Wu-Tang Forever (Drake song)

Last updated

"Wu-Tang Forever"
Promotional single by Drake
from the album Nothing Was the Same
ReleasedSeptember 12, 2013
Recorded2013
Genre Hip hop
Length3:37
Label
Songwriter(s) Aubrey Graham, Anthony Palman, Noah Shebib, Jeremy Rose, Dennis Coles, Robert Diggs, Lamont Hawkins, Jason Hunter, Corey Woods, Thor Baldursson, Mats Bjoerklyn, Juergen Koduletsch
Producer(s) Noah "40" Shebib

"Wu-Tang Forever" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same (2013). The song was released as the album's first promotional single on September 12, 2013. "Wu-Tang Forever" features a significant sample of "It's Yourz" by the Wu-Tang Clan. The song was produced by frequent collaborator Noah "40" Shebib. The song has since peaked at number 52 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Contents

Background

On August 30, 2013, Drake first revealed he would have a song featured on the album, produced by 40 and titled "Wu-Tang Forever". [1] On September 12, 2013, Drake released the previously announced "Wu-Tang Forever", as the album's first promotional single along with the pre-order of Nothing Was the Same on iTunes. [2] [3] The song is a reference to the Wu-Tang Clan and their critically acclaimed double album Wu-Tang Forever (1997). The track also samples the Clan's song "It's Yourz". [4] [5] Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA said he gave Drake the sample free of charge. [6]

The song pays homage to the legendary hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, even though the song is primarily about women and relationships. [7] [8] The Clan initially responded positively to the song via their official Twitter. [9] [10] However, Inspectah Deck commented on the song after listening to it saying, "I agree with u... It is in no form a tribute to WU and SHOULD NOT wear the title Wutang Forever!" [11] He later elaborated saying, "I felt it didn't have no bearing on the Wu-Tang Clan or Wu-Tang Forever for that matter. Besides the [fact that] I heard him say, 'Young brother on his Wu Tang.' That in itself gives respect to the Clan. I'm not taking that from the brother. Whatever his intentions was, I'm not saying that I'm feeling that he had some deliberate snake intentions. I'm saying that I disagree with the title of that song being "Wu-Tang Forever" when it has no bearing on Wu-Tang Clan despite the fact that the "It's Yourz" sample floatin' in the background. We sampled "It's Yourz." That's a sample. That's there for the taking. It's not like, Oh, he used y'all sample. We both used it from T La Rock." [12]

Critical reception

"Wu-Tang Forever" was met with generally positive reviews from music critics, however it did receive a mixed response for not being anything similar to or representing the Wu-Tang Clan. [13] David Amidon of PopMatters said, " "Wu-Tang Forever" is such a great song to talk about for everything but that title. That beat, all spiraling keyboards straight out of an Akira Yamaoka nightmare swallowed whole every few moments by the loneliest 808 note in the world, bellowing to the surface like the reverb of a depth charge. And in that atmosphere Drake lashes out at the world in complete self-awareness, using this track to stake claim on Toronto the way Wu-Tang Forever claimed Staten Island, to turn the narrowed street attitude of '90s New York rap into broad-stroked, wide-eyed confessionals without dropping the veil of conviction that allowed the Wu-Tang Clan to remain perhaps hip-hop's most iconic entity, something to be celebrated by the genre's "softest" artist on the 20th anniversary of the "hardest" rap album ever made." [14]

Andrew Barker of Variety said, "while the title "Wu-Tang Forever" might first appear to be a bit of rap-blogger trolling coming from a sweater-clad Canadian often derided for his softness, the song is actually a rather thoughtful rumination on growing up obsessed by gangsta braggadocio while living at a safe remove from the mean streets of Compton, Bed-Stuy or Shaolin." [15] Jon Caramanica of New York Times called the song a "blustery rough-edged love song." [16] Bryant Kitching of Consequence of Sound said the song featured Drake's "most poised rhyming to date." [17]

Paul Macinnes of The Guardian praised 40's production work on the song. [18] Jesal 'Jay Soul' Padania of Rapreviews.com called the song an "intelligently balanced tune that leads seamlessly into a future concert anthem for the ladies, "Own It"." [19] Simon Vozick-Levinson of Rolling Stone gave the song a more mixed review saying, "despite featuring a ghostly snippet of the Wu-Tang Clan's 1997 single 'It's Yourz', sounds nothing like the Clan – it's a heartfelt requiem for a girl he used to know. 'I just love when I'm with you', the Toronto star sighs, in a rueful tone that's hard to imagine coming from Raekwon or ODB, or any other mainstream MC in the past 20 years, for that matter." [20]

Music video

The music video for "Wu-Tang Forever" was filmed in Harlem during January 2014. ASAP Rocky makes a significant cameo appearance in the video. [21] As of May 2017, the video remains unreleased.

Remix

Two days after the song's release, Wu-Tang Clan member U-God told Vibe that the whole Wu-Tang Clan, had recorded verses over the track not knowing if it would be for the official version or the remix. [22] The members had recorded their verses earlier in the year while on their European 20th anniversary concert tour. [23] On September 21, 2013, Drake confirmed the remix, stating it would be released soon. [24]

On September 23, 2013, Inspectah Deck told HipHopDX that he would not be featured on the remix, but knew that at least U-God, Method Man, Masta Killah and Cappadonna recorded verses for the remix. [12] [22] Raekwon also revealed in early October 2013, that he would be featured on the remix. [25]

On January 16, 2016 via OVO Sound radio, A$AP Mob's Cozy Boys (A$AP Lou and J. Scott) shared an exclusive mix featuring an unreleased verse from A$AP Rocky.[ citation needed ]

Chart performance

Chart (2013)Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [26] 44
US Billboard Hot 100 [27] 52
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [28] 13

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wu-Tang Clan</span> American rap group

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 Ol’ Dirty Bastard until his death in 2004. Close affiliate Cappadonna later became an official member. Wu-Tang Clan are regarded as one of the greatest and most influential groups in hip hop history, helping to popularize and develop the East Coast hip hop and hardcore hip hop styles.

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

Corey Woods, better known by his stage name Raekwon The Chef, or simply 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.

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

Dennis 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>Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)</i> 1993 studio album by Wu-Tang Clan

Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on November 9, 1993, by Loud Records. 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).

<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, producer, and actor. He is a member of the groups Wu-Tang Clan and Czarface.

Remedy is an American rapper and hip-hop producer. He is known for being the first non-black and the first Jewish rapper to be affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan. He owns and runs Code Red Entertainment, his label that released Cappadonna's The Struggle album in 2003. He also served as executive producer on Inspectah Deck's album Manifesto in 2010. Remedy has produced and been featured on various works for ESPN. He released a mixtape, It All Comes Down to This, in 2010. He is the co-executive producer of the Wu-Tang Killa Bees: Return Of The Swarm album.

<i>Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II</i> 2009 studio album by Raekwon

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II is the fourth studio album by American hip hop recording artist and Wu-Tang Clan-member Raekwon, released September 8, 2009, on Ice H2O/EMI Records in the United States. The album experienced numerous delays to its release due to Raekwon's approach of continual re-writing, as well as distribution issues with his record labels. Serving as the sequel to his critically acclaimed debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995), Pt. II maintains many of the themes covered on its predecessor, and features guest appearances from several Wu-Tang members, as well as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C.R.E.A.M.</span> Song by hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan

"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.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triumph (song)</span> 1997 single by Wu-Tang Clan

"Triumph" is a song by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, from their 1997 album Wu-Tang Forever. It was released as the lead single from the album in February 1997. The song does not have a chorus, instead, solely consisting of an intro and interlude by Ol' Dirty Bastard and verses from the other eight Wu-Tang members and associate Cappadonna. It is the only Wu-Tang song featuring all members.

<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.

<i>Wu Block</i> 2012 studio album by Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch

Wu Block is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Ghostface Killah and Sheek Louch. Louch announced the album in 2011, in an interview. The album was released on November 27, 2012, by E1 Music. The album features guest appearances from Raekwon, Jadakiss, Cappadonna, Method Man, Styles P, Masta Killa, GZA, Erykah Badu and Inspectah Deck.

<i>Nothing Was the Same</i> 2013 studio album by Drake

Nothing Was the Same is the third studio album by Canadian rapper Drake. It was released on September 24, 2013, through OVO Sound, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. Work on the record began in 2012 and continued through 2013. As an executive producer, Drake enlisted collaborators such as 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Majid Jordan, Jay-Z, Jhené Aiko and Sampha for guest appearances on the album. The album's production was primarily handled by 40 and other OVO Sound producers; including Boi-1da, Mike Zombie, Nineteen85 and Detail.

<i>Fly International Luxurious Art</i> 2015 studio album by Raekwon

Fly International Luxurious Art is the sixth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. The album was released on April 28, 2015, by Ice H2O Records and Caroline Records. The album was supported by the singles "All About You", "Soundboy Kill It" and "Wall to Wall".

<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.

"Pound Cake / Paris Morton Music 2" is a song by Canadian rapper Drake from his third studio album Nothing Was the Same released in 2013. The track consists of two songs, "Pound Cake" featuring a guest appearance by Jay-Z, and "Paris Morton Music 2", a sequel to "Paris Morton Music". The track serves as the outro to the standard edition of Nothing Was the Same.

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

Wu-Tang Forever is the second studio album of American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released June 3, 1997, on Loud/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>YSIV</i> 2018 studio album by Logic

YSIV is the fourth studio album by American rapper Logic, released on September 28, 2018, by Visionary Music Group and Def Jam Recordings. The album art, featuring a mugshot of Logic, is stylized similarly to the famous mugshot of Frank Sinatra and reminiscent of the artwork for Logic's second mixtape Young Sinatra, released in 2011. The album serves as a sequel to the mixtape Young Sinatra: Welcome to Forever, released in 2013, and is the fourth and final installment of the Young Sinatra series. The album is notable for being credited as an album in the Young Sinatra series, as the previous titles were released as mixtapes. It features guest appearances from all living members of Wu-Tang Clan, Wale, Jaden, Ryan Tedder and Hailee Steinfeld, among others.

"Wu Tang Forever" is a song by American rapper Logic, featured as the sixth track on his 2018 album YSIV. The song is a homage to the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and features all living members of the group: Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, U-God, Masta Killa and GZA, as well as Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Jackpot Scotty Wotty; deceased member Ol' Dirty Bastard received a writing credit. The song shares the same title as the group's second studio album.

References

  1. ↑ Baker, Soren (August 31, 2013). "Drake's "Nothing Was The Same" Features Song Called "Wu Tang Forever" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Stream: Drake, "Wu-Tang Forever"". The Fader. September 13, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Drake's 'Wu-Tang Forever' Is Way More Drake Than Wu-Tang (AUDIO)". Huffingtonpost.com. September 12, 2013. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Drake's 'Wu-Tang Forever' Pays Tribute to Shaolin: Listen". Billboard. September 12, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Drake - "Wu-Tang Forever"". SoulCulture. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  6. ↑ "RZA and Paul Banks Are Recording Together". rollingstone.com.
  7. ↑ Eric R Danton (September 13, 2013). "Drake Pays Tribute to Wu-Tang Clan on New Song | Music News". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  8. ↑ Ehrlich, Brenna (September 13, 2013). "Drake's 'Wu-Tang Forever' Gets Wu Co-Sign And A Few Fans Scratching Heads - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ Tardio, Andres (September 13, 2013). "Wu-Tang Clan Endorses Drake's "Wu-Tang Forever" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Drake "Wu Tang Forever"". Complex. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  11. ↑ Tardio, Andres (September 13, 2013). "Inspectah Deck Does Not Support Drake's "Wu-Tang Forever" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  12. 1 2 Tardio, Andres (September 24, 2013). "Inspectah Deck Denounces Drake's "Wu-Tang Forever," Denies Remix Involvement | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  13. ↑ drewmalmuth (September 24, 2013). "Review: Drake - Nothing Was The Same « PMA". Pretty Much Amazing. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  14. ↑ Amidon, David. "Drake: Nothing Was the Same (Take 2)". PopMatters. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  15. ↑ Andrew Barker Senior Features Writer @barkerrant (September 23, 2013). "Drake Review: 'Nothing Was the Same'". Variety. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  16. ↑ Caramanica, Jon (September 18, 2013). "Drake Finds His Tougher Side on 'Nothing Was the Same'". The New York Times.
  17. ↑ "Album Review: Drake – Nothing Was the Same". Consequence of Sound. September 25, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  18. ↑ Paul MacInnes. "Drake: Nothing Was the Same – review | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  19. ↑ "Feature for September 24, 2013 - Drake's "Nothing Was the Same"". Rapreviews.com. September 24, 2013. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  20. ↑ Vozick-Levinson, Simon (September 19, 2013). "Drake's 'Nothing Was the Same' Album Review | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  21. ↑ "We Snuck Into Drake's Video Shoot For "Wu-Tang Forever" With A$AP Rocky". vice.com. January 13, 2014.
  22. 1 2 "Exclusive: Wu-Tang Clan Has Recorded A Remix To Drake's 'Wu-Tang Forever'". Vibe. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  23. ↑ Cooper, Roman (September 15, 2013). "Wu-Tang Clan Recorded Remix To Drake's "Wu-Tang Forever" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Drake, Elliott Wilson CRWN Interview". Complex. Retrieved October 1, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Raekwon Hasn't Hooked Up Drake's 'Wu-Tang Forever' Remix -- Yet". mtv.com.
  26. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard.
  27. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  28. ↑ "Drake Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.