Wu Forever! [Archive] - Kung Fu Magazine Forums

GeneChing

07-22-2009, 09:40 AM

RZA is on Rock The Bells this year. I'm hoping to see him next month.

The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From the Underground (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616673/20090721/story.jhtml)

Raekwon the Chef is out promoting Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, but there are a couple of other LPs he's looking toward in the future. There's a Rae, Method Man and Ghostface Killah album being talked about, as well as that full Wu-Tang Clan LP called Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang. If you remember, Rae first spoke of that album to Miss Info a few years ago during the promotion of the ill fated 8 Diagrams LP. Rae hinted that Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang would be some type of payback toward the RZA.

Rae explained that there is currently no unrest within the Wu, so Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang will instead pay homage to the Clan's beginning.

"Before I was a member of Wu, I was an MC on the street that just loved hip-hop," the Chef said. "When you think of Shaolin [Staten Island], you think of the home of the brave. Before anything and everything, this is where you was from. You inherited your style as a kid coming up. Shaolin is still considered the streets to us. So it's like me challenging my old way of life. This album was designed to let the master know your students are now masters too. We wanted to take it back to challenging the master on a couple of techniques we feel we got from the street side of things.

"We always said Wu-Tang members are a group but still able to hold their own," he added. "When you're able to hold your own, you're still considered that dude from Shaolin that's nice. It's just an alter-ego thing challenging the sharpest sword we ever had with our old tactics that allowed us to get that far as a Clan. [It'll] be alter egos challenging each other, really allowing RZA to fall back on the production and allowing us to give him a flashback memory to the things we know we need from the abbot [RZA]. We want him to be involved [with the album as an MC], but the concept was for him not to be involved production-wise."

Rae compared Wu to a martial-arts film.

"It's like when you look at your illest karate flick," he said. "Sometimes the abbot be whooping on you so much, he's teaching you to get iller. Next thing you know, you whoop on the abbot. Now he already know: 'I gotta give you the crown now.' It's all love, and it's movies. Our life is a karate flick. If you look at a karate flick, it's the same kinda format in our life."

GeneChing

07-24-2009, 09:58 AM

There's a very short clip if you follow the link.

Jul 23 2009 1:21 PM EDT
Method Man Wants To Hook Up With Ghostface, Raekwon For Joint LP (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616797/20090723/method_man.jhtml)
'I want some feedback from the fans to see how they would take that,' Meth says of partial Wu-Tang Clan album.
By Jayson Rodriguez

Raekwon is readying his solo album, and Ghostface Killah will be wrapping up his next project soon, so does this mean that Shaolin's finest will be reuniting in the foreseeable future for an official Wu-Tang Clan LP?

Not exactly.

But if it's up to Method Man, some of the sharpest dart throwers in the Clan will get together for a group project. Reiterating Raekwon's remarks to Mixtape Daily on Tuesday, Meth said he, the Chef and Ghostface might join forces for a collaborative effort.

"It's in discussion right now," Method Man told MTV News. "I don't want to say it's written in stone, but it's in discussion. I want some feedback from the fans to see how they would take that. RZA produced tracks, some other outside producers, of course, and we gonna have Wu-Tang members on the album, but it'll be a Rae, Ghost and Meth album."

Method Man said getting a new deal for the entire collective would take more time compared to locking something down for arguably the three most charismatic members of the crew. At this point in Method Man's career, he's focused on making music more in a collective manner than on his own, even if it's not a full family project.

"This is the most comfortable I've been in my whole career," Meth said. "Because I don't have all those obligations that I've had before. You know, doing the Wu-Tang, then the Wu-Tang solo projects, then my project, then me and Redman. Right now, I can do it at my own leisure. Honestly, I don't want to make an album by myself, but it's something that's required, and the fans want that, so I'm gonna do that.

"But the same way with my shows, I like doing shows with brothers instead of just doing them by myself," Method Man continued. "I like to have a crowd around. And have that input to make the project better."

And more from Rock the Bells:

Jul 20 2009 10:52 AM EDT
Wu-Tang Clan/ Slaughterhouse Beef Quashed At Rock The Bells (http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1616524/20090720/wu_tang_clan.jhtml)
Nas, Damian Marley headline a peaceful day at Jones Beach.
By Shaheem Reid

WANTAGH, New York — It was musical, it was nostalgic, but most important, it was not violent. Guerilla Union held their annual Rock the Bells show Sunday at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater as part of the yearly tour. Going into the show, there had been heavy tension involving two of the acts, the Wu-Tang Clan and Slaughterhouse.

Slaughterhouse's Joe Budden had been involved in a back-and-forth with Method Man and Inspectah Deck for weeks. Although Deck and Meth were not officially on the Rock the Bells bill, it was no surprise when both appeared at Jones Beach to support RZA and Raekwon, who were slated to perform.

The Clan brought the ruckus, not the ignorance. They rocked the theater with a catalog of hits and didn't waste time dissing Slaughterhouse. At the end of the performance, Meth told the crowd no one in the rap game could touch him or his brothers.

"Can't nobody touch the legacy," Meth boasted. "Our track record speaks louder than any of them mutha----as."

Between the end of Wu's set and the beginning of Slaughterhouse's, Method Man and Joe Budden were seen walking together in the parking lot. The two took their time quashing the beef.

When Slaughterhouse, which also includes Royce da 5'9", Joell Ortiz and Crooked I, took the stage, they publicly announced the end of the short-term feud.

"It will never be a beef with Wu-Tang clan," Royce said. He then revealed the convo between Meth and Budden, saying the situation was "squashed."

But Rock the Bells wasn't just about them. Other performers included Big Boi, Common, Black Star, the Roots, Buckshot and headliners Nas and Damien "Jr. Gong" Marley.

Nas started his set with classics like "N.Y. State of Mind," then shared the stage with Jr. Gong. Nas kicked familiar verses (his rhymes off "The Message" and reggae-inspired hip-hop tracks like Shyne's "Bad Boyz"), and Jr. Gong came back doing his reggae chats over some of Nas' beats, including "Represent."

The rapper also brought out AZ for "Phone Tap" and "Life's a *****." Then he let D-Block have their own mini-set, highlighted by "Good Times," "Wild Out," "Who's Real" and Jadakiss' duet with Nas, "What If."

Is the Wu coming back together like Voltron (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54794)? Hell, I'm changing the title of this thread from "The end of The Wu Tang Clan!!!!" to "Wu Forever!"

doug maverick

07-24-2009, 06:26 PM

good title change.....i really dont think wu tang will ever fully die... these nine guys were so instrumental in pushing hip hop music into the center stage of american music... Rap music is one of the very few art forms that is strictly american, we own it, and nobody can do it better, ive heard rap from all over, and none have compaed with the way americans do it(with the notable exception of slick rick the ruler, who hales from merry ol' england and is still the best **** story teller breathing). but back to the WU, people have been wanting raekwon and ghost face to do an album for years....every interview you read of those two the interviewer asked the same question, when are you and ghost doing and album or when are you and rae doing an album, i have yet to read or hear an interview where that topic wasnt brought up. but the whole problem was record labels, and all that political jargon...sp adding meth to the mix putting rza on the tracks makes it a semi wu tang album....and your talking about the three best from wu tang hands down. cant wait to hear this one.

GeneChing

06-01-2016, 08:07 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scAojkijr-8

mickey

06-01-2016, 09:54 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scAojkijr-8

I am so glad I did not catch a seizure from that.

The flow reminded me of Diggable Planets. Still, I likededed it.

mm m mickey

mussee doktor

GeneChing

07-25-2016, 11:16 AM

The Lord Gladstone are dishing up Wu-Tang Baogers and Shaolin fries this weekend (Sydney) (http://food.theaureview.com/news/the-lord-gladstone-are-dishing-up-wu-tang-baogers-and-shaolin-fries-this-weekend-sydney/)
JULY 22, 2016 / CHRIS SINGH

http://food.theaureview.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/wutangbaoger.jpg

For their monthly Burger Lords series, controversial Chippendale pub The Lord Gladstone have put together a fresh new creation they are triumphantly calling The Wu-Tang Baoger.

Seemingly, the pub crew have reached found this recipe in the slums of Shaolin, crafting something not even Raekwon the Chef has cooked up before, mashing up a bao and a burger for an East meets West burg that will make you want the kitchen team to keep feedin’ you, and feedin’ you, and feedin’ you, and feedin’ you.

This holiest of creations features a 180-gram Wagyu beef patty, layers of nori sheets, a ramen patty, kewpie wasabi mayo, and some fermented black bean aioli, all stacked between a bao bun. They are serving each Wu-Tang Baoger with a side of Shaolin fries, which are fries loaded with ezy cheese, lup choy, and fried shallots. Suuuuu.

The beer garden will be echoing Wu-Tang cuts all day from local DJs and craft beer will be pouring up for $5 each.

Grab more info from the Facebook event page HERE.

The Lord Gladstone’s Burger Lords

When: Sunday 24th July; 12pm-9pm (or sold out)
Where: 115 Regent Street, Chippendale

Image: The Lord Gladstone.

Wonder if they know that RZA is vegetarian. :rolleyes:

GeneChing

05-03-2017, 10:43 AM

We need the Wu now more than eva...

The Wu-Tang Clan Is Experiencing a Hilarious TV Renaissance (http://www.vvdailypress.com/entertainment/20170503/wu-tang-clan-is-experiencing-hilarious-tv-renaissance)

http://www.vvdailypress.com/entertainment/20170503/wu-tang-clan-is-experiencing-hilarious-tv-renaissance
The Wu-Tang Clan | Photo Credits: Frazer Harrison
Wednesday
Posted at 10:15 AM
By TV Guide

TV is f---in’ with the Wu-Tang Clan.

The New York City rap collective has been showing up on TV in unexpected places recently. More specifically, the group’s iconic W logo has been a sight gag on two different shows in the past two weeks. First it showed up as a tattoo on Nora Dunn’s (Carrie Coon) arm on an episode of The Leftovers last month, and then it showed up again in Tuesday’s season finale of The Mick on a headband worn by Jimmy (Scott MacArthur).

Wu-Tang was a bigger deal on The Leftovers. In the episode, Nora shows Erika (Regina King) a tattoo she got of the logo for “the Wu-Tang Band,” as she calls it, to cover up a previous tattoo she had gotten of her departed children’s names. She explains that immediately after she got the tattoo of the names, she realized it would be too emotionally painful to have them there, so she had the tattoo artist cover it up with the first thing she saw on the wall of the shop. The design she chose happened to be the Wu-Tang Clan logo (at first she thought it was a phoenix). The out-of-left-field randomness of it makes for a hilarious reveal.

Wu-Tang is a presence throughout the episode. Nora and Erika jump on a trampoline while the Clan’s song “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)” plays. The writers credited on the episode are Tha Lonely Donkey Kong and Specialist Contagious, who are show creators Tom Perrotta and Damon Lindelof with their names run through a Wu-Tang name generator.

The W shows up again in the season finale of The Mick when Mickey’s (Kaitlin Olson) boyfriend Jimmy is approached to become a police informant. Jimmy makes a lot ridiculous demands before he’ll tell the police what they want to know, and one of his demands is a Wu-Tang headband.

Kaitlin Olson tells TVGuide.com she’s honored to be in the company of The Leftovers in this trend, and she’s “probably going to insist that Jimmy get a Wu-Tang tattoo in Season 2, just because I want to continue this trend.”

These examples come a few months after Wu-Tang member Method Man appeared as himself on Luke Cage. More peripherally, Method Man is a ubiquitous actor, showing up everywhere from Blue Bloods to the upcoming HBO series The Deuce, and Wu-Tang leader RZA directed an episode of Iron Fist.

This Wu-Tang swarm comes at a low ebb for the group musically. They haven’t commercially released an album since 2014, and their conceptual art project Once Upon a Time in Shaolin has been marred by its excessive exclusivity and association with pharma entrepreneur/internet troll Martin Shkreli. Raekwon released a solo album last month, but none of the nine members’ solo work has made a splash of late.

So perhaps this little trend is a sign that they should all focus their efforts on television. The success of projects like Straight Outta Compton and The New Edition Story probably indicates that people would watch a Wu-Tang origin story miniseries. There may not be room for a gritty urban kung-fu series so soon after Luke Cage and Iron Fist, but maybe a stylish one where the members of the Wu-Tang Clan play leaders of warring gangs could be done. Or maybe a fantastical kung-fu series in the vein of RZA’s movie The Man with the Iron Fists.

On the other hand, perhaps it’s a sign that they should reconvene and make a really dope Wu-Tang album.

GeneChing

08-28-2017, 07:47 AM

Oct. 13 - that'll be an auspicious day for all sorts of things. ;)

Wu-Tang Clan Returns With New Song 'People Say,' Announces 'The Saga Continues' Album (http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7942000/wu-tang-clan-new-song-people-say-redman-saga-continues-album)
8/25/2017 by Nerisha Penrose

http://www.billboard.com/files/styles/article_main_image/public/media/Wu-Tang-Clan-press-photo-wbr-2016-billboard-1548.jpg
Jonathan Weiner
Wu-Tang Clan

The clan is back. After recently resurrecting their Wu Wear clothing line, Wu-Tang Clan dropped off a surprise track titled "People Say" featuring a guest verse from their longtime affiliate Redman. To sweeten the pot, they also officially announced the release date of their seventh studio album Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues, due Oct. 13 via RZA and Entertainment One's lifestyle company 36 Chambers Alc.

Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues is the group's first album since 2014's A Better Tomorrow. The upcoming album will be produced by Mathematics and executive produced by RZA. The collective's double album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin was set to be released back in 2015, but was sold to Martin Shrekli, who continued to taunt the group after purchasing it for $2 million by previewing multiple tracks off the unreleased album.

Wu-Tang gave fans the first taste of their new album with "People Say," which opens with a kung-fu movie sample before Method Man's gravelly voice rides the piano-laden melody. "Ain't no vacay, the props become a problem when it's hot, mayday mayday/ But no charge, I'm nutty with the bars that's a payday," he raps. "So bruh, this ain't even a bar, this is AA/Back up in the trunk with the AK." Redman later appears and lends his energetic flow to the smooth track with lines like, "I show you the ropes, I'm narrating Al Haymon/I told Lighty, if I hate him, I'ma violate him."

Listen to "People Say" below. (https://soundcloud.com/eone-music/wu-tang)

GeneChing

09-29-2017, 08:59 AM

Wu-Tang Clan Mention Martin Shkreli on New Song ‘Lesson Learn’d’
September 22, 2017 1:19 PM

https://cbsradionews.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/4teqnc-c2hcyoa2ndv9i5lfy8eauq2ayp7oafzjyr4o.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1
Photo: Courtesy Wu-Tang Clan

By Scott T. Sterling

Wu-Tang Clan have released a new new song, “Lesson Learn’d,” from the group’s upcoming album, Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues.

Related: Martin Shkreli Puts Rare Wu-Tang Clan CD on eBay

On the new track, which features Redman, Inspectah Deck mentions “pharma-bro” Martin Shkreli, who famously purchased the only copy of Wu-Tang’s Once Upon a Time in Shaolin for $2 million: “My price hikin’ like the pills Martin Shkreli sell.”

Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues is now available for pre-order, which provides buyers with an instant download of “Lesson Learn’d.”

Check out new track, which contains explicit language, below.
Wu-Tang - Lesson Learn'd” featuring Inspectah Deck and Redman (https://soundcloud.com/eone-music/wu-lesson-learnd)

The Wu (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)-Tang saga of [URL="http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?67437-Once-Upon-A-Time-In-Shaolin"]Once Upon A Time In Shaolin] plays on...

GeneChing

10-18-2017, 09:45 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mug8q0C4ZP8

GeneChing

12-13-2017, 09:50 AM

武当“型男”排名 (http://www.51555.net/home/html/news/notes/2014/0912/6904.html)
收藏
 作者：大昊　 发布时间：2016-06-12　 阅读数：1870　 评论数：0
在Wu-tang clan发行专辑Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) 二十周年前夕，一场大动作正在酝酿。Wu-Tang品牌刚推出了一批纪念36 Chambers 20周年服饰，而且据说还有更多武当装备要到货，包括与DC的合作。(武当粉已经没法坐定了把!)回首过往，Wu-tang大家族及其分支在二十年的岁月里改变了整个音乐流派，也改变了Hip Hop的穿着风格。他们的范儿就像他们的音乐一样硬核，也正如同他们的音乐，每个团队中的成员都在这上面有自己独特鲜明的天赋。

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/22422454c-0.jpg

团体内的竞争促使每个成员在歌中增加猛料，也让他们费心打理着装扮——Polo衫, Wallabees(袋鼠鞋)—— 看看整个东海岸，我们就知道它们引领了街头服饰(streetwear)的潮流。在此我们要鞠躬感谢武当。话虽这么说，一些成员必须比其他人更加有型!仅仅局限于此列表九个原始创始成员，我们根据他们的穿衣风格给他们排了下座。

9. Masta Killa

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/2242241122-1.jpg

严肃的说，哥们。有没有人见过MASTA KILLA的头发?这位老兄一直带着Doo Rag。他的品味可能在Wu-tang中是最后的。但如果他开始摇摆丝绿色佩斯利长袍，他排位可能会向上攀升点。

8. Inspectah Deck

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/2242242595-3.jpg

如果这是一个家乡自豪感的榜单，INS或许会排到第一。即使像你的城市致敬确实值得我们的掌声，但他的范儿确实有上升的空间，但我们希望他不要弄丢他那条武当链子。

7. U-God

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/2242241232-5.jpg

胡子帮出没。如果你需要灵感的话看看U-God。他一直保持着他的小胡子。另外，U-God穿起Wu Wear像一位专家。他也许永远上不了T台，但当“that banging ****”的广告出现在Wu-Tang’s Shaolin的店面时总会使孩子们想到Wu Wear又要出新款了。

6. GZA

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/22422462O-7.jpg

在Wu-tang成立之前，GZA已说唱圈活跃了。他也是武当派成员中穿衣风格最轻松的。他穿衣从来不离帽衫，运动夹克。他的范儿可以完美搭配一个舒适的沙发。他去哈佛大学开讲座与喜欢下棋可以给他加分——因为聪明永远是时尚。

continued next post

GeneChing

12-13-2017, 09:51 AM

I'm only copying one pic of each Wu member. There are more in the original article. It's #5 that interested me most. :cool:

5. RZA

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/224224JC-9.jpg

他的所有衣服都有亚洲文明的灵感。他最牛逼的地方是，他不关心你在想什么，或者你喜欢什么。他喜欢武术，就会穿上武术袍。此外，他的脸也作为LOGO，印在过Supreme T恤上。

4. Method Man

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/22422450R-11.jpg

Method Man曾在“Method Man”中唱道，“你不认识我，你不知道我的风格。”他可能是正确的，其风格非常有冒险精神。但他喜欢加大尺码的态度却总是让人舒服。不是每个说唱歌手，在他们穿衣的保留节目中有浴袍、狼牙套和击球手套。

3. Ol’ Dirty *******

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/2242242237-14.jpg

老实说，甚至无所谓ODB穿什么。只要看看他史诗般的头发，没有人需要去注意到别的。不过，他没有只依靠一个在派对上招摇的伎俩。他是最先开始玩儿穿衣high-low搭配的老哥(那时候Pharrell Kanye A$AP Rocky都在那儿呢)。某天，他穿起街牌，第二天他可能穿的却是一个干净的皮夹克和上档次的帽子。

2. Raekwon

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/22422445P-17.jpg

他一开始从纽约城的大毒枭哪里获得穿衣灵感，最后也可以穿一件简简单单的纯白Supreme。没有他怎么能接近顶端，别说不是他引起了你对老式的Polo衫和Tommy Hilfiger的兴趣。大厨(Raekwon的别称Chef)甚至挽起一条裤腿走上过Tommy的T台，就是那么有范儿。

1. Ghostface Killah

http://www.51555.net/home/uploads/allimg/140912/2242241029-21.jpg

正如他在“New God Flow”里的歌词——” Ya nigga, y’all had my, I had my Jesus piece since 94”。在这点上，他的豪华首饰，长袍，和鬼脸面具都是一他的最具代表性的符号。就像武当派本身，如果鬼脸要去做些风格的改变，他会毫不犹豫的倾尽全力去执行它。

　武当(2)型男(1)

GeneChing

02-08-2018, 10:17 AM

When Your Mom Is the Longtime Manager of Wu-Tang Members and Your Dad Is a Shaolin Monk (https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/02/my-parents-work-life-balance-when-your-mom-is-sophia-chang-longtime-manager-of-wu-tang-members-and-your-dad-is-a-shaolin-monk.html)
Featuring Jian Hong Shi, age 15, grade 10.
By LAURA BENNETT
FEB 08, 20189:04 AM

https://compote.slate.com/images/c9b29180-150b-4a0d-84ea-7686f5004395.jpeg?width=780&height=520&rect=1560x1040&offset=0x0
Jian Hong Shi and her mom, Sophia.
Photo illustration by Slate. Photo courtesy of Sophia Chang.

In this series, kids (and not-exactly-kids-anymore) review how well their parents balance life and work. To nominate a potential subject ideally between the ages of 5 and 17, email humaninterest@slate.com.

Laura Bennett: Can you tell me a little bit about your relationship with your parents?

Jian Hong Shi: Well, my mom and I are very close. I feel super comfortable telling her if anything happens with my friends. She gives me very good advice.

What kind of advice?

She always gives me the grown-up answer, like, when I am having a problem at school: You should pull them aside and talk to them. I tell her, Mom, we’re not as mature as you think we are. They are gonna think that is weird.

My parents haven’t been together since I was around 5 or something like that, so they don’t live in the same house. My dad and I are not as close because he’s not at home as much as my mom is. But when I do see him, he is super goofy and silly. So I’m always laughing when I’m around him.

What does your mom do for work?

Well right now, she’s writing a book and doing public speaking. She also briefly worked at a cannabis company. That was kind of a wild thing because she’s never smoked a day in her life. But while I was growing up, she managed hip-hop artists.

Do you remember how she became a manager of hip-hop artists?

She had been close with the Wu-Tang Clan for a long time. So I think it happened organically. She worked with a lot of different artists in Wu-Tang, like RZA, GZA, ODB while he was alive, but that was before I was alive. [She also managed D’Angelo and A Tribe Called Quest.]

Does she manage anyone now?

Nope, she’s completely out of that now. She says that she doesn’t want to manage other people now. She wants to focus on herself. I think she’s come to a place in her life where—she told me, for example, that her friend said, “Sophia, I want to stop seeing you work with egotistical men.”

Your mom mentioned to me that she was very aware of raising a daughter who was a hip-hop fan, because hip-hop is not always kind to women. Was that something she talked about with you?

She always made it very clear to me when certain lyrics were misogynistic. She would ask me if that was how I thought I should be treated. And I was like, “No mom. I just enjoy the music.” If we are in the car and the radio is on, and we hear some really misogynistic lyrics, she always goes: “Oh that’s nice.” “Oh, haven’t heard that one before.”

She always wanted me to know my worth. Through her job, I always saw her as a powerful female figure, not someone who was easily swayed by male opinion. Also, the artists she worked with, she knew them on a deep personal level—she knew their heart and their intent.

Do you like Wu-Tang’s music?

I do. I went through a phase when I listened to just Wu-Tang, when I was like 12. It was super eye-opening for me. I loved how all the different Clan members had their different flows and styles and voices, even though they were one Clan.

“I had this moment last year where I was super tired and I started thinking about a bunch of stuff and I sat back and realized what my parents did and got super happy.”
— Jian Hong Shi

What do you think your mom loves about Wu-Tang’s music?

I think the production and sampling as well. But also the wordplay and the metaphors and how they all blended together as one but people who were fans really felt like they knew each of them, their strengths and their weaknesses. I think she really respected that whatever deal they had, the RZA made sure it was inclusive. No one was ever left behind.

What was it like to know these guys personally and also be such a big fan?

I felt super grateful. The RZA is actually my godfather. I’ve known him and his kids since I was really young. So when I listened to his music, it was learning about the RZA instead of him as a father and a friend. So that was really cool.

It is pretty wild to have a mom whose job means you get to have the RZA as your godfather.

Yeah. It’s crazy. I don’t think I realized how influential and huge these artists were until later. At the time I just thought, this is just mom doing her job.

What does your dad do?

He’s a 34th-generation Shaolin monk from the original Shaolin temple in China.

Whoa.

Yeah. I used to be kind of embarrassed about telling my friends because they’d be like, “Oh yeah, my dad is an accountant or something.” But now I’m super proud of it. Anyway, he’s a monk. And he created his own temple, the USA Shaolin Temple. His English wasn’t that great and he didn’t really know about America, so my mom really helped him with the business side. Now it has branches in Austria and South Africa and Mexico. It makes me really proud of him. He helps a lot of people both physically and mentally.

Here’s a ridiculous question: Do you think your parents have interesting jobs?

Yes. Over time I became kinda used to it. But I had this moment last year where I was super tired and I started thinking about a bunch of stuff and I sat back and realized what my parents did and got super happy. Then I fell asleep.

But it was a fascinating moment where I was like, “Wow, I should really talk to my dad more about his experience coming from China to here and creating his own business. I should talk to my mom more about how she built herself and became successful on her own.”

Who generally works crazier hours, your mom or your dad?

My mom would get calls during dinner and would never pick up. She would call them back afterwards and that could go pretty late. Or she’d only pick up calls that came directly from the artist or from her mentor, Michael Ostin. With my dad, once he was home, he was home.

What stresses your parents out the most about their jobs?

For my mom, it’s working with people who aren’t as dedicated to their job as she is. People who aren’t passionate and are just doing it for the money. For my dad, I don’t really see him stressed.

Well, he is a monk.

Yeah, you’re right, he’s very calm. He never really loses his temper. He’s super in touch with the monk he was in China, when he was under all of those rules. He didn’t have enough food to eat. He had no heat. Having that all inside him helps keep him grounded.

When you were growing up, did your parents have rules for you around screen time?

My dad really hates it when my brother and I are on our phone. Because he’s like, “It will ruin your eyes.” Not because he is worried about what we’ll see. I don’t think he’s too aware of exactly how much is out there on the internet. With my mom, it’s more that she doesn’t like the idea that strangers can talk to me.

How did your mom inform your music taste when you were growing up?

She was obviously very deeply involved in hip-hop. But also on Sundays, when we would clean the house, she would always have old-school R&B on. Like Maxwell, Tony! Toni! Toné! Uh, I guess Robin Thicke doesn’t count as old-school R&B.

Do you have a sense of what you want to do for work one day?

I’m super interested in architecture. My school offers classes on it. I’m going to take them and if I do end up enjoying them, great.

Would you ever want to manage hip-hop artists?

Probably not. Just because that doesn’t really interest me, not because I’ve seen a negative impact on my mom. She used to always tell me, you’d be so good at this. But it’s not really my interest, so I’d feel like I wasn’t really doing what I wanted to do.

Would you ever want to be a monk?

No. No no no no no. Yeah, no. There are way too many rules.

Laura Bennett
Laura Bennett is Slate’s features director.

When I was in Wudangshan with Yanming and Sophia (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=5), she was pregnant with his first child. I should've realized that because of some of Sophia's actions, but at the time, I was too swept up with with the trip. I've never met either of their children.

Thread: Shi Yan Ming & Shaolin Temple USA (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?43333-Shi-Yan-Ming-amp-Shaolin-Temple-USA)
Thread: Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

03-19-2018, 09:28 AM

Wu-Tang Clan Slapped With a Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Over Their Song "People Say" (http://www.complex.com/music/2018/03/wu-tang-clan-sued-for-copyright-infringement-over-people-say)
BY JOSHUA ESPINOZA
MAR 16, 2018

https://images.complex.com/complex/images/c_fill,g_faces,w_1100/fl_lossy,pg_1,q_auto/ua0go8e4kmdwtkeerzl1/wu-tang-clan-sued-for-copyright-infringement
Wu-Tang Clan
Image via Getty/Andrew Lipovsky

Wu-Tang Clan has been accused of ripping off a 1960s singing group.

On Friday, members of The Diplomats filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the legendary hip-hop collective over their 2017 track “People Say.” According to legal documents obtained by The Wrap, the soul trio claims Wu-Tang’s producer Mathematics lifted the “People Say” melody from their 1969 record “I’ve Got the Kind of Love.” The plaintiffs also point out that the title of the Wu-Tang cut is taken from lyrics featured in their song.

“Throughout its duration, ‘People Say’ contains and embodies multiple recognizable and protectable elements of Plaintiffs’ ‘I’ve Got the Kind of Love,'” the lawsuit reads. “These original, protectable elements include but are not limited to the melody, chords, lyrics, instrumentation, and rhythmic elements of ‘I’ve Got the Kind of Love.’ (Even the title ‘People Say’ is a lyric from ‘I’ve Got the Kind of Love.’)”

“People Say” is the lead single off Mathematic’s 2017 studio album Wu-Tang: The Saga Continues. According to The Wrap, members of The Diplomats became aware of the similarities in recent months, after fans kept bringing it up online. The trio claims that they did not give Wu-Tang or Mathematics proper authorization to use their material, which is why they’re asking a judge to stop all future performances and sales of “People Say.” The Diplomats are also seeking for unspecified damages.

You can compare both tracks below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBViC-fEdm0

continued next post

GeneChing

03-19-2018, 09:29 AM

...for comparison...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl7HNaZ6_XI

GeneChing

10-08-2018, 08:07 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82vpwD-_8pA

Associated Press
Published on Oct 3, 2018
(3 Oct 2018) RZA directed Wesley Snipes for the first time in the upcoming movie "Cut Throat City." But the two have a longtime shared teacher in New York Shaolin kung fu grandmaster Shi Yan Ming. (Oct. 3)

THREADS
http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?43333-Shi-Yan-Ming-amp-Shaolin-Temple-USA
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

10-12-2018, 08:30 AM

Wuniverse forever

OCTOBER 11, 2018 10:00AM PT
Wu-Tang Clan Scripted Origin Series Ordered at Hulu (https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/wu-tang-clan-scripted-origin-series-ordered-at-hulu-1202976874/)
By JOE OTTERSON
TV Reporter
@JoeOtterson

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wu-tang-clan.jpg?w=1000&h=562&crop=1
Wu Tang Clan Lovebox Festival, Gunnersbury Park, London, UK - 13 Jul 2018
CREDIT: SCOTT GARFITT/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

Hulu has given a straight-to-series order to a scripted drama that will explore the rise of the Wu-Tang Clan, Variety has learned.

“Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” which has received a 10-episode order, is inspired by “The Wu-Tang Manual” and “Tao of Wu”, and based on the true story of the Wu-Tang Clan. Set in early ’90s New York at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, the show tracks the Clan’s formation. The group was a vision of Bobby Diggs, aka The RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, black men that are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories.

The series is created, written, and executive produced by Alex Tse–the writer of the “Superfly” remake–and The RZA. Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo will also executive produce via Imagine Television, with Wu-Tang member Method Man also executive producing. Fellow Wu-Tang members Ghostface Killa, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, GZA, as well as the Estate of Ol’ Dirty *******, will serve as consulting producers on the project. Creative executive James Seidman will oversee the project for Imagine.

“I’m delighted to be partnering with Hulu and Imagine to explore the vast story of the Wuniverse,” said The RZA. “Wu-Tang through our music has always strove to inspire as we entertain. This opportunity to continue the Wu – Saga in a 10-episode series will exponentially increase our inspirational style of entertainment. In the immortal words of ODB ‘Wu-Tang is for the Children.'”

The Wu-Tang Clan has released five gold and platinum albums, selling 40 million albums worldwide. The group is often hailed as one of the most influential groups in the history of hip-hop with a unique sound and distinct image.

“I’ve been a fan of Wu-Tang since the mid-90’s and recognized quickly how significant Wu-Tang and The RZA were to the world of hip-hop music and culture,” Grazer said. “Over the years I’ve gotten to know RZA and it’s clear that he is the soul and storyteller of Wu-Tang. Working with RZA and Alex Tse on this series has been a highlight of my career and Hulu is the perfect partner to bring this story to a global audience.”

GeneChing

10-22-2018, 11:23 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8i53eYfloc

THREADS
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
Shaolin diet, vegetarianism and stuff (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?61187-Shaolin-diet-vegetarianism-and-stuff)

GeneChing

10-22-2018, 11:25 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krFZO-BGaYg

THREADS
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
Shaolin diet, vegetarianism and stuff (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?61187-Shaolin-diet-vegetarianism-and-stuff)

GeneChing

11-06-2018, 08:54 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7s5rbM9J3w

GeneChing

11-12-2018, 08:19 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSNIJTlCupc

THREADS
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
Kung Fu Restaurants & Bars (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?51971-Kung-Fu-Restaurants-amp-Bars)

GeneChing

12-03-2018, 02:30 PM

I cut out all the other films listed, only kept the relevant one.

Sundance: Rosamund Pike, Wu-Tang Clan, Jordan Peele-Produced Lorena Bobbitt Series Added to Fest (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sundance-lineup-rosamund-pike-wu-tang-clan-jordan-peeles-lorena-bobbitt-series-added-1165770)
1:00 PM PST 12/3/2018 by Tatiana Siegel

https://cdn1.thr.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/landscape_928x523/2018/12/gettyimages-1007117822-h_2018.jpg
Andrew Chin/Getty Images
RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and Cappadonna of hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan perform on stage during day 2 of Center Of Gravity 2018 at Kelowna City Park on July 28, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada.

Given the impressive list of names in the episodic lineup, it is clear that Sundance has become a destination for small-screen fare that screens against the festival's bread-and-butter indie films.

The Sundance Film Festival unveiled its lineup of the indie episodic, shorts and special events on Monday. Among the standouts are a documentary series from producer Jordan Peele about the infamous case of John and Lorena Bobbitt dubbed Lorena and a comedic series with Rosamund Pike and Chris O'Dowd in the leads titled State of the Union (Nick Hornby created, and Stephen Frears directed). Also of note is the series Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men, which traces the arc of iconic rappers and features the participation of every member.

Given the impressive list of names in the episodic lineup, it is clear that Sundance has become a destination for small-screen fare that screens against the festival's bread-and-butter indie films.

With the shorts lineup mostly comprised of up-and-comers, it’s difficult to predict what might be this year’s Whiplash (Damien Chazelle’s feature film started its life as a short at Sundance). Films that look promising on paper include A.V. Rockwell’s Feathers, which tackles the world of boys school hazing and will debut on Day One of the festival.

“This year’s crop of shorts are rowdy, reflective, visionary -- we are excited to discover so many new voices and perspectives on today’s world,” said Sundance senior programmer Mike Plante.

Of the projects announced today, 53 percent were directed or created by one or more women, 51 percent were directed or created by one or more filmmaker of color, and 26 percent by one or more people who identify as LGBTQIA. A dozen were supported by Sundance Institute in development, whether through direct granting or residency Labs.

Today’s announcement follows last week’s unveiling of the 112 films that will screen across 10 major categories including the U.S. competition, world competition and NEXT sections including the Harvey Weinstein doc Untouchable, the Shia LaBeouf-Lucas Hedges pairing Honey Boy (about a child TV star and his ex-rodeo clown father) and Rashid Johnson’s modern reimagining of Richard Wright’s seminal novel Native Son.

The 2019 edition of the fest is set to run Jan. 24-Feb. 3 in and around Park City.

...

Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men/U.S.A. (Director: Sacha Jenkins, Executive Producers: Peter J Scalettar, Peter Bittenbender, Chris Gary) — The cultural history of Wu-Tang Clan; artists who escape the poverty, violence, and oppression of their neighborhoods through music. They encounter wild success and heartbreak along the way to becoming the most recognized musical movement in the world -- all while walking the tightrope that links business with brotherhood. Cast: All members of the Wu-Tang Clan. World Premiere

THREADS
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71106-Wu-Tang-Clan-Of-Mics-and-Men)

GeneChing

12-06-2018, 08:41 AM

Follow the link for the clip.

TINY DESK
Wu-Tang Clan (https://www.npr.org/2018/12/04/673291531/wu-tang-clan-tiny-desk-concert)
December 5, 2018 5:00 AM ET
ABBY O'NEILL

The Wu-Tang Clan gathered at the Tiny Desk to commemorate the 25 years since the release of the group's landmark album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). With more than 60 albums between the various members, The Clan's combined discography left them spoiled for choice when it came to narrowing down the set list for their performance. The result was an extended, 20-minute medley of songs from across the group's iconic catalog.

The retrospective mashup of Wu classics started with the posse cut "Triumph." Backed by strings (The Green Project), the performance morphed into an old-school cipher as Raekwon, Inspectah Deck and Cappadonna traded verses with Masta Killa and U-God. Young Dirty *******, son of original member Ol' Dirty *******, provided a spark of energy reminiscent of his father.

At one moment in the performance, RZA — the mastermind behind the Clan's success — omits some explicit lyrics from earlier in his Wu journey, while alluding to the #MeToo movement mid-cadence. But it's the poetic interlude, read from his phone at the close of the set, that better reflects his current state of consciousness. "Wu-Tang is for the kids!" RZA proclaims. The core of the group began as childhood pals in Staten Island in the early '90s, when the crew's creative philosophy was influenced by everything from Saturday afternoon kung-fu flicks to the spiritual wisdom of the Five-Percent Nation. As they've matured, Raekwon still describes the Wu as "superfriends." They've allowed each other to grow and form various offshoots in recent years. But when the Wu-Tang Clan comes together, they still bring a love for the culture and for their brotherhood.

SET LIST
"Wu Classics"

CREDITS
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Kaylee Domzalski, Maia Stern, Bronson Arcuri, CJ Riculan; Editor: Kaylee Domzalski; Production Assistant: Brie Martin; Photo: Cameron Pollack/NPR

GeneChing

04-17-2019, 04:50 PM

More on this above (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!&p=1311070#post1311070).

Wu-Tang Drama Series Ordered By Hulu From The RZA, Alex Tse & Imagine TV (https://deadline.com/2018/10/wu-tang-drama-series-ordered-by-hulu-from-the-rza-alex-tse-imagine-tv-1202480655/)
By Nellie Andreeva
October 11, 2018 10:00am

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/wu-tang.jpg?w=681&h=383&crop=1
Photo by Scott Garfitt/REX/Shutterstock

The story of one of the greatest rap groups is coming to television. Hulu has given a straight-to-series order to Wu-Tang: An American Saga, a 10-episode drama from Wu-Tang Clan front man The RZA, writer Alex Tse (Superfly) and Imagine Television.

Created and written by The RZA and Tse, the series is based on the Wu-Tang Clan, one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history, and will explore and expand the band’s world.

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2017/01/briangrazer.png?w=151&h=224&crop=1
Alex Tse

Set in early ’90s New York at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic, the show tracks the Clan’s formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs aka The RZA, who strives to unite a dozen young, black men that are torn between music and crime but eventually rise to become the unlikeliest of American success stories.

Imagine’s Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo will executive produce with Tse and Wu-Tang Clan members The RZA and Method Man. Fellow Wu-Tang Clan members Ghostface Killa, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and GZA as well as the Estate of Ol’ Dirty *******, will serve as consulting producers. James Seidman will oversee the project for Imagine.

“I’ve been a fan of Wu-Tang since the mid-90’s and recognized quickly how significant Wu-Tang and The RZA were to the world of hip-hop music and culture. Over the years I’ve gotten to know RZA and it’s clear that he is the soul and storyteller of Wu-Tang,” Grazer said. “Working with RZA and Alex Tse on this series has been a highlight of my career and Hulu is the perfect partner to bring this story to a global audience.”

Wu-Tang: An American Saga marks the first series order for Imagine since it became an independent production company/studio. It also marks Imagine’s second project at Hulu following another music-themed collaboration, the Emmy and Grammy Award winning documentary, The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years.

“The Wu Tang’s unique musical form and authentic storytelling continues to speak to our times,” said Craig Erwich, Hulu’s SVP of Originals. “This series is a conversation worthy event that will bring their history and music to life in a way that hasn’t been seen before.”

The Wu-Tang Clan, often hailed for its unique sound and distinct image, has released five gold and platinum albums, selling 40 million albums worldwide.

“I’m delighted to be partnering with Hulu and Imagine to explore the vast story of the Wuniverse,” said The RZA. “Wu-Tang through our music has always strove to inspire as we entertain. This opportunity to continue the Wu – Saga in a 10-episode series will exponentially increase our inspirational style of entertainment. In the immortal words of ODB “Wu-Tang is for the Children.”

For Tse, the project brings back childhood memories.

“Ever since I heard “Da Mystery of Chessboxing” on the B-side maxi-cassette single of “C.R.E.A.M.” I’ve been a lifelong Wu fan,” he said. “I’ll be celebrating this by buying a pair of Clarks Wallabys.”

Imagine’s series slate also include Empire on Fox and Genius and Mars on National Geographic.

Tse is repped by Lighthouse Management & Media, CAA and Schreck Rose Dapello.

THREADS
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
Wu-Tang: An American Saga (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71278-Wu-Tang-An-American-Saga)

GeneChing

05-06-2019, 07:51 AM

Check out the new “Wu-Tang District” in the Park Hill section of Clifton (https://expo.silive.com/news/g66l-2019/05/f81896e0453928/check-out-the-new-wutang-district-in-the-park-hill-section-of-clifton.html)
By Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance | Posted May 04, 2019 at 07:03 PM

https://expo.advance.net/img/fef300f187/width960/b9a_img3188.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance

STATEN ISLAND N.Y. --The streets of Park Hill are officially “The Wu-Tang District."

The rain didn’t stop Staten Island residents from honoring the world-famous rap group who hails from the Park Hill section of Clifton.

Hundreds of supporters filled the streets as Councilwoman Debbie Rose (D-North Shore)highlighted their struggles, achievements and fame.

Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Charles Fall (D-North Shore) also made appearances at the ceremony prior to the unveiling.

“This is a great day where we have an opportunity to honor our own hometown heros, the young men who put Staten Island on the map internationally. They overcame all types of challenges, to not only become rap artist and hip-hop artist but to inspire and challenge the music world,” said council woman Debbie Rose.

Following the unveiling, Wu-Tang members celebrated with close family and friends at The Richmond in Stapleton.

https://expo.advance.net/img/80095035c5/width960/b93_img3043.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance
Congressman Max Rose showed his support at the Wu-Tang Clan's day-long celebration in the Park Hill section of Clifton on May 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri)

https://expo.advance.net/img/c13ef7ee9b/width960/471_img3293.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance
The corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Targee Street has been renamed the Wu-Tang Clan District in recognition of their contribution to Staten Island. May 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Alexandra Salmieri)

https://expo.advance.net/img/7d16bed149/width960/ff1_img3148.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance
Wu-Tang Clan members gathered on stage to share their thanks with the Staten Island community. “The real value is in the love, to help you see all things clearly,” said Cappadonna.

https://expo.advance.net/img/0bb3d07370/width960/b58_img3023.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance
Staten Island artist Gano Grills stands in front of the mural he painted to honor the Wu-Tang Clan in the Park Hill section of Clifton on May 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Alexandra Salmieri)

https://expo.advance.net/img/146d500681/width960/516_img3232.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance
The corner of Vanderbilt Avenue and Targee Street has been renamed the Wu-Tang Clan District in recognition of their contribution to Staten Island. May 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri)

https://expo.advance.net/img/fb21920288/width960/092_img3026.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance
Assemblyman Charles Fall with Staten Island native Daniella Kelly White at the Wu-Tang Clan's day-long celebration in the Park Hill section of Clifton on May 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/Alexandra Salmieri)

https://expo.advance.net/img/8891df49c6/width960/227_img3308.jpeg
Alexandra Salmieri | For the Staten Island Advance
Scenes from the VIP after party at The Richmond in Stapleton on May 4, 2019. (Staten Island Advance/ Alexandra Salmieri)

There are a lot more pix. I only linked the first few...

GeneChing

06-04-2019, 08:39 AM

Wu-Tang Clan brings “Enter The Wu Tang: 36 Chambers” to Shoreline on June 22. I'm so there.

Miley Cyrus Sings "Drugs Rule Everything Around Me" on Her Wu-Tang-Inspired Song "D.R.E.AM." (https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-books-music/a27663787/miley-cyrus-dream-lyrics-meaning/)
👀👀👀
BY ERICA GONZALES
MAY 31 2019, 1:54 AM EDT

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/miley-cyrus-performs-at-the-radio-1-big-weekend-at-stewart-news-photo-1151662951-1559244598.jpg?crop=0.747xw:1.00xh;0.107xw,0&resize=980:*
JO HALE GETTY IMAGES

Miley Cyrus is back on her music grind with a six-track EP, She Is Coming, her follow-up to her 2017 album Younger Now. The project just released at midnight, but one song is already getting a lot of attention: "D.R.E.A.M." (Drugs Rule Everything Around Me) featuring Ghostface Killah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfHuPEgkaIE

The track is an obvious reference to Wu-Tang Clan's legendary 1993 hip-hop hit, "C.R.E.AM. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)," if the title and feature artist didn't already give that away. Miley even samples "C.R.E.A.M." on the song. (Wu-Tang originally sampled 1967's "As Long as I've Got You" by The Charmels for their version of the track.)

continued next post

GeneChing

06-04-2019, 08:39 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwAxmrE194

It's possible Miley got the group's blessing if she was able to get the sample cleared and managed to get Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah to drop a verse in the outro. But considering the amount of backlash Cyrus has received on social media for her take on hip-hop during her Bangerz era, it's unclear how this collaboration will ride with rap fans.

Possible critics aside, Miley's take on the Wu-Tang classic is an airy, chilled-out pop tune honoring the singer's party lifestyle. "Wake up with new tattoos on my body / Drugs rule everything around me," she sings in part of the chorus.

Read all of the lyrics to "D.R.E.A.M." below.

You're in my bed uninvited
It's fine 'cause I'm in a mood
Hope you don't mind if I spike it
We'll drink it, just me and you

And you know we're gonna be alright
We'll be sleeping on a red-eye flight
Keep up with me 'til the end of the night
And we're just gettin' started

Always last to leave the party
Drugs rule everything around me
Wake up with new tattoos on my body
Drugs rule everything around me
Hit the ghost, raise a toast, pop the molly
I can go toe to toe, like I'm Olly
We're all tryna feel the lonely
Drugs rule everything around me

Drugs rule everything around me
Drugs rule everything around me

These planes are all UFOs
And this city's in outer space
It's better than where we came from
I think that we both should stay

'Cause you know we're gonna be alright
We'll be ****ing on a red-eye flight
Keep up with me 'til the end of the night
And we're just gettin' started

Always last to leave the party
Drugs rule everything around me
Wake up with new tattoos on my body
Drugs rule everything around me
Hit the ghost, raise a toast, pop the molly
All the girls in my room look like Dolly
We're all tryna feel the lonely
Drugs rule everything around me

(Drugs rule everything around me)
Drugs rule everything around me
Drugs rule everything around me
Drugs rule everything around me
Drugs rule everything around me

[Outro: Ghostface Killah]
The drugs rule everything around me
You could call me a king
I got it all in my store, you should crown me
Purple Perc, sticky green Mollies, sipping lean
Got the white that's sure to light the floor like in "Billie Jean"
Scarface nights (Nights)
500 thousand on the pinkie, Broadway ice (Ice)
We throw bangers at weddings and y'all throw rice (Rice)
Lollapalooza, Coachella custies, that's my type
Party all night

THREADS
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin - RZA live score (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70256-The-36th-Chamber-of-Shaolin-RZA-live-score)
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

06-21-2019, 08:54 AM

Who's gonna be inna house? I'll be volunteering with Rock Med. Stop by and say 'hi'!

22 JUN
Wu-Tang Clan Tickets
Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View, California (http://www.mountainviewamphitheater.com/events/wu-tang-clan/#.XQz5e-tKipo)

Wu-Tang Clan comes to Shoreline Amphitheatre on Saturday 22nd June 2019 to Bring Da Ruckus!!! Wu-Tang celebrates the 25th anniversary of their iconic debut album Enter The Wu Tang: 36 Chambers this year, and they're bringing the party to Mountain View! One hell of a party it's gonna be too, with special guests Eric B & Rakim, De La Soul, The Pharcyde & More! Don't miss this incredible once-in-a-lifetime show!

http://www.mountainviewamphitheater.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/wu-tang-live-2019-shoreline-1.png

Bursting onto the hip hop scene in 1993 with the single "Protect Ya Neck", Staten Island-based hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan has been hailed by many as the greatest rap group of all time. Originally formed of East Coast rappers RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty *******, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa, the group has released four gold and platinum studio albums since its formation in 1991, and its debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993), is considered one of the greatest albums in hip-hop history. An extensive number of rappers and groups are affiliated with Wu-Tang Clan, who launched many of their careers, and they are known collectively as the Wu-Tang Killa Bees. Their eighth and most recent studio album, The Saga Continues, was released in October 2017.

http://www.mountainviewamphitheater.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/wu-tang-2019-shoreline-2.png

GeneChing

06-25-2019, 08:51 AM

https://scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/b837dc2b8b21bbda725d04539db37409/5DB76346/t51.2885-15/e35/s1080x1080/64317358_2345375398872346_4029328669466312916_n.jp g?_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/65121810_10214251755589660_6860357296329850880_o.j pg?_nc_cat=105&_nc_eui2=AeEecCz6Y6q1DM71iBNU2Vo1gSi9DFz6QY6Bi7uhU _02_Nyw77eY8he5e2PdPXzdVf13LvKP_Q6CAxSBrrFte-qDCvT6AMewuZwVcl7fZ9Xy-w&_nc_oc=AQmwkZnzSix8yYnUCqaHHff5FQv72u5gQsyHfG3SdK5 DZOyLX5u6xMPO7V-of3isz84&_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.xx&oh=0ec79e637d550f75bb6f94c5d57fb350&oe=5D8B776E

THREADS
Into The Badlands (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?67844-Into-The-Badlands)
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

07-29-2019, 08:16 AM

More on Sophia here. (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?43333-Shi-Yan-Ming-amp-Shaolin-Temple-USA&p=1309060#post1309060)

Former RZA, ODB, and D'Angelo Manager Sophia Chang to Tell Her Story in New Audiobook Memoir (https://www.complex.com/music/2019/07/sophia-chang-memoir-rza-gza-odb-dangelo)
BY SHAWN SETARO
Shawn is a Senior Staff Writer at Complex and the host of The Cipher, a critically acclaimed hip-hop podcast that conducts in-depth interviews with the genre’s most interesting and important figures.
Shawn is also the former editor-in-chief of Rap Genius, and has written about music and culture for Forbes, The Atlantic, Vibe, The Source, GQ, Esquire, The Sondheim Review, and more.
JUL 25, 2019

https://images.complex.com/complex/images/c_limit,dpr_auto,q_90,w_720/fl_lossy,pg_1/x9jdavuetkubhdwm2w3p/sophia-chang-cropped
Image via Publicist

If you watched the recent Wu-Tang Clan documentary Of Mics and Men or listened to the powerful 2017 podcast Mogul about the late Chris Lighty, you no doubt recall Sophia Chang. Chang, a memorable interview subject in both projects, calls herself "the first Asian woman in hip-hop," and she has the resumé to back up the title.

She has worked at record labels, including stints as General Manager of both RZA's Razor Sharp Records and Joey Badass' Pro Era Records. But Chang is best known for her time as a manager, with an all-star roster of clients: Wu-Tang members RZA, GZA, and Ol' Dirty *******; neo-soul heroes D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq; Q-Tip; and more. ("I'm really hardwired to manage people," she explained to Complex.)

Now, after a career of helping great artists tell their stories, Chang is getting ready to tell her own. Her audio memoir The Baddest ***** in the Room (put out by Audible and Reese Witherspoon's company Hello Sunshine) comes out on Sept. 26, and is available for pre-order starting today (July 25).

https://images.complex.com/images/fl_lossy,q_auto/bsuwqzwitvgj9hcmbv8o/sophia-chang-cover
Image via Publicist

Chang will be narrating the memoir herself, which she told Complex was absolutely crucial. To make the point, she quoted an old friend.

"I voiced the book myself because I think it's really important that people are exposed to my voice both figuratively as well as literally. RZA says, 'My tongue is my sword.' That's very much how I look at myself. I'm a petite Asian woman who did not come into this industry having wealth, power, fame. So what I had to do was work really, really hard, and part of crafting my persona and my identity was sharpening my blade. In kung fu, we say, 'Sharpen your blade every day.' So, not only do I train in kung fu every day, but I also hone the way that I speak, and my voice is my most powerful weapon and tool for myself and to speak on behalf of others."

Chang, who in recent years has started a new career in public speaking, says that the memoir provides her with an additional way to get her message out, and to honor the people who have been alongside her for her journey.

"I'm really grateful that Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine and Audible gave me this opportunity and believed that my story was also worthy of telling," she elaborates. "And now that I have the opportunity to tell my story, I'm really grateful that I can share a lot of how other people have been so influential and loving and gracious and generous. That's a range of people from somebody like a Joey Ramone [who Chang met on her very first trip to New York City] that tipped it off, to my mentor Michael Ostin, to Wu-Tang, to the friends that sit around my dinner table, to the extraordinary women in my life. I always talk about the mother****ing village that raised me, and that village comprises all of those people. I get to honor those relationships, and I'm grateful for that."

Baddest ***** in the Room can be pre-ordered here. Chang is coy about details, but says her audio memoir "will be like no other. This audiobook will be a game changer." You can hear an excerpt, in which she talks about her relationship with Wu-Tang, below.

THREADS
Shi Yan Ming & Shaolin Temple USA (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?43333-Shi-Yan-Ming-amp-Shaolin-Temple-USA)
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

08-23-2019, 03:02 PM

Wu-Tang Clan To Replace Die Antwoord At 2019 Riot Fest Following ****phobic Slur Backlash (https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.52541/title.wu-tang-clan-to-replace-die-antwoord-at-2019-riot-fest-following-****phobic-slur-backlash)
August 21, 2019 | 2:28 PM
by Dana Scott

https://static.hiphopdx.com/2018/11/181107-wu-tang-clan-getty-800x600.jpg
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

CHICAGO, IL – The 2019 Riot Fest organizers announced via social media that Die Antwoord has been dropped from its lineup and revealed Wednesday (August 21) that Wu-Tang Clan will fill that slot for its show on September 14 in Chicago.

The eclectic South African “zef” Hip Hop group and was taken off the bill Tuesday after a recent viral video shows the South African group had used ****phobic slurs.

Die Antwoord was also dropped from the 2019 Louder Than Life festival stemming from group members Ninja and ¥o-landi Visser seen in a 2012 video using ****phobic slurs during a physical altercation in Australia against DJ Andy Butler from dance music collective Hercule & Love Affair.

Ninja defended his attack in a statement released via Die Antwoord’s Facebook page on August 18 that the attack on Butler wasn’t a hate crime, but rather “just a fight with someone who ****ed with us.”

“This fight had nothing to with the fact that this guy was gay. We dont care about people’s sexual preference,” Ninja said. “Our DJ and best friend DJ HITEK is gay, and alot of people in our crew are gay.

“But if a person (no matter what their sexual preference it) keeps harrassing us over and over, then physically harrasses ¥o-landi, there will obviously be repercussion.”

Die Antwoord’s producer and DJ Hi-Tek is not to be confused with Talib Kweli’s former Reflection Eternal producer DJ Hi-Tek.

The Riot Fest will occur between September 13-15 in Chicago’s Douglas Park.

THREADS
Die Antwoord (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?58359-Die-Antwoord)
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

10-11-2019, 08:00 AM

https://www.okayplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1171325351-1440x600.jpg

Sophia Chang — Woman Who Helped Guide the Career of the Wu-Tang Clan, Q-Tip & More — is Finally Telling Her Story [Interview] (https://www.okayplayer.com/music/sophia-chang-wu-tang-baddest-*****-in-the-room-memoir-interview.html)
POSTED BY DIMAS SANFIORENZO 19 HOURS AGO

https://www.okayplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Sophia-Chang_headshot-768x1151.jpg
Photo Credit: Dana Scruggs

We sat down with industry veteran Sophia Chang, who just released her memoir The Baddest ***** in the Room. She talked about her career, public speaking, her relationship with Chris Lighty, and imagining Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.” video with women at the table.
“My name is Sophia Chang, and I was raised by Wu-Tang.”

Usually, that would make for an amazing greeting. But it’s one of the last things Sophia Chang tells me during our 40-minute phone conversation we have just days after her memoir, the Audible Originals The Baddest ***** in the Room, is published. It’s a hell of a line, one she’s probably said dozens of times during her 30-year career working in music.

It’s not hyperbole, either. In the early ’90s, Chang was a pivotal behind the scenes player in music, working in various departments from A&R to promotions to management. Over the years she collaborated and rubbed shoulders with a wide spectrum of artists: like Paul Simon, Q-Tip, Redman, and Chris Lighty. But it was the Wu-Tang Clan who she really bonded with and who, she says, “claimed” her. She met the Clan in 1993, right when they released their debut single, “Protect Ya Neck,” and almost instantly sparked a friendship with the group. Often called “Wu-Tang’s muse,” she has, at various points in her career, managed RZA, Ol’ Dirty *******, and the GZA.

Despite her resume in rap music— she says she’s the “first Asian in hip-hop” — only a small portion of The Baddest *****, which was released on September 26th, is centered around hip-hop. There is a love component here. In the mid-’90s she started learning kung fu and fell in love with a Shallon Monk named Shi Yan Ming. She left the music industry behind and put a majority of her time and effort into building Yan Ming’s brand and maintaining his Manhattan-based temple. The two would eventually go on to have two kids together before going their separate ways. (During this time there were early plans on expanding Ming’s temple.)

After making her way back into the music industry — in various stints, including working in a senior position at Universal Music Group — Chang started to realize she spent her life helping craft the stories of men. It was time to tell her own story.

The Baddest ***** in the Room is a compelling listen, mainly because Chang is an expert storyteller. She’s great with details and she isn’t scared to be vulnerable in public. (At various points in the book you hear her voice crack while telling an emotional story.) Lots of artists are mentioned in the book. But nothing ever feels gossipy. Sophia made a conscientious effort to keep the story centered around her and the many geniuses that orbited her. In this book, Chang is the Sun. The memoir is also super interactive; throughout you hear (sometimes grainy) audio clips from the likes of RZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raphael Saadiq, hip-hop feminist Joan Morgan and more.

I recently sat down with Sophia Chang to talk about the making of the book, her relationship with Chris Lighty, and imagining Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.” video with women at the table.

Check out the interview below.

Could you have written this book 15 years ago?
No. I wasn’t ready to write it 15 years ago. I still wasn’t interested in telling my story. I didn’t yet think that it was worthy of telling. Also, 15 years ago, my children were two and four…and [at those ages] you’re in the thick of it. There’s no way I would’ve been ready. I was still with my ex. I was running this temple. [There] was way too much going on.

Did you have an epiphany moment?
There were two things that happened. I started working at Universal Music Group. And I took on a number of young women fresh out of college — many of them 22 at the time — as mentees. It occurred to me, given my vast experience, having worked so many different jobs in so many different sectors, I could use my experience to help teach people. That was number one. Number two: [Sheryl Sandberg’s book] Lean In came out. Lean In had some really great messages. But that is written from a very specific perspective, and I had originally conceived of this book as a Lean In for women of color.

It turned into a very traditional chronological memoir. But I do really hope that people, particularly women of color, glean messages from it.
continued next post

GeneChing

10-11-2019, 08:02 AM

https://www.okayplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1177313798.jpg
Photo Credit: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

You left a career in music essentially for love and family.
It wasn’t a conscious decision. It’s not like I sat there and said, “OK Sophia, you’re leaving this world and now you’re going to into that world.” It was a pretty organic transition, and I didn’t really think that hard about it.

One of my editors asked me when I was writing, “Did you ever regret leaving any of those jobs?” And as a personal philosophical philosophy, I do not believe in regret. I don’t experience regret like that. So if I **** up — and I **** up plenty — I am regretful that I’ve hurt somebody’s feelings and then I address it and I apologize. As somebody who is self-analyzing ,self-interrogating, self-critical, and self-renewing, I am constantly taking stock of what it is that I do, how I behave, and how I could have modified my behavior for a better outcome.

That means that once I make that analysis that I am learning something — learning something means that I have gained a lesson. A lesson, to me, is a gift. So I don’t live with regret in general and I never looked back. It wasn’t until I was writing this memoir that I went, “Wow, you know what? I might be a record company president right now.” And there’s no part of me that says “****! I made the wrong decision.” Because it wasn’t just for love that I left. It was also because I believed so deeply in Yan Ming and his vision for building the Shaolin Temple in upstate New York.

Why do you think Wu-Tang hovered towards you in the beginning?
When I met Wu-Tang it was before the album came out, but everybody knew they were going to be huge. We only had to hear “Protect ya Neck” once to know, Oh ****, these guys are going to blow the **** up. So there were hundreds of people around them, all clamoring for access. And here comes this petite Asian, Canadian woman in the midst of them.

They just plucked me out of the crowd and they not only welcomed me, they claimed me. Now why do I think that was? I never had an agenda. I never had ulterior motives. I had [three] things: I was a devoted fan, but there were plenty of those. Number two: I love them deeply as people. And number three: I only ever wanted what was in their best interest. I say in my memoir being embraced by the Clan was amazing because I felt truly seen. And my friend said, “You know, don’t you think it’s possible that they would say the same thing? That when they met you, they felt seen because they were seen in one way. and then here comes Sophia Chang and you just cut through everything and you see them for their humanity?”

The bonus content [on the book] to me is some of the richest content. I specifically asked Ghostface Killa and Raekwon this question, “Why me, you guys, why did you choose me?” And they both put it up to the Most High. They both said “It’s God’s plan, Soph. You were supposed to be there with us.” Ghost was like “You’re like sunshine, Soph.” And Raekwon said “You were a gift to us. You were instrumental in the things that we did.” And I never knew they thought of me that way. I just thought that I was somebody that they loved dearly who was just kind of in the midst.

The other thing that Ghost said is “You never ever changed. Ever.” And Busta Rhymes said this to me last year, he said, “You’re the most consistent person I’ve ever met in hip-hop. We met you before Leaders of the New School was signed. When I had my solo career. When I was up, when I was down. You never changed.”

One of the things I found interesting is that you talk about how you learned about your Asian roots through hip-hop.
I am Asian, and I was born and raised in Vancouver. So I am a yellow girl in a white world. And what I wanted more than anything, when I was a kid, was to be white. And then in 12th grade, I hear “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and it’s an amazing song. And of course the lyrics are incredible and the beats are amazing.

I understand now, in retrospect, but I think that one of the things that really struck me was that I was hearing a song about a story about people of color by people of color as opposed to what I saw. Which, when I saw people of color, it was all through Hollywood’s lens, which is a white male lens. And so hip-hop to me was so much about agency in storytelling and defiance and pride. And I never ever seen that before. So that was really regulatory. And then I moved to New York, I get into hip-hop, and I’m very close friends with many of the artists in the Native Tongues movement: De La Soul, Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Latifa, Monie Love, Leaders of the New School. And, you know, they’re part of this Afro-centric movement, which focuses a lot on yearning for a deeper connection to Africa — their motherland.

And so that kind of sparked curiosity in me. And it makes me think about my own connection to my own continent, which is Asia. Korean was my first language. I lost it in my desire to assimilate. I wanted to be white. I didn’t think that Asian men were attractive. At one point. I didn’t like Korean food, like it was just this very broad, really wide rejection of my culture. And then I meet Wu-Tang clan. They were raised in Staten Island and they call their borough Shaolin and their whole ethos on [Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)] was all about Kung-fu movies and John Woo movies.

So not only am I seeing this really incredible, robust culture of period martial arts movies, but now I’m getting a lens on modern age masculinity through John Woo’s eyes. And you know his muse is Chow Yun-fat and Chow Yun-fat, to me, is like the handsomest man that’s ever walked this planet. That was also regulatory for me. And so their respect for, and reverence and love of Asian culture helped open my eyes to it, but it wasn’t until I met them that I let all of the blocks fall away. It was kind of through the chambers of Wu-Tang that I ultimately came back to myself.

If it wasn’t for Wu-Tang, I wouldn’t have started training in Kung-Fu. I wouldn’t have met Yan Ming. If didn’t meet Yan Ming I wouldn’t have my children. I mean I owe a lot to the Wu-Tang clan.

In the book you talk about the last time you saw Ol’ Dirty ******* and the fact that he just wasn’t present. Was there any part of you that wanted to sugarcoat that story?
One of the things that I think listeners will be struck by is how many times I say “God rest his soul” or “God rest her soul” in my memoir. I’m only 54 years old and other than my father — God rest his soul — who was 80 when he passed, everybody that I lose leaves in an untimely fashion. I think that, yes, naturally it was hard for me to write and it was hard for me to narrate. You know, that’s one of the things that I knew about my memoir, and that it was going to be an audiobook: I insisted that I had to read it I had to be the voice behind the story. Because another reader — let’s say we’d hired a professional actor — they would not have been able to emote the way that I did, especially when it came to loss.

And in terms of sugarcoating things or holding things back, there’s plenty more I could have put in this memoir. I’ve been around famous people for 32 years, but I never intended to write a tell-all. I’m not interested in that. If somebody came along to me today and said, “Sophia, I’ll give you $5 million if you’ll write the tell-all, and you’ll tell us all the dirt on all the famous people you know” I wouldn’t even hesitate, to say no. I have no interest in telling anybody else’s story unless it is part of my narrative.

So when I was shopping my book deal — and it was competitive — there were two things that I said, and I said the same thing when I was looking around for agents: number one is that it’s my voice. I write this ****. I am far from the best writer in the world, but I’ll tell you what, I’m not going to ****ing let somebody else try to capture my voice. Number two: I refuse to write a book about being with greatness, meaning hanging out with celebrities because that is, to me, an exercise in narcissism.

I found Chris Lighty to be a very interesting and mysterious presence in the book. Did you, did you ever feel like you fully understood him?
Yeah. I think I fully understood him, but did I know everything that was going on in his life? No. And I think those are two different things.

I knew who Chris Lighty was, but I didn’t know the burden that he was bearing. I couldn’t say I understand everything that was going on in his life. But I understood Chris. Absolutely I did.
continued next post

GeneChing

10-11-2019, 08:02 AM

What do you tell people who have questions about the music industry in general? Like what are things you tell them that wish you knew as a 22-year-old?
Let’s reframe the question. I was in the music business, pre-digital, so it’s very, very different. I’m in an industry that is flushed with cash, so everything is different. So let’s reframe it this way. What would I tell a 22-year-old getting into the business now? If they want to manage artists, I say, “OK, go ahead and do it. But you better be OK with not making any money unless you’re somehow going to manage an artist who already has a robust touring merchandise and endorsement or sponsorship career because otherwise you’re not making money.” And that’s OK. I don’t care. You don’t have to make money. But you have to know that going in. And for that reason, be passionate about your artists because you will go in and you will be their proxy and you will need to sell the **** out of them.

They have to be on top of everything because hopefully when get as big and successful as you want, they’re going to be many, many, many balls in the air. Raphael Sadiq said about me, ” Soph, you never let a ball drop.” And RZA said “You’re the most organized person I ever met.” And those might sound like banal skills. What I realized now is [how imporant] those things are when you have so much stuff going on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwAxmrE194

I love the part in the book when you talk about helping Rakeon with the “C.R.E.A.M” video, and you mentioned how there shouldn’t be women in the video. But, looking back, you now wish you had women in there around the table as CEOs.
My ideas about everything are still evolving. I’m sure there are things that I wrote and that I say today that in a few years I’m going to say, “well that was stupid” or “that was ignorant.” You know, I’m still learning. I’m just constantly evolving and pushing myself to be better. And I surround myself with people who are smarter than me, who can check me if necessary.

There’s a line in my memoir where I say, “Rae, you know what I love about Wu-Tang and about the [36 Chambers] album is that there are no women in it.” He’s like, “yeah, you get it Soph.” And then I said to him, “What I do… the 28-year-old me is happy because there are no women in it because they were so objectified at the time. But the 54-year-old me wishes that you’d put a woman in there at the table with you as your peer. “And he was like, of course Soph, but it’s a different time. He totally understood that.

So yeah, things change, you know, hopefully we continue to evolve and we continue to get smarter and better and we just keep growing.

Is there anything you want to add?
What’s next for me, is public speaking. It’s not even that it’s next. I started public speaking before I even wrote a book. I know that God put me on this planet to put a mic in my hand and have me on stage, you know, just like an MC, except I’m not a talented artist like that.

I honestly think I’m the greatest public speaker I’ve ever seen. I mean that from the bottom of my ****ing heart. I don’t think there’s anybody better than me. And I don’t think there’s anybody that can deliver my message. Who could deliver my message? My name is Sophia Chang, and I was raised by Wu-Tang. I’m the Korean-Canadian immigrant who was a French literature major who was raised by Wu-Tang Clan and who was partnered with and had children and ran the business of a Shaolin monk. So all of that kind of crazy diverse experiences hone this voice and this voice is supposed to be shared with the world.

I mean, RZA knew it. He was like, “I can hear you. I can imagine that you are going to be in arenas talking to 25,000 people.”

https://www.okayplayer.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/GettyImages-1171325351-768x512.jpg
Photo Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for Audible

I've been doing the Sophia Chang (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71525-Sophia-Chang) thread a disservice by not copying it to the Wu Forever (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!) thread.[/QUOTE]

GeneChing

01-30-2020, 09:09 AM

https://images1.miaminewtimes.com/imager/u/745xauto/11470568/size_adjusted_wu_tang_clan_photo.jpgPhoto by Kyle Christy

Wu-Tang Clan's RZA: III Points 2020 Will Mark "a New Display of Our Creativity and Talent" (https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/kanye-west-hosting-super-bowl-sunday-service-in-miami-11466956)
KAT BEIN | JANUARY 30, 2020 | 8:40AM

RZA's last great Miami memory includes a potent mixture of weed, '70s kung fu flicks, and tequila shots till sunrise. It was April 2018, and the Wu-Tang Clan figurehead had come to town to headline III Points' annual 4/20-themed event, III Joints. For his performance, RZA crafted a live hip-hop soundtrack to The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, a Hong Kong cinema classic and seminal text in the Wu canon. It was half rap concert, half film screening, and all serious smoke-out.

“Everybody was really smoking and sippin',” RZA remembers. “There was moments where the audience was just engaged by what was on the screen, but there was moments where the audience gave in to the hip-hop performance that was happening, jumping up and down, throw your hands up in the air [stuff]. That was a very unique experience: outdoors, Miami, and the weather was beautiful.”

When III Joints wrapped, RZA and crew took the party to the downtown Miami nightclub Floyd. Shortly after joining Call Super — the DJ visiting that night — behind the booth, the rapper, producer, and all-around creative force let the Miami spirit take over, found a mike, and began MC'ing over the house mix bumping through the venue. Soon enough, dancers were being invited up for free tequila shots from Bobby Digital himself.

“I definitely was pouring a lot of shots into a lot of glasses,” he recalls. “One thing about me: When I party and I get loose, I just go with the flow.”

Things will undoubtedly flow once again come May, when the full Wu-Tang Clan will join RZA for a headlining set at III Points' full-fledged music festival. The Clan is preparing to mark the start of the 2020s as a new era for the group and will arrive in Miami armed with a whole new set list and stage production.

It's a welcome return: Since 2015, a member of Wu-Tang has played at least one III Points event per year. Ghostface Killah was the first to come through in 2015, followed by a hyped-up performance from Method Man and Wu affiliate Redman in 2016. III Points brought the full Clan through for a standalone concert during Art Basel 2017 and then called upon RZA for the 2018 edition of III Joints. Last year's festival saw a return from Ghostface, joined by Raekwon for a full performance of the 1995 classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

“I mean, we love Miami, right?” RZA says. “It's always iconic to go there; we get that good Cuban food. Usually I don't eat until after the show, but I eat twice before the show [in Miami]. When invitations come from that city, we're trying to RSVP. If you guys want us to come, we want to come, and that's what we do.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTKnsujsIw8

Wu-Tang Clan's last performance in Miami was heavy on songs from the group's seminal 1993 debut LP, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

“It was sold-out to capacity,” RZA recalls, “and the energy was high. On that particular night, we actually brought in our stage set from New York, where we turned the stage to look like our neighborhood. What a night – I mean, what a weekend.”

This year, the group brought on a new creative developer, who, along with the long-term team, is designing a new stage production intended to bring the Wu-niverse into a new dimension. The set list is also getting a major face-lift, a treat for any Killer Bees looking for more solo Wu members and full Clan deep cuts during live shows.

“There's a lot of great songs in the catalog that don't get a lot of concert play for whatever reason,” RZA says. “The first call we had this week was changing our set list in a more cinematic, dynamic way."

It makes sense that RZA and the Clan would want to update their presentation for a new decade: vivid imagery and a flair for the theatrical have always been cornerstones of the Wu-Tang aesthetic. Across the group's discography, songs and albums are filled with movie samples and sound effects that help graft indelible imagery onto listeners' minds.

“Wu-Tang came out even before DVDs,” RZA laughs. “That may not sound like reality, but it is. There was no TV in your headrest; that didn't happen 'till late '96, '97.

"When we made 36 Chambers, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., and Liquid Swords, Ironman, the goal was that the audience would have an audiovisual experience; I was trying to make movies with those albums," he continues. "I'm from the generation of New Yorkers that, for good and bad reasons, used to travel out of state. Whether it was traveling down to Howard University to go to homecoming, on to Atlanta Freaknik, or going down to South Beach... I made [Wu-Tang Clan's music] with the idea of helping that road trip be cool for you.”

While the exact dimension and flavor of Wu-Tang's 2020 III Points headline set can't yet be defined, RZA is **** sure it's gonna be a movie of its own.

“We're striving — and I say 'striving' because you've got to strive, and if you get it, get it,” he says, "but we are striving to make this a new display of our creativity and our talent through our concerts. You guys will be among some of the first to see it this year.”

Indeed, the Wu hasn't held a single stateside performance since its popular Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga first aired late last year. Animated by all of the renewed hype, RZA and the Clan are ready to ride a wave of innovation into the next chapter of their ongoing story.

“We have a lot of new fans getting engaged by us,” he says. “We're just looking forward to getting in front of them with the crew. This is foundation, and [we want] people to understand why Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to eff with.”

III Points 2020. With Wu-Tang Clan, Robyn, the Strokes, Disclosure, and others. Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2, at Mana Wynwood, 318 NW 23rd St., Miami; 305-573-0371; manawynwood.com. Tickets cost $99 to $249 via iiipoints.com.

They're coming to the Oracle on February 21. Hopefully I can make that.

THREADS
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever)
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin - RZA live score (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70256-The-36th-Chamber-of-Shaolin-RZA-live-score)

GeneChing

02-24-2020, 09:52 AM

And to think...I put the RZA on the cover over 20 years ago...

http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/images/mzine/1999-4cover.jpg
SEP 1999 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=1195)

Hip-hop’s obsession with combat imagery is about more than violence (https://theconversation.com/hip-hops-obsession-with-combat-imagery-is-about-more-than-violence-131851)
February 24, 2020 10.53am EST

Warrick Moses
Postdoctoral Fellow in Hip-Hop Studies, University College Cork

Disclosure statement
Warrick Moses receives funding from the European Research Council as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the CIPHER Hip Hop Interpellation project, hosted by University College Cork, Ireland.
Partners
University College Cork
University College Cork provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

https://images.theconversation.com/files/316834/original/file-20200224-24655-buzp1c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=12%2C18%2C2032%2C1342&q=45&auto=format&w=926&fit=clip
Members of Wu-Tang Clan at Glastonbury 2019. The group took their name from the 1983 Kung Fu film Shaolin and Wu Tang. Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

On Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em, legendary New York MC Rakim proclaims: “I’m the arsenal, I got artillery, lyrics are ammo….”

Senegalese-born French rapper MC Solaar compares his mic to body armour and warns listeners about his cache of lyrical bullets halfway through La Concubine de l’Hémoglobine (The Haemoglobin Concubine): “…le mic est devenu ma tenue combat … le Solaarsenal est équipé de balles vocales …”.

Kendrick Lamar refers to himself as Kung Fu Kenny throughout the album ****, a reference to Don Cheadle’s character in the 2001 buddy cop and martial arts film Rush Hour 2 starring Jackie Chan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glaG64Ao7sM&feature=emb_logo

As all these examples confirm, it’s a common practice for rappers to equate verbal prowess with martial skill. MCs “spit” incendiary lines. Breakdancers “battle” for supremacy on the dance floor. DJs “cut” samples to their own liking. Graffiti artists “bomb” public spaces with tags.

Critics of hip-hop music and culture denounce such imagery as encouraging actual violence. They often cite graphic examples from commercial American “gangsta rap” to make their case. Yet from the research in which I have been involved, there’s a whole other way of looking at this imagery that casts hip-hop in a very different light.

continued next post

GeneChing

02-24-2020, 09:53 AM

Planet rap

Musicologist Griff Rollefson offers a different view of this tendency for hip-hop MCs to use their “words as weapons”. For members of marginalised communities, he argues, hip-hop potentially offers “a discursive and performative field in which to vent frustrations, enact fantasies, build confidence and formulate plots”. It’s a cathartic space free from threat of physical harm or retaliation from authorities.

I would argue that the metaphors of combat in global hip-hop are often concerned with messages of empowerment and social action. The seeming violence of such expressions serves as a means for practitioners to channel their dissatisfaction with adverse social conditions through creative artistry. On her 2019 track Land of Gray, for instance, South African MC Yugen Blakrok “dismembers a fascist” with her incisive “verbal blades”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qceP35fafc&feature=emb_logo

In another instance, Japanese rapper Zeebra fires off a lyrical “bullet of truth”, changing listeners’ thought patterns and “slowly directing brain cells” toward more enlightened ways of being (Saishu Heiki, 2005).

continued next post

GeneChing

02-24-2020, 09:55 AM

Musical art to martial art

At a time when issues of migration, secession and isolationism dominate, an in-depth study of the impact of global forms of hip-hop marks an important change in political and cultural perspectives. As part of the CIPHER initiative, Rollfeson, the researcher Jason Ng and I are investigating hip-hop’s social importance and re-evaluating its stigmas. The aim is to shift the focus from a strictly US context to look at models from around the world.

Rollefson’s idea that hip-hop is a “martial art” is a part of this approach. Not only does it position rap within its contemporary context but it also considers the culture’s deep indebtedness to Kung Fu cinematic lore and East Asian philosophy.

Take the Wu-Tang Clan’s debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The title references the classic martial arts movies Enter the Dragon (1973) starring Bruce Lee, and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin (1978).

Busta Rhymes’ video for the 1997 track Dangerous, directed by Hype Williams (who made some of the period’s most well-known hip-hop videos), takes its inspiration from the 1985 classic The Last Dragon.

Ask any old-skool hip-hop head “Who is the master?” and they’ll answer, “Sho’nuff!”. This scene is played out in the music video with Rhymes taking the role of martial arts master Sho’nuff. For brown and black kids growing up in the socioeconomically repressed Bronx of the 1980s, what’s a more aspirational narrative, what’s more hip-hop, than the tale of a lone warrior acting decisively, but only when provoked?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b6P12eiLpo&feature=emb_logo

This influence also manifests globally, but in very different ways. Irish MC Jun Tzu (his nom de guerre a nod to Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu), often highlights the continued need for unity in his hometown of Belfast after the Troubles. In the single Klik Klak – the title imitating the sound of a pistol being racked and readied to fire – the South African rapper Cream declares: “I’m Jackie Chan with a pen… I defend rappers in my clan…”

Just as martial arts principles are handed down from teacher to disciple, hip-hop MCs spread ideological “truths” through their music. Global practitioners of hip-hop in particular prioritise a resistive aesthetic – an awareness of cultural identity, personal expression and a fundamental “knowledge of self” in their work.

The notion of hip-hop as a martial art also helps to illustrate the community-oriented ethos of the culture. In the cipher, which is the name given to hip-hop performance gatherings, MCs hone their skills and “sharpen their blades” in lyrical combat. This rite of passage, where performers are called on to demonstrate their talents and be evaluated by peers, exemplifies the “each one teach one” approach that characterises much of global hip-hop.

THREADS
Kung-Fu Music (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?36569-Kung-Fu-Music)
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever)

GeneChing

08-14-2020, 08:54 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vQhCFm--cI

GeneChing

02-08-2021, 10:47 AM

CHINA'S FUMING OVER CANADIAN DIPLOMAT ORDERING PRINTED 'WU-HAN' T-SHIRTS WITH WU-TANG CLAN LOGO (https://mixmag.net/read/china-canadian-diplomat-t-shirts-wuhan-wu-tang-clan-news)
The Canadian Embassy has apologised for the 'Wu-han' T-shirts with the Wu-Tang logo

DAVE TURNER 2 FEBRUARY 2021

https://mixmag.net/assets/uploads/images/_columns2/wuhanchinatshirt.jpg
China is fuming over a Canadian diplomat reportedly ordering T-shirts with the word 'Wu-Han' printed in what looks like the Wu-Tang Clan logo.

Those familiar with Wu-Tang will know the hip hop group's logo resembles a bat, the animal that is rumoured to have started the coronavirus in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Images of the order - which Canada has apologised for circulated on Chinese social media site Weibo. The order was apparently made last year, says the Canadian embassy.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: “We are very shocked by this and have lodged representations with Canada, asking for a thorough investigation and a clear explanation."

The Canadian embassy told Reuters: “The T-shirt logo designed by a member of the Embassy shows a stylized W, and is not intended to represent a bat. It was created for the team of Embassy staff working on repatriation of Canadians from Wuhan in early 2020. We regret the misunderstanding."

Although Wu-Tang Clan have nothing to do with the T-shirts, the group's ethos stems from Shaolin, a style of Chinese kung fu. Their name and debut album 'Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' takes inspiration from 1983 Hong Kong martial arts film Shaolin and Wu Tang.

Read this next: Netflix to make a film about Martin Shkreli buying Wu-Tang Clan's one-off album

Wu-Tang's RZA was nominated for Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music For a Documentary Series or Special category at the Emmys last year, for his work on Hulu show Wu-Tang: An American Saga.

Despite COVID-19 originating in Wuhan - and the city making up a high amount of deaths in China - life is more or less back to normal there. Back in August, a packed pool party with thousands in attendance was thrown.

Watch our interview from 2019 with Wu-Tang Clan below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXlhW0bxOSk&feature=emb_logo

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Commercial Content Editor, follow him on Twitter

threads
Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia)
Wu-Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

03-03-2021, 02:04 PM

See RZA + Alamo Drafthouse introduce The Flying Guillotine | 360° Tour (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!&p=1311458#post1311458)

ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE CINEMA FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY (https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/alamo-drafthouse-cinema-chapter-11-bankruptcy?)
6 hours ago by: Gaius Bolling

https://www.joblo.com/assets/images/joblo/news/2021/03/alamo-drafthouse-chapter-11-bankruptcy.jpg

Texas-based theater chain, Alamo Drafthouse, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The filing comes along with an asset purchase agreement with Altamont Capital Partners, a previous investor in the company. A new backer, Fortress Investment Group, and its affiliates are also a part of the purchase agreement.

Chapter 11 does sound like doom and gloom for the theater chain that became a big hit with moviegoers due to its focus on the movie fans and their dine-in service but this filing will give the chain the capital it needs to allow operations to run as normal as they emerge from the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like most exhibitors, Alamo Drafthouse locations were closed for months beginning last March.

Alamo Drafthouse is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and runs roughly 40 locations with other prominent locations being Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and Northern Virginia. As part of the bankruptcy filing, Alama Drafthouse will close down a few underperforming locations and restructure their lease obligations. There is no word as of yet which locations will be closed due to the filing. Founder Tim League will remain involved with the company and among the lender group buying assets and Shelli Taylor, who will be assuming the role of CEO, had this to say about the latest turn of events:

"Alamo Drafthouse had one of its most successful years in the company’s history in 2019 with the launch of its first Los Angeles theater and box office revenue that outperformed the rest of the industry. We’re excited to work with our partners at Altamont Capital Partners and Fortress Investment Group to continue on that path of growth on the other side of the pandemic, and we want to ensure the public that we expect no disruption to our business and no impact on franchise operations, employees and customers in our locations that are currently operating."
The news about Alamo Drafthouse comes on the heels of what could be a return to semi-normal theater operations just around the corner. Shuttered theaters in New York City are set to reopen on March 5, 2021, and Los Angeles is reportedly mere weeks from announcing that their theaters will be reopening as well, albeit, at limited capacity. Many exhibitors believe that there will likely be a revival of moviegoing by the summer as vaccinations continue to increase. Oddly enough in Texas, where Alamo Drafthouse is headquartered, the mask mandate was just lifted and they reopening their state at 100 percent capacity.

Alamo Drafthouse is known for its love for cinephiles and its focus on the pure theatrical experience. They have hosted numerous fan events that are movie-related and they are known for enforcing rules, such as "no talking", with a much stricter policy than other chains. I'm happy that this filing allows them to operate as normal but bummed for the underperforming locations that will have to close in the near future. There is the concern that the new partners involved may try to change things down the line but that's something we'll have to wait and see. The pandemic has certainly kneecapped the exhibition business but hopefully, all of these signs of reopening are an indication that they're coming out on the other side of it.

THREADS
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
Kung Fu Restaurants & Bars (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?51971-Kung-Fu-Restaurants-amp-Bars)
Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71666-Coronavirus-(COVID-19)-Wuhan-Pneumonia&p=1318812&highlight=alamo+drafthouse#post1318812)

GeneChing

04-01-2021, 09:14 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01EE-bweGhY

GeneChing

04-23-2021, 11:53 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sj3sVywp54

THREADS
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin - RZA live score (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70256-The-36th-Chamber-of-Shaolin-RZA-live-score)
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

04-23-2021, 04:33 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qTrUgqmprM

THREADS
The 36th Chamber of Shaolin - RZA live score (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70256-The-36th-Chamber-of-Shaolin-RZA-live-score)
Wu Forever! (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
36-Cinema (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72038-36-Cinema)

GeneChing

07-03-2022, 11:51 AM

Wu-Tang Clan igloo cooler ad (https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1920/1289/t/308/assets/Untitled3-1654290128594.mp4#t=0.01)

I'm shocked that this Yanxu and wasn't Yanming (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?43333-Shi-Yan-Ming-amp-Shaolin-Temple-USA).

May-June-2012 (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?63156-May-June-2012)
Wu-Forever! (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)

GeneChing

12-14-2022, 09:34 AM

How Han Chiang of Han Dynasty turned a themed dinner into friendships with his hip-hop heroes (https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/music/han-dynasty-wu-tang-clan-dinner-20221213.html)
The 15-course tasting dinner is inspired by the rap supergroup's first album — and has drawn guests from GZA to Masta Killah.

https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/y4e_JzZD3pwa518BqQQZ-xa7xxY=/0x0:2400x1601/700x467/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/BI7Y5ZKVQFATNKES6G2BLQ3HXE.jpg
Han Dynasty owner Han Chiang poses with Wu-Tang Clan's Masta Killah at a 15-course tasting dinner inspired by the group's seminal album "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)."
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
by Beatrice Forman
Updated Dec 13, 2022

A Chinese restaurant owner, a member of the Wu-Tang Clan, and a guy from South Jersey walk into a bar.

Actually, it wasn’t a bar. It was the University City location of Han Dynasty for Monday night’s Wu-Tang Beer Dinner, a 15-course family-style Sichuan meal with 15 beer pairings that’s loosely inspired by Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the rap group’s seminal first album.

Now in its seventh year, the dinner’s vibe is very nightclub-meets-potluck: Jamel “Masta Killah” Irief (another Wu-Tang member) presided over the room, there were flavored blunt wraps at each table to encourage some undercover puffing and passing, and diners were instructed to eat and talk with complete strangers.

Owner Han Chiang, 43, said the dinner has roots in his Lancaster County upbringing, where, as a Taiwanese immigrant, Chiang said he was the only Asian student in a majority white school.

“I was dealing with a lot of racism back then, so I almost exclusively listened to a lot of angry music,” Chiang told The Inquirer. “Now, [Wu-Tang ’s] music feels different. I’m not as angry any more.”

For the diners, the tasting is the realization of a fandom fantasy, where they get to slurp noodles and slug beer in the presence of hip-hop royalty for $145 a pop.

But for Chiang, the event is a childhood dream realized: He’s forged friendships with group members like Raekwon, GZA, and Method Man, who filmed the music video for his song “Big Sky” in one of Chiang’s New York City restaurants.

“It was a dream come true,” Chiang said. “If you build it, they will come.”

https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/VvzcQTgnVTKrZoOE-oFZxEATTXg=/800x530/smart/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/JN4HTWG3A5DTLKZCFPNRXACUFI.jpg
Owner Han Chiang holds court at the restaurant's annual Wu-Tang Beer Dinner, which drew around 100 diners.
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

Now regarded as one of the most significant albums of the 1990s, Enter the Wu’s mixture of cipher-style rhymes, hardcore production, and East Asian influence has left a traceable imprint on hip-hop. The group’s lore has spawned a scripted series on Hulu, a spot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and, yes, another Wu-Tang-themed dinner in Seattle.

Here, the album lends an aura to the menu, but Chiang said the event was originally supposed to be a literal interpretation of the 36 chambers: 36 courses spread across breakfast, lunch, and dinner and three of his restaurants. Monday’s menu was a mixture of traditional Sichuan favorites, from cumin-spiced lamb with shrimp crackers to snapper topped with peppercorns on the vine and a flaky pineapple-stuffed puff pastry for dessert.

Attendees skewed Gen-X and white, with a sprinkle of 20-something hypebeasts thrown in. Some were casual listeners, while others were longtime fans.

For Tina and Rodney (who didn’t want to provide their last names because of the undercover puffing and passing), the pair of engaged ex “secret office lovers” who now live in Mt. Airy, it was a trip back in time.

“Tonight takes me back to my late teens and early twenties, wearing Timbs and baggy jeans, and smoking blunts,” said Rodney, who was a freshman at West Chester University when Wu-Tang’s first single “Protect Ya Neck” dropped. (He later went on to write a paper on the song “C.R.E.A.M” for a literature class, which he did not deem an academic success).

Others were Wu-Tang rookies: One guy said he listened to a song and half before attending, but Chiang’s cooking was actually the bigger the draw.

https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/kziHLkqsU6tOV8r8oYKc-4Csa7Q=/800x529/smart/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/ZMHP4HW7FRCNZB4TFYBTS6D6ZQ.jpg
At Han Dynasty's annual Wu-Tang Beer Dinner, guests are encouraged to sit with strangers (and maybe pass around a joint).
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

When Chiang started throwing the tasting in 2014, he didn’t have authorization from the group. Then, Greg “G” Provost — the WPRB 103.3 FM DJ who was the first to play Wu-Tang on the radio and still works with the group on Philly appearances — caught wind.

“I found out on Facebook, and when I looked at the menu, I saw pork everywhere, and I got mad. How are you going to do a Wu-Tang dinner and have pork on the menu when they’re totally against pork?” Provost, who is from South Jersey, said, referencing several of the group members’ Muslim faith.

As Provost tells it, he marched down to the restaurant to tell Chiang: “I said, ‘It’s cool you guys are doing this, but it’s really disrespectful for pork to be on the menu.’”

Chiang apologized and swapped pork for beef. A few weeks later, Provost invited him backstage to a GZA concert, and soon, the trio was “smoking blunts and talking about everything — food, music, family.”

Chiang’s favorite memories from chilling with the Clan? A tie between a Christmas Eve visit to a strip club in Queens for Chiang’s birthday with Raekwon, and a trip to Atlanta to meet Raekwon’s family.

https://www.inquirer.com/resizer/tTlyN5qL_W45eLZnV_H8L5XJZ-s=/800x534/smart/filters:format(webp)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/pmn/F5TER2SJ2VHAXMGGFBDIEXETVE.jpg
Plates of Sweet Sesame Duck, one of 15 courses served at the Han Dynasty's annual Wu-Tang Beer Dinner in University City.
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer

“His mom cooked me the best Southern food I ever had,” Chiang recalled. “It was a special experience.”

Admittedly others have tried to fanboy their way into Wu-Tang ’s inner circle in the past. Disgraced “pharma bro” Martin Skreli paid $2 million dollars in 2015 for the only known copy of an unreleased album from the group, only to publicly fight the group as they tried to reclaim the album during his legal proceedings.

So, why then, is Chiang’s admiration different?

“What sticks out about Han is humbleness. I would’ve walked right by him,” said Masta Killah, who met Chiang for the first time at the dinner. Praise of Chiang’s cooking spread through the rap group, so Irief, who is vegan, was excited to try a specially-prepared menu just for him.

“Han’s real. He’s very dedicated and very, very intense, but he takes a lot of pride in his food … and that’s the thing,” Provost said. “A lot of people have money, but they don’t have his understanding.”

Published Dec. 13, 2022

Beatrice Forman
I'm a general assignments reporter who enjoys covering Philly-specific tomfoolery, both online and IRL.

Wu-Forever! (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49338-Wu-Forever!)
Kung-Fu-Restaurants-amp-Bars (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?51971-Kung-Fu-Restaurants-amp-Bars)

GeneChing

12-11-2023, 10:40 AM

Xbox Wu-Tang Clan Game Details Leak (https://gamerant.com/xbox-wu-tang-clan-game-leak/)
BY JOHN BONELLI
PUBLISHED 5 DAYS AGO
Project Shaolin, the Xbox game centered around the famous hip-hop collective the Wu-Tang Clan, leaks some key details about the title's gameplay.

https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/xbox-project-shaolin-wu-tang.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5
HIGHLIGHTS

Project Shaolin, a co-op melee combat game developed by Brass Lion Entertainment, will reportedly feature all nine members of the Wu-Tang Clan and incorporate their music into the gameplay.

According to leaks, the game will have a social space called "The Neighborhood" for players to enjoy music and engage in various activities, potentially with live service capabilities.

Project Shaolin is likely to be an Xbox console exclusive and may release on Xbox Game Pass in the future, with an official reveal yet to happen.

A new batch of key details have emerged about the Xbox Wu-Tang Clan game codenamed Project Shaolin. First reported back in 2021, Project Shaolin is an Xbox game described as a sort of hip-hop-infused third-person melee dungeon crawler with up to four-player co-op and a heavy helping of Wu-Tang's music and style.

Xbox has a lot of projects in the works at all of its internal studios, including Bethesda and Activision Blizzard. When it comes to third-party partnerships, Xbox also has some interesting games in development with several talented external studios as well. Contraband, a co-op heist game, is still in production at Avalanche Studios, the team behind Just Cause. The Hitman studio, IO Interactive, is collaborating on what seems like a fantasy title in Project Dragon. Xbox's partnership with Kojima Productions is still in play, as well as a handful of smaller titles like Ara: History Untold and Towerborne, both set to launch next year. One of Xbox's more intriguing partners is the beloved hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, teaming up for the co-op melee combat game known as Project Shaolin.

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It seems like development on one of these third-party projects is progressing quite well, as some key details about its gameplay and art design have surfaced. According to Insider Gaming, Project Shaolin, which is in its alpha stage of development at a newer studio named Brass Lion Entertainment, will allow players to play as all nine Wu-Tang Clan members. As expected, the title will heavily incorporate Wu-Tang Clan's beloved discography, and it'll even be fused with the game's third-person action combat.

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Interestingly, Project Shaolin will provide players with a social space called "The Neighborhood" where they'll be able to enjoy music and use vendors among other activities. The Neighborhood hub seems perfect for co-op, but the way it's described by Insider Gaming makes it seem like it's built with live service capabilities in mind. Insider Gaming added that Project Shaolin's art style is quite reminiscent of the Spider-Verse animated films, incorporating a stuttered frame rate for a more stylized visual effect. Project Shaolin won't be the first musically-focused Xbox game to feature an animated cartoon-like art style, as just this year Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fi Rush released to rave reviews and has been nominated for five categories at The Game Awards.

Will Project Shaolin Be an Xbox Console Exclusive?
Since Project Shaolin is being developed by Brass Lion Entertainment as part of a third-party partnership with Xbox, it's a safe bet that the Wu-Tang game will be exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem. Additionally, Project Shaolin might drop directly onto Xbox Game Pass when the time comes. Insider Gaming noted that the game still looks like it's one or two years away from being released, but it's possible that its official reveal could be coming sooner rather than later, perhaps at the imminent Game Awards.

Hopefully one of you gamers will have something to say about this...