Red Bull Music Academy’s “Five Out of Five” series hit New York’s five boroughs this past week with a vengeance, including discussions and concerts over the course of five nights with featured artists Mobb Deep, Slick Rick, Black Moon, The Diplomats, and the Wu-Tang Clan.
At Eve Ultra Lounge in their home base of Staten Island, Wu-Tang members Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, and Raekwon shared little known secrets about two of Hip-Hop’s most classic albums: the group’s 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and Raekwon’s 1995 solo showcase, Only Built For Cuban Linx.
Raekwon and Ghostface, the Wu’s most open and outspoken members during the event, lent some candid commentary about their past, their mind-states during recording, the Wu’s legacy in rap, and much more. It was a night to remember, as Wu-Tang’s distinctive characters elicited laughter and nods from the Staten Island crowd from start to finish.
Alvin “Aqua” Blanco, author of The Wu-Tang Clan and RZA: A Trip Through Hip-Hop’s 36 Chambers, moderated the discussion, touching on the realness of Wu-Tang’s lyrics and the “Staten Island sound.” The Wu also shared how Masta Killa made his introduction as a member of the Clan on Chambers’ sixth track, “Da Mystery of Chessboxin.”
The conversation then found both Ghostface and Raekwon reminiscing on the creation of tracks from Rae’s Only Built For Cuban Linx, such as “Striving For Perfection,” “Incarcerated Scarfaces,” “Verbal Intercourse,” and “Meth vs. Chef.” Check out videos breaking down each one below:
Ghostface closed out the discussion with reflections on the importance of RZA to both the creation of the group and his role as their “general.” He was also asked about his favorite Wu album, to which the man also known as “Tony Starks” gave an honest and humorous response:
For more info on the Red Bull series, visit: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/RBMA-World-Tour-2011–New-York-Five-out-of-Five-021243089885519.