Supreme Clientele

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In the mid-1990s, Producer RZA had a flood in his basement studio, which resulted in the loss of recording equipment and several hundred beats, many of which were unfinished. [1] As a result, he would have to use new equipment, and completely start over for production contributions. In a later interview, he stated "The jewel of the whole shit is that I lost mad shit in that flood. I got it again. It took me about two years, but I got now at least 200–300 beats. I studied the music, I studied the books and I said 'fuck that. Hip-hop is gonna be able to be played in Carnegie Hall. Not with a DAT, but with a 10-piece orchestra, and have a turntable in it, and Bobby Digital right there in the middle'. [1] "

Although a number of producers, such as JuJu from The Beatnuts, Hassan of the U.M.C.'s, The Hitmen and several Wu-Tang affiliates are credited for production, RZA and Ghostface Killah did the majority of the production and mixing for Supreme Clientele, as they "re-compiled" and "re-worked" the album's beats. [1] RZA explained "Usually a producer comes in, makes a beat, mixes it, and gives the direction for it. But not with this album. That's why you get that special sound. I just needle and threaded the beats all together." [1] This approach would result in critical praise for its fluidity and cohesiveness. [1]

Controversy

Supreme Clientele contains an insult toward then-up-and-coming rapper 50 Cent. In the "Clyde Smith" skit, Wu-tang member Raekwon, with the use of voice distortion, plays the role of a man named Clyde Smith. Clyde Smith addresses 50 Cent and his 1999 song "How to Rob", in which 50 Cent rhymed about how he would rob many popular recording artists, including several members from Wu-Tang Clan. The skit drew a response from 50 Cent, who later replied in an underground mixtape.

In 2004, Lord Superb, formerly of Raekwon's American Cream Team and a collaborator of Ghostface's, made claims that he had "ghostwritten" the entire album of Supreme Clientele. [8] Tony Yayo of G-Unit would later bring the topic back to the surface in 2006. [9] However, in an interview with Rhapsody Music, Ghostface responded with "Yeah, I was in Europe when I heard Tony Yayo say that. That's just nonsense. I still put mad shit out. 'Perb (Superb) is Rae's (Raekwon) man. He been in the studio a few times while we're doing shit. He ain't write shit. All 'Perb contributed was a couple of lines that you could put in the air. When we write, we all do that. "Say this one right here" or "Put this one right here". We all catch lines with each other 'cause you in the studio. You got niggas around you that write. Even if he did write a verse, he could never make an album of mine. He couldn't make an album, you feel me? I made Supreme Clientele what it is. Those are my stories, based around what they're based upon. It's me. I can't see what songs 'Perb wrote. He ain't write "Mighty Healthy" or "One" or "Apollo Kids" or "Cherchez LaGhost" or "Saturday Nite" or "Malcolm". [10]

Reception

Supreme Clientele
GhostfaceKillahSupremeClientele.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedFebruary 8, 2000 (2000-02-08)
Recorded1998–1999
Studio New York, New York; Miami, Florida
Genre Hip hop
Length64:10
Label
Producer
Ghostface Killah chronology
Ironman
(1996)
Supreme Clientele
(2000)
Bulletproof Wallets
(2001)
Wu-Tang Clan solo chronology
Immobilarity
(1999)
Supreme Clientele
(2000)
The Yin and the Yang
(2001)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [11]
Chicago Sun-Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [12]
Entertainment Weekly C [13]
Melody Maker Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
NME 7/10 [15]
Pitchfork 10/10 [16]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [18]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [19]
The Village Voice A− [20]

Upon its release, Supreme Clientele received critical acclaim, with several critics lauding it as a return to form for the Wu-Tang Clan collective following middling reception to other solo releases from Wu-Tang members. [21] [22] Vibe critic The Blackspot wrote that, in spite of "speculation of Wu's demise", Ghostface Killah "saves the day with the naysayer-silencing Supreme Clientele. Championing the cause of Wu dominance, Supreme Clientele exemplifies Ghost's lyrical dexterity." [21] M.F. DiBella of AllMusic wrote that Ghostface Killah had avoided the sophomore slump experienced by other Wu-Tang Clan members' second solo releases with Supreme Clientele, which "proves Ghost's worthiness of the Ironman moniker by deftly overcoming trendiness to produce an authentic sound in hip-hop's age of bland parity" and "is a step toward the Wu-Tang Clan's ascent from the ashes of their fallen kingdom." [11] The Source hailed it as being "as entertaining as his debut Ironman " and an "A+ record in Wu fashion ... a Wu album in the Wu-est sense." [23]

Chicago Sun-Times critic Kyra Kyles wrote that with Supreme Clientele, Ghostface Killah "finally shines on his own", [12] while the Alternative Press wrote that the album "shows and proves a minutely detailed, if largely abstract, document of a unique black artist's emotional life." [24] Steve Jones of USA Today described Supreme Clientele as a "brooding mix of lyrically dense and sonically diverse tracks." [25] Mike Pace of PopMatters felt that "the hype surrounding Ghostface's latest Supreme Clientele is well deserved, seeing as that the majority of the tracks deliver like the Mailman Karl Malone doesn't on Sunday", and that despite the presence of some overlong skits, "the album is chockfull of spit-polished Wu-isms and catchy-as-hell beats." [22] In contrast, Craig Seymour from Entertainment Weekly wrote negatively of its skits and long length. [13] Nick Catucci, in a retrospective review for The New Rolling Stone Album Guide , stated that Supreme Clientele showcases Ghostface Killah as "a slightly more self-conscious storyteller swinging from skyscraper-size hooks." [19]

Comedian Chris Rock has called Supreme Clientele one of his favorite albums, praising the track "Stroke of Death" in particular, stating that "it makes you want to stab your babysitter". [26] In 2020, it was ranked number 403 on Rolling Stone 's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. [27]

Track listing

Supreme Clientele track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro" RZA 0:46
2."Nutmeg" (featuring RZA)
Black Moes-Art4:25
3."One" (featuring T.M.F.) JuJu 3:46
4."Saturday Nite" Carlos "Six July" Broady 1:39
5."Ghost Deini" (featuring Superb)
  • Coles
  • Mike McDonald
  • Jamel Cummings
The Blaquesmiths4:05
6."Apollo Kids" (featuring Raekwon) Haas G 3:54
7."The Grain" (featuring RZA)
RZA2:34
8."Buck 50" (featuring Cappadonna, Method Man & Redman)RZA4:02
9."Mighty Healthy" Mathematics 3:21
10."Woodrow the Base Head" (skit)ColesRZA3:04
11."Stay True" (featuring 60 Second Assassin) Inspectah Deck 1:39
12."We Made It" (featuring Superb, Chip Banks and Hell Razah)
  • Coles
  • Broady
  • Jamel Cummings
  • Earl Randle
Carlos "Six July" Broady4:37
13."Stroke of Death" (featuring Solomon Childs and RZA)
  • Coles
  • Walbert Ryan Dale
  • Diggs
RZA1:56
14."Iron's Theme – Intermission"
  • Coles
  • Diggs
RZA1:30
15."Malcolm"
Choo the Specializt4:15
16."Who Would You Fuck" (skit)
  • Coles
  • Diggs
RZA2:44
17."Child's Play"
  • Coles
  • Diggs
RZA3:33
18."Cherchez LaGhost" (featuring U-God)Carlos Bess3:11
19."Wu Banga 101" (featuring GZA, Cappadonna, Masta Killa and Raekwon)
Mathematics4:23
20."Clyde Smith" (skit)
  • Coles
  • Woods
RZA2:40
21."Iron's Theme – Conclusion"
  • Coles
  • Diggs
RZA1:58
Total length:64:10

Notes

Sample credits [28]

Personnel

Performers

Production

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [33] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Accolades

PublicationCountryAccoladeYearRank
Addicted to Noise United States Albums of the Year[ citation needed ]200023
Alternative Press Albums of the Year[ citation needed ]200014
The A.V. Club Top 50 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [34] 200928
The BoomboxTop 10 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [35] 20093
Cokemachineglow Top 100 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [36] 20102
Complex The Top 100 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [37] 20098
Delusions of AdequacyTop 100 Albums of the 2000s (decade)[ citation needed ]201015
FACT United Kingdom Top 100 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [38] 200983
Hip-Hop Connection The 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995–2005[ citation needed ]20052
HipHopDX United StatesTop 10 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [39] 2009*
NME United KingdomAlbums of the Year [40] 200036
One Thirty BPM United StatesTop 100 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [41] 201086
Pitchfork The 100 Best Albums of 2000–2004 [42] 200519
The 200 Best Albums of the 2000s (decade) [43] 200911
Playground Spain The 200 Best Albums of the 2000s (decade)[ citation needed ]200910
Porcys Poland Top 100 Albums of the 2000s (decade)[ citation needed ]201065
Rhapsody United StatesHip-Hop's Best Albums of the Decade [44] 20092
Rock de LuxSpainThe 100 Best Albums of the 2000s (decade)[ citation needed ]200924
Rolling Stone United StatesTop 25 Hip-Hop Albums Ever (by Chris Rock) [45] 200514
Top 50 Albums of 2000 [46] 2001*
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time [47] 2020403
Slant Magazine Top 250 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [48] 201059
Spin Albums of the Year [49] 200011
Stylus Magazine The 50 Best Albums of 2000–2005 [50] 20058
Top 101–200 Albums of All time [51] 2004179
Top 100 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [52] 201027
TrebleTop 150 Albums of the 2000s (decade)[ citation needed ]201082
URB Top 110 Albums of the 2000s (decade) [53] 2009*
Vibe Top 10 Rap Albums [54] 200210
The Village Voice Pazz & Jop [55] 200014
The Wire United Kingdom50 Records of the Year [56] 2001*

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu-Tang Clan</span> American hip hop collective

Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ghostface Killah</span> American rapper

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.

<i>Liquid Swords</i> 1995 studio album by GZA

Liquid Swords is the second solo studio album by 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inspectah Deck</span> American rapper and producer

Jason Richard Hunter, better known by his stage name Inspectah Deck, is an American rapper and hip hop producer. He is a member of the groups Wu-Tang Clan and Czarface.

Derrick Harris, better known by his stage name True Master, is an American hip-hop record producer and occasional rapper, known for his affiliation with the Wu-Tang Clan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mathematics (producer)</span> Rap music producer

Ronald Maurice Bean, better known professionally as Mathematics, is a hip hop producer and DJ for the Wu-Tang Clan and its solo and affiliate projects. He designed the Wu-Tang Clan logo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tekitha</span> Musical artist

Tekitha Washington is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated female vocalist who was the Wu-Tang Clan's in-house singer for the album Wu-Tang Forever, on which she also performed a solo track titled "Second Coming". She also filled in for the unavailable Mary J. Blige in the video for Ghostface Killah's "All That I Got Is You".

The Wu-Elements are a production team closely affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan. A loosely knit group, it consists of five producers who typically support main producer RZA in handling production duties for Wu-Tang group, solo and affiliate releases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can It Be All So Simple</span> 1994 single by Wu-Tang Clan

"Can It Be All So Simple" is the third and final single from Wu-Tang Clan's critically acclaimed debut album Enter the Wu-Tang . It features production from RZA that samples Gladys Knight & the Pips' cover of "The Way We Were". The song reached number nine on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, number twenty four on the Hot Rap Tracks chart and number eighty two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherchez La Ghost</span> 2000 single by Ghostface Killah featuring U-God and Madam Majestic

"Cherchez La Ghost" is a song from Supreme Clientele, the second album by rapper Ghostface Killah, and features fellow Wu-Tang Clan member U-God and singer Madam Majestic. It was Ghostface Killah's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 as a solo artist, peaking at #98 on the chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Criminology (song)</span> 1995 single by Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah

"Criminology" is the second solo single by Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon, from his debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., featuring Ghostface Killah, like many of the songs of the album. The song starts with dialogue from the film Scarface, where Alex Sosa is angry with Tony Montana and insults him during a phone call, calling him a "fucking little monkey", because he failed to blow up the activist's car, then the first verse is performed by Ghostface Killah, and the second by Raekwon, without a chorus. The B-side of the single is "Glaciers of Ice". The song peaked at #43 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>Wu-Massacre</i> 2010 studio album by Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon

Wu-Massacre is a collaboration studio album by American rappers and Wu-Tang Clan members Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, under the group name Meth • Ghost • Rae, released March 30, 2010 on Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album was handled by several hip hop producers, including RZA, Allah Mathematics, Scram Jones, Emile, Ty Fyffe, BT and Digem Tracks Productions.

<i>Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang</i> 2011 studio album by Raekwon

Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan-member Raekwon, released March 8, 2011, on Ice H2O and EMI Records. Guests for the album include Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Ghostface Killah, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Lloyd Banks, Method Man, Nas, and Rick Ross, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu-Tang Clan anthology</span>

The Wu-Tang Clan is a New York City–based hip-hop musical group, consisting of ten American rappers: RZA, GZA, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. This list chronologically displays the albums of each group member including collaboration and side group albums. This list does not include compilation albums, mixtapes, or extended plays.

<i>A Better Tomorrow</i> (album) 2014 studio album by Wu-Tang Clan

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RZA production discography</span>

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<i>Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...</i> 1995 studio album by Raekwon

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is the debut studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released on August 1, 1995, by Loud Records and RCA Records. The album was loosely composed to play like a film with Raekwon as the "star", fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah as the "guest-star", and producer RZA as the "director". It features appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The album also features debut appearances from affiliates Cappadonna and Blue Raspberry, and an acclaimed guest appearance from rapper Nas, which marked the first collaboration with a non-affiliated artist on a Wu-Tang related album.

<i>Wu-Tang Forever</i> 1997 studio album by Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Forever is the second studio album by 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.

<i>Ironman</i> (Ghostface Killah album) 1996 studio album by Ghostface Killah

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. More so than on other solo debuts from the group's members, Ironman contains references to the Nation of Gods and Earths.

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