Reviews (page 4 of 13)
Sampling and production is great, not my favourite genre of music but this is definitely the type of hip-hop I'd go for. Gonna give it 4 stars, more than likely will give it more listens again
Classic
Great album, probably aged a bit now but nostalgia brings me to a 5.
DOPE
Unbeatable
Another record that is just flawless
I grew up on the album, it's a top 5 best hip-hop albums of all time. Wu-Tang is forever.
Very familiar with this one, absolute classic and one of the best ever
One of the greatest rap albums of all time. Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin to fuck with
Bringing a breath of fresh air to the hip Hop genre. It cuts like a knife, raw and edgy. Bringing the martial arts film samples and creating a cult was a masterpiece
One Classic album that started it all
Ain't nothing to eff with, forever.
This is an album I was waiting for, as there was no universe where this wouldn't be in the top ten albums list, never mind 1001 albums. I was a little late to the Wu-Tang party, not having listened to this album until the late 90s. However, it's easily one of the best albums ever produced. The beats are special, as are the lyrics and vocal performances. It's also a rare case where there's so many talented artists coming together to form something greater than any one individual. There's particular verses that are probably the strongest performance ever recorded for some of the members of the clan. For example, Inspectah Deck's verse in C.R.E.A.M. Best of all, it sounds like everyone was having fun making this. Interestingly, I listened to the expanded edition on Spotify for the first time for this listen. I must have heard the original version maybe hundreds of times, so the small and not so small differences stood out.
This album is fire all the way through. I will definitely visit this one again.
Masterpiece. Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuttin ta f wit. Recommended reading: Chamber Music by Will Ashon
how do you give this anything but 5 stars
Thoughts before listening: Well this is fun. I used to own this album and I like it quite a bit. Like with a lot of rap album I'm sure the lyrics and skits will be more cringey than I remember, but I'm glad to have a reason to revisit this. Review: Yeah this is great. The group dynamic doesn't always work in hip hop, but Wu Tang really pulls it off. Each of these guys has their own distinctive voice and personality that really comes through in these songs. I like that Wu Tang has a laid back style to their beats, and there are some truly iconic tracks on here. My favorites are "Bring Da Ruckus", "Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nothing....", "C.R.E.A.M.", "Method Man", and "Protect Ya Neck". 5-star hip hop album
this album dropped the science
I knew that I was going to enjoy today’s album because I’ve heard it heaps of times. I even have a Wu Tang style hockey jersey. If anything, I underestimated how much I was going to enjoy this today. There are some absolute bangers on this album. In general, I’d say I’m not usually the biggest hip hop fan but then occasionally something will come into my radar that blows me away. This album was one of those, and it frankly continues to be. I genuinely say that [insert basically anything here] ain’t nothin’ to fuck with almost every day.
I love this album so much- so happy I got to listen to this one today! It's so raw, and I can feel their passion in every song. I think listening from start to finish clued me into the variety of each track, even though I've listened to these songs many times individually. Like... Bring The Ruckus and then ending with Tearz?? There's just so much to work with. Anyways this was banging.
Luksus! Sindssygt sindssygt fedt - føler at det ligger på 4.5-5/5
.
As far as composition and style goes, this set a standard.
Excellent production, terrific lyrics and flow. Each member has his own style, and the album, while a little messy, is a thrill from start to finish. Shadowboxing, martial arts classic!
One of my favorite albums ever. It’s fun getting to know the alter-egos of all the rappers on the track. Can it be so simple is my favorite.
Classic as hell. More to appreciate with each listen 👍
Greatest album
Apple Music called this a pop album, but I’m still not fucking with it
Good start to the morning
Absolute classic and stands up as strong, if not stronger compared to so much of what is out there, today. I haven't listened to this album in at least half a decade, and it was an absolute joy and like rediscovering something that blew my mind once again.
While Rap isn't my preferred genre it's obvious this is above average. Whoever put the music samples together did an excellent job. With that and the snippets of old Kung Fu movies it was my favorite aspect of this album.
Brilliant old school rap
Violence that becomes cartoonish and a host of personalities that bounce off each other, showing their skill and how raw the sounds are. When I listen to this album all I can think about is don't fuck with the Wu-tang clan.
Dollar dollar bill, y’all! 💲 Are we dealing with the best hip hop album, ever? I think we might be.
Yes!!! Not only do I get a hip hop album, I get one of the best classic hip hop albums of all time??? Sign me up! Seriously though, this album is great, and so is the Wu-Tang Clan. The blend of cultures and abilities seen in their records is nothing but admirable. Every member has something unique and powerful to offer, yet under the same amazing production as everyone else. The Clans ability to make songs so adventurous and lyrically deep while also pushing these songs, and the genre, into the mainstream, is amazing and a great example of their huge influence on all of modern hip hop. The Wu-Tang Clan has always been known for doing their own thing and reaching out to millions instantly, and this record is the greatest example of that. Despite all the subtle references and raw production, the songs on this album are still all classics and still brought many people into the world of rap. Wu-Tang Clan has rightfully earned their place among the greats like Dre and Pac.
i've never listened to wu-tang before but i wish i had sooner! this album was great. i am finding myself a big fan of this era of rap and this is one of the best complete albums i have heard. the production and beats on this one are so great and the verses here are witty, fun, and their flow is excellent. obviously wu-tang gets a lot of hype (we've all seen the t-shirts from hot topic and the posters in college dorms) which, i think steered me away, thinking they were somehow overrated. nope. this is great stuff!
I still regularly listen to this album some 30+ years after release. It was ground-breaking at the time and still sounds fresh and relevant today. On a related note I saw GZA at Dreamland in Margate in the summer of 2023 (he was performing, and not just a on the rides with his family) and it was fucking awful!!
Top 5 Hip Hop album for me.
Classic album. Brings da ruckus. Innit.
My favorite rap album of all time. Every song is a banger. The lines, the beats, the various artists that come together to bring solid song after solid song. The fact that this is a debut album still blows my mind. Masterpiece. 10/10
For decades, people have been telling me that I would love Wu-Tang. They were all correct. Halfway through the second song, I know this is my new favorite thing in the world. Calling it 5/5 from here.
10/10 no notes
Excellent stuff
Probably some of this is due to some hip hop bias, but this album is perfect. It doesn’t get better than this. RZA and the other members of wu tang created an iconic sound, a production style that inspired the decades of New York rap since. The beats on this album are some of the greatest ever created, and the rhymes are just as good.
Love Wu-Tang!
G.O.A.T.
Not quite my genre, but extremely well done
Fabulous
Wu tang clan ain’t nothin to fuck wit
LOVE THIS
It’s insane how good the clan sound together and how they play off each other. The nerdy ode to martial arts shlock really sells the whole concept and makes this essential listening, one of the best rap albums ever. A-
Absolute hip hop masterpiece, huge ar the time and has aged well too, so much better than the west coast gangster rap from the same era.
🐝 hard to believe this album is over 30 years old. Fantastic stuff.
SOLID
The samples, the beats, the lyrics, the mountains of charisma coming from each group member; everything about this album kills. Wu-Tang Clan truly is nothing to fuck with.
Shame on a nigga CREAM Tearz ❤️
There is not much to say here. Obviously, one the greatest and most important hip-hop albums ever, but also one of the greatest in music period. World-changing!
Fique muito surpresa! Não conhecia absolutamente nada sobre eles e percebendo a importância deles pra história tornou tudo mais interessante. O album é impactante, com certeza terei que estudar mais e ouvir mais álbuns!
instant 5. childhood classic
I mean, come on, I've loved this since 1996. Had it on cassette, cd, mp3, iPad, and vinyl.
Forgot how good this album was until I relistened to it. Absolute classic of this genre, and possibly my favourite rap album of the 90s. Fav tracks: CREAM, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Protect Ya Neck
lyrical miracle
Wu-Tang for President 2024!
Best.
Another album I already know, one of the best.
It probably took a second for many to realize at the time, but Wu-Tang Clan was a hip-hop dream team. When you consider the solo and future careers of the vast roster, it's pretty apparent that this group was a force in retrospect. Not to mention that this was Wu-Tang Clan's DEBUT album. A classic in not only the East Coast hip-hop sphere, but in ALL of hip-hop. As for the album itself, it's pretty raw and gritty throughout. After reading up on some of the album's production, this grittiness makes sense given the limited budget the group apparently had to deal with. Nothing about it sounds "cheap" though, if that makes sense. The group clearly leans into this somewhat hardcore and menacing theme all throughout, complete with many soul samples and clips from old kung-fu movies that have since been made iconic. Plus, the large roster allows each rapper to bounce off of each other and essentially "tag team" in many of these tracks, prominently shown in "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" and "Protect Ya Neck". I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the classic single "C.R.E.A.M.", which still has a resounding impact on hip-hop 30 years later. The hard-hitting, dusty sound and production of 36 Chambers might be off-putting for some people (I'll admit that the intro to "Method Man" still makes me cringe...). This is still a culturally significant album in the scope of hip-hop and even more so when zooming into the East vs West Coast hip-hop picture from the time, as the West Coast had all the momentum with the emergence of G-funk. I'd say that the East Coast hip-hop scene fared pretty well when you look at the rest of the 90s and what followed 36 Chambers.
Look, they told me themselves, "Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with." So I haven't fucked with them, and for that reason, I felt very nervous listening to this album. But now I'm starting to think they meant something else when they said that.
Ric Flair “WOOOOO!” but he’s referencing Wu-Tang.
Arguably the greatest rap album of all time. Every member was clearly on their game in terms of flow and lyrics. Best song: Bring Da Ruckus
Ikoniskt mästerverk.
This album is FIRE. Straight fire. Oozing charisma and fantastic lines. It gave us classics like ‘Wu Tang Clan ain’t nothin’ to fuck with’, Protect Ya Neck, Shame on an N**** and CREAM! Haven’t listened to this album in so long, but I welcomed it with open arms. Amazing rap album.
This is a very impressive hip hop classic. It is from 1993, but sounds like it could have been released today. All great Wu-Tang Clan members are there in peak form. Great production, great songs, great raps!
This is the Masterpiece of 90s rap music. Amazing how sensitive my ears are now to swear words. In high school did not even notice. The album is kept fresh with the host of rappers and rapping styles. The lyrics (hoe er full of swears) are clever & satirical and relevant to the culture. Bonus the king foo theme! Wu Tang forever.
One of the quintessential 90s East Coast rap albums, next to the likes of Ready to Die and Illmatic. From the dark and dusty production of RZA to the furious rhymes of the various group members such as Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and Method Man, there's a lot of great moments by the individual members along with some very memorable beats such as the smooth piano looping of "C.R.E.A.M." to the dark drums of "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'".
I listened to this album for the first time a few years ago, when I was trying to get better acquainted with hip hop music, but this is my first time revisiting it. This album is absolutely fantastic. A piece of pure hip-hop, Enter the Wu-Tang has fantastic rapping, catchy rhymes, and a talented group of artists who elevate this album to a unique tier of greatness. The production is minimal, but I didn’t mind at all; this album doesn’t need anything to take away from its hard-hitting rapping and lyrics. RZA somehow manages to take bright samples from soul music and create sounds that match the menacing tone of this album. With its gritty imagery, Enter the Wu-Tang is a masterclass in gangsta rap and hardcore hip-hop. This album somehow manages to elevate both the talents of the individuals and the incredible result of their collaboration. I love how this album never feels weighed down by the number of people that were involved with its creation and recording. Too often, albums are weighed down by a grand vision that doesn’t translate to an end result that isn’t overblown and overwhelming, but this album avoids that trap. Ol’ Dirty Bastard is my favorite rapper of the original members of the group; the distinct growl of his voice is the perfect addition to this group. “C.R.E.A.M.” is my favorite track on the album, with its tinkling piano sample and a beat that feels like riding a series of waves. This album is a masterpiece from start to finish, and I loved revisiting it today.
One of the greatest
I’m a child at heart and Wu-Tang is for the children
They were a little past my prime rap listening days, but I would have loved this.
Rating: 10/10 One of the greatest albums of all time. Each member of the Wu-Tang clan is so strong lyrically and has their own unique style. The interplay and synergy between all of the members is unparalleled, the transitions between each verse feels so seamless every single time. Lyrically this album is battle rapping and about the struggles of the members' upbringings and is done in a way that is incredibly witty and thought-provoking. I heard this album many times and I am still discovering something new with each listen. A timeless hip-hop classic.
Bring Da Ruckus Shame On A N Clan In Da Front Da Mystery of Chessboxin' Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck With C.R.E.A.M. Method Man Protect Ya Neck
The best rap music!
I'm not going to argue that this is the greatest hip hop album ever made, but I'm also not going to argue against it. This album changed everything. It was grimy, it was dirty, it was chaotic, it was layered, it was nerdy, it was SO FUCKING COOL. It was life in New York on the ground level, in a voice never heard in such a way. It was The Wire in aural format. It was, and continues to be as influential an album as has ever been created, a seminal piece of art, a nearly flawless masterpiece. PS - Don’t listen to the edited version that the included link takes you to on Apple Music. Take a second to find the full, unedited version in all its glory!
Absolute game-changer. Before 36 Chambers, samples were limited to James Brown, Funkadelic, etc., then along comes RZA and you get Thelonious Monk, Barbara Streisand, etc., even Dick Van Dyke! Literally made the entire record store fodder for new music. Besides the beats and solid rhymes, you can't over look the unique production approach. As gritty and authentic as ODB! RZA is the Steve Albini of hip hop
Guys don't form game-changing musical groups with 7 of their best buds anymore.
One of the greatest rap groups of all-time and one of the greatest rap albums of all-time
Protect Ya Neck. Fucking legendary. RZA, GZA,Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Ol' Dirty Bastard and the rest of Wu-Tang put their fucking stamp down HARD and the influence of this album is forever going to be around. Wu-Tang Clan influence ain't nuthing to fuk with.
Banger
Raw as fuck. Holy fuck. Remember when rap used to be grimy?
ain't nuthing ta fuck wit!
Beats from a deranged music box, verses from an insanely talented group of young rappers pushing each other higher and higher. Funny and dark, real and yet full of fantasy world making conjuring the Wu Tang kung fu mythology. RZA's beat making and overall production is lo fi genius: he builds a slow deep and spacious groove with simple bass and piano hooks, spooky atmospheric sounds, a bit of DJ scratching and bare bones drum machine parts..Their hugely effective platforms inviting the lyricists to fill in the room with one virtuosic performance after another.
Masterpiece. "Tourture" Should be on display at the smithsonian.
This album is so fucking good. I can’t pick a favorite member because all of them knock it out of the park.
5 star banger. One of the important Rap albums with great artistic creativity.
Classic album
Untouchable classic, changed rap completely. Wu-Tang Forever! RIP ODB
Wu Tang truly started the east coast rap movement for me. The rawness of it all. The beats, the haunting piano, the chaos. Everyone else are imitators. The album might actually get stronger as it goes. C.R.E.A.M, Protect Ya Neck, Tearz are all on a very strong Wu Tang Sword side. There really isn’t a B side. 9.0/10
A complete and utter fucking masterpiece. Proper stompin album. One of the absolute greatest for sure. 5/5
Iconic album
One of the greatest ever. One of the most important rap albums ever made. This album changed the game when it came out.
EAST SIDE Wu-Tang emerged with the NYC renaissance and changed rap forever. Some of the oldest, most notable names in the game and listed by countless as a major influence: it's the style for me. The counterplay between all of their unique styles and sounds, all while sounding like you're hanging out with them cracking jokes about pop culture and shitting on each other
Det er sgu en klassiker. Det eneste essentielle album fra Wu-Tang, der ikke er et af medlemmernes soloprojekt. Sindssyge beats
De her beats lyder stadig så vilde, og må have lydt helt vanvittige i 93. Virkelig fede flows. Næsten fede skits. En af de bedste hiphop plader nogensinde
Great album. Love it.
i knew i'd like this since c.r.e.a.m has been a mainstay on all my hip hop playlists since i was like 13. like slightly too many skits for my liking, but it does give teh album a vivid personality.
Cmon. No misses. PERFECT 5/5
Killer
Well, for some reason, the link here took me to a strange edited version that didn’t have all the tracks, so don’t listen to that. Find the actual album and listen to that. Always such a perfect album. Even the “skits” are at least funny. (Maybe not intentionally, but still.) Wu-Tang forever, thank you!!!
We all know this album, so instead of a review here are some thoughts I had on this listen: • It sounds better at night than during the day. • My favorite verse on the album is ODB's in Chessboxin. • It's longer than I realized. • Going back to an earlier album on the list, Can Be All So Simple made me think of Portishead. The samples reminded me a bit of both Mysterons and Roads from Dummy. Also something about this song always stuck out to me, and still does. It feels different from the rest of the album for some reason. • Fun fact I learned 5 minutes ago. They sampled the theme song to Underdog - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa1fH0SvGPg 10/10
I don't even really like rap anymore but this album is unreal. I had even just listened to it within the last month to try to prove to Stijn that that wyclef jean album couldn't possibly be a 5 and on the same level. Amazing both times.
An OG and formative classic. Not much to say other than its another nostalgic album that brings me back to high school summertime.
This is one of my all-time favorite albums. Over half the songs are enduring classics and the remainder range from good to amazing. My favorite song is Da Mystery of Chessboxin'. ODB's verse on this is one of my favorites by him, and everyone else delivers as well. The stretch from Chessboxin' through Protect Ya Neck is an insane barrage of bars with amazing beats. I regularly listen to just that when I don't have time to get through the entire album. 31 years later, this album hasn't lost one step.
The best gangster rap album Ever made
For me, one of the most impactful pieces of art I've experienced. 36 stars for the wu
Wu Tang Forever 5/5
Hardcore east coast hip hop. Such a crazy album. How in the world did they manage to fit so many rappers in one album and have it not turn out a cramped mess? Seriously, they all stand out on their own too. Insane flows, insane lyrics, insane beats. I could hardly believe it was over so quick. Loved it from start to finish. Will have to revisit for sure. 4.5/5
Klassieker, altijd vijf sterren.
Wu-Tang Clan aint nothing to fuck with
amazing, the best, RAAAAAAAAAAAW ima give it to you like coke straight from bolivia
Jajaja Onvervalste klassieker
A few good classics, still love the energy in this album 30 years later.
Fuck yeah. One of the best albums full stop. From brimming with hiphop confidence to thoughtful and reflective to taking the piss. Amazingly characterful flows with distinct styles. Production is incredible and the blending of the samples works to bring it together into a really cohesive album. The drums go so hard and really haven’t aged. Standout track - Da Mystery Of Chessboxing
The greatest 90s hip hop album, if not the greatest ever. Massive talents on display
An absolute classic
Another classic and one of my favorites! Haven’t listened to it all the way through in a few years but they’re pretty much all bangers. Favorite might actually be Da Mystery of Chessboxing, along with, of course, Method Man, and CREAM.
Such an amazing album. It marked a real turning point for me, when I went from a long haired indie/hippy kid to a skateboarding, baggy jeaned wigga. There may have been a time that I could recite this full album (or at least our version of what we thought the lyrics were). The vinyl track ordering is different to the version on Spotify though. God was that record quiet… Easy 5 stars.
Seminal album. Over thirty years old and sounds like it was recorded yesterday. RZA's production still sounds fresh. I looked for reasons to mark this down to a 4, but not a single weak moment. My only complaint being that it's too short.
Razor sharp and heavy. Seminal East Coast hardcore.
Again & again! It’s a miracle one album by Wu even exists in the first place let alone this and it’s follow ups. These guys did not have long life expectancies, some of them were even violent street rivals against each other. This document is testament to what is possible when people put aside their differences and work together for a common goal. In this case the common goal was to make it in the rap game and get out of the slums of Staten Island. This album is the most pure form of that dream, rugged and raw, and refusing to compromise on the tonality. Their personalities shine on this album, I corrupted by the spotlight, as a showcase of how much amazing talent there is that never sees the light of day because when they recorded it, they frankly had no idea how big it was going to be. How could anyone? Their follow ups & solo albums were inconsistent in quality (more good than bad) but this is the crest of the wave. As much as I love this album I must recommend the double album follow up to this one however, as I consider it one of the most interesting follow up albums out there, and frankly very underrated.
Classic!
Wu tang forever...
WARRIORS! COME OUT AND PLAYYYYAYY!
"That was the greatest rap group of all time, because there were nine of them motherf**kers and every last one of them can rap" What an amazing album, had to be to stand out in an era where you had Titans like Tupac and Biggie and NWA, but these nine dudes from The Shaolin did it!
I hear new stuff every time I listen to this. It's brilliant and clever. I'll just sound like the white guy dweeb that I am by saying much more.
Really enjoyed it. Will probably listen again soon.
Classic.
Pretty solid album. Not my fav WuTang but still a worthwhile listen. 4.5/5
Great!
A rap masterpiece, easily one of the best to come out of the '90s. The chemistry of everyone on this is insane. Fav Tracks: Shame on a N****, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber, Can It Be All So Simple/Intermission, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin ta F' Wit, C.R.E.A.M., Protect Ya Neck, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II Least Fav Track: N/A 10/10
Phenomenal album.
Staten Island came to get down. Cash ruins everything around me.
Hard to ignore how many other rappers styles you hear from this one album since Wu-Tang brought them all up. One of the best
the only one so far that I'm not even revisiting because I listen to this album so often. This could easily be the greatest hip hop album of all time, its an effortlessly high class and standard debut that maintains the raw energy that comes from fresh new artists. Hearing lyrical comradery on this level had only been touched on at this point and in my opinion this is the first album where it truly felt as though every member knew each other like family and that's where the cohesiveness came from. This album has everything you could want from a hip hop album, storytelling, bragging, INCREDIBLE flows that chop and change in heart beat. I could almost listen to this album not knowing the words and enjoy just as much simply from how they interlock with the beats. RZA's (and others') beats on this album are also what make this so special. While working with elements of the rhythmically infectious bouncing beats and jazz samples of other boom bap artists, RZA managed to expertly turn up the harshness and darkness of the sound, while still having the finesse to create emotionally potent tracks like Tearz. Beyond this, this being the genesis for countless amazing solo careers and completely changing the face of what rap and hip hop could be, and from the sound, seemingly without even trying. I've always credited this to RZA having huge plans for the group but not being transparent with all the members lol. Truly a genius, who just happened to be surrounded by a bunch more geniuses. In a way, thank god no one gave a shit about Staten Island so we could be given this album. One of the best of all time.
WU-TANG!
I'm very much a dabbler in hip hop so I've heard a lot of Wu Tang tracks but never did a full album. Wow, this might be the perfect hip hop album. It goes hard, the production is crazy tight and the rhymes are fire. It's insane that 30 years later this still sounds modern.
An all-time classic - it aged very well and no other group has harnessed so many great voices in one group.
The greatest album of all time.
An incredible album from start to finish. I even enjoy the interludes which often irritate me. I had to start with this to hype me up before starting my 2 week backlog.
L'un des meilleurs albums de hip-hop de tout les temps pour une raison. 9.5/10
Classic
This album makes me C.R.E.A.M
Triumphant debut that would spawn the careers of everyone within the group. These heights are rarely reached and achieved for future success.
What a unique album, and one I cant imagine hearign when it first came out. There was nothing really like it before, and nothing like it since thoguh many have tried. I know decent amount about the Wu-Tang Clan and this album because I watched the Hulu show and I can't believe this many talented rappers all basicalyl grew up together. These guys are all absolutely rapping their asses off. Method Man, Rawekwon, ODB, GZA, RZA, Ghostface and the rest each bring their own unique styles and personalities which makes this very fun to hear. As disturbing as some of the imagery is, the lyricism is so good I don't care. Wu-Tang Clan aint nothin to fuck with. Wild how many times Method Man quotes musicals lol.
Yeah, Staten Island! Also the album is a masterpiece and still holds up today.
I just think it’s brilliant.
Real shit
Gear: DCA ÆON 2 Noire Mix: Beste RZA Qualität. Legendäre Samples und Skits. Drums gleichzeitig knackig und analog-knackend. Unheimlicher aber subtiler Echo-Effekt in den generell aggresssiven und roughen Vocals. Musik: Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit! 🥷💨 Wertung: easy 5/5
I like the tongue-in-cheek silliness mixed with doses of real world problems.
Classic. 5 stars
A new benchmark for its time.
The enlightenment. The Algonquin round table. How did these dudes all find each other? How did they create a super group of people they just knew? Why are some places epicenters of creativity? HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN. Wu-Tang Forever.
Masterpiece
Det facto är detta: en grup ungdommar från värsta Omgivningar(om-giv-nin-gar)* och grannskap kunde kombinera några utdrag från soulskivor från 70-talet, kultur och dialog från kampsportsfilmer från Hong Kong och Japan och en spark och snara att göra något som fortfarande kommer från bilstereos och på festen…. det är musiken för dig.. detta här är musik… omgivningar* 1. that which is near something 2. persons within sight or hearing 3. circle of acquaintances; the people with whom a given person regularly comes into contact
One of the greatest hip hop albums Top tracks: Shame On a N*gga, Wu-Tang Ain’t Nothing ta F’ Wit, C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me), Protect Ya Neck
Groundbreaking. Unique. Enjoyable.
9/10 bangers like these dont come often
I’ll fuckin’ tie you to a fuckin’ bedpost with your ass cheeks spread out and shit, right? Put a hanger on a fuckin’ stove and let that shit sit there for like a half hour, take it off and stick it in your ass slow like “tsss”
could i write poetry to this? y
An easy 5 for me. This has been in my rotation for well over half my life at this point. Kung Fu and comics references abound making for a fun record that is also incredibly dark and sad. Very much my kind of shit.
Hip hop storytelling with almost no braggadocious materialistic based profanity that takes talent.
The grittiness, the samples, the verses, everything is great. The blueprint of east coast gangster rap for years to come. The opposite side of the coin from Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, but just as good and aging very well. Amazing that this came out on the same day as Midnight Marauders. Wu-Tang is for the children.
Solid five stars for the rawness, underground scene, and massive childhood throwback - absolutely no bias ;) Reuniting with the gang hits different after shaping my life in NYC. Back in high school, I was a shy, goody-goody kid who found solace in gangster rap. It was my escape from reality, and I secretly let the lil gangster grow inside me hoping to reveal them to the world one day. Even now, I still see myself as a cowardly boi who is scared of many things. Yet, that little gangster homie brought me all the way to this city and drove me to breathe new life into my existence. I've been a rebel in my own ways, and I'm only gonna get braver from here!
Best songs CREAM, Protect Ya Neck, Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nothin to F With
I like the beat
Stands out as some of the most creative and influential albums. From the classic Kung Fu movie fills, the back tracks that set a districtive mood, and each rap track that tells you something relevant, you are listening to greatness on this record.
9/10
Legendealbum fra begynnelsen av en musikalsk bevegelse. Tidløst, hardt, fett og fylt med personlighet og kultur. Ps. Har sett de live høhø
Pretty interesting album to start with. Holds up incredibly well to time and was bouncing the whole time I had it on.
Killer beats Love the concept throughout of Wu sampling, with wu-tang swords slicing through torture skit a great aggressive intro to each member. I'll sew up your asshole and then just feed you, and feed you, and feed you Method Man focus song kills it, great rythym w the voice. got myself a shorty and i, got myself a 40 Unique voices
I hadn’t really entered the Wu before. I knew the track C.R.E.A.M, enjoyed some Method Man and Redman, and even saw Wu live at Rock the Bells. The cult like following for the group kind of turned me off to it. This album convinced that their reputation is deserved. The beats are stripped down and grimy compared to other legendary producers of the era like Dr. Dre and Q-Tip. But RZA’s production is creative, compelling and a perfect fit for the raw, energetic and varied flow styles of the group. Other than C.R.E.A.M. my favorite track is Da Mystery of Chessboxin’.
A classic, still holds up
G.O.A.T.E.D
All time classic. Great beats, great rhymes. Dirty. A few too many slots/spoken interludes, but that is just a 90s thing. Hip hop at it's purest for me.
Top notch production on this one. Just a classic
amazing. so creative, great samples. iconic.
Early album for 90's era rap, and this one defined the genre. Great lyrics overlaid with a simple beat and instrumentation. Perfection!
Masterpiece. One of the best hip hop records ever released. One of these rap albums that can scare you.
Just listening to this made a black belt in kung fu
Peak early 90’s hip hop. This album is great and will actually make you laugh with the sections of the clan just talking. It is interesting though how I tend to dislike their solo albums, it’s like when they come together, they are so much better.
I’ve been struggling with reviewing Raekwon’s debut which I was given a couple of days ago, and finally getting the opportunity to listen to a full Wu-Tang album again has made a few things clear as to why I wasn’t vibing with Purple Tape as much as I’d like to. Raekwon and Ghostface are the two least interesting rappers in the Wu-Tang. They work better in a group context, because their flow is offset by the other rappers verses, but when doing full songs by their own the fact that they both have pretty similar flows has a tendency to make the songs drag. And also explains why 36 Chambers is possibly the best rap album of the 90’s. It is the best group effort from a predominantly collaborative genre. Everyone is able to play to their strengths. This is explained really well in the intermission to Can It Be All So Simple. The Wu-Tang is a group, they all have their strengths and they all play to them in the album context. I might have a personal preference for other albums, but 36 Chambers shows best what rap has the potential to be as an art form, one which is based on a mutual respect for what each member brings to the table, whether that be with their rhymes, their flow, their beats, or just the energy they bring. And although as said before there are albums I prefer personally, I could still listen to this album all day
🐐
I think this is one of the best 90's Hip Hop albums I've ever heard. You listen to any song, you get into it and you feel that "street vibe". The rhythm of the songs are addictive, plus the shaolin and kung fu movie type theme is something I haven't seen too much of. If I had to highlight some important songs C.R.E.A.M. or Shame on a Nigga are quite catchy and iconic songs. The only bad thing I see is that I didn't like Tearz and Can It Be All So Simple, but for everything else, if you love hip hop, this album is ESSENTIAL for your listening.
I've been listening to the wu tang all day today and gone down a rabbit hole of recent reviews of the album at 30 year anniversary. Album itself is gritty, dense and snappy lyrics with interesting samples, I very much enjoyed it
certified classic. no notes
Rap version of CSNY. Dudes rock
One of the classics. Absolutely top notch hip hop.
Stone cold classic. Every track added to 1001 Experience unless it contained a skit so half lol
An absolute masterpiece and the RZA is a genius producer. "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck" are among the best. 10/10.
Pure youth nostalgia.
it's for the children
Could be argued that this is the greatest hip hop/rap album of all time. Was a pleasure to listen to on a Friday.
Easy rating
Absolute masterpiece of gritty raw hip-hop. Longtime favourite.
hard af!
I don't generally listen to much hip-hop but there is something about this album that keeps my attention with repeated listenings.
Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothing to fuck with
Iconic wu tang
11/7/23. Thanks to Chappelle, have listened to this countless times and still consider it a classic. Timeless beats, production, and lyric delivery.
That's good music!
Classic
Timeless
This is the stuff of legends.
Launched an empire. The most unique sound of its time.
Groundbreaking hip hop. This record has ENERGY. The skits drag on a bit and focus a little too much on intimidation/braggadocio. But that is completely forgivable due to the sheer amount of hits. Bring Da Ruckus, C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, and Protect Ya Neck will regularly appear on your best of the 90s hop hop playlists. Great rhymes and great lines. This album doesn't let up. Fire front to back. Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin to fuck with.
WU
10/10 (even the skits are decent!) Fave song: "Da Mystery of Chessboxin" production, vocals, lyrics, all come together in a perfectly unified front that is almost impossible to imagine 9 different people sustaining for an entire album
If you listen to hip hop, you absolutely need to listen to this album. Every contributor has the talent to succeed singularly. As a group, this material is historical.
Amazing hip-hop record. Goes extremely hard. The founding records of Hip-hop as we know it today. 5/5
sooo fireeee
Best Song: Shame On A Nigga. I just love the rhythm of Method Man's part on this track. Worst Song: Clan In Da Front. It kind of felt like an intro to a song that never came. Overall: Iconic, this album is absolutely jam-packed. It feels crowded in the best way, where no matter who is on the mic it seems like everyone else is waiting just to the side, eager to jump on.
Charged by the system for murdering the rhythm. 1993 exoticness. Jacques Cousteau could never get this low. Super cool and very 30 years ago. What always confused me about Gangsta Rap is that all the songs are about how cool and dangerous the author is, and how he can tell you the sickest story ever, but he never does. And then we get Lo-Fi Hip-Hop Beats to Study and Relax to. But indeed, Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with.
Spittin straight fire bars. Wu-Tang Forever 👐🏻
So good!
Sick af
Might be the best hip hop album ive listened to. All killer no filler. Incredible how much it holds up. Everyone is on their best game and the beats are groovy asf while not distracting from the lyrical complexity.
Simply one of the greatest rap albums ever made. From production to lyrics, very few albums top this one
Arguably the definitive 90s rap album. A true classic that never gets old. 5 Stars
Great Album,so Many good Tracks.It got a Raw Sounds that not completely my thing but the energy is infectious and the beats are great.Not a Bad Song on it.with like four complete bangers.
One of the best album of all time.
Masterpiece
One of the best
Favorite song: Bring Da Ruckus Least favorite: Wu Tang: 7th Chamber One word: cream
A classic, one of the best and most influential hip hop albums ever.
WU TANG WU TANG WU TANG WU TANG
Lots of classics and hits from wutang on this album. Easy to see why it's one of the greats and why it's so revered today. Love it.
Disco Classic. Long songs. Sounds like if Rappers delight was the original song
Bring the mofo ruckus
Classic hip hop.
Got me into rap. No bad tracks in here, excellent lyrics and talent from the Wu-Tang. The confluence of styles and voices only makes the whole thing better. Amazing beats as well.
True Classic
2nd best rap album of all time right behind Illmatic.
Don't even need to listen to it because I listen to this masterpiece every week or so. An instant classic, legendary style and flow, Bobby Digital with some grimy innovative production. Something that had never been seen before.
Hip hop classic
10/10
Classic NYC grit, laced with venomous bars!!
Classic. Awesome.
Album exists outside of rates & opinion.
Dope
Reminded me a lot of IAM
All day a 5. One of the best hip hop albums ever
The 90's were such a gold mine for absolutely spectacular rap music. It is really hard to pick just one rap album for the best of that decade. But 36 Chambers is undeniably a contender. Immediately from track one, the Wu-Tang Clan comes at you with an energy unlike what other groups were providing at the time. Which is why their impact is still felt today, and also why they are one of, if not the most, acclaimed and recognizable hip-hop collectives of all time. The only way I can describe the experience of listening to this album all the way through is like being circled by a group of 9 men, and having them pass you around and take turns beating the shit out of you while some guy is making beats out of it in the background. One member of the group goes, and then the next one picks up immediately where the other left off to continue the beating. It's intense, and oftentimes they speak about extreme violence, like on "Method Man", where they just list off a bunch of different torture methods in the intro skit. And this lyrical content mixes perfectly with RZA's style of beats. I find that the melodic sampled bits of the songs often sit back in the mix and create a type of ambiance, while the drums are pushed to the front. The drums also sound as if all of the high-end was cut out. Sometimes the kicks are hard to hear because of this choice. RZA and Wu-Tang in general are known for their martial arts movie influences and samples, and I like that sometimes the sample is just clicking and clacking of swords colliding as a percussive element, or the yells of people getting killed. Really, the most appealing aspect of the group was their chemistry in the music. They bounced off of each other so effortlessly. Songs like "Protect Ya Neck" or "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber" work so well because they feature nearly every member, and they are just all taking turns speaking their mind. This album is just another one of those quintessential rap albums every person exploring the genre needs to hear at some point. Similarly to its east-coast brother Illmatic, 36 Chambers put you right on the streets of New York in the 90's.
stone cold classic
Cash Rules Everything Around Me.
Easily the best example of a hip hop collective to date. You can tell that each of the members try to one-up each other, which results in each member having witty, memorable bars & top tier lyricism. RZA’s beats ties it all together creating a rough gritty vibe. Masterpiece.
This album is incredible and still just as fresh and vital today as it did when it was released 30 years ago. Truly a masterpiece.
The brilliance is in the simple production that lets all the various rapping styles and flows drive the songs forward and give them energy. It’s great.
A stone cold classic. I love the production on here, especially the sampling. Those old school kung fu samples go so hard. Solid bars from everyone on this record. A very important hip hop record.
classic what
“En garde, I'll let you try my Wu-Tang style“
Absolute, stonewall, non-debatable, generational, everlasting, jaw dropping, hip hopping banger of an album. Truly one of the greats.
I've tried to see Wu three times in my life. Two were cancellations and one was a no-show. Classic Wu...
The legendary.
First time listening all the way through, though I've heard tracks here and there. Revolutionary, of course, and formative, but also really enjoyable even in 2023. Clever, funny, emotional, smart. Good shit.
Fun, Iconic, fucking rad
Some of the most iconic hip hop ever made, still holds up today.
"Shaolin shadowboxing...and the Wu-Tang sword style. If what you say is true, the Shaolin and the Wu-Tang could be dangerous. Do you think your Wu-Tang sword can defeat me?" There are few albums on this list that I have a history with like this one. I bought it when I was 15 or so, and I couldn't even guess how many times I've listened to it since then. It's so rich in every way. When I was younger I was focused on the incredible rhymes, with so many different voices taking turns on the mic to spit out brutal lyrics with an incredible lexicon. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate just how insane the music is, with Rza's samples that never seem to quite fit the beat, but always work perfectly as he brings them in and out and overlays them. It's exquisite. A true revolution in hip-hop and in music in general. It feels almost unfair to debate whether or not this is the greatest hip-hop album of all time. It's like if the 90s Bulls also had Hakeem, Barkley, and Malone playing for them. There are other hip-hop albums that achieve the level of craftsmanship of this album, but none of those albums had to be made in a world where this album didn't exist 5/5
Great beats and samples, some of the best voices for hip-hop, and super entertaining writing and references. So, so, so good. I generally favor the West Coast sound but Wu-Tang is special and typesetting for the East Coast that I do listen to.
YES! OK, love the more socially conscious hip hop from the same era (maybe a little bit earlier). But this is just hip hop at its finest
Eternal classic
Classic
Bring the muthafuckin ruckus
Now you're talking...
I must have listen to this album a million times. It's one of the greatest hip hop albums ever made with a solid production on all levels and wordplay of great lyricists. The best Wu-Tang tracks are those were quality is over quantity (that also goes for the numbers of rappers on those tracks). Here it all comes together. Favourite track: Hard to say but I'd go with 'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't nuthin ta fuck with'.
WU TANGGGG FO LIFEEEE🤟🤟🤟
Is there a more classic rap album than this? It’s amazing how fresh this still sounds. The melding of samurai mythology with eerie minimalist beats and a myriad of talented flows was ahead of its time and sparked a new era in rap. Listening to the intermission at the end of Can It Be All So Simple its also amazing how confident they were in their plan and how well they executed on it, rolling out one fantastic solo album after another following this. This has classic track after classic track, top 10 rap album all time.
Diamond standard NYC 90’s hip hop
This was their DEBUT album. Enter The Wu-Tang brought us: - an original gritty urban sound quite unlike anything else before it, reviving 70s soul records overlaid with Kung Fu movie sounds and samples - one of the most innovative, visionary producers in RZA - nine phenomenal MCs, with Ghostface, Rae and GZA laying claim to GOAT status, plus ODB and Method Man bringing personality and charisma to spare, and fan favourite Inspectah Deck always on point on any track you feature him on - one of the GREATEST verses of all time by GZA on Protect Ya Neck - a whole new fashion, vocabulary and style for hip hop, innovative record deals, radio unfriendly but still flipped the underground to overground. This was their DEBUT album. Five mics. Instant classic. RIP ODB.
Classic, need I say more? The first time I heard their music was in concert and I’ve been a fan ever since.
Really good
listened
Been a fan for years
Truly monumental hip hop album. Knock your teeth out aggression at the start, deeper cuts peppering throughout. The huge variety between members' style keeps it energetic, spontaneous and multi-dimensional. RZA's production fuses a silly variety of samples with kung fu movies, spicing up an already gritty boom bap style. The album paints a unique picture and aint nuttin to be fucked with - it created a god damn cult.
LP
The production on this thing is SOOO GOOD. It's rich and smooth, and the rapping melds immaculately with the beats. Perfect integration of humor, just enough so that you have a good time, but not so much that you can't take it seriously.
Great hip hop album. One of the most intense concerts I ever saw was the Wu opening for Rage. The Wu’s impact is everywhere still. 5/5
5/5
Candidate for one of the best hip hop albums
A staple in the East coast hip hop scene. Interesting choice to use soul samples but it paid off in the long run. The lyrics and raw production are a reflection of the hard times experienced by the Wu-Tang members growing up in a harsh urban NYC environment.
Absolutely loved this. Despite it being longer than I usually like i loved every second. Class
This is one hell of a debut album, some of the best hip hop you'll ever listen to. There's some great beats but the lyrics are on another level. The intro to Method Man is pretty funny the first few times but wears on me after a while cause I just want to hear the great song. Highlights: Shame On a Ni**a Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing to Fuck Wit C.R.E.A.M. Method Man
Now we're talking! I've been moaning about not liking "gangsta rap" every time it appears....I don't think this falls in that category, although it definitely shares similarities. To me, this is hip hop and it's distinct from what snoop and Dre do for example.... Maybe I just like the east coast sound better. Anyway, this is great. Great beats and flow. Actually rapping about something while not taking itself too seriously. All the different members have different rap styles and bring something individual. There's the hits that get you going then also the more storied ones. Think chessboxin is where it really gets going Best tracks are: Shame on a nigga Wu tang Clan ain't nothing ta f wit CREAM Method Man Da mystery of chessboxin Protect ya neck
I mean what else is there to say about this one? It's a classic.
Absolute unsurpassable genius
I feel guilty for not knowing the first thing about Wu-Tang Clan, except their reputation. This was probably my first serious impression of them and it was very solid haha.
Wu Tang Clan ain't nuthin' to Fuck Wit!
Legendary
30 years old! Still incredible, a magical album
Wow! I can't say I knew too much about Wu-Tang Clan, but I think I might have to change that after listening to this. If their later albums are even half as good as this, Wu-Tang Clan might be the group that gets me into Hip Hop. Great variety of voices kept it interesting, that gritty Hardcore Hip Hop sound gave it so much energy - It was impossible not to feel badass listening to this on my commute. This was amazing throughout, and I don't think there's a song I can really fault here. Favourite: C.R.E.A.M (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)
WHO HASN’T HEARD THIS ONE??? 10/10
Fucking tooon lad. Weekend in Milan, getting stoned with Theo in his lovely flat
Top 5 rap/hiphop album of all time