Hot on the heels of the Nov. 18, 2008 DVD release of Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan, which debuted first on the BET network, comes the soundtrack of the same name. The Wu-Tang Clan changed everything in regards to the business of Hip Hop and is tremendously important, both as a collective and as a host of solo artists. On and off from the early nineties until the modern day, the Clan have continuously set the bar for both controversy and talent. From the criminal records of many of the members and associates to their often violent and vulgar lyrics, Wu-Tang Clan are no strangers to controversy and their story is almost unbelievable.
The soundtrack to this film is a lot like a chronological Wu-Tang greatest hits album, as you probably gathered from its title. Opening with the band’s earliest, and arguably biggest, hits “Method Man” and “Protect Ya Neck” (the band’s breakout single) after a short intro, the album also hits on highpoints such as “Shimmy Shimmy Ya,” “Gravel Pit,” and “Triumph” among others. The entire original lineup is spread over the soundtrack and all of the tracks save for “Older Gods” are the versions produced by the band’s original leader The RZA. Basically you are getting the real deal here in its gloriously raw form; this is much more of an archive than it is a revisiting of old hunting grounds.
Overall, if you like Hip Hop then it doesn’t get much more essential than Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan. If you enjoy the raw, passionate side of Hip Hop as delivered by artists like KRS-One, Mos-Def, Public Enemy, and Xzibit’s early work (although not necessarily sounding like any of those artists) then this is essential to your collection as well. Non-fans of the genre however are unlikely to be won over by this powerhouse of hits because its pure Hip Hop without the frills and adulterations of the pop genre.
Reviewed by Mark Fisher
