With Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) approaching its twentieth anniversary later this year, fans are gearing up for what may be a Wu-Tang Clan revival in 2013. Now, in a recent interview with clothing designer Frank the Butcher for “The Butcher’s Block,” the Wu’s long-time executive producer Oliver “Power” Grant opens up about the crew’s legacy.
Power recalled the earliest days of the Wu-Tang Clan, saying that it wasn’t the group’s initial purpose to make the kind of impact that it did on Hip Hop culture. He also added that he believes it was RZA’s unique production that set the Clan apart from its musical peers.
“The reality of it is everybody was trying to get out the neighborhood. We were trying to get out of Park Hill, Staten Island, Stapleton, whatever,” he said. “The was no thought about being the greatest rap group, there was no thought about how rich we’re gonna get…for us, [RZA’s production] was our music; it was the norm. It’s just that as things progressed, it became our sound. But yes, it was a sound that was RZA’s sound. It was how he felt. You know, it had the eerie, gritty feelings…as time went by, it became ours.”
Power also discussed the Wu’s lasting legacy and the impact its brand made on the industry. He believes that the Wu’s popularity and successful side-ventures helped open doors for future generations of Hip Hop artists to explore other business opportunities outside of music.
“36 Chambers twenty years later is probably one of the best flips I ever did…it is, in fact, the best flip that I ever did,” he said. “We’re a heritage brand, and did I think it would evolve? Of course I did. But everything has it’s own place in time, and all of this stuff for all of us…there was a time where a lot of these companies didn’t want to be associated with none of this stuff and none of the rappers and none of the things. Nowadays, all the walls are broken [for Hip Hop artists]. That’s what we were fighting for…this culture would be that much more further if there was a lot less blocking going on and a lot less hating on going [by corporate America].”
Check out the full interview below.
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WU was/is the shit, not just a group, but a movement
DOPE
Great group, too bad no one outside of America listens to them.
LET’S PLAY UR LITTLE GAME THO
SHOW & PROVE NO 1 OUTTA USA LISTENS TO WU
I WANNA C SIGNATURES AUTHENTIC WEBSITE LINKS LABEL & RADIO STATIONERY
NOT UR FCUKBOI OPINION
GO GET THAT
& UNTIL THEN STFU HO ASS N!GGA
NOT UR
Wu tang are bigger in Europe than in America now dumbass they are a global phenomenon unlike the rest of hip hop
that’s a joke surely
I’m from England and hardly anyone here knows about the Clan.
@ anonymous: that’s bullshit.. Im from Norway, and I`ve been listening to the Wu since `94… It changed everything, and I bet I know more about the Wu-Tang clan than you…..
PEACE POWER
WU TANG 4EVA
Wu tang greatest thing to happen to hip hop ain’t no mc or crew that can reach the heights they achieved!
Totally agree 1000%
Oliver “Power” Grant
The man who caused the demise of the Wu
How did he cause the demise of wu tang?
fuck power
Rich Bower had the flyest coogi sweater-hat combos god…
…just dropping some “Knowledge” on you youngbloods
new wu album needs my vision
no it wont be what i expect
beats are navy blue
if the Ron contour and Factor – Saffron is Purple
then this new album should be navy blue
my mind goes purple when i listen to Saffron
its like purple sky , rolling green hills and ron contour running threw a field of daises
records that give off the color black suck the life out of u
Power’s a cool cat
fuck oli power grant broke ass nigga wu tang all day
Horace Grant sucked mee off while wearimg his Rec Speks
Wu 4 ever!!!
If they love their fans they should put all the differences aside and form like Voltron in this bitch.
There will never be another O.D.B. rest in peace Russel Jones