly sound. Oh yeah, and they were taking up this idiosyncratic role of masked samurais if you couldn't pick up on that already from the name of the group being "Wu-tang" and the album cover. I'm sure this thing blew everyone away when it came out, 'cause I know it blew me away 20+ years after it was released. With all that out of the way though, I've decided to structure this review by talking a bit (hopefully) about each of these 9 "dudes". RZA: Alright I'll throw all my production gushing into this section because RZA is the mastermind behind it all. This guy's the greatest producer in hip-hop history, bar none. This album is a testament to that, but so is the rest of the '90s Wu-tang solo run. It comes down to simplicity, it's like the opposite of what makes an album like 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' by Public Enemy so great. On these songs, you've got one strong, usually off-kilter, and very personable sample looping over and over again. Not uncommon for hip-hop...sure, but the real talent here is with just how good the one-bar loops here are, they're insatiable. The bass on 'Shame' followed by that clunky, cluttered brass section on ODB's chorus portion may be the feistiest thing here. The sinister keys on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxing' leave so much open space to evoke this feeling of being in a large, dark, echoey room...and not knowing where the enemy will strike from. The weird vocal sample on 'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing to F'Wit', for as cartoony as it is, is quite ominous, and nicely contrasts the generally "cheerful" bass and snap sounds the rest of this beat is composed of. The piano on 'C.R.E.A.M' is iconic and the keys on 'Method Man' make the entire song sound like the theme song for a big bad cartoonish villain. I love the entire beat of 'Protect Ya Neck', it's the weird little clips that fade in and out, like the piano, weird high-pitched theremin thing, and that menacing string sample. While the beats are repetitive, you do still get these cool little clips on top to give them a more dynamic feel. The opener 'Bring Da Ruckus' for example, may be the most dynamic beat here, but the little cartoony horn sample thing that comes in near the beginning of the GZA's verse is such an incredible little touch. And, on the "censored" version of 'Protect Ya Neck', those electric guitar hits on the swear words make me prefer that version to the uncensored version. And those martial-arts movie samples are just as essential to the world-building here as the music and lyrics, whether they're intertwined with the beat itself like on the "Tiger Style" vocal samples of 'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing to F'with' or whether they're just there to introduce or send off the song like the "Game of Chess" sample on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxin''. So yeah, the RZA is a genius producer, but also I love the guy's rapping voice. It's ahead of its time, and quite unconventional. He's not as present here as on say Gravediggaz '6 Feet Deep', but his yelp-style still allows him to stick out whenever he does appear. My favorite verse of his is the emotive one on 'Tearz' as he details the murder of his little brother. GZA: GZA has always been my favorite Wu-tang member lyrically speaking. I'll talk about 'Liquid Swords' when the time comes (an album I like even more than this one), but god damn the dude can rap. He's lowkey, his delivery isn't bombastic or in-your-face like the many other guys here. He's heady which makes sense given the fact that he is the "head" of the Voltron formation that is the Wu-tang Clan. He doesn't rap on here as often as I'd like, but he is one of two rappers that gets his own song with 'Clan In Da Front', a great spotlight track. But it's his verse on 'Protect Ya Neck' that has him coming at major labels that's my favorite. It may even be my favorite verse on the entire album. Method Man: A deep, kinda lax delivery style in an album this full of viscera can easily end up bogging down the whole thing, but Method Man manages to pull this off spotlessly. He does great on the hooks, with 'C.R.E.A.M' and 'Mystery of Chessboxin' but his standout moment on this album is his spotlight track, the aptly named 'Method Man'. Laugh all you want at the ridiculousness of the rhymes here, but it's just how impeccable his delivery is under that menacing piano line that makes this song one of my favorites. I really like this dude's rapping, makes me sad that he's the punching bag of the group on the opening skit on 'Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber'. Inspectah Deck: The unfortunate story of Deck relating to his solo album being one of the many victims of the studio flooding in the mid-90s has always made him less memorable for me outside of this album. But that's never made his rapping any less incredible, in fact, I'd say he's one of the strongest rappers here. I think the guy's style is no style, he just always comes in guns blazing with his verses like with his opening verse on 'Protect Ya Neck'. And you don't get one of the two verses on the seminal 'C.R.E.A.M' by being a weak rapper. In this song, Deck tragically details his crushed dreams as a child at the hands of incarceration and drugs, as he urges the youth to not make those same mistakes. It's a standout and heartfelt moment on this album that always gave the entire thing this melancholic edge. Ghostface Killah: Maybe the most addicting rapper to listen to on here. The way the guy seamlessly strings together phrases, references, and bars is invigorating. There's a reason he gets the first (and last) verse on this album. His best verse has got to be his one on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxin'', pure rap battle bliss with that one. He's another guy who values delivery above anything else, the guy could be saying practically anything and he'd still make it sound badass. His introspective side comes out too on 'Can It Be All So Simple', a reminiscing track, and on 'Tearz' where he raps about his friend's HIV infection, with his closing lines being almost haunting as he captures that dreadful feeling of imminent death at the hands of the virus. Raekwon: Rae and Ghost have always been very close-knit, yet their styles couldn't be more different. Raekwon, like GZA, is very lowkey, his defining characteristic is his rasp. But he still manages to do the battle rap thing just as well as Ghost, going toe-to-toe with him on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxin''. But it's not a question, his best verse is on 'C.R.E.A.M', where he drops one of the most descriptive story-telling raps of the '90s. Ol' Dirty Bastard: R.I.P. to this man, there is no other rapper, and there never will be another rapper like ODB. Saying he's fun to listen to would be the understatement of the century - the guy's hilarious. I mean what rapper uses the line "Dirty, I keep shit stains in my drawers so I can get fizzy-funky for ya". None, the answer is none, no one, except ODB. He's another rapper who's not on this album enough, but his verse on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxin'' makes up for it, it's the equivalent of a hundred verses. He also has my second favorite verse on 'Protect Ya' Neck', such a badass re-entry after that interlude. U-God: U-God is not super present on this album, but when he does show up, it's a nice change of pace, adding another unique voice to the already colorful Wu-Tang cast. The verse everyone talks about as his best is his opening on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxin'', and I've always been inclined to agree - it's a very strong, hulking intro to this monster of a song. Masta Killah: Literally gets one verse on here but it's one of the best verses on the damn album. Of course, again, it's on 'Da Mystery of Chessboxin'' but the damn thing is so memorable. He comes in with such a complex flow, constantly overstepping the bar line while hitting the listener with non-stop martial arts wordplay. I've always found he's super underrated, his 2004 solo album, 'No Said Date', is great. So that's all nine of the dudes here. They all rule. Wu-Tang Clan's 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' is, indubitably, one of the most unfuckwithable pieces of art to grace us humans. It's addictive, it seeps into your veins, your mind, and your consciousness and refuses to leave. And it's not just this album, the entire '90s Wu-Tang run (solo and group) is just as strong as this. There really is nothing like the Wu-Tang Clan. (No I'm not overselling this thing)

I regret not giving this album a chance.

Absolute all-timer.

I've been meaning to checkout this album for the longest time, and I am glad I finally did. I understand why this album is held in such high regard. Great beats, great rapping, and great energy throughout this album. There are a few misses on the album and a few too many skits, but besides that there are a lot of bangers on here. Low 5.

Day312 - i was so into grunge and alternative in 1993 to appreciate how good the wu tang clan was and this one has hit after hit

Love it

Hip-hop perfection. If this isn't in the top 5 for wny "best of all time" hip-hop lists, it's a bad list. Every song on this is a classic. This album has no skips, and every second on this record is utilised to perfection. This record kick started an insane amount of careers, and with good reason. One of my favourite hip-hop albums, and it's always a pleasure to come back and listen to it. I do prefer the expanded edition, the remasters tweaked a bit of the patchy 90's quality, but nevertheless, whichever version you're listening to, it's perfect. Favourite song off here has gotta be Da Mystery of Chessboxin', but every other song I'd have no idea what would be my second favourite, they're all so special and perfect to me.

Still goes really hard. While I've always liked the style and mood that their music sets I felt like I was really taken in more by their beats and samples than I have been listening to them in the past. The groups rhymes as a whole are all really good but the way they construct their beats and of course their usage of cheesy old martial arts dubbing gives it a sound that is both indistinguishably Wu Tang, while also giving room for different tempos and feelings. Which can range from more energetic and intense to you can really just lay back and unwind to. Probably the only negative thing I could even suggest is that (at least for the spotify version) the interludes are not segmented into their own parts on the album Highlights: Protect Ya Neck, Bring Da Ruckus, Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' wit

There is not a wasted second on this banger of a record. Every single track and interlude goes hard as fuck and is such a crazy contrast to the west coast sound it was contemporary with. Insane debut.

Classic hip hop album. Love all the different flows and clever lyrics. A few stumbles but too many hits to not love this album.

Stone cold classic, every song has something to offer and even the skits are all-timers. I read some other people's reviews and saw their complaints and I want to point out that this album is more than the sum of its many parts: RZA's production is simplistic? Yes, it lets everybody have a chance to shine. Rhymes are simplistic? I mean, in the context of 2024, I guess, but there are some all-timer bars here and the interplay is part of the fun. Kung Fu is corny? Sorry man, you're actually lame as hell.

One of the best rap albums of all time. Every time ODB shows up it's like turning the knob to 11. Each member lays down some insane verses throughout the album, and the production is so interesting. Don't think I even need say more about this album, it's pretty much all been said hundreds of times over

I know I said previously that Boston had the greatest debut album but I probably should have specified *rock* debut album. Because this, this is the greatest debut album of all time.

Class

Easily one of the best hip hop projects of the 90’s. It oozes with confidence, skill, narrative, and humor. What an introduction to this rag tag group of geniuses. Also C.R.E.A.M. is one of the best hip hop songs of all time.

I've had every word of this album memorized since the day it came out. It is more or less perfect.