Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

I admit that I didn't get to spend a lot of time listening to the lyrics in depth -- but I love the feel of this album. It does kinda sound like everyone's just come together in an apartment. The communal spirit is really fun and I like hearing everyone's different feeling/flow. Want to spend more time with the words themselves.

A classic

🐝

It's been a week already since Game 4! Thank you to the Wu-Tang Clan for your pivotal halftime show. This album was terrific—life is terrific. Staten Island is New York, too!

Just a classic

7.9/10 Nice ryhming Nm

not what i'd usually go for, but otherwise great!

Eu me senti iliterata porque nunca tinha ouvido wu-tang can (já ouvi falar, sabia que existia mas nunca tinha ativamente ouvido) até esse álbum... ai vale um bom 4/5

This is oretrybgoood ngl

Pretty good

A little silly, but this is just too much fun Favorite Songs: Da Mystery of Chessboxin', Tearz

It's like watching a martial arts movie with the volume turned way up. Spins: 2 Playlist Additions - Bring da Ruckus - Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit - C.R.E.A.M. - Protect Ya Neck

So much fun, as always. 4.5 rounded down to 4.

Lyrics were awful

never heard of them and I barely listen to rap or hip-hop and I honestly vibed so hard they slay

Too long, but many bars and the sound is interested in his rawness. I just prefer a bit of variety, especially in a longer album I kinda need range. That doesn't mean it's not their sound, and full of ambition

Classic

One of if not THE classic hip hop albums

pretty great

genuinely so peak ngl. proves that the 90s were the best decade for music

I am one of those that enjoys certain Wu solo projects over the whole crew together, but there is no denying how important this record is. As a mission statement, this does exactly what it's meant to and plays heavily into their musical and entertainment inspirations. This was the 90's, so there is a bit more spoken word "skits" than I'd really like (though some will say the storytelling there is just as important as what's in the actual music). Also not al Wu members are created equal, but that's to be expected. All in all this is a pillar of 90's hip hop which launched the careers of many talented individuals. Throw those W's up.

A bona-fide hip hop classic. Probably one of my favourites from this era?

A classic album showcasing their emerging talent. Great performance on this record all around.

Classic album. Enjoy the beats, new more songs then I thought

So many classics, such little time! Great character and variety across each member of the clan, loads of humour, inventive production and a serious concentration of bangers

Such a complete album

one of my favorite albums of all time

Used to lieten to back in the day, def has a place on top in this genre.

I've tried with this one before, but today was the first time I actually got it. the scope alone is impressive.

Exactly what I was expecting, in a good way. Great rhymes.

Bring Da Ruckus 3/5: songs tough af not the biggest fan of the beat Shame on a N 4/5: banger can in da front 3/5: intro lil long wu tang 7th member 5/5: fucking banger drums are so good can it be all so simple 3/5 chess boxin: 5/5: banger wu tang notin to fw 3/5: cool just beat bit lofi cream 5/5: iconic method man 5/5: also iconic protect ya neck 5/5: also also iconic tearz: 3/5

Great, dirty oldschool rap

Legendary album with production that does sound a bit too dated to make this a 5 star album.

Wie ein GTA lade Screen

Good shit

Sometimes things are popular only because they’re influential, this is not one of those times. 4.5/5

Wu Tang Clan ain’t nothing to fuck with.

It's for the children.

Det är få beats jag gillar bättre än RZAs. Det är något härligt rått och skitigt över vad han får ut ur sina skivspelare. Bra tryck även från övriga gruppen. Hip hop när den är som bäst. (bortsett från alla meningslösa skits förstås)

Jag köpte 36th Chambers på chans efter att ha hört någon låt av Wu-Tang från SVT:s bevakning av Hultsfredsfestivalen. Jag minns hur egensinnigt jag tyckte det lät då. Och jag tycker det fortfarande sticker ut i hip-hopvärlden. Wu-tang var mer än en musikgrupp. Det var en rörelse som inte bara hade ambitioner att ta över musikvärlden genom att själva äga rättigheterna till sin musik. De dikterade även att varje enskild gruppmedlem skulle få släppa skivor på olika bolag. RZA och hans kusin som agerade som manager verkade även för att intäkterna från musiken skulle användas för att köpa upp hyresfastigheterna de hade växt upp i på Staten Island. Musiken är simpel, skitig, mörk och svängig. Det får mig emellanåt att tänka på Burial. Texterna är knappast de mest litterära men de håller för ändamålet. De förmedlar hur eländigt och hårt det var att växa upp i de fattigare delarna av New York, där droger och våld är ständigt närvarande. Blandningen av samplingar från soul, jazz och kung fu-filmer är lysande. Som vanligt är det de ofta meningslösa mellansnacken som är överflödiga.

Absolute classic, but the skits are lame

Hmm interesting

Rating:★★★★ Masterful example of rhyme, flow, and lyricism. The way they make these words tie together is astounding. Some of the lyrics make me think "why??", but those examples are few and far between. This is a great album, and you can really hear how this album inspired the future of hip hop and rap.

Some fun samples and great beats. I wasn’t totally into all of the lyrical content but I’ve never listened to this album in full before. Some great songs on here that stand out on their own though. I wouldn’t regularly listen to this, but the songs I did like I added them to my daily rotation. You can for sure see the influence on hip-hop now from this album which is really cool to me. I do miss when groups had skits within their albums, it’s entertaining but I know it’s not for everybody lol. 4.5 stars from me

Consider the ruckus well and truly brought. An album to cross your arms and nod your head to.

Some tunes on here. genuinely think interludes are rhe best part Needs 2nd listen to appreciate lyrics Think Shao Lin version of Protect Ya Neck is great

It’s great even though it feels a little vintage. Which is fair considering it’s been more than 30 years since the release. But it does sound stylish still and had a lot of character in it. I added some tracks to my playlist, quite a few to be honest. And yeah, had a lot of fun listening to the album.

Some good shit right there

There is no denying that this album is epic. I was more into the Souls of Mischief in 93 because I never really dug the Wu's violent lyrics. They were just a little over the top for my taste. This album does have some of the most icon bars ever recorded and the beats are unique and oddly catchy. It's cool to hear so many different styles of MCing on one record but if you ask me, Method Man is the king. Killer album.

As a hip hop philistine, there is this element in 90’s hip hop that I could never get passed. The songs (thinking a lot about snoop here) sounded dry like the desert, I found it monotonous and boring. This is not that! It’s fun! Interesting to listen to. I’m a lil late on this masterpiece, yeah? lol

Feeling generous today. I don't know how relevant Wu-Tang is in 2026 but it still sounds fresh to me. I prefer rap like this to stuff with a lot of shine.

La última canción a capella? Savage.

Beats clearly influenced and built modern rap. Despite being new to me, sound was familiar. Egregiously violent but that’s the point and perspective.

I have entered the wu-tang wu-tang clan i am in you

A watershed album. These guys were crazy and all over the place at the time. Definitely worth a listen.

4.42

This is a great album.

First hip hop album i've gotten on here and it's a classic. Clearly a very influential album with some amazing tracks but by modern standards it sometimes feels a little corny, still very good though

I'm not a huge fan of rap and hip hop. However I really enjoy this.

it was okay

i'm starting to feel incapable of rating these albums anything but 4 stars

Quentin Tarantino: The Album

Lots of favourites here.

Good stuff :-)

Hypnotic flow, creepy beats and very funny

Waffling between 3.5/4.0… great flow

4,но вест кост мне как-то ближе,

WTC AINT NUTHING TA F WITH!!!!!! Trailblazing and an excellent listen. If an album transforms your mood, whilst combining great samples, fresh lyrics, and keeping it varied and FUN, well sir I call that a job well done.

fav: method man

a cornerstone of modern hip-hop! it’s so sick RZA was just pumping out gold like this for half a decade. the skits are mostly funny on this, but a bit distracting overall. RIP ODB

чилово. стильно. так непривычно непосредственно слУшать такого типа музыку, а не слЫшать её в кино, играх, пародиях.

Album 31/1001. Listened 4/24/2026. This is a great album for just rage-doing whatever it is you need to do that you do not want to do. These guys are (justifiably) angry.

Origin of this kind of rap. Organic, real, easy to listen

i really liked this.

Solid

Heard it before. Good to revisit though. Ol Dirty Bastard is still my favorite flow. 4/5

WU-TANG! WU-TANG!

a classic right here. not one i've ever listened to in full, but one that i've heard the various singles off it enough that i knew i'd probably enjoy the whole thing. the album is really ahead of its time and innovative with its sampling especially which let's be real you already knew. the real problem is just that this is SO 90s. i really enjoy the general flow, but god damn sometimes the lyrics are just so goofy. completely different time and place. the fact that it all manages to hold up as well as it does is a testament to the artistry and skill.

This is a very 90s rap album, for better and worse. The skits on here... Certainly exist. I definitely don't think they improve the album. On the otherhand the rapping itself is great. I think nothing shows this better then "Method man", which starts with a real eye-roller of a skit imo, but then transitions into one HELL of a rap when it gets going. There's some great sampling work here too. CREAM was the pinnacle of this album for me, showing off both the great flow of the album and legendary use of sampling. I think for some people 90s rap hasn't aged well, and I get that. There's some rhymes in here that, whilst I like, you would not get away with today without being laughed out of the room. "Patty cake, patty cake, hey, the method man Don't eat Skippy, Jif or Peter Pan Peanut butter 'cause I'm not butter In fact, I snap back like a rubber band I be Sam, Sam-I-Am And I don't eat green eggs and ham" But if you can get over that, there's still a lot to like here and I definitely get the acclaim.

Muy chulo!!!!! Me encanto

oh i havent actually listened to this yet. i’ve heard good things. forgot to take notes while listening, i was playing pokemon emerald. i liked it though.

Old school - vreau să-l ascult integral

damn lost my listening notes. it's a good vibe, i think 90s hip hop is more my speed than 90s grunge, but still not like my favorite. the beat is good, easy to groove to. probably wouldn't listen to the album thru again, but wouldn't mind hearing their songs now & then. upper 3s/5 rounded to 4/5.

lol

Best of the genre so far. Ol' Dirty Bastard is hilarious and I can't tell if that's intentional or not, so +1 to you, sir. I would actually listen to this album for enjoyment ... except for all the racial slurs. I don't want that kind of language just casually taking up residence in my vocabulary. Over exposure tends to normalize things and slurs should not be normalized. So, sadly, this can't stay on my iPod. Made for an enjoyable listen for a few days though.

classic always a mood

I actually quite enjoyed this. I loved the beats that were laid down. I suspect it is one of those pieces where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I get why it was so influential and can hear the debt that other artists owe the Clan.

amazing hip hop that can lift ur mood up, ur working time sound more focus :-)

Liked it

Classic album with a string of great songs. Great balance of hardcore hip hop and humour.

CREAM

Love forever

dolla dolla bill y'all

good rap album

Their lyrics are a little strange at times. Rhyming diarrhea with gonorrhea is crazy work. Also "bouncing on old MEN" is crazy too. I think I heard "butt plugs" and "busting a clit" which are also very interesting. I like the back tracks for all the songs though they're very unique and nice. I liked the first song the best or "protect ya neck"

Canciones que conocia: variass, un album clave de infancia CREAM, method man, wtc ain none to fuck wit, protect ya neck. Canciones para playlist: 4/9 Cancion que me gusto: Shame on a nuh DISCAZO

I enjoyed this debut album listen from the Wu-Tang Clan! I believe this was my first time listening to an album by them all the way through. I liked the hip hop vibes of this album and the large use of sampling of various audio snippets, which made the songs more intriguing. Overall, I had a good time listening to this album! It made for a great album to listen to while I was working out and it would be one that I would return to in the future!

Lightning in a bottle this one.

The rhymes are pleasing to the ear. Even though it is released in the 90s, that sounds quite new to me

This would be a 5 for overall impact on music, but a 4 for me in terms of enjoyment. Some great moments but also some songs that are tedious, and skits aren’t for me.

pretty chill what I would call oldschool hiphop as a hiphop noob Flow parts are nice, all the talking is pretty annoying. also kinda funny "all kinds of fucking blood coming out of him" Song at 26:00 is insane

Really good album. Couple more listens and could easily turn into a 5

OG

You know what, I think I'm starting to get the appeal of rap music. The delivery of the lyrics and the bits of ear candy started to fill in those blanks for me. There's not a whole lot of processing on the vocals, so for them to be exciting on their own is a testament to the artist's ability. Honestly, I had a good time listening, except for one section where two guys were going back and forth talking about extreme acts of violence. Other than that, great album!

Old school stuff. Clan In Da Front was cool, some nice vocals on Can It Be All So Simple. Gotta go with CREAM, but a cool album. 3.75/5

Awesome album that gets better the further you go into it. Not sure there’s a single bad song on here, and a pretty accessible rap album too

Another classic pull on a Monday! Of all the 90s hip hop albums I've heard so far, this might be my favorite. It might be because of the different members taking turns on the tracks creates variety compared to an album with one person. It might be the contrast between the aggressive deliveries and the laid back beats. Whatever it is, I dig it. Not all of the tracks hit in the same way as some of the bigger hits and I think that is the reason I am not giving it a 5. But it doesn't take away from the fact that this is a classic if there ever was one. 4/5

This is awesome! Protect ya neck!

A 90’s hip hop classic, re listening as a middle aged man I wish they would remove the skits and intros and just get on with the music and the glamorisation of the gangsta life comes off a little childish but you can’t argue with the tracks. Would have been a 5 in my teens now it’s 4

Great 1st album on the generator. Certainly a top 10 90s hip hop album of the 90s I've heard

I've always preferred east coast rap to west. All of my favorite 90s rap is west coast, and a lot of modern rap I love came up out of the east. But I think, of the big 3 east coast albums that came out around this time, this is probably my least favorite. It's not a bad album by any means, it just doesn't hold a candle to Illmatic or Ready to Die. Still great though. Favorites: C.R.E.A.M., Protect Ya Neck, Tearz

Its a classic for a reason.

Enjoyed most of this, even though I think Wu Tang Clan are the most overrated rap group ever.

Favorite songs Tearz/Protect Ya Neck

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