Booking Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan Biography

The Wu-Tang Clan is an American rap group formed in Staten Island, New York, in 1992. The original members include RZA, GZA Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. In the 1980s, both Gary Grice and Robert Diggs formed a group with Russell Jones under the names The Genius and Prince Rakeem, respectively. They released solo projects after splitting but were soon released from their labels. They regrouped and began releasing music under the names GZA and RZA, respectively, and met Dennis Coles, known as Ghostface Killah, in 1991. In late 1992 the group officially formed with RZA leading the way and him along with Ol’ Dirty Bastard coming up with the name the Wu-Tang Clan.

In 1993 they Wu-Tang their independent single “Protect Ya  Neck,” which amassed a cult following in New York City. Eventually, RCA signed the group and they released their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in November of that year. It received mass critical acclaim and is regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. It helped Wu-Tang be regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all-time and ascended the members to newfound levels of fame. The embers went on to release successful solo projects and side releases. Cappadonna then joined the crew in 1995. The second album, Wu-Tang Forever, dropped in 1997 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. After this, RZA was no longer overseeing all projects and the focus shifted to the artists as individuals as well as affiliated artists. Two more albums were released to much critical acclaim in the early 2000s. Ol’ Dirty Bastard died in 2004 and it took three years for the Wu-Tang Clan to drop another album.

Wu-Tang’s debut album has been certified triple Platinum and peaked at #41 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on the Billboard Rap Album charts. “Protect Ya Neck” was popular and the record also included their most successful single to date, “C.R.E.A.M.” It was certified Gold and peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200. Wu-Tang Forever debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified quadruple Platinum. Wu-Tang’s following albums, The W and Iron Flag were certified Platinum and Gold and debuted at #5 and #32 on the Billboard 200 chart, respectively. They have released a total of 8 studio albums and 7 songs that have charted on the Billboard Rap charts.

The Clan’s last effort, the 2017 album The Saga Continues, featured every member aside from U-God. It debuted at #15 on the Billboard 200. Recently, the Clan’s history have been compiled into a TV show on Hulu entitled “Wu-Tang: An American Saga.” They also released their first EP entitled Wu-Tang: Of Mics and Men.