Raekwon the Chef is proud to state that Wu fans are awake again. The emcee who released last year’s Only Built for Cuban Linx 2, which received rave reviews, has already followed that up with Wu Massacre, an album with two other Wu brothers Ghostface and Method Man. However, no matter what the members of the Shaolin clan seem to do, talk always seems to center around group problems and issues. In a recent interview with DJ Jenny Boom Boom, Raekwon spoke on the Wu Massacre album and the fact that there may be animosity in the crew from time to time, but explains that it’s normal.
“The Wu Massacre was something that Ghostface and Def Jam put together and asked for my assistance. I just came through for them…So Ghost quarterbacked the whole movement of that Wu Massacre album. But, it’s really just to make sure that we let the fans know we’re going to drop more music,” he said of the collaborative project. “In my eyes, I wanted to do it independently but this is what Ghost wanted to do…so I supported it.”
During the interview, he also added that the trio made an effort to make “Our Dreams, 
which they felt would be viable commercially. Alicia Keys also helped with the project, which Rae says she did out of love and kindness. Still, the Massacre didn’t leave Method Man incredibly happy. As Rae explains, he and Meth were somewhat out of the equation and both felt the record should have gotten a better push from the label.
“This is something that me and Meth didn’t really have too much knowledge about…Overall, he just thought that if we had a little bit more time to do a couple more new records, and really put a heavy promotional foot on it, we probably could have made this situation a little bit better. But, maybe Def Jam was just feeling like ‘Cuban Linx is rockin’ right now and we’re just trying to follow that wave.'”
Whenever creative differences come up with the Wu, it’s difficult to forget the tension that existed when the Wu released their last album together. Talk of the members not getting along grew and it seemed we would never get another disc from the clan. However, when asked if their next album was being held up by turmoil, Rae was frank in his response.
“No, it’s not no beef in the crew. There’s love in the crew. Even if there is animosity here and there, that’s normal. That’s life for you.”
Still, Rae would not make a prediction about another Wu album.
From what Im reading, they all seem pretty inspired to do another Wu album. I hope thats the case and I think they can find some common ground when bringing ideas to the table, rather than letting RZA control the whole process. When they first started out, that was the best path to follow. After years in this industry, they know enough people, producers, industry cats….whatever….to put out a smash record.
Don’t Forget ODB was the heart of the Wu-Tang and one of the eldest members. They haven’t had a classic album without him yet.
They also had a dud in there, with him on it. They have their squabbles, and lacked focus on a few cuts, and they were all out to do the solo shit…..but, I think with their recent success and renewed optimism they can crank out something that’ll shake shit up in this all-to-predictable industry. It sucks that you have to look far and wide (away from the radio in other words) to find true dopeness. I personally cant stomach the radio. In the NY area, they’ll play the Wu and they got something to say about all the cheeseball artists. Im wondering what this project will be like?
rza needs to control the whole process and just go back to dirty beats like on forever
they need to get them ALL back in the studio at the same time, RZA make some classic beats and there will be another classic
agree with Ogewt. i think part of what hurt 8 diagrams and more recently the wu massacre was the fact they’ve just been emailing and phoning in their verses. part of what made wu albums in the past so great was the chemistry. the wu need to form like voltron again.. and drop cappa’s lame ass lol
Personally, I think 8 Diagrams is a brilliant album, although I hope that RZA goes back to the old beats. I prefer that he controls the entire production, with any possible outher production remaining in the clan (True Master and Math).
@ jasonctown what was the wu-tang album dud with ODB? You sure he was part of the recording process and not just have an old verse? he was in jail for “The W” and “Iron Flag”
I hope your right as i would like to hear more from the less publicized members
i would also like to say 8 diagrams was IMO a better album… maybe im biased because there was a sick ODB verse they brought back or the track Station ID break possibly my favorite shit to come out since… damn cant really say
both albums were quality tho
I really liked RZA cuttn the shit up but i have to wonder if it was him or if i just like shit from my childhood better because of the nostalgia
Now 2 Herpes, Herpes was also a biological weapon of warfare, it was crafted from the common herpes. It was initially design 4 the gay population because of the oral mentality. Thats y the area of out break is fluid based but its temperature activated cuz wheres 1 place that is fluid based ur eyes.
There both temperature crafted thats y u have a lot of people who get HIV and Herpes in a combination,.
i know, right?
Wu is doing good, I haven’t heard all of Wu Massacre but it sounds like my feeling about it was right on point: “maybe Def Jam was just feeling like ‘Cuban Linx is rockin’ right now and we’re just trying to follow that wave.”
there were some bangers nonetheless.
Wu is forever, but they gotta put some more thought, time, and unity into their albums or they’re gonna keep being hit or miss
God damn, that Jay-Z Blueprint t-shirt is so damn ugly, ahahahaha. holy shit.
Anyways, Wu Tang Wu Tang!
I listened to most of Wu-Massacre last night, there was some dopeness on it but it should have been better so I can see why people were disappointed. But I’m a Wu head regardless so I’ll still be checking for anything they drop and Cuban Linx II proved they still got it.
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I love nothing more than RZA behind the boards. He is on record saying that he would come as more of an emcee on the next Wu joint, if there is one (this was right after 8 Diagrams). He is the sound of Wu, but imagine an album with the likes of Premier, 9th Wonder, Madlib, Statik Selectah, ….whoever….just naming names, you could name a bunch of others. Again, RZA makes that raw Wu sound, just sayin though.
Stoupe, Dr. Dre, Marco polo, Ant, Eminem, Just Blaze, that would be my go to.
@C-ARSON yeah I hear you about Stoupe, was fortunate to get his Decalogue album, and all, if not, most of his production on Jedi Mind Tricks/Army Of The Pharaohs albums… it would definitely be a different sound with Premo, Em, Just Blaze,…it just takes that *particular sound* that make/breaks the MC… (well it’s a no-brainer that almost any track Premo does, it better be blessed by a damn good rapper)
the vatican 4
nothing but nothing but dope
Wu-tang Clan Ain’t Nothin’ To Fuck With
Wu massacre was dope
the 7 members not named rza need to check themselves. there’s a reason all the albums that rza had full control over are classics and (almost) everything else is “meh” at best. let the abbot do his thing-thing, the rest just need to bring that lyrical fire.
I agree indie wouold have been better for Wu Massacre. Meth says the joint was rushed. I read that one tune was from a Theodre Unit project..come on! It was dope but not up to the standards set by Linx2, Big DOe Rehab and BO2.