Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

A rap classic with some bangers and simple but catchy samples. Favorite Songs: Bring da Ruckus ; Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber ; C.R.E.A.M. ; Method Man

Very good, glad to have seen them live, but not so amazing to be a 5

Little overrated but still great

Hey these guys are good rappers

Wu-Tang Clan was essentially the East Coast's answer to N.W.A.: a fearsome, hardcore hip-hop collective not afraid to dial up the aggression and controversy to get their messages across to their audience. 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' is a landmark album of the East Coast hip-hop scene, which sees some of New York's finest emerging rappers (RZA, GZA, Ghostface Killa, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspecta Deck, Ol Dirty Bastard, Masta Killa and U-God) come together for an hour of intense raps covering the tough streets of New York, their appreciation for martial arts movies and comic books and drug use. Each rapper involved brings their own distinctive flavour to the record, and with most songs featuring multiple rappers, the differing views of urban life are rather interesting to digest, and their delivery never fails to hold your attention. Unlike N.W.A., who utilized more in-your-face personas and tried to be as offensive as possible, Wu-Tang Clan adopts a more subtle and restrained approach to raps, allowing the Eastern themes in the music and a greater focus on storytelling to take greater precedence. 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' is quite a relaxing album to listen to despite its harsh subject matter, and it would become an aspect of East Coast hip-hop that would stand out from their contemporaries in the West: chill beats over provocative statements. That's not to say Wu-Tang Clan aren't afraid to offend, they just have a more relaxed, even humourous way of doing it. With creative lyrical passages, multiple rappers on board and some clever productions, the songs on this record serve as fragments painting an interesting picture on urban life, interspersed with some of their favourite martial arts movies. 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' is a highly influential hip-hop record, and would ensure Wu-Tang Clan would become just as recognisable as a brand as they were a collective. Best songs: Bring Da Ruckus, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber, Can It All Be So Simple, C.R.E.A.M., Protect Ya Neck

Big fan!

They hit flow state with Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ and it kept climbing to Method Man. I couldn’t really stomach all the in between bits, but they’re not for me so 🤷‍♀️

There are a TON of Wu-Tang and Wu-Tang adjacent albums, it can be hard to get a grip on everything going on with the group and it's members. But, if you are going to listen to one Wu-Tang record, this is the one. I love the lo-fi production; the beats and samples are simple on purpose, allowing the rapping to take center stage. The flow is outstanding. There are skits (which I generally don't approve of), but they are few, brief and not too intrusive. And, rare for a 90s rap album, it doesn't overstay its welcome. It's a bit janky at times, but if you have any interest in hip hop whatsoever, you need to be aware of the Wu Tang Clan, and this is the most important album they produced. A solid 4/5

Amazing

A classic and finally something different from this list! About damn time.

Väldigt bra! Rakt igenom. Galet egentligen att så många bra (och kända) låtar kommit från ett och samma album? Hip Hop känns inte så här nyskapande längre och glädjefyllt heller. Men det kanske ändrar sig i framtiden, den här gruppen har ju ändå stakat väg.

Method Man and ‘Ol Dirty Bastard are legendary. C.R.E.A.M. absolute favorite.

Classic banger. Al een tijd niet meer van begin tot eind gehoord

Facking banger hahaha nog nooit gehoord. I know echt erg wel.

90s rap is not usually my style but this slapped.

4/5 Some insane shit going on in this album, and like, good shit. Method Man's flow is fucking insane. Enjoyed this album thoroughly.

Have already heard it, iconic hip hop album, there are definitely better rap albums out there, but its still a classic 8,5/10

Not my typical hip hop but it’s hard to deny how good this is.

Not a huge fan of hiphop but this is solid

Genios totales. Cambiaron la historia del hip hop. Álbum top. 8/10

Classic

4.8

Interesting. I think it was influenced by Paul's Boutique. It's a good album. Funny harsh in spots.

Pretty cool, I liked Da Mystery of Chessboxin' most. I'm liking all these pop culture references often packed into rap lyrics, got laughs from Cousteau and Family Feud references

8/10 While most mainstream Hip-Hop isn't my thing, I really enjoyed this album. The production across these songs is so diverse and feels calm in a way that nicely contrasts with the rapping.

Grosse référence dans le hip-hop US Bien cool

It was interesting to listen to this and hear a lot of rhythms and beats similar to the hip hop I listened to growing up in the 2000's and 2010s.

- Bring the Ruckus (4/5) - Shame on a Ni**a (4/5) - Clan in da front (3/5) - Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber (5/5) - Can it be all so simple (5/5) - Da Mystery of Cheeseboxin' (3/5) - Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' wit (3/5) - CREAM (4.5/5) - Method Man (3/5) - Protect ya neck (3/5) - Tearz (2/5) - Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber, Pt. 2 (3.5/5) Is this something I would listen to when I run? Yes. Would I consider getting a physical copy of this album? undecided.

Wordplay and storytelling giving that grime punk feeling of rapping.

Top 10 rap album of all time.

I've always knocked a lot of the albums for being repetitive, not having unique instrumentation, songs being too samey, etc etc But waow. It works here

I enjoyed the production, understanding the pop culture references, and the bits I'd Ku g Fu movie snippets through out the album.

Definitely one of the most quintessential rap albums of all time, and unlike so much rap from the 90s, it stands the test of time. My only complaint is that even though I totally get that skits are just a part of rap albums, they annoy the crap out of me, and the fact that this one has skits embedded into the songs so that they're not skippable makes this one take a hit for me.

Great

Better than expected

Easily the best album I’ve listened to so far

Absurd flow and nice beats for an hour. Most songs are highlights Highlights: "Shame on a N-a", "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'", "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit", "C.R.E.A.M.", "Method Man"

Pretty good! Some very high highs. Some stuff don’t quite stick with me.

Really fucking good never actually listened to the album fully and only knew of the most popular songs but I loved the beats! Never really listened to early rap but man I dig it!

sss

Timeless beats and great chemistry

I was prepared to hate the album. Though they were overly pretentious. But then the beats were nice, and Ol' Dirty Bastards singing rapping was very original

Good back half

We tang ain't nothing to f... with

Legendary

many are saying that wu-tang clan ain't nuthin ta f' wit

J’avais oublié à quel point c’était bien

I very much enjoyed listening to this album, but i would be lying if I said I thought I'd come back to it 😔

I listened to this album while sitting in a series of different parking lots. I've heard features and verses from many of the members of Wu-Tang over the years, but this album is my first major exposure to Ol' Dirty Bastard, and damn is his energy and charisma immediately evident. His verse on Da Mystery of Chessboxin' might be my single most-listened-to section of any album on the list so far. The production across the entire project, courtesy of RZA, is also incredible; there's a grimy simplicity to it that keeps it feeling raw and mean, buoying the variety of different flows and tones that each member of Wu-Tang brings to the group. I also love the skits and intermissions throughout the album; they manage to maintain and enhance the energy of the album while being both funny and genuinely cool, which can be a difficult bar to clear. I hear the influences of this group in many of the rap artists I know and love; I get why this group has the notoriety and acclaim that they do, they absolutely deserve it. Highlights: Shame On a N***a, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber, Can It Be All So Simple / Intermission, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Method Man, Protect Ya Neck, Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II - Conclusion

Nostalgic listen

It’s definitely hard to rate this many artists at once. They’re all so different, most notable ODB. The beats are great and the king-fu film influence is special. I could do without the grotesque torture interlude.

I think Wu Tang success in what it feels like they are trying to do with this album. It's gangster rap meets comic book samurai in an ternate universe, and it makes for a very entertaining listen. I think all the different rap styles and characters going back and forth keeps the momentum of the album moving and offers enough variety to keep it interesting. I also appreciate it feels like they aren't taking this too seriously - a hip hop opera musical collage. Had fun listening to his today.

I loved how this album feels like a fuckin team coming to crush your soul. Like THE U in the 80s. Loved it … relentless confidence

Iconic album and a great listen. Would enjoy a relisten.

Et sted mellom 3 og 4 for meg, men de største klassikerne vippern opp. Gutta krutt.

Really fucked with this album. C.R.E.A.M (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) was my pick for song of the album with Tearz and Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II - Conclusion being other highlights

raw

A Classic example of what R&B is. This is my first time listening to the album, but it felt so true to the style it felt like ive heard it all before.

Really great classic rap. Will be added to vibey music playlists for sure

best part of listening to this album is how giddy my partner gets at all his favorite lines. worst part is the skits.

Light on skits compared to the solo albums and others, it can have a fourth star

I think the 90s was the greatest era of hip hop. Granted, I was a child when this came out, but it was still on rotation a decade later when I was in high school. “CREAM” is iconic. These guys are legendary rappers.

Klassikko

Certified bängeri, semituttu klassikkolevy. Interludeja ja välihassutteluja vähän liikaa, töksäyttelee kuuntelua vähän turhaan. Muuten kyllä vanhaa kunnon tykitystä alusta loppuun.

Good vibing music. Wouldn't be mad if this was playing at a party or in a bar.

Wait what? I’ve definitely listened to this album in the past I got it today as my 1001 albums and I guess I hadn’t rated it before. Well I’ll go ahead and say this has got to be top 5 rap albums for me and I haven’t listened to a ton but I s till think this is a tough one to beat.

Bring Da Ruckus Clan in da Front Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ C.R.E.A.M Method Man Protect Ya Neck

Wu Tang: 7th Chamber Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ C.R.E.A.M. Protect Ya Neck Tearz Method Man (Home Grown Version)

Already listened great album could see it growing on me 83/100 C.R.E.A.M is insane

фигня

Great record, the descendent of great early hip-hop like De La Soul.

I have listened to this a few times now in my life, and just recently saw GZA. I think the legacy and influence this album has cannot be denied, but it just has never done it for me like other 90's rap albums have like projects by A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul. I guess this speaks to my desire to have jazzier beats with more samples, as opposed to the rough and stripped down production style Wu-Tang uses.

good music but it gets repetetive

Most of the hip-hop that this list has given me is from before this album, and even though I prefer some of those albums, I hear why this was so important. Initially I didn’t care for the more “minimalist” beats, but on second listen, I really like it. The lyrics aren’t particularly thought provoking, but the rapping is extremely strong. Maybe I need more listens to love it as much as others seem to, but it’s pretty good. 4/5

Groundbreaking album, you can really hear the influence this album had on the future of rap. I feel like this has been sampled and quoted so much that it all seems familiar, despite never hearing it before. Flows are great, beats are awesome, switchups are top-notch. WAY ahead of the game at the time. What holds this back from being 5 stars is the lack of emotional engagement. Consistent themes of "we're the best, we're aggressive, don't fuck with us". I get why it is what it is, that's just not the *peak* of what I'm looking for in an album. But man does this album sound good!

i like it

Brash boasting raps, humor and explicit lyrics and catchy choruses mixed with minimalistic beats. The chemistry and different styles and lyrical themes of each member somehow come together perfectly under RZA’s production. An absolute classic.

top 3 - Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing ta F’ Wit, C.R.E.A.M, Protect Ya Neck. Super fun and enjoyed it more than I expected! Wish I had listened to this sooner. Deserves to be on this list for sure. An album I can see myself coming back to!

a really solid showing of hip-hop. has some real bangers fr Would I listen again? Yes Deserves to be on this list? Yes 4.2

An extremely well crafted hip-hop record front-to-back full of memorable lines and beats. Definitely a classic for a reason.

not much to say, very good. added some songs to the playlist. would probably need to do another listen but i enjoyed it. maybe i need to listen to more hip hop lol

Man you seen my tape?? My Killer tape??? You had it last just sayin

Not sure why I've never listened to this all the way through before. It's such a hip-hop classic a lot of it has seeped into my awareness by a kind of osmosis, but really good to give it some attention. Great production, so enveloped in a fug of weed smoke you practically get high listening to it. Probably take a few more listens before I could tell you what they're on about, mind.

kind of repetitive but liked a lot better 7.5/10

Classic

Certified bangers. This album earns its reputation. I felt ready to fight after listening to this album

Good

This record always makes me grin. It is so badass and perfect for those times when you want to Bring The Ruckus.

All these MCs creating a vision, a mythology, and an incredible album.

Very nice album, I've never listened to the Wu Tang Clan before even tho I knew they were one of the pillars of the genre. I really like old school rap and this album not only provides some of the best beats and production but also very nice storytelling.

No. 63 It was good. Rap isn’t really my thing, although I am starting to like it more. Didn't understand a single word but was bumping my head the whole time.

Fav: bring da ruckus

Iconic, revolutionary and timeless Best song-cream 7/10

I'd like this album a whole lot more if they didn't have 1 to 2 minutes of just talking or sampling of kung fu movies. I dig it, but it takes forever to get to the actual song and that's annoying when you're listening to a mixtape. Must hear: Shame on a Nigga C.R.E.A.M. Clan in da Front 3.5 / 5

Like it, cool samples

A classic. C.R.E.A.M. is the absolute highlight

Not bad. Decent vibes but wasn't quite hooked.

They're a classic, what can i say

For the longest time there I wondered if I even liked West Coast hip hop. My group's gotten quite a few of 'em, and to this point I've been largely lukewarm on them, at best. And it's not just that I struggle with focusing on lyrics first and foremost, which is what has always tripped me up about hip hop. No, there's something else about West Coast hip hop that's never clicked with me, and for a while the exact reason eluded me. Sure, I knew why I preferred East Coast hip hop (G-funk, baby!) — but for why West Coast shit never did it for me, I couldn't say. So, we come to this album. The album that, thanks to one Mic The Snare, has existed in my head as **the** representative of East Coast hip hop. This would have to be where I figured out if I actually liked this stuff, and the exact reason why I don't if it turned out I didn't. Any other album, that'd feel like a lot to put on its shoulders — but this is 'Enter The' gawddamn 'Wu-Tang'. If any album's gonna have the strength to carry me to an answer, it's this one and its Wu-Tang style. And I was all prepared to listen to this album in that way. But then, shortly before I put it on, a thought suddenly occurred to me: I don't think my problem is with East Coast hip hop. I've liked quite a few albums from New York-based rappers: Biggie's 'Ready To Die', JAY-Z's 'The Blueprint', and of course Nas's 'Illmatic'. Hell, if there's any album you'd use as a Rosetta stone for New York rap, it should be 'Illmatic'. No, I came to realize, my beef is actually with **the Wu-Tang Clan**. Which feels even worse than not getting East Coast hip hop as a whole? Before getting this album, the Randomizer™ has treated my group to literally every album on this list from a Clan affiliate. And that's just ass backwards, innit? Why in the world would you listen to 'Tical' or 'Liquid Swords' before 'Enter The' fuckin' 'Wu-Tang'? And I'll tell you for sure, it wasn't exactly a good thing for me, 'coz I did not feel any of those albums. 'Liquid Swords', just an example, was an absolute snoozefest to me: way too lowkey for my tastes. Not even 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...', the most famous Wu affiliate album, could do much for me. And I feel bad about not liking these albums because, like, it's the gawdamm Wu-Tang Clan. Without listening to a single one of their albums, I've always bought into the hype surrounding them. And why not? The Wu just **feel** like a group who've deserved their legacy, whether you've heard them or not. Hell, I know they sure think they do, given the whole 'Once Upon A Time In Shaolin' thing. Every name in the Clan is famous as hell, each in their own right, from RZA to Method Man to the motherfuckin' Ol' Dirty Bastard. If I don't like the music they make, why did I spend so much time hyping them up to myself? Did I really do it based on nothing more than an impression of their legacy? Ultimately, I don't think I did? But at the same time... Y'know, let me just talk it out. With this spin of the album, I've finally come to realize what the appeal of the Wu-Tang is, at least on this album: they are **tough boys**. The way they spit is so hard, I am absolutely certain they could kick my ass if I tried to fuck wit 'em. Even in the moments where I lost track of what exactly they were saying, the delivery was enough to keep me going. And everyone was so unique from one another, which is amazing to me given how many people were in this group. You hear one of 'em rap, and you know exactly who it is. That's incredible. I mean, damn, this shit banged, y'know? And the beats, too! Now that I understand the rapping, I was finally able to get a handle in the beats as well. Before now, I'd always thought they were maybe a little too dry for my tastes? But, no, they bang too! They're hard as fuck! No wonder these guys present their work as martial arts movies and their rapping as fighting styles. I do believe the Wu-Tang style could win most fights it's used in. On this front, I absolutely think this album and the Clan have earned their place in history. But how much did I actually like it? If my previous statements weren't any indication, I did, a lot. If you're a hip hop fan and you've somehow passed it up, you owe it yourself to listen to this thing. But as for my own personal tastes ... it comes back to the East Coast/West Coast divide — and, specifically, the album Mic The Snare used to represent the other coast: 'The Chronic'. I like me a hard beat and some hard rhymes about real living on the street. It'd feel weird to like rap and **not** like any of that. But I am what I am, and what I am is someone who enjoys hooks. That's not to say 'Enter The Wu-Tang' is devoid of them; there were a few choruses I could shout along to. But, like, come on: G-funk. The synths. The vibes. The deliveries. The **Snoop Dogg**. I realize I come off shallow coming down on 'Enter The Wu-Tang' (exactly how much is up to you), but I can't lie. The Wu-Tang's hardcore hip hop just can't pull me back like the hooks on 'The Chronic' can. Heck, the hooks are a big reason why I enjoyed 'Ready To Die' as much as I did, even in spite of the Diddy of it all. So ... yeah. If any opinion is gonna represent my tendency towards sound and mood over lyrics and meaning, that'd do it. But like I said, the Wu do truly deserve the spot they've gotten in the pantheon of music. Even I can recognize that. Frankly, it makes me wish I liked hardcore hip hop more so I could rate this thing the way I feel like I should. But regardless of that ... yeah, man. With this new knowledge in mind, maybe I'd like some of those other Wu affiliate albums a bit more now. Or maybe not! Who can say? If nothing else, their first album sure as shit brought da motherfuckin' ruckus, and that's what truly matters. Wu forever.

Adding a star because of how incredibly influential this album was, but I can't say I find this album especially pleasant to listen to outside of a specific mood. The singles "C.R.E.A.M." and the ensemble piece "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F'Wit" are the standouts here. It's really incredible that a production with so many limitations still turned out this serviceable. While the backing samples are interesting and were unique for the time (the kung-fu film samples are especially fun) they still become too repetitious for such a lengthy hip hop album.

I’ve somehow never listened to Wu-Tang but still recognized a couple of them immediately. The concept and reading about how the album was made was really cool. Having the members of the clan battle against each other to determine who gets on the record is fascinating and I can’t think of another project I’ve listened to that’s the same. RZA really sets the blueprint for the New York style. You can hear it all over the genre to follow. It’s cool how the album feels monumental despite the sparse beats. I wasnt able to pay attention to the lyrics much which feels like missing the main course of dinner but I was still pretty fulfilled without it. I can see my rating rise as I become more familiar with it or if I delve into their expanded solo universe. Rating: 4.3

I liked it.

25/1089 4.4387* This is a surprise toe-tapping, head-bopping, whistle along album. I only ever knew the song C.R.E.A.M. but this album was a ride I was happy to take and would pay a lot of cash to ride it again (just kidding, I wouldn't pay, it's a figure of speech). The 2, 3 and 4 note piano melodies are so simple, yet so beautiful, intertwined with the deep bass beats. The angry rapping is a taste that needs to be acquired but it's worth appreciating and enjoying once tasted. The rapping itself is amazing, each of the 200+/- members of the clan have a distinct voice and delivery offering a nice change from song to song or verse to verse. Hits...CREAM, ruckus, protect yo neck (so prescient due to recent events), SOAN.

I mean it's Wu-Tang... what else needs to be said here? The production is early, but spirit is undeniable. C.R.E.A.M. is the absolute standout, but the whole thing is rad.

Wenn Hip Hop dann so

Would definitely have been my thing a few years back. Still however a solid album

Chill and nostalgic feeling

The interplay between all of the different members makes for a great album

Great record with that iconic boom-bap sound. Favourite Track(s): C.R.E.A.M., Da Mystery Of Chessboxin', Protect Ya Neck Least Favourite Track(s): Bring Da Ruckus

What a great album! This album was a harbinger of what was to come for east coast rap in the 90's.

Banger, already loved this album too

I wasn't expecting to like this record this much! I've been hearing forever how great Wu-Tang was, but have never been into this kind of stuff enough to check it out. Not something I'd play in a car with open windows because of some of the lyrics and spoken word stuff, but otherwise I really enjoyed it. Four stars

Some nice beats and interesting dialogue with sound effects in the background. Wasn't entirely sure of the messaging in the lyrics, but it seemed positive. I liked the break in the album flow with the interludes. 7/10

This album makes me cash rules everything around me my pants Favorite track: Method Man

Nunca me subí a este carro. Tener 20 años en los 90 eran un problema para conseguir toda la música que podía gustarte. Qué bien suena desde el principio!!! Me he guardado: "Bring da Ruckus", "Shame on a Nigga", "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber" y "Can It Be All So Simple""Intermission". Volveré.

TOP

Solid hiphop album. I like how goofy it is sometimes, especially with their incorporation of sword fighting sounds.

Good sound, wasn't really feeling it tonight -> in future will have to revisit to actually consider the lyricism... evocative of other early hip-hop stuff

Good beats, good rhymes.

I was so pleasantly surprised! I really enjoyed this album. The music was what I really liked about it, I wasn’t expecting this.

Wu-Tang is for the children!

Really phenomenal album. Such an influential group with a great sound and lyricism. Had never really listened to much of their stuff besides the mainstream songs, but the whole way through really solid. They laid the foundation for a lot of great albums later on.

Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to fuck with

Gli avengers del rap

I can see why they were popular. As a teen that listened to grunge in the 90’s, this album was never listened to till 2025. There were too many great albums coming out of the 1990s.

My Wu-Tang name is Spiritual Mayor. So apparently I ain't nothing to fuck with. It's so damn good, this album, better than Liquid Swords. Bangers pretty endlessly. Enter the mythology and roll down your windows. It'll get loud.

Clearly this is an incredible album, and I really did enjoy it. For some reason though, it just...doesn't quite do it for me like some other hip-hop records. I don't know. Maybe I'm just not the biggest fan of the flow here, and also musically it feels a bit more repetitive -- probably a by-product of it's positioning near the beginning of hip-hop as an art form, but still. I've tried for a while to really get into Wu-Tang and I just never quite seem to be able to. Fave tracks: - Bring Da Ruckus - Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - 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

I think what makes me love this album so much is how electric and hungry every MC sounds on it, even U-God who is the most underutilized member on this album has one of the most memorable moments on the record with his moment on "Protect ya neck". Another aspect is Rza's production it sounds like nothing coming out in 93 (that I am aware of) and the way he uses sampling is so fascinating to the ears "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" is the first thing that comes to mind and how he introduces the different elements of the production in that song. Fav Tracks: Protect ya neck, Da mystery of chessboxin, C.R.E.A.M, Method man, Cant it all be so simple, and Shame on a N*****

bra men ikke perfekt

VERY GOOD I completly understand why its such a universally acclamated album

Wu-Tang is forever! I really like this record. I've listened to it many times. What always stands out to me is the attitude and aggression behind a lot of songs. Its super punk rock in that way. Its heavy, its brash, its also quite crass. Its certainly not for everyone. I think Wu-Tang is one where the sum of all parts is actually greater than the whole, I tend to like the subsequent records by Ghostface or RZA more than this record. However, this is kind of the source code for what came next and I respect that.

Aw shit, it’s the Wu-Tang Clan

9 rappers rhyming in turn was an innovation itself right? Instead of heavy production,this East Coast gem is focused in exceptional back to back rhyming without leaving time for you to get bored.I really liked their whole kung-fu philosophy anyway so that's a treat for me.I also always loved that they used to cover their face(like hip-hop ninjas kinda thing),an underground attitude i really enjoyed in dance scene as well.Sampling is here alright (Can It Be All So Simple)(Protect Ya Neck and the song before it),but mostly monotonous,common thing back then. I really loved 90's hip-hop and i still do,and i always remember myself leaning more to the East Coast side back then. Wu Tang:The Shaolin Masters of Rhyming. The Ninja Clan of hardcore boom bap and East Coast Renaissance. 4/5

3.6

Only 1 of a few hip hop albums I know and listened to from when they came out, as by no means an aficionados of the genre.

It is of course good but not my exact style of rap. Yeah I’ve added songs before but I think the cringe irl gangster rap fans I’ve met have ruined it for me. Good songs on it

3.5

Beginning to realize that I am in a post hip hop phase - cannot listen at home due to the kids and feel a bit ridiculous listening to it in the car in rural Somerset. Not listened to this album in c 20 years and enjoyed the beats and the ensemble rapping but too many skits / swears means I doubt will listen much in future.

Piano, danceable beats, trading juvenile lines like they're having a jolly good time, and all at under 40 minutes. An absolute hip-hop revelation. They are like the gaming and film nerds of hip hop, heavily influenced by kung-fu movies. They bring all that nerd energy to their rap style but with humourous undertones that keep it apart from self-promoting gangsta rap. Overall it's a focused album, devoid of filler, not taking itself seriously, but creating a whole new sound. It's undoubtedly an excellent album. And Method Man is the best.

Now this is some top shelf hip-hop right here. Now, I bet I'd appreciate it more if I was into hip-hop, but even so, this is some good shit.

Hard af. I loved all the samples and adlibs. It felt really down to earth and for the people, by the people.

Driving round music for sure

I didn’t realise how many straight bangers came from this album. There are a few forgettable tracks on here but none of which are hard to listen to. Enter the Wu-Tang is a SOLID collection of tracks. I will say this album doesn’t have the strongest opening song but is quickly made up for with the second track. 4 stars may seem a little generous given the low points on this album but there are more than enough bangers to make up for it.

Great album and one of the biggest influences in hip-hop. I love the sample-heavy, harder rap that Wu-Tang spawned, but their sound is a little more old school than I would typically listen to. I loved the storytelling, the humor, and the rawness of this album. I hadn't heard the track "Tearz" before, and I really enjoyed it. I think I'm moving away from hip-hop, but it was fun to listen to this album for the first time.

I love how sometimes it feels like a song is deconstructed and put together slightly uneven. Every song has a unique sound but its all cohesive.

This is a cut above every other hip hop album I’ve had

7.5, classic album

What a banger. Some of the behind the scenes style recording could have been cut, but their chemistry is unreal. ODB and Method Man go nuts

De inspiratie voor het album kwam van de films Enter the Dragon en The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, wat we vooral merken aan de veelvoorkomende zwaard-geluiden. Beide films staan in de 1001 movies. Ik dacht nog even eerst die films eens te pakken, want het album is mij al wel bekend en wellicht doen die films iets aan de beleving. Ik vond echter zo snel geen legale versie van de films in een taal die ik versta. Dat haal ik dan later maar in. Dus hop, naar het album. Hier twijfel ik nogal over het aantal sterren. Er zijn elementen die ik verschrikkelijk vind en er zijn elementen die ik waardeer. Het laat zich natuurlijk wel raden wat ik dan verschrikkelijk vind. Het meest exemplarisch zijn puberale tips over onder andere een praktische manier om noten te kraken. Als we intro's en de samples uit de films weglaten blijft een vrij kale begeleiding van de raps over. Toch komt het veelal vrij creatief over. Dat geldt ook voor de verschillende eigenzinnige rap-stijlen. Eigenlijk is de stijl van een Ol' Dirty Bastard vaak niet om aan te horen. Maar de afwisseling die zoiets brengt doet wonderen. Als eigenzinnige rapper komt Method Man het sterkst naar voren. Ik zou zelf zeggen dat hij op dit album meer tot zijn recht komt, dan op zijn eigen album Tical. Dat laatste album heeft weinig in deze lijst te zoeken, evenals de albums van solo-leden Ghostface Killah en Raekwon. Door deze albums wel op te nemen komt het album van vandaag minder tot zijn recht. Inmiddels ben ik bij het einde beland en stuit ik op de conclusie. Ik pik hem er even uit, omdat de dubstep-achtige beat wel heel fijn en modern klinkt. Het steekt wat af tegen de rest van het album, en tegelijk is het weldegelijk een soort samenvatting van het album, met én de verschillende rapstijlen én de verbinding in woord van de andere titels. Al met al heeft Wu-Tang op een toegankelijke manier een geheel eigen geluid weten te brengen. Iets wat altijd mijn extra waardering krijgt.

One has long gone back and forth on the proper question posed by the editors: is this "genius or just exceptionally well-done nonsense." On most recent listening, one landed firmly in the former camp. Certainly, it's wholly original and unique, the lean, muscular beats, muddy-ominous sound, gruff and growling vocals. "So Simple" and "Method Man" are absolute prime, hip-hop classics, and the middle cuts are for sure the strength of the record, generally. On the nonsense side of the equation, the Kung Fu bits, however representatively metaphorical for the art of hip-hop (need for bravery, precision, etc.), are also fairly silly. Genius or nonsense – one is increasingly inclined to accept both things as simultaneously true.

Committed to the bit!!! It's iconic, sure, but there aren't a lot of hooks to bite onto. The symbolism is deep but obtuse. The centering on that symbolism makes it difficult for outsiders to grab onto.

Bring Da Ruckus - 8/10 Shame on a Nigga -9/10 Clan in da Front - 9/10 Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - 10/10 Can It Be So Simple -10/10 Da Mystery of Chessboxin' - 9/10 Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit -9/10 C.R.E.A.M. -100/10 Method Man - without the skit, it's 9/10, but now it's either a 15/10 or a 6.5/10, depending on how I feel. Protect Ya Neck - 9/10 Tearz - 8/10 Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber Part II - 9/10 If I were to rate on how much I think its replayable on the regular for me i would say its 8/10 but if im reviewing based on the actual albums technical and revolutionary aspect then its a 10/10 the use of ninja themed samples and lyrics is crazy though I find some indepedent Wu projects to be more intresting and fun to listen to this album still is a classic for a reason.

Loved it, surprisingly as normally this would make me cringe - I think the samples and vibe were the difference maker

Fun but not my style

A classic. Hip Hop from NYC. Wu Tang is for the kids. This is the old school flow I can get behind as opposed to a lot of the West Coast stuff. Cash Rules Everything Around Me!

Atofio hiphop

Solid album. Skits were weird at times, but overall really enjoyed it!

Awesome album.

A classic

Considering it's in the ball park of hip hop that I tend to enjoy the Clan remain an underexplored blind spot. It is more raw than I expected, a little bit patchy, a really enjoyable journey.

4.25

Good, not as good as some peopl say, but a good hip hop album Favorite:chess boxing Least favorite: one of the interludes

already know it real cool love old school hiphop si lalle es bitzli oop cooli element - voice effects/ old movies nice beats flow isch da favs: - C.R.E.A.M - Tearz - Bring da Ruckus - Wu tang clan ain‘t nuthin ta f‘ wit

Not entirely my style but it had me grooving!

Haven't listened to that much Wu-Tang, but enjoyed this album. Recognised some of it, and the beats and rapping is top quality.

Wu-Tang Clan is certainly nothin' to fuck wit.

“I’ll sew your asshole shut and keep feeding’ ya, and feeding’ ya.” This is an album that was on constant play at my friend’s house in college. We called money dolla dolla bills back then. We called each other ‘god,’ as in ‘s’up god?’ Around that time, I camped at a music festival, and as the dawn broke, a bunch of crust punks on acid started freaking out, pointed to the sun, and with fear and reverence, called it ‘the wu’ over and over. They then threw a full trash can at someone’s tent. So, coming back to this absolute classic, I feel dirty and exhausted. Still, the Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nothin to fuck with.

Really liked the lo-fi ness of the music highlighting the lyrics that were smart, sharp, aggressive, really brought the energy. Great listen

Ahh Classic American hip-hop!

*1993 *I only knew one song going in. *This is fun, energetic, and edgy. *Weird combination of excellent musicianship and just totally nuts and off-the-wall. *Not something I would listen to every day, but I'll revisit. RATING - 7.5/10

It was nice to revisit this album. Of course C.R.E.A.M is legendary, however several superior tracks are included: Clan in Da Front, Bring Da Ruckus, and Method Man. This album was/is a great intro to the Wu!

the beats and production in the album was (and still is) first class. Holds up well today. classic and nuthing ta F'wit

Always surprised when I put on Enter the Wu-Tang to see that it was released in 1993. And it helps explain its significance. The album set the blueprint for hip hop for much of the next decade. Songs like CREAM are timeless and Chessboxin’ is a fav. The sonic palate does feel quite thin compared to later releases clearly inspired by this, but it’s influence can’t be denied.

Great and fun and bangin. Only downside too much talking inbetween songs. Hate that

cash rules everything around me :(

Back in the day, me and Tahgs used to go to the all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet in the Bristol Center Mall. This album is like that buffet - ridiculous quantities of intense, powerful nuggets that are all really delicious even if they basically taste the same. Everything is hardened and crispy, and covered with spicy sauce that will kill you if you have too much in one sitting. You feel amazing when you’re in there, even though you know you shouldn’t really be here … you don’t belong here - you’re far too delicate and don’t really have the fortitude for what is being done to your body. You’re way too soft to exist in this world for more than a short time. As you get deeper and deeper into the album … err… buffet, it all starts to taste the same and you know you’ve had enough, but you’ve paid the entrance fee and you can’t quit now, so you stick with it. Thank God that you do, because dessert is the best part … the last few tracks bring it all together, like that delicious soft serve machine at the make-your-own sundae bar in the back corner. The Buffet in the Bristol Center Mall is long gone, but Wu-Tang is forever. Protect Ya Neck and check you cholesterol.

Like a supergroup, though no one knew how much success individual members would later have. The versatility and chemistry are undeniable, setting the stage for later domination

Jeg forstår at denne ble så innflytelsesrik som den ble. Et gpdt album.

Proper classic hip-hop this, never gets old. I think the album starts and end phenomenally, but a couple of songs in the middle don't live up to the rest. A high, maybe harsh, 4.

Hip hop classic. One of the greatest albums of the 90s.

I love the dusty beats and their voices so much

Enter the Wu Tang is the first album that’s genuinely stumped me the most, to the point where I’ve had to listen and think on it for more than a week to form a proper opinion on it. First impressions weren’t great. It’s not that I hated it, more than acknowledging the lyrical genius that went into the making of this, but I just didn’t think that the album had a lot of standout moments. After making myself relisten to this a couple of times, I still stand by this to a certain degree, but now believe that this album is the culmination of all its parts rather than something I can listen to standalone. The flow throughout the entire runtime is absolutely incredible, it’s tight, non-stop, and head-nodding rapping that kept me coming back for more each time. Songs like Shame On, Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ and Protect Ya Neck especially had me tapping along to the flow. On the other hand, the beats here are something I had to, and still need to, grow to love. Maybe I’m more spoiled by modern beats, or maybe it’s purposefully rugged and harsh to go with the hardcore hip-hop style, but its grittiness wasn’t always my cup of tea. In terms of beats, CREAM is probably my favorite on the album, but it’s a slower pace than the rest as a result. This is for sure a great album, but it’s one I’m gonna need to keep on revisiting in order to properly understand the hype for. Still, I feel comfortable enough now putting this among some of my favorites on this list.

Listened to the Expanded Version. Despite instructions to the contrary, I fuck with the Wu-Tang Clan. The skit at the beginning of Method Man makes one of the best songs on the album unplayable in polite company.

Never really heard any Wu-tang songs. Makes me really want to play a skateboard game.

Wu-Tang came on the scene when I was in high school. Weirdly, I have more memories of listening to Wu-Tang Forever than I do listening to this one. I knew quite a few songs off 36 Chambers, as most people do. I never loved Wu-Tang as much as many others seemed to and it wasn't because their music was bad, it just did not speak to me as a bigger fan of West Coast rap. It's nearly impossible to overstate the impact 36 Chambers had on East Coast rap and on music in general. 36 Chambers also led to some spinoffs for Wu-Tang, such as Wu-Tang Financial and the yard signs that indicates Wu-Tang will in fact be forever. No argument can be made here. This album absolutely deserves to be in the book. Great songs, even if they are not my favorite rap group from the 90's.

As close to a perfect album as any in the conversation. There’s so much to enjoy here: lyricism, production and performance. Should have listened to this ages ago

I like the 90s rap selections that this list has. 7/10

So, I've had albums from two Wu-Tang members - Raekwon and Method Man. I wasn't particularly fond of either album. They seemed meandering and self-indulgent. I went so far as to say about the Method Man album - "If this is what Wu-Tang is, I don't think I like Wu-Tang." Turns out, those albums don't represent Wu-Tang as a whole. That much was clear from this album. While the solo material felt more like offshoots and indulgent side projects, this album (the first in the Wu-Tang discography) feels much more directed and cohesive. This feels like a much more collaborative effort than anything else they might've done solo. And those solo albums weren't even necessarily solo (Raekwon had so many features from other members it was kinda crazy). I think because they had to make room for everyone to get lines in, and with more creative voices in the room, ideas get trimmed down to their core. The fat is removed and what's left is a true collaborative effort, both lyrically and musically. Do I know a lot about what they're rapping about? Not at all. Of course I don't. I rarely do, especially with gangster rap. It's not relatable. I couldn't tell you if anything they said here was profound or not. But I did enjoy listening to it. The 90's hip-hop/rap sound never, ever gets old to me. And they pull it off exceptionally well while also dialing up the intensity higher than what I've heard to this point. Each one of them attacks the songs with an intensity and aggression that really cuts to the emotional core of the record. They're angry, they're intimidating, and they're great at what they do. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Bring Da Ruckus, Can It All Be So Simple/Intermission, Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit, C.R.E.A.M, Protect Ya Neck

Some absolutely silly lyrics but great beats that kept my head bopping the whole way through, great old school rap

Old skool classic

"i am a nigga" ass album

Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang . . . Wu-Tang Ain't Nuthing ta F'Wit

A pretty stellar debut album. I didn’t like the intro/skit part of Method man, but an otherwise enjoyable album. It’s got Wu Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing to F With and CREAM on their first (!!) and those songs are so deeply ingrained in my brain.

Good beats, maybe not my first choice but love the blend of dialogues and hip hop (very influential for the French rap group, IAM).

With the current ubiquity of vibe and "mumble" rappers, it's especially refreshing to revisit lo-fi underground grime production, just enough of a chunky beat to give MCs something to flow on. This bars-first approach was huge in the 90's, and Wu Tang was a big reason for that. Track after track of verbal combat that somehow makes nine rappers sound like a cohesive crew, while still weaving in enough personality and humor to give each character dimension. And they were the first to treat this identity as a brand, to use their self-created mythology to spin off several solo albums and further enhance the reputation of each as well as the whole, ultimately enabling everyone to rise above the alternative of dealing or hustling in Staten Island. I'll take this raw, lyrics-focused sound that I can actually understand over a vibe rapper any day. When I'm nodding my head to every track, I know we're in a good place.

Good album. Some good songs, some great songs.

me gustó bastante, tiene varios bangers pero a la vez, sabiendo de cuando es y como está hecho suena viejo, temas que es el boombap a secas sin nada más atrás de me quedan raros, más halla de los barrones que sueltan

Great work. A classic. Admittedly when I listen to this album, and when I return to it in the future, I’ll probably pick and choose tracks. As a whole listen, it gets just a touch repetitive and long. But the beats are great, all their voices and verses and deliveries are awesome, the style and chemistry that exudes from the album is palpable. Good shit. Must-listen #207.

Crazy they made a band entirely on the concept of a Chappelle's show skit

Not a wu-tang fan but can see why some ppl are

It's a 4 from me

This is so grimy it rules

Also preferable to NWA. Wasn't as Gangster Rap as I thought it would be, but Method Man was rather...graphic.

Hip-Hop

friggin EPIC! dont fuck with the wu-tang

Landmark record that goes hard with every song you listen to. The flow, the chemistry, the songs are all great.one of the best rap records in existence.

Great album but the skits really kill the flow

The skits kind of slow the momentum but this is a lot of fun

I had a few days of classic rock in a row and this was refreshing as hell. Such a vibe loved it

Enjoyed this way more than I expected, seriously good

I find hip-hop and rap quite difficult to rate so i'm sure this album is better than I think. However - it's not my vibe. I will be giving it another listen. Loved Da Mystery of Chessboxing

A very nostalgic album of classic 90's hip-hop Fav song - Da Mystery of Chessboxin' 4/5

Dope

Classic

Good

Never had a Wu-Tang phase, but always thought I’d like them. They are the Arrested Development of my 90s rap-ertoire.

Great album

I had heard this album a couple times but I am more familiar with the latter-day side projects than the source, so I’m glad this came up.

I enjoyed this more than i thought i would.

Great album, and one of the progenitors of what east coast hardcore rap/hip hop would become. Innovators for sure.

Это как бы супер легенда, да. И как бы вообще мать и отец всего современного рэпа, Брокхэмптон и так далее. Наверное этого достаточно, чтобы считаться величайшим. Лучшая песня - C.R.E.A.M.

This is chock full of fun, creative, expressive beats by a team of people who clearly are both really passionate and talented about their craft. This is really teetering on the edge of a 4 for me. It's just not quite there.

I need a few more listens with the lyrics to really understand this album, but I enjoyed it. My only issue is that the mixing sounds a bit hollow, like an instrument is missing in most songs.

This album came out in late 1993, but I was in love with metal, so it wasn’t on my radar. After listening to it 2-3 times, I should have gotten into the Wu-Tang because the beats are cool, simple, and they sound great. The rapping is very inventive and I think it’s better than anything people are doing today for the most part. Old Dirty Bastard just sounds completely different from anybody and Method Man and Ghostface Killah are legends. Hip-hop today seems too simple and uncreative from what little I hear. The skits aren’t that great, but most weren’t back then. Rappers were not comedians for a reason. The standouts are Bring Da Ruckus, Shame on a N,, C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, and my personal favorite Can It All Be So Simple. I’ll go back to this in the future.

8/10 I’ve listened to bits and pieces of Wu-Tang before, and I think I have played this once or twice in the past, but perhaps with less focus. The general vibe is great. It really feels like a consistent and complete work as a whole, which is something I always want from an album. The production is gritty and crunchy in a way that really adds to the grubby feeling to enhance the tone of the rapping. The use of various spoken word samples and other bits of chat between the group tie everything together to make the album sound like a real slice of life from early 90’s Staten Island. It’s like they’ve just been hanging out, shooting the shit and then pop into the studio and record a track, before dropping back out to carry on where they left off. I think the subject matter just seems to be reflective of the environment these guys were growing up in, and it generally just feels like they’re having a laugh and messing around a lot of the time, rather than taking things too seriously. Even the more aggressive elements are presented with an air of off-the-cuff exaggeration, rather than with much actual ill intent. Musically, there are areas where things became a little repetitive or the choice of tonal samples didn’t quite work for me, but as a whole, the vibe is of a consistent quality throughout, which probably makes it a little more than the sum of its parts. Bring Da Ruckus - This is a real gritty start. Interesting sample choices and some nice little production edits to tie the music in with the rapping. There’s a slight looseness to the production that makes it feel a little bit on the edge of collapse, but I think that works with the general feel of this particular track. Shame On a Nigga - There’s a great pace to this track. I also think it really highlights the different styles of the MCs and there’s some nice tonal content in here too that lends it a groovy swing. Clan In Da Front - I really liked the piano sample to begin with, but it gets a bit grating after a while as it’s a constant for almost the entire track. I think the central idea for the track is good, but there’s just not enough variety in there to hold my attention in the same way as the first couple of tracks. The rapping is more sparse too, which doesn’t help. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - While the piano sample is quite repetitive here, there is more going on so it’s not quite as irritating as it is on the previous track. There are some nice flourishes in the production here and there that breathe life into things and again, the passing around and gang vocals keep a freshness to the track. Solid. Can It Be All So Simple / Intermission - There’s a bit of an odd juxtaposition between the intensity and tone of the rapping here and the fairly chilled nature of the rest of the track. I find the bass sample a bit irritating, it’s very repetitive and the actual sound itself just rubs my brain a bit. These tracks where things are a bit more sparse and the vocal has less variety and range don’t quite have the magic to me. The intermission sections (and other little bits like it) really put this whole thing in context and add to the general feel of the album. Da Mystery of Cheesboxin’ - There’s more going on here and the pace is great. There’s more interest with variety of sample use and there’s also breathing room left in the tonal elements by allowing them to drop in and out so they don’t get as tiresome. The gang vocals also add a great bit of emphasis and dynamic, as do the more subtle spoken woird samples. Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit’ - This beat is great. So crispy. There’s also more heavy editing to the bass line sample so it’s not as relentless as some of the other tracks. There’s a lot of movement with the sample use and dynamic with the gang vocals that come and go. Another great one. C.R.E.A.M. - This fulfils the brief in a more satisfactory way than ‘Can It Be All So Simple’. The tone between the rapping and the instrumental is a bit more consistent. There are also enough other elements to make the piano sample a bit less of a focus, so less tiring on the ears. The vocal also seems to be shared around a bit more here, which adds to the range of the track. Method Man - I appreciate the musical lilt to Method Mans delivery in this, and the variety between sections allows things to breathe nicely too. The backing vocals add great emphasis and depth, as do the little vocal nuggets and samples the are injected here and there. Protect Ya Neck - This reminds me of Cypress Hill more than other tracks on the album. I think it’s the sample choice rather than anything else. There’s a solid groove to this one and again, the passing of vocal between the Clan adds great variety. Tearz - There’s a bit of a different feel to this one, with the sample choices adding a different tone. It’s a little more wound down in tempo, but it still has a good swing to the rhythm. The instrumental sections are perhaps a little long in places and the momentum does drag a little towards the end. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II (Conclusion) - This has got a great, gritty bass tone and a solid, driving beat. There are some nice references back to other tracks in the rapping too, which helps round the album off. It’s lacking a little bit in musical variety, though there are little bits of sample usage scattered around to maintain interest.

really good. forgot to take notes but i did like it. good grooves. 4/5.

history was made

Amazing hip-hop album. I can't claim to understand everything's meaning or significance, but I can still recognize quality.

Great

Beats to get you moving. FS: Bring Da Ruckus

At first my delicate little heart was offended but I pushed through and appreciated the complexity, artistry and to be honest, vibe. Good for a run.

Есть классные песни, и в целом альбом неплох по звучанию

I’m not a big rap fan but, this wasn’t bad. I liked how they used old kung fu movie clips as samples. Also, the lyrics were easy to understand. “Method Man” and “CREAM” are both classics. I would not mind listening to this again sometime in the future.

3.5 stars. I do not generally listen to rap albums but I might start after this album. Great rhymes but the lack of a good hook drops the score from 4 to 3.5 stars.

Nice classic RAP, love it. I like the sounds battle sounds from old kung fu movies, it adds a nice touch and a nice throwback (listening to it in 2025). Absolutely LOVED the sound of "Can It Be All So Simple/Intermission", especially in the beginning. Wouldn't listen to it everyday tho. Favs: 1. Can It Be All So Simple / Intermission 2. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber 3. Protect Ya Neck

Encore une belle surprise ! Je découvre l’histoire du hip hop, c’est l’fun !

a classic, not much to say, great stuff!

I like the term "sparse and threatening" from the Spotify bio. Seems fitting. Made me think aboug how deep the hip-hop and martial art dovetailing goes. Easy to think that Boondocks (show) did it first.

Metro gehaald door dit album

Iconinc

4.5

Pretty great.

Top tier hip-hop. Only just shy of being a five-star album for me.

All these MCs creating a vision, a mythology, and an incredible album.

My favorite rap album, and that says alot because I usually don't even like rap.

I knew of the Wu-Tang Clan because of member ODB and Method Man’s solo stuff but never listened to them as a group. I do prefer west coast to east coast rap but this was good. I will keep this on my phone and listen again, maybe when working alone in the office.

Appreciate the ensemble style, sampling, and creativity.

Gotta love some Wu-Tang!

Its a good album

big fan of 90s hip hop and ts is one of my favs, very good hood music which speaks to black boys like me

ya

Un album d'influence. Pas absolument dans mon top du East Coast mais j'apprécie quand même (et je ne suis pas un connaisseur ultime...). J'ai écouté durant la dernière année le film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin et ça se fait aller les mains et les pieds en mautadit.

I never thought I’d see the day that I’d be able to heap praise on an album of this genre, but here we are. The beats here are killer: Lo-fi, crunchy, and impactful sounds kept my foot tapping and head bopping through so many of these tracks, even as I lost my way through a lot of the lyrical content. The MCs are relentless in their delivery, and it’s often overwhelming for a non hip-hop and rap listener like me. But man, is this record stylish. I loved getting to know each of the personas on this album. I held reservations about being able to distinguish who of the legion of contributors were fronting at any given time, but the production does a marvellous job of giving everyone their own unique voice on which to cook. I could totally listen to more of this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Obviously going to occasionally just saying "C.R.E.A.M get the money" for the next 3 days now. "Can It Be All So Simple" and "Da Mystery of Chessboxin' " stuck out on this listen

The mother lode. You had to be there to really get it. And even so, I didn’t. Not then. (It does occur to me that this might be reconstructive nostalgia. Sort of like I now think I always liked ‘Pump Up The Jam’ by Technotronic. But I don’t think so.)

The samples are masterful, so many amazing, classic songs. It has been a long time since I listened to the whole album all the way through and I somehow forgot how many slots there were. I didn't love them, I think because I just wanted to get to the songs. When ODB shows up, every song is better.

Au panthéon du hip-hop, peu d'albums peuvent se targuer d'avoir eu un impact aussi important que "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" du collectif new-yorkais Wu-Tang Clan. Dès les premières notes, de ce premier opus sorti en 1993, l'auditeur est happé dans un univers sombre, celui des bas-fonds de Staten Island, surnommée "Shaolin" par les membres du groupe. La production, assurée en grande partie par RZA, est à l'image de cet environnement : minimaliste, poussiéreuse, presque austère, mais d'une efficacité redoutable. Les samples, puisés avec une érudition impressionnante dans les films de kung-fu des années 70, les classiques de la soul et du funk, créent une atmosphère unique, à la fois cinématographique et menaçante. Loin des productions léchées et commerciales qui commençaient à dominer le rap de l'époque, RZA opte pour un son brut, presque lo-fi, qui confère à l'album une authenticité et une urgence palpables. Les basses sont lourdes, les caisses claires claquent comme des coups de fouet, et les mélodies, souvent hypnotiques, s'insinuent durablement dans l'esprit. Mais la véritable force de "Enter The Wu-Tang" réside dans la diversité et la complémentarité des neuf MCs qui composent le Clan. Chacun possède un flow, une personnalité et un univers lyrique qui lui sont propres, créant ainsi une vraie dynamique de groupe. Il y a la folie imprévisible d'Ol' Dirty Bastard, dont les couplets déstructurés et les interjections surréalistes apportent une touche de chaos contrôlé. Il y a la technicité et la précision chirurgicale de GZA et Inspectah Deck, maîtres conteurs capables de dépeindre avec une acuité saisissante la dure réalité des rues. Il y a la puissance brute et le charisme de Method Man, dont le flow nonchalant et la voix rauque en ont fait l'une des premières superstars du groupe. Raekwon et Ghostface Killah, quant à eux, excellent dans le "crime rap", tissant des récits mafieux complexes et imagés, préfigurant leur futur chef-d'œuvre commun, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.... U-God, Masta Killa et Cappadonna (bien que moins présent sur ce premier effort) complètent ce tableau avec leurs styles distincts, apportant chacun leur pierre à l'édifice. Les thèmes abordés sont variés, mais toujours ancrés dans une réalité crue : la vie dans le ghetto, la violence, le trafic de drogue, la spiritualité, et bien sûr, l'univers des arts martiaux, qui sert de métaphore filée tout au long de l'album. Des morceaux comme "C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)" sont devenus des hymnes intemporels, avec son sample mélancolique de The Charmels et ses couplets poignants sur la pauvreté et l'appât du gain. "Protect Ya Neck", le premier single auto-produit qui a mis le feu aux poudres, est une démonstration de force collective, où chaque MC vient prouver sa valeur. "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" est une déclaration d'intention féroce, tandis que "Method Man" met en lumière le talent unique de son interprète sur une production hypnotique. D'autres titres comme "Shame on a Nigga", "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" ou "Tearz" explorent différentes facettes du talent du groupe, allant de l'egotrip pur et dur à des réflexions plus introspectives et émouvantes. L'impact de "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" sur le hip-hop est incommensurable. Il a ouvert la voie à un son plus sombre et plus hardcore, influençant des générations d'artistes. Il a également prouvé qu'un collectif pouvait réussir tout en permettant à ses membres de briller individuellement, un modèle économique et artistique novateur pour l'époque. RZA a non seulement créé un son, mais aussi une mythologie, un univers cohérent et fascinant qui a captivé l'imagination du public. Un 4 sur 5 pour un album essentiel, une porte d'entrée vers un univers unique, une leçon de style, de flow et d'indépendance artistique.

Very very strong 4 Stars

Dope!

This is an undisputed classic of hip-hop. I'm amazed when I read about how this album was recorded that it even came together the way that it did. Usually too many cooks spoil the meal but with this it just worked and MAN did it work. I would say that this is one of the most influential albums of the 90s and I still think C.R.E.A.M. might be one of the top ten hip hop tracks of all time. 5⭐️

Classic rap album. A few all-time songs/beats.

Banger

I'm obviously not the biggest fan of rap music here (don't hate it, it just doesn't resonate with me like other music does). But the beats on this album do it form me and so do the no-nonsense raps. I'd go five stars if it wasn't for all the wasted time on skits and music-free yapping.

Dolla dolla bill, y'all

My first exposure to Boom Bap was Illmatic (Nas, 1994), as my housemate implored me to listen to it, citing that it was the greatest album of all time, with N.Y. State of Mind being the best rap song ever made. If I am nothing else I am curious, and inclined to greet music with an open mind. Am I a rap enthusiast that could possibly challenge the validity of either claim? No, admittedly I am the furthest thing from it, but with how good both the album was, and N.Y. State of Mind, I had unfortunately started my listening journey within the sub-genre at the pinnacle of what it could be, rather than working my way to the summit through other artists and their works. Enter the Wu-Tang Clan, who’s 1993 debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), whilst not as good as the impossibly high watermark set by Nas just one year later, but is still a fantastic piece of work within its own right. Tearz a standout. Four stars.

All time classic

Sounds way more modern than 1993 to me. There were so many rappers even in 1998 still doing that annoying “hippidy hip-to-the-hop” thing. Instead Wu-Tang defined a bold, brutal and determined style which just cuts straight through. Clearly very influential on the best of hip hop today. Once this style penetrated I don’t think the genre could ever shift back. There is something crisper more substantial about the production, a finely balanced record.

has the problem of a lot of 90s rap albums where I think there are too many skits. Love the vision of the group though, a financial collective

This album is a wild ride. Am I in a New York housing project? Or am I in a crowded room with a bunch of friends trying to outdo each other with lyrical wizardry? I’m a big big fan of the minimal beats. I don’t know shit about production but whatever is going on here is awesome. I wish I could recognize who is on the mic each time “I’m making devils cower to the caucus mountains” is cool and I didn’t know what it means. Jacques Cousteau could never get this low The whole 36 chambers thing is like catnip for me. I don’t get it but I like it. CREAM obviously a great song. Better than the whole band Cream. What is Sess? Tearz is a real sad song. 4 stars. That’s less a reflection of the album than it is of me. The truth is I have tried to get into this album for years and each time I get a little closer. Where it doesn’t connect it’s the same reason that I could never get into the wire. It requires the kind of attention that I am never able to give. I found that listening to this and looking at the lyrics gave me a much better appreciation for the song. The reality, though of listening while I drive or do the dishes or work means that I’m not getting the full deal. This is a grower though for sure. Will keep coming back for more and then dive into the solo stuff of the whole collective.

I always thought I didn't like Wu-Tang and that's without having ever listened to them. Rap and Hip-Hop has never been my thing so I've avoided it. Where the hell has this album been all my life. Raw and Lo-Fi with nonsense skits and lyrics. Sorry I came to this record so late. It will fuel my workouts for years to come.

A surprise as I've never heard it before. A lot more funk and rhythm than I expected. Great fun!

This is honestly more like a 4.5 for me. Bombastic, gritty and real - this grabs you by the neck and doesn't let go. I loved the theatricality of this one, the eclectic samples and the rawness of the sound. The storytelling was next level, with both humour and heart, and it didn't overstay its welcome. It's really hard to imagine hip-hop today without this one. Highlights: Can It Be All So Simple - love the Gladys Knight sample here. Both nostalgic and current. C.R.E.A.M. - definitely rewards repeat listens. This one hits hard and rattles you. Tearz - next-level soul sample with great lyrics and storytelling.

Bangin'

absolute banger of an album.

I heart this one before but its been some time since I listened to it or some songs from it. It's one of those well regarded albums in their genre so it's always interesting to see what is it that makes it so good, and I think for me it's the fact that it feels not as loaded beat wise, they are very simple and to the point but what they have in spades is a really dark and mysterious atmosphere that really works well for the vibe they go for, and I think its vibe just works to the benefit of the album, that sort of grimey feel of living in NYC area, it's honestly the best encapsulation of that vibe plus the kung fu movie aesthetic in the background of it all. It's hard to dislike this one really, just solid

Was a good time! Funky, funny, and made my morning better. Could have done without some of the spoken interludes and some of the remixes at the end I hated, but the core album was super fun.

better than i remember

Seminal album. Had never listened to Tearz, what a cracker!

Voller Klassiker (Hab ich glaube ich früher schonmal gehört, als ich mal Rap-History abgearbeitet habe. Zumindest einige Singles) Schön Roh / Rough Simple aber geile beats -> mehr Melodie im Sprechgesang <3 Manchmal ist weniger wirklich mehr

This gets points for a cool factor, talent and energy and originality but I'm not going to be listening to it on the regular

Great album front to back. Top 5 hiphop albums for me.

This album is great!!

Wu tang are among the better of the seemingly over represented 90s hip hop of this list. I don’t like the skits. But I do like the characters. But 3.5 stars.

What's there to say that others have not? Solid album. No complaints

Understand the importance of the album. Good music well produced.

Hippity hop to the barbershop. WTC got it goin’ on. Heard some good zucka-zukkin’ and a little up the butt. CREAM (whatever that stands for) is the best cut, but all good. Also appreciate the 36 minute run time. (3.8*s)

The Wu-Tang Clan is a force to be reckoned with their raw and hard hitting approach. Like NWA's debut album, "36 Chambers" shocked the hip-hop world with even more grit. Incorporating the dialogue and sampling the cinematic music from kung-fu films was GZA-genius. Each individual rapper has their own style that keeps the clan well rounded. It is no surprise many of them had very successful solo careers as well. Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA, and Method Man being the standouts. Def knew this would make the list, deservedly. Bring da mutha fuckin' Ruckus! 3.73 stars.

Not quite sure how this saved wrong. The homegrown Method Man version was a lot of fun. And his rant is insane. And so many classic lines/samples!

It is not gonna be my favourite hip-hop album on this list but still quite good.

very good despite not really being in the mood for this. listening was kind of ruined cause Spotify went down for an hour and a half when i was halfway through listening but i still thoroughly enjoyed and will listen to more

A classic for sure, but one I’ve never really ever listened to all the way through. Really good album with a lot of layers I wasn't expecting. Hate that I didn't get to grow up with a variety of music.

Great album, rap just isn't my thing

Utter hip-hop classic

Honestly, this is one of the seminal hip hop albums. Its just special. Sampling has always been fundamental to hip hop, but their sampling from classic kung fu movies is amazing. Shame on a N*ga has some of the best flowand rhymes. Some of the skits are a bit outrageous too.

Remarkable

I listened to the whole album twice and then my two favorite tracks (WTC A’int Nuthing Ta F’Wit; CREAM) another 2 or 3 times today. Very solid 4!

Most of these I don’t classify as “songs”, but the samples used and the production are generally quite pleasing. The lyrics are pretty clever for the most part. The surround mix was better than expected, with some verses coming from the left or right rear channel, and various samples, mostly keyboard-based, coming like that as well. A 3.5 rounded up to 4 due to the surround mix.

I knew this would be between a 4 and a 5. But I think when I listen to this normally, I play “bring da ruckus” and then skip straight to “cream.” The cream / method man / protect ya neck / tearz run is great, but the first half of the album is not my favorite.

there’s a reason people consider this one of the best hip hop albums of all time

Musically innovative and timelessly relevant, but padded with way too many interludes