Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The 36 Chambers

For some the legend of the Wu-Tang starts in the 70’s when Hong Kong cinema began producing a series of low budget Kung Fu flicks that captivated the minds of only the most devout martial arts film fans. But for most people in America, the legend of the Wu-Tang begins with Enter the 36 Chambers; one of the most enduring rap group debuts ever to drop, an album which simultaneously solidified the early 90’s New York rap renaissance and Wu-Tang clan’s place in music history. Enter the 36 Chambers painted a vivid picture of the harsh ghetto of New York’s Staten Island a.k.a. the Shaolin. For these young men of the slums, negativity and danger surrounded them at every turn, so in order to combat this environment these used their tongues like sharpened samurai swords. The album is filled with top notch lyricism, from red hot punch lines to the intricate stories and descriptions which show us the world through their eyes. At the time these mc’s are fresh and at the top of their form, especially Ol’ Dirty Bastard. But this album wouldn’t be a classic if it wasn’t for the RZA’s razor sharp production of obscure soul samples, kung fu movies audio samples, sound effects and other rare music samples, all within a backbone of gritty analog drums. It is almost as if this flawless, sonic patchwork tapestry has a ghostly life of its own. This is definitely the type of album you must listen to beginning to end. When you finish the album one thing will remain clear: Wu-Tang clan ain’t nothin to fuck with.