Legend of the Wu-Tang: Wu-Tang Clan's Greatest Hits | ||||
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Greatest hits album by | ||||
Released | October 26, 2004 | |||
Genre | Hip-hop | |||
Length | 69:42 | |||
Label | BMG Heritage | |||
Wu-Tang Clan chronology | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
AllHipHop | [2] |
RapReviews | 8/10 [3] |
Legend of the Wu-Tang: Wu-Tang Clan's Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released in 2004. It is notable for including the rare unedited version of "Protect Ya Neck", a remix of the song "Method Man" with alternate verses, as well as "Shaolin Worldwide", "Sucker M.C.'s" (a Run D.M.C. cover) and "Diesel", three tracks the Wu-Tang produced for soundtracks and compilations. The inside booklet can be unfolded to form a mini-poster of the group. The album was made to further cement Wu Tang Clan's legacy as one of the most influential groups in recent years. [4] The album was also made to not only help introduce new listeners to the group's music but to also satisfy fans of the group as well. [2]
The album debuted at number 72 on the Billboard 200 chart. In the United Kingdom, it opened at number 28 on the UK Hip Hop and R&B Albums Chart. In 2018, the album was certified Silver by BPI. [5]
No. | Title | Original album | Length |
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1. | "C.R.E.A.M." | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 4:10 |
2. | "Method Man" (Skunk Mix) | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 3:09 |
3. | "Protect Ya Neck" (Bloody Version) | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 5:03 |
4. | "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 3:32 |
5. | "Can It Be All So Simple" | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 4:11 |
6. | "Shame on a Nigga" | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 2:54 |
7. | "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" | Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | 4:47 |
8. | "Reunited" | Wu-Tang Forever | 5:22 |
9. | "It's Yourz" | Wu-Tang Forever | 4:13 |
10. | "Triumph" (featuring Cappadonna) | Wu-Tang Forever | 5:37 |
11. | "Gravel Pit" | The W | 4:13 |
12. | "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)" | The W | 3:58 |
13. | "Sucker M.C.'s" | In tha Beginning...There Was Rap | 3:44 |
14. | "Uzi (Pinky Ring)" | Iron Flag | 5:17 |
15. | "Shaolin Worldwide" | Next Friday soundtrack | 4:03 |
16. | "Diesel" (featuring RZA, Method Man, U-God, Raekwon & Ol' Dirty) | Soul in the Hole soundtrack | 5:29 |
Chart (2004) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [6] | 28 |
US Billboard 200 [7] | 72 |
Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop musical collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and, until his death in 2004, Ol' Dirty Bastard. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member. They are credited for revitalizing East Coast hip hop and are considered one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time.
Corey Woods, better known by his stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which achieved mainstream success following the release of their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang , in 1993. Raekwon would subsequently pursue a solo career, releasing his first solo album, entitled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., in 1995. The album received critical acclaim, and is regarded by many critics as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, as well as a staple of 1990s rap.
Dennis David Coles, better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and a member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of Enter the Wu-Tang , the members went on to pursue solo careers to varying levels of success. Ghostface Killah debuted his solo career with Ironman, which was well received by music critics, in 1996. He has enjoyed continued success in the years that have followed, releasing critically acclaimed albums such as Supreme Clientele (2000) and Fishscale (2006). His stage name was taken from one of the characters in the 1979 kung fu film The Mystery of Chess Boxing. He is the founder of his own record label, Starks Enterprises.
Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut studio album by the American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on November 9, 1993, by Loud Records and RCA Records. The recording sessions took place during late 1992 to early 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and the album was produced by the group's de facto leader RZA. Its title originates from the martial arts films Enter the Dragon (1973) and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978).
Liquid Swords is the second solo studio album by the American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member GZA, released on November 7, 1995, by Geffen Records. Recording sessions for the album began midway through 1995 at producer RZA's basement studio in the New York City borough of Staten Island. The album heavily samples dialogue from the martial arts film Shogun Assassin and maintains a dark atmosphere throughout, incorporating lyrical references to chess, crime and philosophy. Liquid Swords features numerous guest appearances from the other eight members of Wu-Tang Clan along with Wu-Tang affiliate Killah Priest.
Tical is the debut studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Method Man. It was released November 15, 1994, by Def Jam Recordings. It was the first Wu-Tang solo album released after the group's debut, Enter the Wu-Tang . Similar to all first generation solo Wu-Tang projects, Tical was mainly produced by group member RZA, who provided a dark, murky and rugged sound. The album features guest appearances from RZA, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, as well as several affiliates, who would later appear on future group projects. In 2017, Method Man revealed on the Viceland talk show Desus & Mero that the album's title is an acronym for "taking into consideration all lives."
Iron Flag is the fourth studio album by American East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, released on December 18, 2001, on Loud Records. It was certified gold in sales by the RIAA. Iron Flag served as the group's second lowest-selling album, as their record label, Loud, was on the verge of shutting down at the time. The album debuted at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 with 153,000 copies sold in its first week of release. It has sold over half a million copies in the United States and certified Gold by the RIAA. Rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard is completely absent from the album.
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version is the debut studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard, released March 28, 1995, by Elektra Records in the United States. Intent on creating a solo album away from Wu-Tang, he signed to Elektra in January of 1993 and began a two year recording process that started that same year.
M.O.P. is an American hip-hop duo composed of rappers Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, best known for their song "Ante Up." The group has frequently collaborated with DJ Premier. The group is part of the Gang Starr Foundation. Fame occasionally produces under the moniker Fizzy Womack and has produced tracks on every M.O.P. release since 1996's Firing Squad. He has also worked for other artists, including Kool G Rap and Wu-Tang Clan.
The W is the third studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on November 21, 2000, by Loud Records. After their 1997 album Wu-Tang Forever, several of the group's members released solo projects before The W, which has a more rugged, less polished sound than that of most Wu-Tang related albums from that era. The album also features guest appearances from Isaac Hayes, Redman, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and Junior Reid. It is the group's last album to feature Ol' Dirty Bastard before his death in 2004, as he was absent from their next album, Iron Flag (2001).
"C.R.E.A.M." is a song by the American hardcore hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on January 31, 1994 by Loud Records, as the second single from their debut studio album Enter the Wu-Tang (1993). The song was produced by the group's de facto leader RZA, and contains a sample of the Charmels' 1967 song "As Long As I've Got You" throughout. It features two verses from members Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, who discuss their upbringings while living in New York City, and Method Man, who sings its hook. Its music video, featuring all Wu-Tang Clan members in New York City, was released in 1994.
The Wu-Tang Clan is a New York City-based hip hop musical group, consisting of ten American rappers: RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.
The RZA Hits is a compilation album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, composed of songs featured on the first Wu-Tang album and its first round of solo albums. All songs were produced by member RZA, apart from "Brooklyn Zoo", which was produced by Ol' Dirty Bastard and True Master.
Legendary Weapons is a compilation album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which was released July 26, 2011 on E1 Music. It follows 2009's Wu-Tang Chamber Music. Legendary Weapons features performances by several Wu-Tang members, and affiliates Trife Diesel, Killa Sin and Bronze Nazareth. Other guests include Sean Price, M.O.P., AZ, Action Bronson & Roc Marciano among others.
A Better Tomorrow is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The album was released on December 2, 2014, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was supported by the singles "Keep Watch", "Ron O'Neal" and "Ruckus in B Minor". A Better Tomorrow received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The album debuted at number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 24,386 copies in its first week of release.
Wu-Tang Forever is the second studio album by the American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released June 3, 1997, by Loud and RCA Records in the United States. Pressed as a double album, it was released after a long run of successful solo projects from various members of the group, and serves as the follow-up to their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang . Forever features several guest appearances from Wu-Tang affiliates Cappadonna, Streetlife, 4th Disciple, True Master, and Tekitha. The original run of compact discs featured an enhanced CD which allowed users to walk around the "Wu Mansion" and access additional content.
Gary Eldridge Grice, better known by his stage names GZA and The Genius, is an American rapper. A founding member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, GZA is the group's "spiritual head", being both the first member in the group to receive a record deal and being the oldest member. He has appeared on his fellow Wu-Tang members' solo projects, and has maintained a successful solo career starting with his second album Liquid Swords (1995).
Birth of a Prince is the third solo studio album by American rapper and record producer RZA. It was released on October 7, 2003, through Sanctuary Records. Recording sessions took place on June–September 2003 at 36 Chambers Studio in New York. Production was handled by Bronze Nazareth, Barracuda, Jose "Choco" Reynoso, Megahertz, True Master, and the RZA himself, who produced the majority of the tracks. It features contributions from fellow Wu-Tang Clan members Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah and Ol' Dirty Bastard, as well as Wu-Tang affiliates Allah Real, Free Murder, ShaCronz, Cilvaringz, Beretta 9, Prodigal Sunn and Tash Mahogany, and German singer Xavier Naidoo.
Ironman is the debut studio album by American rapper Ghostface Killah, released on October 29, 1996, by Epic Records. It was produced by fellow Wu-Tang Clan member RZA. The album's music draws prominently on blaxploitation films and soul samples. As with other solo debuts from the group's members, Ironman contains references to the Nation of Gods and Earths.
The Saga Continues is a compilation album by American rap ensemble Wu-Tang Clan, produced by long-time producer Mathematics released on October 13, 2017 on eOne. The group name was shortened to "Wu-Tang" to mark the fact that the album features all Wu-Tang Clan members except U-God due to his legal issues with the group over royalties. It also features guest appearances from Streetlife, Redman, Sean Price and others. Producer Mathematics has explained, "It's a Wu-Tang record of course, [but] it can't be a complete Wu-Tang Clan album without [U-God]."