U-God is the Wu-Tang’s version of the Greek mythic character Sisyphus pushing a metaphoric boulder of burden up a mountain. (Or, you can call him the old Takeoff!) As he details in his new autobiography Raw: My Journey Into The Wu-Tang, U-God’s solo career momentum has been wrought by a myriad of mishaps in his personal life, and publicized legal disputes with RZA and Wu-Tang Clan as many of his bandmates have peaked with monumental solo success. His fifth solo effort Venom passes for a would-be Lamont Hawkins LP looking to settle the score on his personal and Wu family business.
The lion’s share of the production for the 14-track project comes from DJ Homicide and Jose Reynoso, with additional assistance from beatmakers such as Powers Pleasant, DJ Green Lantern and Large Professor. The album’s lofty yet palpable instrumentals imbue U-God’s deadpan vocal style, storytelling qualities and commanding presence, but several of the high points seem ephemeral.
The songs on Venom are mixed like a microcosm of his life and career peaks and valleys. The second track “Unstoppable” (scored by Powers Pleasant) finds U-God’s sounding somewhat clumsy over trap-oriented multi-layered hi-hats, pop-friendly synths, and five-step snares. U-God resonates the most in his pocket for the posse cut and lead single “Epicenter” with Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, and frequent collaborator, Wu-affiliate Jackpot Scotty Wotty. The resolute stride of the album’s enduring pace on “Bit The Dust” with a bluesy guitar loop as Golden Arms wrests ears with his subliminal jab at RZA (“See bank deposits, walk-in closets/See Robert ‘digging’ all in my pockets). There is a yin and yang moment that switches from light to dark between the radio-friendly romantic jingle “Elegance,” and “Felon,” which touches on his multiple incarcerations and displacement in society, and the current generation of lyricists on “Climate.”
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It’s just too bad the album begins to lose steam at its midpoint caused by U-God’s lack of lyrical depth and charisma in the choruses. The title track has an intro with U-God defending his 2016 lawsuit against Wu-Tang Clan, yet shielding them against outsiders looking to infiltrate his “family.” As the most anticipated title track builds up with a resounding gospel organ, the vocal sound too technical without much swagger due to its bare refrain and U-God’s double-timed rhymes that sounds exhausted. Plus, “XXX” featuring Method Man has them proudly both stuntin’ on some ex-chicks with U-God’s cringe-worthy Auto-Tuned vocals for the hook. The downward spiral swirls further as U-God’s chorus and ad-libs are stale fillers for the boom-bap brass samples on “Whole World Watchin.” Finally, Jackpot Scotty Wotty appropriately titled solo track “Jackpot” detailing his sidelined rap career comes off as a paint-drying attempt to mirror GZA’s wordplay from his 1995 single “Labels.”
His monotonous maxims counterbalance the acerbic lyricism and wordplay of his fellow Clan members in their classic singles such as “Protect Ya Neck,” “Da Mystery Of Chessboxin,” “Triumph,” and Ghostface Killah’s “Cherchez La Ghost” and “Winter Warz.” This album may be his best food for thought that listeners can digest without coming through RZA’s console.
Wu Stans just because we prefer any Wu release that some Drake or Migos sh*t.
Disrespectful line Dana. I hope you get attacked by a Killah Bee
There’s no way you can logically believe that U God is better than Drake. Actually there is. that would make you a Stan!
Um comparing Drake to U-God is like comparing Britney Spears to Alicia Keys. yes britney is a bigger star but she dont write her own music. shes not an artist. if U-God had the same writing team and producers that Drake uses he would be Drake. Drake is just a brand. U-God writes his own songs. hes more talented. not a stan just stating facts.
There is a way someone can think U-god is better than Drake. It’s called an opinion. I’m pretty sure they find a lot of artists besides the Wu that are better than Drake. Your logic is dumb as hell. Just because they prefer underground over main stream that makes them a Stan? Why you bitter because someone has different taste in music? Get a better outlook on things. You salty.
Stupid stupid stupid
Do you say this to people who hate Drake or other mainstream artist who sell or do you only complain when they speak about some artist you like? Hypocrite much?
How do you know he doesn’t? He never said he didn’t like mainstream artists. Never said he liked U-god. He said that everyone has their own opinions. Your just looking to argue. Stop reaching. Jumping to conclusions much? Do you say things like this when it’s not about artists YOU like??
hhdx proves again why this website is trash. Fire album by U-God. Keep gargling 69’s balls hhdx.
Straight up
Honestly wu has been mediocre since rza atopped producing most tracks. Need that kung fu Wu sound back. Deck Ugod who are underrated uand masta killa didnt get any love from rza on solo projects.
Rza produced at least track or two on their first solo albums.
This dude cannot put together a cohesive album with any semblance of a theme. I bought Golden Arms and Immobularity (Raekwon) the same week when I was a teen. They were both straight trash with a song or two that was listenable. Since then, anything with the W that does not have a Robert Diggs co-sign I passed on until more recent but now 12 year old Think Differently and the other compilations with Mathematics at the helm. U-God is good when featured but unfortunately, is the worst solo artist of the Clan. Yes Masta Killa’s solo efforts are better., much better.
Masts Killa’s no said date album is way better than this mess. If you want some semblance of that “old wu tang feel” anything by Bronze Nazareth hits the spot.
Glad to see someone who actually knows the details about the WU and speak with knowledge instead of hating without knowing this history of the WU. As you mentioned tho, U-God is a great feature artist. He’s terrible as a solo artist. I bought Golden Arms and was disappointed as well.
Both of you guys are on point. U-God has been the perfect accent on plenty of classic tracks like the review mentioned but I can’t stand his solo work. And No Said Date is in my top 10 Wu albums. Very quality work.
Hoe does it feel DX to have 69 tickling your tonsils. White corporate bullshit website claiming to represent Hiphop yet sitting all over indie releases and praising lackluster mainstream efforts that cut you a check for writing a dishonest review. FOH. I wouldn’t go as far to SA Uey album was a classic but it was def more than decent.
I think that this album is one of the best in 2018 so far.
Lil Xans album got a 3.5 rating, yall staff are a joke.
THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH!!! U-GOD IS AN IMPOSTER!!! I WILL MAKE HIM EAT MY CAMEL CLYDE’S STINKY POO POO WHILE RECITING VERSES FROM THE HOLY QUR’AN!!! PRAISE MUHAMMAD, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO TEACH HIM A LESSON!! BESIDES, GHOSTFACE IS BETTER!!! ALLAH FUCKTARRRRDDDDD
DX y’all be buggin this was a sold 3.0 album, 3.5 and above if ur a stan. The lyrical content was there, flashes of greatness too, so you take away from the not so sharp delivery and some less turnt up beats and respect his legacy. Or u jus rather sssskrrr ssskrrrr with them mumble rappers smh! And where is Murs album review?
sad… sad…. sad….
I thought these new wack rappers were killing hiphop, but i now i know its these websites and record labels for sure….2.9 out of 5 for this dooope album? Really?….and you say the fans will be satisfied but…the wu makes records for nothing but the fans dumbo, they dont make bullsh8 records to please the masses, they dont have features with mumble rappers for the youngins to buy their records, they make records for the true FANS…SO FFFFFU your review, you dont know sh8 about hiphop
yeah this album wasn’t as dope as that last one. He still is my top wu member though.
So it is now painfully obvious that the writers at HHDX love getting spit-roasted by 69 and Lil Xanax Bar. Who gets to hit it first mr Author? Do you prefer Tekashi’s rainbow dick or Xan’s micro penis?
My point is this- you are giving an established rapper who has composed and assembled a solid (not incredible, but solid) and review him like he aint shit. This album has more lyricism/word play than any of the mumble albums you have reviewed, but you talk shit on UGod? FOH go suck on Lil Pump’s fucked up toes (i havent seen them but can only assume) because obviously youre just every mumble rapper’s little bitch.
Go choke on a dick.
a 2.9? seriously? i guess HHDX wants to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most garbage website alive. y’all on every mumble rapper’s genitals like gravy on mashed potatoes.
Had high expectations, got disappointed. I don’t know man, i don’t care if U-God is the weak link in Wu, the worst of Wu still means better than most your favorite rappers, so to me he’s a legend, but his albums are awful and this is no exception. Bad production, weak rhyme schemes, bland flows. I swear he tried to rhyme “wingman” with “gangland”. Epicenter & Bit da Dust the only songs i like on this.
What happened Hip-hop Dx? This was the site I used to trust with album reviews. This album is nothing less than 3.5, rhymes arr good, solid beats, consistant delivery and message. Nothing is out of place in the album but nothing is bad. You can listen to this straight through with out skips. It doesnt need to grow on you and it will resonate for time to come.
Did you listen to the album?
so yall give the god 2.9 but trash carbon copy rappers like xan or 69 get a 3.5? lmao dickeating for clicks is never a good look.
If only you held these new cornballs to the same standard you hold the vets.
Y’all be on hatin’ on Wu……again
This album is a 5/5 production is on point and lyrical content is superb, how can you hate on the kid with the Golden Arm?!? DX like most website need to try to stay relevant in a day and age where unfortunately lyrical content and boom bap have lost value its now about how many Molly’s, cough syrup u can take while singing Trippy rhymes. Fuck DX, fuck this critic I’m Just Glad the God still took it upon himself to bless us with something real art to listen to in a world full of garbage ass rainbowed haired wanna be gangstas and internet trolls. By the way UGOD is killing it this year that RAW book is a masterpiece finally got to hear someone tell that WuTang story! Suuuey! I’m out!
This album was a classic are y’all out your mind? From top to bottom I can listen to it straight thru no skips Wutangforever!!!!! Exordium?Unstoppable ?Epicenter ?Bit Da Dust ?Venom?Felon?Elegance?Climate?Whole World Watchin?Jackpot?XXX?????????
On-point review. It’s amazing how people can still confuse a critical analysis of music for “hating” in 2018…the project is mediocre at best, but still doper than most being Wu.
This is by no means a 2.5 album. DX you guys have officially lost it. True it’s not Golden Arms Best album nor is it a modern day classic. It doesn’t have to be. Lyrically he’s still on point and the production was average. God is still better than most of the clowns you review on here.
Way better than any of these other albums on this trash site, U-GOD gets much respect. Lyrics are on point and that RAW book is in incredible best rap book ever!!! He’s a real general you can tell when he speaks that he keep it a 100! When people hate you know you doing something right GOD keep it up!
I usually don’t cop UGOD’s albums but the singles were all banging (Epicenter, Bit Da Dust, Venom) when I got the album I was pleasantly surprised especially after hearing that watered down Saga Continues which to me both sounded pretty WACK missing both GZA and UGOD who to me are both vidal on any WU project. Anyway Venom is full of heat, great production from LORD FINESSE, LARGE PRO, POWERS PLEASANT from PRO ERA, DJ HOMICIDE AND GREEN LANTERN. Lyrically it didn’t let me down at all, did this Dana Scott guy listen to the album? GOD gets 5 out of 5 from me!!!
Those two tracks above are flame and deserve higher than 2.5 / 5 . Suck My Jockey
This album is bangin Golden Arms is definitely holding down the W with this one!
I read this review before listening to the album (after seeing all the positive comments). I came back to say… pssh, this fool’s trippin. This album is a BANGER!! And I’m so glad it is, and so proud of U-God to bring something like this after the last few Wu projects. He reached out to some good producers and made himself a classic, well done.
I’ve always supported U-God’s records despite the fact that he’s not the greatest solo artist. I take my hat off to him on this go around as this album was coordinated with the release of his really good book. If you’ve read the book, he honestly admits that he lost his rhyme skill because of his constant incarceration and his early work with the Wu was subpar to the point that he was being kicked out of the recording booth. He had to really get on his grind on Forever, because otherwise there was a good chance he would no longer be a member of the crew. So, U-God’s story is one of redemption and resilience. This is a solid album that highlights his desire to be viewed as a solid artist. Solid 3/5.
Damn!!! Golden Arms is KILLING IT this year!! “RAW:MY JOURNEY INTO THE WUTANG” was impressive life story probably best rap memoir I’ve read way better than any RZA books (sorry Abbott), this would make a great movie! Book Starts when he was 4 years old goes thru his crazy drug/teenage years… growing up with Meth, Rae, Cappa, Jackpot meeting RZA and the rest of the Clan, the formation of the supergroup, ups and downs, life on the road, loosing dirty, his incarceration during the making of 36 Chambers it was amazin! Now “VENOM album is like a soundtrack to the book, a freaking masterpiece probably his best work to date…love XXX with Meth, Epicenter with Raekwon and REBEL INS and his solo joints BIT DA DUST, ELEGANCE, LEGACY, WHOLE WORLD WATCHIN, FELON were great I can listen to the album straight thru…. although I really liked his DOPIUM album this one is more about him with less features. 5 out of 5 stars the God kills it!