Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

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:	11/09/1993
Label:	Loud / Rca
UPC:	0078636633619
Rank:	1248

Tracks

1. Bring da Ruckus
2. Shame on a Nigga
3. Clan in da Front
4. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber
5. Can It Be All So Simple
6. Da Mystery of Chessboxin'
7. Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit
8. C.R.E.A.M.
9. Method Man
10. Protect Ya Neck
11. Tearz
12. Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber (Part II)

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Wu-Tang Clan   Primary Artist
GZA   Lead Vocals
Masta Killa   Lead Vocals
Raekwon   Vocals,Lead Vocals
Method Man   Vocals,Co-Producer,Lead Vocals
Ol' Dirty Bastard   Vocals,Co-Producer,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
4th Disciple   Turntables

Technical Credits

Carlos Bess   Engineer
Ethan Ryman   Engineer
Prince Rakeem   Producer,Mixing,Arranger,Programming,Mixing Engineer
Chris Gehringer   Mastering
Dennis Coles   Executive Producer
John Gibbons   Supervisor,Production Supervisor
Robert Diggs   Composer,Executive Producer
Mike McDonald   Supervisor,Production Supervisor
Method Man   Producer
Ol' Dirty Bastard   Producer
Mike Theodore   Supervisor,Production Supervisor
Richard Bravo   Design,Set Design
RZA   Arranger,Producer,Mixing Engineer
Wu-Tang Clan   Composer
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
Tracey Waples   Executive Producer