Wu-Tang Clan
In the late 1980s, cousins Robert Diggs, Gary Grice, and Russell Jones formed a group named Force of the Imperial Master in Staten Island. Each member recorded under an alias: Diggs as Prince Rakeem or The Scientist, Grice as The Genius, and Jones as The Specialist. They never signed to a major label but caught the attention of the New York City rap scene and was recognized by rapper Biz Markie. By 1991, The Genius and Prince Rakeem were signed to separate record labels. The Genius released Words from the Genius (1991) on Cold Chillin' Records and Prince Rakeem released Ooh I Love You Rakeem (1991) on Tommy Boy Records. Both were soon dropped by their labels. They then adopted new monikers; The Genius became GZA and Prince Rakeem became RZA. The Specialist also took on a new name and became known as Ol' Dirty Bastard. RZA began collaborating with Dennis Coles, later known as Ghostface Killah, another rapper from the Stapleton Houses in Staten Island. The duo decided to create a hip hop group whose ethos would be a blend of Eastern philosophy picked up from kung fu movies, Five-Percent Nation teachings picked up on the New York streets, and comic books. Wu-Tang Clan assembled in late 1992, with RZA as the de facto leader and the group's producer. RZA and Ol' dirty Bastard adopted the name for the group after the film Shaolin and Wu Tang.
Wu-Tang Clan became known in 1993 following the release of the independent single Protect Ya Neck which helped gain the group a sizable underground following. Though there was some difficulty in finding a record label that would sign the Wu-Tang Clan while still allowing each member to record solo albums with other labels, Loud/RCA finally agreed, releasing their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in November 1993. The album loosely adopted a Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang theme dividing the album into Shaolin and Wu-Tang sections. The album received critical acclaim and to date is regarded as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The success of their debut album established the group as a creative and influential force in the 1990s allowing individual members to negotiate solo contracts. Members of the group released solo albums between 1994 and 1996. In August 1995 Raekwon's debut studio album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... was released featuring all but one member of the Wu-Tang Clan and featured the debut of Cappadonna who later joined the group. GZA's debut album Liquid Swords was released in November 1995 featuring guest appearances from every Wu-Tang Clan member linked together by excerpts from the 1980 movie Shogun Assassin.
RZA spoke on the Wu-Tang Clan's unorthodox business model that allowed members to sign individual deals while maintaining collective group status between 1994 and 2000. RZA held the role of primary producer for the first wave of the group members' solo albums producing out of his basement studio in Staten Island. In November 1994 Method Man's debut album Tical was released with the track All I Need winning Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 1995 Grammy Awards. Ol' dirty Bastard's debut album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version was released in March 1995 and is considered a hip hop classic. Ghostface Killah released his first solo album Ironman in October 1996 which was critically acclaimed and widely considered to be one of the best of Wu-Tang solo albums. In the space of two years seven second round solo albums were released including Bobby Digital In Stereo, Tical 2000: Judgement Day, Beneath the Surface, Nigga Please, Golden Arms Redemption, Immobilarity, Supreme Clientele, and Uncontrolled Substance all released between June 1999 and January 2000.
In early 2004 U-God allegedly left the group citing problems mostly with his treatment by RZA who he claimed had hindered his success as a solo artist. A DVD titled Rise of a Fallen Soldier was released detailing these issues before the two reconciled following a heated phone conversation on live radio. On the 13th of November 2004 Ol' dirty Bastard collapsed at Wu-Tang's recording studio in New York City and was pronounced dead later that night. His career was tumultuous with run-ins with the law well publicized including arrests for assault shoplifting wearing body armor after being convicted of a felony and possession of cocaine. He missed multiple court dates and in April 2001 was sentenced to two to four years in prison. Once released from prison he signed a million-dollar contract with Roc-A-Fella Records. The group paid him homage a number of times including an August 2006 concert at Webster Hall where one of his sons came out rapping Brooklyn Zoo along with his mother and during a concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom the Clan brought his mother out on stage for a sing-along to Shimmy Shimmy Ya.
The only copy of their seventh album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (2015) was purchased for $2 million by former hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli making it the most expensive work of music ever sold. In March 2014 it was reported that a Wu-Tang Clan compilation album entitled The Wu , Once Upon A Time In Shaolin had been recorded with Wu-Tang-affiliated producer Cilvaringz as the primary producer instead of RZA. The album a double album consisting of 31 tracks was not given a conventional commercial release and only one copy has been produced. The copy toured in museums art galleries and music festivals before being sold at a high price to a single individual. In July 2021 it was announced that the album had been again sold by the US government for an undisclosed amount later revealed as $4 million USD following Shkreli handing it over to the FBI in 2018 after being convicted of defrauding investors. The new owner of the album is the PleasrDAO group. RZA's production technique specifically the manner of chopping up and/or speeding or slowing soul samples has been picked up by producers including Kanye West and Just Blaze.
In 1995 after the platinum success of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) manufacturers who earlier wouldn't extend Power credit saw the potential. Oliver Power Grant opened four Wu Wear stores in New York City Los Angeles Atlanta and Norfolk Virginia carrying the line in Macy's Rich's and d.e.m.o among others. Power says he earned $10 million in 1998. Method Man was unhappy with the decision to bring Wu-Tang into the fashion world with Wu Wear despite the brand being a major money-maker for the group stating When Wu-Wear started making shoes and sneakers and pants it was shoddy material I never rocked that shit. In June 2025 the group announced cooperative action RPG Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver. On the 4th of September 2019 Hulu released Wu-Tang: An American Saga a fictionalized account of the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan created by RZA and Alex Tse. The drama web series premiered on the 15th of February 2023 and concluded on the 5th of April 2023. In December 2023 it was announced that Wu-Tang Clan would host Wu-Tang Clan: The Saga Continues… The Las Vegas Residency at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Paradise Nevada becoming the first hip-hop act to ever receive an artist residency.
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Common questions
When did Wu-Tang Clan form and who were the original members?
Wu-Tang Clan assembled in late 1992 with RZA as the de facto leader. The group originated from cousins Robert Diggs, Gary Grice, and Russell Jones who formed Force of the Imperial Master in Staten Island during the late 1980s.
What is the significance of the album Enter the Wu-Tang 36 Chambers released by Wu-Tang Clan?
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was released in November 1993 and received critical acclaim to date it is regarded as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. The album loosely adopted a Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang theme dividing the record into Shaolin and Wu-Tang sections.
How much money did Martin Shkreli pay for the single copy of Once Upon a Time in Shaolin by Wu-Tang Clan?
The only copy of their seventh album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin was purchased for $2 million by former hedge fund manager Martin Shkreli making it the most expensive work of music ever sold. In July 2021 it was announced that the album had been again sold by the US government for an undisclosed amount later revealed as $4 million USD following Shkreli handing it over to the FBI in 2018 after being convicted of defrauding investors.
When did Ol' dirty Bastard die and what were his legal issues before his death?
On the 13th of November 2004 Ol' dirty Bastard collapsed at Wu-Tang's recording studio in New York City and was pronounced dead later that night. He missed multiple court dates and in April 2001 was sentenced to two to four years in prison for arrests including assault shoplifting wearing body armor after being convicted of a felony and possession of cocaine.
What is the title of the Hulu series created by RZA about the formation of Wu-Tang Clan?
Hulu released Wu-Tang: An American Saga a fictionalized account of the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan created by RZA and Alex Tse on the 4th of September 2019. The drama web series premiered on the 15th of February 2023 and concluded on the 5th of April 2023.