RZA has handed over stewardship of Wu-Tang Clan’s next album to Ghostface Killah, whose ear for beats has fans excited about the LP’s potential direction. While Wu-Tang’s own Masta Killa recognizes the enthusiasm for this Ironman-led project, he thinks the album shouldn’t — or perhaps can’t — be the legendary group’s last LP.
In an interview with HipHopDX, Masta Killa discussed Ghostface taking on a leadership role for the proper follow-up to 2014’s A Better Tomorrow. The thoughtful lyricist expressed confidence in Ghost being the orchestrator but explained why he wants RZA in charge of Wu-Tang’s eventual swan song.
“I’m going to tell you really and truthfully how I see it,” he told DX. “It doesn’t matter who does the Wu-Tang Clan album, but RZA has to do the last one because RZA’s The Abbot. I trust his judgment, his ear for music.”
He continued, “See, one thing that people have to understand is that in the beginning, a lot of those beats and a lot of those creative thoughts of energy was brought about because we were together more than ever. So, if someone wasn’t as pleased with the production side of things, well, we can’t just point the finger at one person. We all have to take credibility in that because we might not have been in the chamber as much as we once were to influence that direction.”
In Masta Killa’s mind, there’s a clear solution to Wu-Tang’s past squabbles over RZA’s production. According to him, the nine living members need to devote more time to being in the studio together.
“I know for a fact RZA got about a million beats,” he chuckled. “If we was in the chamber and we just said, ‘Yo, let’s just run through some, just play us [some beats]. We gon’ stay here for a week and just play joints.’ Oh, we would pick 10 that would definitely bring you right back to that essence core of what you would classify as classic Wu-Tang sound but that’s the togetherness. That’s the all in together that makes this what it is.”
While Masta Killa has a deep trust in RZA, he has plenty of faith in Ghostface’s abilities too. The veteran MC knows Ghost is capable of steering the Wu-Tang ship but simply believes no one can replicate what RZA brings to the group.
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“I love Ghost’s ear for music,” he explained. “I love the beat selection that he chooses. We have a similar style when it comes to the soulful beats that he loves. So, I love his ear for music. But no one is ever gonna do it like The Abbot. That’s just my opinion. I’m sure if Ghost puts something together it’ll be dynamic because, like I said, he has a beautiful ear for music. But If The Abbot is not in his seat, we’re gonna always miss that.”
He concluded, “If you look at the Wu-Tang albums and everyone’s first solo album, that’s all RZA. That’s like betting against Dr. Dre. I’m never gonna bet against Dr. Dre!”
Check back soon for DX’s full interview with Masta Killa.
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Who cares they both suck and been irrelevant for like quarter century by now..
-troll
You spelled bitch wrong.
Clown… Probably listening to Mumble rap by ‘Lil somebody right about now
As someone who loves the first 2 Wutang albums, I agree they haven’t been good as a group for ages now. About a quarter century is actually true. Rza DOES NOT produce like he used to, at all. He lost his dope gritty sound quickly. Some Wutang members still make good solo albums, but as a group? Not at all. That last album, a Better Tomorrow was boring af. Not one classic song came from thay album. All because someone is honest that they are washed up doesn’t mean they listen to mumble rap. Only dick riders can’t admit when an artist passes their prime.
No Clan album could compete with the first two, not because they’re washed up, it’s because those were classic albums. Like Masta Killa said, RZA HAS millions of beats that we’ve never heard. Those two joints from the NAS latest “compilation album” are perfect examples.
Agreed to an extent, but I still don’t think their last album was very good. Sure, it’s Wutang, so it’s never trash. But it was really boring IMO. Just my own tastes tho, no disrespect to them at all either. I feel the same way about 95%+ of my favorite artists. Rockstars, funk, rappers, ect… Many would argue JayZ 4:44 is his best work to date, I’d beg to differ. I can’t really think of many artists that was pumping out classics 10 to 20 years ago, and is still pumping out classics. And that’s not to knock anyone, I just believe most artists have primes, then they end up average done the line. Eminem for example. Many will argue he is just as good today as he was in his prime. I call BS. I don’t think he touches his former self.
Yo I ain’t no dude, GZA/Genuis Liquid Swords unbelievable. Still my fav as for solo.
Ghostface actually has been one of the more consistent members since their music started to fall off.. I agree after Forever (The W was decent) they have not made a great/classic Wu album and they seem to get worse and worse over time (A Better Tomorrow was horrible) though, the first two were classic and then it was downhill as far as the group albums go with the Wu Tang so I won’t argue there.
Can’t wait to hear what they bring to the table! Looking forward to it
WU – TANG FOREVER!!!!!
The Rza don’t smoke that Dust no more so his beats is not the same no more!!!
This may hold some significance to his sound bruh, because drugs and alcohol does bring out some different shit.
Eminem for example
That’s what fucked them up!
MK is right…they gotta put money and differences aside. Just be present in the chamber and enjoy the time they have together. That’s what Wu Tang is all about.
Follow up to “a better tomorrow?” Bro they dropped “the saga continues” in 2017. Smh come on man I should work here and just correct every article written. Y’all need better journalists
He said a “Proper” follow up… Eluding to the fact that many people were Indy with their latest project… But that would still likely include “A better tomorrow”
Saga Continues was a Mathematics album
Saga Continues only had the Wu Tang brand, it wasnt a Wu Tang Clan album – important distinction
“It can’t be a complete Wu-Tang Clan album without [U-God],” a direct quote from Mathematics, who produced the album when explaining why it was branded as just “Wu-Tang” instead of “Wu-Tang Clan.” So, perhaps you should correct yourself.
That a better tomorrow was the last proper Wi-Tang Clan album. They didn’t all participate in the saga co’tinues
Yeah its time for one last album. This joint needs to be an all time type of collective. Make it happen WU
Rza Beats ain’t The Same No More……………Get True Master to do it….
I know it’s outta left field but DJ Muggs is a legend and has a similar sound to Bobby Digital. Let Muggs do a couple of tracks
trumaster and 4th disciple
Lets go Wu, serve up an album where all brothers are together and present. I don’t see why they would stop making albums when Wu lyrics are still fire. I believe the team can still crush it, just need to be TOGETHER for that vibe
Use the same formula as Wu Tang Forever. 75% RZA, 15% Tru Master, and 10% 4th Disciple
Just make sure you don’t let U-Gawdawful on the LP. Dude want to whine. He can sit on the sidelines
Why is it that U God outshined Rae AND Ghost on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx l’s opening song, Knuckleheadz?
Corny scumbags like yourself only follow what others say. U God aint the best, but he is far from wack.
No Golden Arms, that’s crazy talk mane. Dude has had a rough life,but He’s WuTang as much
as anyone in the group.
Either way I’m copping the album. Wu is the last of a dying breed. True m.c.’s. Wu 4ever!!
We need to put a mix of different producers on the last album,like Pete Rock, Mathematics,4th Disciple,Havoc, Alchemist,Dj Muggs and Qtip, and M.F Doom!
You forgot about True Master
+1 for 4th Disciple!
Imo, the next album will beat the 36 Chambers. Rza does have a lot of records just sitting around for years,imo. The rza does shit on the down low all the time. The new album might come from unrecorded tracks from years ago when the rza was hot. IT’S A SECRET……..
ONLY Rza. No other producers. Using same equipment he used for the original 36 Chambers. With only the original members. And young dirty bastard. And then do all solo members projects again.
Agreed well said record it with the sake equipment that Rza used on 36 chambers and all the debut solo shit
A Wu album with everyone locked in would be epic. RZA providing ten of his rawest beats with the Wu bringing their A game with bars.
There should never be a last wu album. They should keep going FOREVER til the core members are deceased.
If I could, I would tell RZA to let me pick the beats and I would guarantee every Wu fan would be satisfied.
Straight biter kid! Only one unknown. Deal with it.
The final album? No way we need Wu Tang forever!!!!!!
Listen to this kid named Skarekow. He is a WU producer that works with Holocaust. Check out “The signs of hells war” and “In the end thereof…Are the ways of death” albums. He is a disciple of the RZA. Skarekow should do the next Wu album. Don’t sleep on this kid. He’s bomb behind the boards.
Yes! Skarekrow’s dope as fuck! He’s got that grimy, dark style that reminds me of classic RZA. That shit would be incredible!
Rza taught him well. He should be a Wu element. Imo, skarekow is better than math, 4th and Tru masta but not bronze. He does have that grimy, dark style like the rza. The 36 Chambers never really gets old. They just need new Wu producers with their own identities. Check out another RZA disciple named b.p.
.
Dj. Mercilless of the moon crickets should do the next Wu album. The moon crickets are from Canada. They’re associated with Killah Priest. Killah Priest and the moon crickets did an album together recently. It is called death in the arena. WU-BANGER!
I’ve heard of moon crickets but never actually heard any of their shit. Def have to check that shit with KP. Thanks for the heads up.
Let us carry infinite rivers of an Open source PU Tang records, I wanna carry and be a part of the legacy carry an holdin, swordsand protecting balls
True Guru. Don’t need light in my eyes to be a star