Yall really dont like ABT?
I'm not saying it was the natural progression that anyone would have had in mind in 97, but let's be honest, the Clan was a lot different of an assortment of ppl in 93 than 97 than in 2014.
There's just a certain fire and fuck the world mentality they can't tap into anymore, it doesn't resonate with them. How could it, they're either rich or moderately well off and don't have near the struggle in their personal lives that existed in the cream days. Rae said that was a beat from 89 that had been under wraps for him by RZA (he asked for it and RZA kept his word).
Rae and Ghost bust guns at each other in the past. Ghost did a robbery before they went out to Steubenville right as Wu was making things happen.
That doesn't happen in 2014. Ghost isn't throwing 50 cent down stairs anymore. They don't have the raw aggression against the world in general or the rap world.
They're chilling, coming at the world on a peace tip. Supposedly even back in the recording stages of "The W", RZA was ripping mics on a Gravediggaz-esque tip. Rae told him to holp back and not rhyme on the album much. They're on a more subdued subtle god body tip rather than the hit you in the face with it like in 97.
I won't say this album was truly invigorating or satisfying in the true sense of the world. When it comes down to it, they can't relight the candle in the same way, but in life people change and Wu still do have some fire in their chambers; just in a different more relaxed way, ala Rae and GZA.
Doesn't mean they're not still spitting darts.
There was one day I was so high I didn't understand why people hate on 8D so much. I was talking to my friend who summed it up well; "It's just not wu tang music." It was a new progression and it was something heavy. Rushing elephants for example along with a few other cuts were powerful. Life changes is touching on the right day in a more spiritua way.
Anyway, today l fully understand that it's not the hard hitting shit that makes you want to take on whatever like Supa Ninjaz off the Pillage. I wish there was more of that shit in the world (outside Morocco). That said it's not really coming from the Wu. They're coming at the world like a respected uncle dropping jewels, not a hungry cat trying to flex on the world and show off their dexterity.
I thought Reunion, the track with the wake up sample, ruckus in b minor and a few more tracks were pretty unique and added to the discography as a whole.
At the end of the the day I'm really grateful to RZA. He was in a no win situation. The Clan is no longer hungry. We give Rae props for keeping the sound alive and he does no doubt, same for Ghost... but neither of them is dropping tracks like New Wu or the dilla track posse cut off obfcl2 on the regular. It comes out but Ghost is on more of a soul tip and even Cilva when asked how he got Rae to sound like he did on wedeping tiger had no real answer. Said Rae just did it.
The critics and fans were gonna pan RZA no matter what. No one was gonna be happy, clan members included who bitched about pay. RZA said he lost money on the album. Just wanted to put out a connclusion. About 8D he said something along the lines of "I know it's not the hard wu everyone's asking for, but it's more of an album for a sunday afternoon. It's another chamber."
I'm gonna be fully honest, it doesn't stand alongside Ironman. Probably not even for 30 seconds of any track. Still, ABT had some joints. Some truly good songs to come out of such a mess that the modern day clan created over money because RZA wanted to put out a closing album.
I'm not mad at that.
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Originally Posted by SATAN
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