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..
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