Wu-Tang Clan at Rock the Bells: Wu as usual (with interviews)
The legacy of Wu-Tang Clan goes well beyond its music. Yes, they may be the greatest supergroup in Hip Hop’s history. Yes, they may have put out dozens of albums, both combined and solo. Yes, B.I.G. admitted to being a big fan of Wu and being influenced by it. So did Tupac. He even tried to sign them to his label before he died. So what is it that makes Wu-Tang different? Is it Method Man’s diverse background of being a rapper/actor and his crazy energy? Is it Raekwon’s lyrical talent? Is it Ghostface’s unmatched flow and speedy writing ability? Was it ODB’s charisma and at times bazaar behavior? Or is it the fact of 9 dope Hip Hop heads getting together and staying together to create some phenomenal music? Yes, yes, yes and yes and so many more reasons on top of that.
Wu at the 2007 Rock the Bells was like a beautiful tale of Hip Hop mastery and unity and love and peace and smiles and great energy. When Mef and Street Life (Wu’s newest addition) stood on the edge of the stage rapping with the charisma and talent of rap superstars it was Wu as usual. When Ghostface gripped the mic and fiercely and almost angrily spit his verse it was Wu as usual. When Rae and Mef exchanged the spotlight with the utmost respect for each other taking turns to rap it was Wu as usual. When GZA stood proudly on the stage facing the crowd and looking into the sky above as he rocked the mic it was Wu as usual. When Mef walked on people and went crowd surfing laughing and having fun it was Wu as usual. And when the entire group stood on stage with left foot down and the right foot on the stage amp all rapping into the mics for 10s of thousands of fans to enjoy it was definitely Wu as usual.
RZA celebrating his birthday with the entire Wu, friends and family after the show… Method Man laughing as he and Mos Def greeted each other… Ghostface Killah giving his intense look of constant focus to everyone and no one at all… Inspectah Deck covering his eyes with the darkest shades as usual… Raekwon talking to a small group on the side… RZA keeping his serious face and breaking into unscheduled smiles just looking at the group he’s built and produced… U-God chilling by the Wu trailer… ODB’s tribute on stage as it is at every Wu show… Redman coming to join Wu for a song in the middle of their set… Seven (Mef’s road manager) running around as always crazed before the set… Yep, Wu as usual. But so much more!
See their photos from these 2 days of Rock the Bells in NY on Randall’s Island and reminisce if you were there or kick yourself if you couldn’t make it (WORDSnTUNES to the rescue).
Dmitriy Goldin
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