Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) [Live From N.Y. State of Mind Tour at Climate Pledge Arena]

by Wu-Tang Clan

Overview

Along with Dr. Dre's The Chronic, the Wu-Tang Clan's debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), was one of the most influential rap albums of the '90s. Its spare yet atmospheric production -- courtesy of RZA -- mapped out the sonic blueprint that countless other hardcore rappers would follow for years to come. It laid the groundwork for the rebirth of New York hip-hop in the hardcore age, paving the way for everybody from Biggie and Jay-Z to Nas and Mobb Deep. Moreover, it introduced a colorful cast of hugely talented MCs, some of whom ranked among the best and most unique individual rappers of the decade. Some were outsized, theatrical personalities, others were cerebral storytellers and lyrical technicians, but each had his own distinctive style, which made for an album of tremendous variety and consistency. Every track on Enter the Wu-Tang is packed with fresh, inventive rhymes, which are filled with martial arts metaphors, pop culture references (everything from Voltron to Lucky Charms cereal commercials to Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were"), bizarre threats of violence, and a truly twisted sense of humor. Their off-kilter menace is really brought to life, however, by the eerie, lo-fi production, which helped bring the raw sound of the underground into mainstream hip-hop. Starting with a foundation of hard, gritty beats and dialogue samples from kung fu movies, RZA kept things minimalistic, but added just enough minor-key piano, strings, or muted horns to create a background ambience that works like the soundtrack to a surreal nightmare. There was nothing like it in the hip-hop world at the time, and even after years of imitation, Enter the Wu-Tang still sounds fresh and original. Subsequent group and solo projects would refine and deepen this template, but collectively, the Wu have never been quite this tight again. ~ Steve Huey

Product Details

Release Date:	07/04/2025
Label:	Iconic Artists Group
UPC:	0784300321811

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Wu-Tang Clan   Primary Artist
Method Man   Vocals,Co-Producer,Lead Vocals
Ol' Dirty Bastard   Vocals,Co-Producer,Lead Vocals
4th Disciple   Turntables,Scratching
GZA   Lead Vocals
Buddha Monk   Vocals (Background)
Fourth Disciple   Scratching
Ghostface Killah   Lead Vocals
Inspectah Deck   Lead Vocals
U-God   Vocals,Lead Vocals
RZA   Lead Vocals
Masta Killa   Lead Vocals
Raekwon   Vocals,Lead Vocals

Technical Credits

Carlos Bess   Engineer
Prince Rakeem   Producer,Mixing,Arranger,Programming,Mixing Engineer
Ethan Ryman   Engineer
Mike McDonald   Supervisor,Production Supervisor
Method Man   Producer
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Corey Woods   Composer,Lyricist
Lamont Hawkins   Composer,Lyricist
Dennis Coles   Composer,Lyricist,Executive Producer
Ol' Dirty Bastard   Producer
Mike Theodore   Supervisor,Production Supervisor
Richard Bravo   Design,Set Design
RZA   Arranger,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Wu-Tang Clan   Composer,Lyricist
Mitchell Diggs   Supervisor,Executive Producer,Production Supervisor
Oli "Power" Grant   Supervisor,Executive Producer,Production Supervisor
Jacqueline Murphy   Artwork,Art Direction
Amy Wenzler   Design
Daniel Hastings   Photography
Jason Hunter   Composer,Lyricist
Tracey Waples   Executive Producer
Gary Grice   Composer,Lyricist
Russell Jones   Composer,Lyricist
Clifford Smith   Composer,Lyricist
John Gibbons   Supervisor,Production Supervisor
Robert Diggs   Composer,Lyricist,Executive Producer