Why is Robert "The RZA" Diggs the best hip-hop producer of the nineties, or one of the best? This document is yet another answer, in case you don't want to go and listen to the albums of the five-year plan created by Bobby Steels himself for his group, the Wu-Tang Clan of Staten Island, New York. The disc spans the years 1992 to 1996 and the albums, from "Enter the Wu-Tang" to "Ironman", go from one certified classic disc to the next seamlessly and not in chronological order. The production is supposed to be entirely by RZA being titled "The RZA Hits", but you can swear it isn't, in fact, "Brooklyn Zoo" is also present in the middle of the collection, whose beat is signed by True Master and ODB. Every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, including Cappadonna, has at least one verse on the CD.
2. Wu-Tang Clan — "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (RZA, Inspectah Deck & Method Man)
After a short introduction, this piece from "36 Chambers" is the first in the collection. Only three of the group's nine rappers, RZA, Inspectah Deck and Method Man, are present, delivering hardcore over a layered production that is as minimal as it is iconic. As per Wu tradition, he opens a skit from a kung-fu film, "Executioners from Shaolin" (1977). It's the sixth single extracted from the album, in 1995.
3. Wu-Tang Clan — "Protect Ya Neck" (Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA, Ghostface Killah, GZA)
To one of the best beats of the year crafted by The RZA, the entire Wu-Tang Clan lets loose for five minutes in a track that goes down in history as one of the group's best and one of their best known. RZA brings everyone together and signs what will be the first single of the Wu-Tang Clan, a large group that unites the Force of Imperial Master and the DMD Posse. Eight guys with different styles and voices that deliver hardcore, there's also U-God with few bars, an interlude of ODB with RZA and the absence of Masta Killa, who will join the group only later. It's the debut for Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God and Ghostface Killah. GZA in the last verse takes the stage in what is the perfect underground rap cut. The boom bap beat is brilliant, the choice to hide the curse words with the guitar is amazing.
4. Ol' Dirty Bastard — "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"
This is the very first track from ODB's debut album, which soon became one of his best known songs. For this compilation, it's the first solo track by a Wu-Tang Clan rapper. The boys struggled to get a second verse out of Dirt McGirt and in the end, I'm not sure what they got can properly qualifies as another verse. Ol' Dirty flies dominating this production from RZA. The song is extracted as the second single from the LP and reaches the top ten among rap singles.
5. GZA — "Liquid Swords" (ft. RZA, uncredited)
Artwork by cousins RZA and GZA, the former as well as producing and also an uncredited guest. The title track of one of the best hip-hop albums in history is sensational from the very first moments, right from the sample of "Shogun Assassin" (1980), passing through an unusual and beautiful rhythm. GZA at his best is the best. The song ranks third among hip-hop singles.
7. Method Man — "Method Man"
Preceded by a skit, this is the third track taken from the group's debut, even if the compilation only credits it to Method Man, as this is his solo, forgetting that there would be uncredited Raekwon in a brutal skit that has gone down in history and is often remembered by fans. GZA does the honors and introduces the Clan in the intro, the outro is done together with RZA and Ghostface Killah. In any case, the song goes down in history as a Method Man solo, the quintessential solo. Minimal rhythm by Bobby Digital, dope rap by the boy in what is a sensational showcase of his talent, immortal piece. He almost kills himself to hit that blunt in the studio at the end. It's also the first Wu-Tang Clan single to hit the Hot 100, and the Billboard charts in general.
8. Raekwon — "Incarcerated Scarfaces"
One of Raekwon's best received tracks from his solo record, if not his fan favorite track. It's also the only solo track from that album that has three verses. Skit from cult flick "The Killer" (1989), RZA's spectacular boom bap which is initially intended for GZA's album "Liquid Swords" released the same year, but Raekwon takes possession of it and transforms it into his masterpiece dedicated to friends in difficulty and the boys behind bars. First single extracted solely from Chef Raekwon's album, it follows "Heaven & Hell" which was also part of the soundtrack of the film "Fresh" and was released in 1994, this song is the rapper's most commercial success, reaching the top 40 on the Hot 100 and number five among hip-hop songs.
9. Raekwon — "Ice Cream" (ft. Cappadonna, Method Man & Ghostface Killah)
More than "Winter Warz", this should be the signature song of Cappadonna aka Don Cappachino, here he went away, not that the others went slow. Method Man's hook is foolproof and majestic, Ghostface opens the dance with a robust verse, Raekwon continues with his cashmir flow, Cappadonna completes the work. The whole thing is opened by Ticallion Stallion who pays homage to Eddie Murphy. Cappadonna has never had the opportunity to record a track for a studio album, here he gets the chance after years in prison, transforming himself from a security guard to a rapper. He effortlessly, smoothly and flawlessly delivers a crazy verse, all poetry.
All the genius of RZA is there, from the concept of the song to the rhythm, which is simply one of the most beautiful ever. The sample, that piano that isn't a piano, is an acoustic guitar from "A Time for Love" by Earl Klugh, has been hidden for 15 years. Wonderful. This outstanding Lex Diamonds one-two punch is the only time the compilation features a solo artist for two tracks in a row: this sequence makes sense because "Ice Cream" is the b-side of the single "Incarcerated Scarfaces".
11. Method Man — "Bring the Pain" (ft. Booster, uncredited)
Third track featuring Method Man which is anticipated by a RZA skit in this collection. RZA and Method Man recreate the song after the famous first flood of Diggs' basement. Metallic and gloomy production, fresh rap by Johnny Blaze who delivers a mine, accompanied by his friend Booster, who uncredited recites the hook paying homage to Ninjaman. This is one of the first hits by a Wu-Tang Clan solo artist, reaching number four among rap tracks.
12. Ghostface Killah — "Winter Warz" (ft. Cappadonna, Masta Killa, U-God and Raekwon, the latter uncredited)
There's half a Wu-Tang Clan in this piece. Tony Starks, Lou Diamonds (uncredited), Lucky Hands, Noodles. Cappadonna, who overshadows everyone with that two-minute extra-verse and takes the lead. They all went strong. Bobby Steels beat is superlative. It's not released as a single from "Ironman", but is included in the soundtrack of the film "Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood" (1996). Relentless piece.
13. Ol' Dirty Bastard — "Brooklyn Zoo"
This is ODB's first single release, but more importantly, it's the first time RZA has handed over the keyboards to someone else for a track on a Wu record. There are the same Ol' Dirty Bastard and True Master of Wu-Elements in production. You don't even feel the difference, because the rhythm is phenomenal. If the credits said RZA you'd be sure he made it. Ol' Dirty goes down hardcore and he allows himself to attack his own friends of his group Brooklyn Zu with whom he has just had an argument in the studio, but this doesn't matter, because the artist creates a masterpiece with a single verse. It's one of the most successful singles in the history of the Wu-Tang Clan, fifth in the rap chart.
14. Method Man — "All I Need" (ft. Streetlife, uncredited)
On a minimal rusty rhythm by The Abbot, Method Man is convinced by Def Jam to create a song for girls that can dominate the market: the emcee is neither convinced that he should do it nor that he should release it as a single, but in the end he's forced and records the track on the sample of "You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. The hook was originally made together with his friend Streetlife, uncredited. Def Jam sees the potential of the track and insists on pushing the single with a remix, RZA insists on doing it himself, but in the end Puff Daddy prevails and brings guest Mary J. Blige in the remix, whose rhythm is the work of the Trackmasters. The boys' beat is better than RZA's, and emerges as one of the best-selling rap singles of the year and one of the best-selling rap singles of the 1990s in Canada. The remix is the biggest hit of a Wu-Tang Clan song, third on the Hot 100, the only one to be first among both rnb and hip-hop singles, certified platinum in a few months. The following year the Grammy also arrives and the rapper's audience changes thanks to this piece.
15. Wu-Tang Clan — "C.R.E.A.M." (Raekwon, Method Man & Inspectah Deck)
Signature song of the Wu-Tang Clan. This is one of the best songs in history. Immortal hook by Method Man, first verse by Chef Raekwon, second verse by Inspectah Deck. Choir in the background of Buddha Monk, always forgotten. Beats by RZA. The boys write history, on a heavenly sample taken from "As Long as I've Got You" by The Charmels. There's a magical bass, the midtempo drums are phenomenal, there's one of the most beautiful pianos in the history of this genre. Only the soundscape invented by Bobby Steels is pure poetry, then the boys also add personal lyrics of rare power and heaviness. East coast anthem, perfect.
16. Ghostface Killah — "All That I Got Is You" (ft. Mary J. Blige)
A skit from the blaxploitation film "The Education of Sonny Carson" (1972) opens the first single released by Ghostface Killah and what is in theory both the closing song of his debut album "Ironman" — will be succeeded by "The Soul Controller" and "Marvel", not at the same height — both of this disk — where instead it's followed by the last RZA skit and a final bonus track.
On one of RZA's best productions ever, while that claim can be made for virtually every beat he released in this period, Ghost Face Killer delivers a solo solo verse, followed by the soulful hook and a verse from Mary J. Blige, before the outro by Popa Wu, mentor of the Clan, uncredited. The single reached the charts in the UK the following year, while it was received more tepidly at home, despite being among the best songs of the nineties, all genres.
18. The RZA — Wu Wear, the Garment Renaissance (bonus track) (ft. Cappadonna & Method Man)
After the last skit, RZA closes the collection with a sort of maxi-commercial to his clothing company Wu Wear, promoted with this track that sees Bobby Digital, Cappadonna and Method Man spit for four minutes on a solid production by Steels. The song is included in the soundtrack of the film "High School High" (1996).
Final Thoughts
One of the best groups in hip-hop history. That's it, if you don't want to listen to albums. Just by looking at the samples you can understand how powerful this record will be. RZA produces everything except one track, which is beat by ODB and True Master. At the mic Method Man (8), Raekwon (5), Ghostface Killah (4), RZA (4), ODB (3), Inspectah Deck (3), Cappadonna (3), U-God (2), GZA (2), Masta Killa, Booster, Streetlife and Mary J. Blige. It's an essential tape, easily perfect, every track is immortal which makes this compilation one of the best ever released in rap. The Wu-Tang Clan guys are at their best. Released by RZA's Razor Sharp and Epic, distributed by Sony, the album got a good response from the public, reaching the charts and being well received by critics as well.
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