Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Nothing To Fuck With

When you think of the '90s you may choose to remember flannel-wrapped dude bros from Seattle playing quiet, then loud, then quiet once again, but I want to remember the warriors with cryptic names such as RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, U God, Ghostface Killa, and Old Dirty Bastard that came together and made one of the coolest artifacts in hip hop, Enter the Wu-Tang 36 Chambers. Yeah, it's a simple trick mixing sketchy beats, classic Shaw Brothers martial arts flicks, and looped jazz flourishes, but you didn't think of it. And as if that wasn't enough, lyrically the Wu-Tang Clan brought a new twist to the tired old "I'll fuck you up" themes by pushing them past the ridiculous, around the corner, and down the block to the downright absurd. I am thankful for Wu-Tang and this record, without them, the '90s would have sucked even harder.

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23 comments:

  1. shousFebruary 9, 2011 at 5:55 AM

    Here here!

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  2. TylerFebruary 9, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Gotta get dis MUN-nay

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  3. The Joshua FieldFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    In case I didn't think this blog was awesome enough with jazz and metal...now we have unabashed 90's bashing and hip hop.

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  4. Mike DesertFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    I 100% agree. Also loved ODB, Craig Mack, X-Clan, and NWA's 100 Miles and Running ep

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    I love this record and this blog

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  6. DesiccatedVeinsFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:39 AM

    Can't fuck with da Wu.

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  7. Ragin' RonFebruary 9, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    its a great album. unfortunately it also pretty much ruined mainstream hip hop when everyone started trying (with limited success) to imitate that wu tang style flow

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  8. Phyton phthoraFebruary 9, 2011 at 1:32 PM

    just what i needed to be reminded of to listen to this afternoon, thanks.

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  9. Death BreathFebruary 9, 2011 at 1:33 PM

    Nice record, but, what's with the MP4's?

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    I was a teenager in the 9o's and it was fucking awesome!largely in thanks to this album.and graffiti.

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  11. MarkFebruary 9, 2011 at 3:40 PM

    A classic.

    Been following the Hearse for a while now.

    I linked you at my blog (which focuses on old(er) local Louisiana underground music) at:

    www.unemployedandparanoid.blogspot.com

    Cheers!

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  12. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Oh Christ, I miss ODB. His press releases were amazing. I remember one where a female reporter was earnestly trying to ask him questions and he'd just keep telling her she was cute, and they'd always try to get him to stop dropping the F-bomb so they could actually play something on air without editing the hell out of it. There will never be another like him.
    -T

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  13. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    protect ya neck

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  14. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    This is such a fucking good album. One of the greatest albums of hip-hop I've ever encountered and one of the ones I will cherish most.

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  15. t-roccFebruary 9, 2011 at 8:58 PM

    hell yes

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  16. FrankFebruary 9, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    neighborhood SPIII-derman

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  17. AylmerFebruary 9, 2011 at 11:29 PM

    Yeah, the 90's did suck. I'm looking forward to RZA's upcoming martial arts flick "The Man With The Iron Fist".

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  18. TheilfFebruary 10, 2011 at 1:29 AM

    Don't forget Inspectah Deck, oh wait, maybe we should.

    Aesop whaddaya think of Cypress Hill III Temples of Boom? I reckon that's a stone classic that would fit in nicely around here, if not for the cover art alone.

    BTW thanks for Coleman I really appreciate the Jazz reccomendations. On NPR too I see.

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  19. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    Aesop,
    Big fan of your work. Every time I think you have pulled out all the tricks, you come at me with some of my favorite shit and prove your awesomeness and wonderful eclecticism all over again. Keep up the fine work sir, and I'll keep reading.

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  20. Alex_PFebruary 10, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    I love this album dearly, and I was just a kid in the 90s. Few if any rap groups have ever matched the swagger+lyricism of the Wu. This album and Liquid Swords are in my personal top 100 (even though I haven't quite settled what comprises my top 100 yet)

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  21. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    what about inspectah deck?
    love me some wu-tang!

    also, there's nothing wrong with flannel. I own many.

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  22. T. GarrettFebruary 10, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    can i get a wuuuu tang?

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  23. ChrisJuly 3, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    At the time this was a life changer. Excellent post

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