Monthly Archive for January, 2008

Does anyone care about the Wu-Tang vs. Shaolin CD? How would Raekwon approach the production for this CD since he feels RZA is falling short of that punch-you-in-the-face music. Does he have a direction in mind? Getting a producer to submit “hot” tracks does not make classic material. Working with a producer with a vision, and direction usually produces wonders. Think of Michael Jackson working Quincy Jones and Bruce Sweden, Stevie Wonder’s In the Key of Life, the Bomb Squad with Public Enemy and Ice Cube, Common’s Be with Kanye, Kanye’s solo work, Prince Paul with De La Soul, LL Cool J with Marley Marl, the Good Doctor’s fully produced projects, and a number of cohesive CD’s that displayed production with direction. Can Raekwon work tirelessly and put together something like that? Artwork? The last couple of Wu’s CD covers have been lackluster. 8th Diagram cover was straight garbage. Method Man, GZA, and RZA are the only prominent members that have notably been concerned with visuals. Recording artists needs now-a-days need more. Unsprung Artist has an interesting idea, something that would work for Wu vs Shaolin. Note, Kanye’s visuals work well for him. Method Man is working with Sanford Greene on a Wu-Tang graphic novel. Rae should take cue and think in terms of incorporating visually arresting marketing materials to push Wu vs. Shaolin. If he currently does not have a visual direction, he should work with a self-styled expert like me. I rushed this banner and it is still HOT. Performance? Will they actual approach their performance in a professional manner? Like say, on par with great performing rap acts like the Roots, Busta Rhymes and Public Enemy? Showing up late and bitching about microphones simply does not cut it. Then again most new and old rap acts fail to perform with a sense of fun, energy, excitement and professionalism. I would buy this CD if it was produced correctly. And hopefully Raekwon would make it his business to make sure the CD was creatively marketed. I just don’t think Raekwon will be able to deliver. Here are some interesting bits from a 2007 Hip Hop DX interview with the Master Chef along with my commentary.

"We gotta strike back with something right away to let them know we wasn't in agreement with that." (Note, make the project come out in the Summer ’08.)

Through my whole career, I did nothing but make cinematic albums. Check The Lex Diamond Story, I been doing cinematics. I don’t think nobody could f**k with me on that level anyway, when it come to that type of album.

DX: Do you feel like you’ve been misunderstood in your post- Cuban Linx career? R: “No, I think people just ain't on my level . . . I’m a big giant in this, I’m doing this for the real n****s.” (Real n****s?!!?)

After the jump there are a bunch of comments from Hip Hop DX readers. Just like me, they're a bunch of Wu-Fanatics, some with good points and some just fanatical but very entertaining on boring work day. Emphasis mine and edited for effect..

cratekings.com (Michael) Sorry, but Rae just sounds like a punk throughout this whole thing. RZA spent a chunk of his life working on this thing? learning more about music theory, playing more instruments, setting up completely different mic setups for each emcee? what did Rae do? Show up and drop a handful of verses? Who is he to imply that RZA isn't giving all he can? The worst part is that he isn't even being specific, he's just making vague comments. . . . at least Ghost has put out some classic albums without RZA doing all the beats.

Mad props to RAE man. I love this interview. SHAOLIN VS. WU-TANG, I'll be checking for that soon. Taking it back like it's supposed to be, know what I'm sayin'?? The only thing about this interview was him saying that LDS was a "cinematic" album. HMMM?? I don't know about all that. I mean it had some joints up there, but overall, it was dissapointing

post cuban linx, rae couldn't spit a dope verse to save his life. and i don't wanna hear this, "they wasn't on my level" bullsh*t. dudes studied their math and lessons and your sh*t was still trash. any rae dickriders can say what you want, but i bet none of ya'll can honestly say immobilarity and lex diamond were dope albums, you simply can't . . . but he can't make songs by himself, even cuban link was just as much ghost, if not more, than rae.

Plus - Immobliarity was ok but Lexx Diamond story was garabe album . . . so don't front like you can pick beats or whatever because you never had that ear. Ghost has that ear. Raekwon you have one classic album that funny enough sounds like a Ghostfaces album

Unlike Rae, Rza is thinking about capturing the world with the album and rae is thinking about just the hood n****z. That's fine if you want to make a street album, go make another f**king lex diamonds and see how much n****z REALLY want that sh*t or you can grab the n****z in Europe, Japan, the UK. I mean it's not like n****z buy albums anyways

but Raekwon is yet to prove that he can make a quality solo album without Rza so how is he gonna come up with a Rza-less Clan album thats a classic?... he won't because he is incapable.

Tired of this n***a (by Chi town n***a) Musically that album is f**king amazing. No other hip hop producer in the world is making unique music like the Rza. Hes been doing that from day 1. Everything Pharrell, Justblaze, Swiss beats, Dr.Dre, and Lil Jon produce it sounds like something they already gave to someone else. Raekwon got a lot of nerve talking all this (whatever whatever) bullsh*t about someone when the last GOOD record he put out was 12 years and 4 months ago!! and Rza made every beat on it!! and he pumping up Cuban link 2 and The Rza did 90% of the beats on that album so what's he saying? the group album is wack but his solo joint is good because it's just him all over it?? Come on man. I'm a big Wu fan and Rae and Ghost is making me hate them n****z with all this. Now he wants to put out an album without the Rza? Them n****z been putting out solo and bullsh*t group records without the Rza and all them sh*ts been wack!! You get a different type of music when you listen to 8 Diagrams it's something fresh, they sampling music I never heard before and rocking it. It's the only record this year that stands out. Ghost can't say that, his new album sounds just like his last 3!! Ain't nothing different he bringing to the table. I'll never buy a Wu tang album if Rza aint on it. Rae you need to get your sh*t together and find out if you wanna even keep rapping because you sound real bitter on all these Lil interviews. And you sound half sleep on your verses and on other guest spots I heard you on. Wu Tang Forever But Wu without the Rza...Never Suuuuuu

too many rappers over 40 are rappin about da same shyt they did 15 years ago, n dis is after they all came out sayin they've grown as artists a while back n dat they shouldn't have to keep doin da same shyt they did in da past,

REAKWON- WHAT U MAD CAUSE HE SELLS WEIGHT,AND U STILL SELL DIMES?? RZA,AND METH ARE THE MOST HATED WU MEMBERS BY OTHER WU MEMBERS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR SUCCESS!! REAKWON IS MADD BECAUSE RZA BE STYLIN ON HIM!!

...I thought the album was no where near my expectations. This crew was serious back in the days. RZA went Hollywood and lost his hunger. Look at all them rappers that go Hollywood, they lose their touch with the streets and hip hop. I think that Shaolin album is gonna be crazy!!! Im telling you...they gotta get Premo and Kanye to do some hard ass tracks. Note:: Kanye is in touch with the streets? I've heard some people scream that Premo lost touch just because he worked with Christina Aguilera.

and no one wants to listen to a wealthy man bitching about his kids eating. Lastly, anyone who thinks a Wu album without RZA is gonna be some kind of holy grail of rap, is sadly mistaken.

Die hard fans demand more. Raekwon needs to step it up and make that CD happen.