Wu-Tang Clan to break up.

[Brandon Burke]

From Pitchfork:

"NME.com reported last night that the legendary Staten Island hip-hop supergroup, Wu-Tang Clan, are planning one final ruckus-bringing before calling it quits after a 12-year run that will have produced five full-lengths, one unbridled classic, and perhaps more solo spinoffs than any group in hip-hop's storied history. Fresh off soundtrack work for Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill trilogy (Hollywood reports there will be a third) and production on fellow Clan member Ghostface Killah's new Pretty Toney Album, The RZA told NME, "I don't think the fans have closure on Wu-Tang and I think they deserve it." Although, if it's anything like Iron Flag, maybe it'd be better to just give it a rest already.

In case this new album is the bad retarded, too, RZA adds that yet another full-length-- hell, maybe even two-- could follow it: "If the group itself feels the vibe and wants to continue, then maybe two more albums, but at least one more album that will give closure to the Wu-Tang legacy." Okay. Well, the group is planning to enter the studio in late summer to lay down tracks for this "final" album. Otherwise, we can all rest assured that Raekwon will go back to cooking up some more marvelous shit-- The Lex Diamond Story, friends-- while the others continue copping oversized promotional Wu-Wear from the trunk of RZA's new whip.

The good news is, the Wu have lined up a handful of performances slated to hit the European festival circuit this summer: The group is expected to appear at the London Hammersmith Carling Apollo (show your love!) on July 8th, as well as Scotland's T in the Park Festival on July 10th and Ireland's Oxegen Festival on July 11th. RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Ol' Dirty Bastard, U-God and Masta Killa will all unite on the same stage for these shows for the first time in-- no shit-- ten years. Sounds crazy, but remember GZA's prophecy: "When we really get to where we got to go... that's when you know it's on."

[.:.impossible]

I read about this the other day. Another break-up that I'm not exactly sure why they felt they had to announce it. Wouldn't these break-ups be a lot cooler if they weren't announced and everyone just suddenly realized they hadn't recorded in years? I think so. Especially in Wu Tang's case.

[dave9199]

Like Pink Floyd.

[BruceH]

I'm heartbroken.

[J Larsen]

In my controversial opinion, Wu only had one good album as a group. The first one was a classic. The rest were piles of crap. They've had a lot of good "solo" records, though, so the "break up" may be a good thing...

[Brandon Burke]

Yea, I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it or anything. Perhaps not unlike GBV, they've been bordering on complete irrelevancy for several years now. One the other side of the coin, and again like GBV, I rather liked knowing that they were still around (even if I wasn't paying attention anymore).

[.:.impossible]

In my controversial opinion, Wu only had one good album as a group. The first one was a classic. The rest were piles of crap. They've had a lot of good "solo" records, though, so the "break up" may be a good thing...

Not so controversial actually. The first round of releases was great though. Each solo album in that first round I consider a Wu Tang album. I think those albums are still relevant. More recent recordings? Much less so.

[Brandon Burke]

In my controversial opinion, Wu only had one good album as a group. The first one was a classic. The rest were piles of crap. They've had a lot of good "solo" records, though, so the "break up" may be a good thing...

Not so controversial actually. The first round of releases was great though. Each solo album in that first round I consider a Wu Tang album. I think those albums are still relevant. More recent recordings? Much less so.

Yea, I think that's the general consensus. For what ever reason, I still buy every new Ghostface record though. Who would have imagined nine years ago that he, Rae, and Deck would be the only ones making straight hip hop records in 2004? I've always been a huge Inspectah Deck fan. He was always my favorite. Sounds rather like a tougher Rob Base. Same old school flow but considerably more *street*. You'll notice that most of the really good Wu tracks feature Deck first. He has a knack for good opening lines.

From "Triumph" (1997):

"I bomb attomically.

Socrates philosophies and hypotheses can't define how I be droppin' these mockaries.

Lyrically perform armed robbery."

I love that shit.....

[Guest ariceffron]

the pink floyd sound is going to tour again you wait and see. actually i dunno. but as far as wu tang goes: i will quote the back of my desk in class:

"WU TANG IZ 4 DA CHILDREN"

[Brandon Burke]

the pink floyd sound is going to tour again you wait and see. actually i dunno. but as far as wu tang goes: i will quote the back of my desk in class:

"WU TANG IZ 4 DA CHILDREN"

Ironically, Pink Floyd was good for only one record as well. When Syd left, they lost their *hunanity*.

I mean, I'm sorry, but let's get real here. I don't mean to be a dick about it but they got really cold, really fast. Everything they did post-"Piper" is cold and detatched. I just can't do it. There's a zillion other psychedelic bands I'd rather listen to than that shit. Namely, the early Soft Machine......

As for that comment about the Wu-Tang Clan, I don't know where to begin with that.....

[.:.impossible]

I saw an ad last night on FOX for a new series "Red & Meth!" Those two are like kids together. Should be pretty funny I think.

I agree re: Deck, Ghostface Killa, Raekwon, and I'd add Genius. The VERY first Genius album is really in the old-school style. He hadn't quite refined it into Liquid Swords-style yet.

I still say they should have just faded out.