U-God has opened up about the problems within Wu-Tang Clan in his new book RAW: My Journey Into The Wu-Tang. Rolling Stone has published an excerpt from the autobiography in which U-God blames many of the issues on RZA’s decision-making and leadership.
In the excerpt, U-God describes how the group’s united mentality splintered over the years. He explains that revenue distribution became a major point of contention and criticizes the management of RZA’s brother, Mitchell “Divine” Diggs.
“Right now, it just looks like the Wu brothers are not on the same page, going at each other’s throats, missing shows, and all that,” U-God writes. “But, to me, it’s really years of BS catching up to RZA. See, he put his family in charge of shit, and for years, we would go on the road but the money came up short. Whether it was because [RZA’s brother and Wu-Tang Production CEO] Divine overpromised or cut a deal he couldn’t deliver, or he made bad management decisions, I don’t know.”
U-God paints a picture of RZA getting top-flight representation for solo endeavors while the Wu-Tang was stuck with “B- or C-list” management. He also expresses frustration with operations like Wu-Wear, which he says the original members invested in but never received any return on investment despite the clothing line’s popularity, and the handling of Wu-Tang’s iconic logo.
“Many people don’t know this, but DJ Mathematics drew that logo on the back of a napkin back in the day,” he writes. “RZA quickly trademarked it, and to this very day his brother beefs when any of the original members attempt to use it. That to me is crazy — I mean, I understand if someone was using it without the group’s permission, but the members of the group itself? Wow, that’s just crazy … Divine always told us, ‘Y’all can’t use that W without paying a brand fee, and if a promoter calls your manager direct to book a Wu-Tang show, best believe they’re paying that brand fee!’ Ain’t that a motherfucker!”
According to U-God, RZA became a control freak. RZA allegedly wanted to be in charge of everything from the budget to writing hooks. U-God cites the creation of Wu-Tang’s 2000 single “Gravel Pit” as a major example of RZA’s dictatorial leadership. Instead of allowing Method Man and U-God to write the hook as planned, RZA did it himself. In U-God’s eyes, RZA lost his way as a leader.
“Trying to exert too much control over grown-ass men leads to problems,” he writes. “RZA doesn’t know how to let go and let motherfuckers be grown men anymore, like he used to back in the day, when it was four or five motherfuckers touring the country in an old Mitsubishi Scorpion. Somewhere along the way, he forgot to let his soldier do what he initially recruited us to do and coached us to do. He forgot that you don’t tear down your soldiers, you build your soldiers up. Because when they rise up, they bring you with them.”
Despite all these issues, U-God says Wu-Tang members are able to put aside their differences and come together when necessary. He also acknowledges that leadership is necessary but the leader should be open to ideas.
Read the entire excerpt on Rolling Stone or in U-God’s autobiography, which is in stores now.
I’m looking forward to reading U-God’s book. He’s the most underrated and overlooked member of the WU-TANG CLAN so I’m interested in his perspective.
Read a “preview” on iBooks and it was so badly written, I couldn’t even finish. I’m all Wu and all, but it was awful, probably written for idiots.
Get the audiobook it’s 1000 times better when you hear UGOD tell the stories…
It’s unfortunate when dudes like RZA, Dr. Dre, Kanye and Bob Johnson feel it’s not only better to make money with the white man instead of their own, but then use those same tactics to cheat their own. If RZA wanted that white movie production money I get it, but why screw the clan?!
He needs to explain his garbage ass rhymes in this book. Worst member of the Wu!
I wouldn’t say garbage. Today’s crop is GARBAGE! U-God is straight up street dude and his rhymes reflect it.
He’s better than RZA wack pseudointellectual ass.
Maybe you should go listen again man.His intro alone on chessboxin is super dope. Imo everyone is dope in the clan. Alot of albums got no shine like Uncontrolled substance. That album is so dam good but no one messes with it. Just saying.
Certainly not the best in the clan, but U-God is dope on his own “Stomp Da Roach” & “Fire”, kills his verses on “Chessboxin'”, “Knuckleheadz”, “Supa Ninjaz”, and outshines both Rae & Ghost on the latter’s “Black Jesus” with a such an ill verse. Not bad for a guy that’s garbage
Want to hear the new wu album with ghostface driving the ship. Rza production been suspect lately to say the least.
yup, Ghost has proven to have a great ear for selecting beats, meanwhile Rza done lost his mojo a while ago. A Better Tomorrow was serious garbage. Saga Continues is a million times better, and from the snippet or 2 martin shkreli played in that interview, sounds like even Cilvaringz got more juice than Rza lately. Ghost should do a great job in the executive producer seat, he almost singlehandedly kept the Wu relevant throughout the 2000s.
Dope really really DOPE!
RZA need an to stick to producing because he can’t manage or rhyme for shit.
Learn from Biggie “Business and family don’t mix like two dicks and no chicks”.
Nobody cares about some 50yr old washed up hasbeen anyways. Why even report this, HiphopDX.
So, which artists do you care about?
Yeah you’re absolutely right. We need more coverage of your limp-wristed, rainbow colored hair having, fake thugging, mumble rapping, lil’ (insert dumb fuck name here) having, gay ass generation.
Only hasbeen is your dumb ass
It’s hard to side with U-God because whenever his verse comes on I turn the track off. Plus that publicity stunt he pulled on Hot 97. Plus when you watch The Show you could tell he was jealous of Meth. The only U God verse I remember is Chessboxin and Deck outshined him directly after it. And then the biggest question is: did you say this to RZA face?
U-God outshined both Rae & Ghost on “Black Jesus”. That doesn’t make them wack either. Baby Huey has more than its fair share of good verses. Take a listen.
Funny I didnt hear Powers name come up