“We had a good past, as well as a lot of turmoil in it as well, it’s been both sides of the pendulum,” says RZA candidly. “So let’s make a better tomorrow.”
Following the huge sell out success of Wu-Tang Clan’s 20th Anniversary tour last year, the biggest and most influential hip hop group in the world return to the UK next year for two very special live shows in London and Glasgow.
It’s been over 20 years since the Wu-Tang Clan (WTC) dropped their debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), yet the Staten Island group’s influence on Hip-Hop and Pop culture still resonates, worldwide. The mega-talented team of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Master Killa, Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna (and the ever present in spirit Ol' Dirty Bastard) are returning with a new album titled A Better Tomorrow, available December 2nd, that will only certify their continued relevance in the music industry.
Since their 1993 debut, the WTC has released five group and 19 compilation albums totalling 8 platinum records, over a dozen gold albums, and 40+ million sold. Wu-Tang Forever, a double album opus, was released in 1997, followed by The W in 2000. Iron Flag was released a year later and after a brief hiatus, 8 Diagrams was released in 2007. Also released during these years were a myriad of solo albums now considered classic Hip-Hop material including Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, GZA’s Liquid Swords and Ghostface’s Supreme Clientele.
RZA aka The Abbott formed the Wu-Tang Clan with a talented consortium of local friends and associates, pressing up “Protect Ya Neck” independently. The single was a flash of raw Hip-Hop energy that spread like wildfire. The song’s success—bar after bar of incendiary rhymes, no chorus necessary—would help RZA and company land a unique record deal that granted members the ability to pursue solo deals at other labels.
Twenty years in, these lyrical executioners from Staten Island maintain a chemistry that has manifested into yet another classic album. No matter how gloriously grimy the grooves, A Better Tomorrow proves the Wu-Tang Clan’s future, and their music, remains an indisputable force to be reckoned. Overall, the album sonically, and purposely, has an epic feel. Says RZA, “We gotta be conscious that songs in our catalogue will grow through live performances. This record was written to tour. This is a record that will rock a stadium.” While Wu-Tang Clan’s DNA is heard in the work of contemporary rap stars like Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and even Drake, it’s again time for the OGs to make their mark, and influence the future.
The two UK dates will see the influential group play special shows at London O2 Academy Brixton on 4th June and Glasgow O2 Academy on 5th June. Performing tracks from their incredible back catalogue as well as songs from their new album A Better Tomorrow, this is set to be one of the most anticipated tours of 2015.
To celebrate the official announcement of the tour and the O2 presale on Monday 15th December, Vice caught up with the greatest Wu- Tang tribute act in the world... The Wu Tang Nans. Watch the exclusive video HERE