RZA famously developed a “five-year plan” at the beginning of the Wu-Tang Clan‘s run. Now, he has explained why his beats were such a big part of that vision.
During a recent interview with Torae on SiriusXM’s HipHopNation, the Abbot reflected on why he was not only the sole producer on the group’s 1993 debut album (with two co-productions from group members), but also did almost all the beats on the initial solo projects from Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, GZA and Raekwon.
“In the old days, I was very dominant,” RZA admitted. “Like, it’s all my beats. And that’s because in the old days, I didn’t feel that other producers were giving the Hip Hop type of beat that I thought was dope for Wu.”
You can see the snippet below.
Elsewhere in the conversation, RZA discussed how the crowd reaction to early Wu tracks was something he was very intentional about.
“If you pay attention to Hip Hop and you listen to Wu, one thing you may recognize is that a Wu joint will come on, and nobody won’t dance. Everybody [will] listen,” he said.
“That’s because I didn’t want you to dance. I want you to listen. And that means that while a lot of producers was producing for the club, and trying to make people dance and produce a radio hit, I was producing for Hip Hop.”
Last month, RZA shared a different little-known aspect of the group’s past with Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg — how Method Man got his name.
The producer revealed that Method Man only adopted the moniker after recording the song of the same name for the group’s debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
RZA said: “Method Man was Shakwon until he made that song — Shakwon the Panty Raider. Then, after he made that song, everybody in the hood called him Method Man.”
Method Man, whose real name is Clifford Smith, adopted the persona after the song’s success.
“It was the concept because meth is weed. He’s the king of smoking weed. So he’s the method man. A year later, he’s Method Man,” RZA continued.
The Abbot also said it was a group decision for the name switch: “It was a conscious decision by us as a crew, but the streets did push it.”
Raekwon and other Wu members have said Rza beats was wackety wack doe
Well they clearly weren’t if you’ve listened to 36 chambers, Wu Forever or any of the early solo albums. That’s some classic shit right there, but sure flap your gums in the internet.
Sounds like you been smokin a lot of dope. #nonhiphophead
INDUBITABLY
The flood and his own ego( love you Rza) fucked up a still legendary run. If you weren’t fiending for the next Wu joint you aren’t hip hop.
I still don’t know why RZA isn’t as heavily lauded as say a Dr. Dre or even Timbaland. His sound is distinct and was definitive in bridging rap from the late 80s boom bap to the mainstream-underground era. Enter the Wu-Tang is a sonic and lyrical masterpiece.
RZA had a scorching 4yr run (’93 – ’97). Big Chart hits he didn’t have. In addition, he didn’t Produce outside of the group unlike Dre., Premo, Pete and others.
This was just the code. Thats why The What with Biggie and Method Man was such a big deal when it happened.
Rza a legend 🙌 but let’s be honest his beats are outdated don’t mesh with current sound. His old stuff was great for that era, but that era is done and gone now. Early works yes but who wants to listen to wack production with stupid kung fu adlibs and karate chops ? In 92 it was cool but its 2023. A few wu Tang members have refused to work together in past few years over disagreements over RZA production. I know the Wu stans will be all over this comment but the group own members are saying this!