Wu-Tang Forever

	Email		Print
	Bookmark		Link

Wu-Tang Forever

Wu-Tang Forever was the long-awaited follow-up to the Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan

The Wu-Tang Clan is a New York City?based hip hop group. Wu-Tang Clan consists of nine United States rapping: RZA, GZA, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard....
's first album

Album

An album or record album is a collection of related Sound recording and reproduction or music tracks distributed to the public. The most common way is through commercial distribution, although smaller artists will often distribute directly to the public by selling their albums at live concerts or on their websites....
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Enter the Wu-Tang is the debut album of United States East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, released November 9, 1993 on Loud Records and distributed through RCA Records....
. It was released on June 3, 1997 as a double album and, despite limited radio and TV airplay, the album debuted at #1 in the U.S. with 650,000 copies sold in its first week. It also debuted at #1 in the UK and Canada. The album has sold over 8,000,000 copies worldwide to date.

The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1998 Grammy Awards, but lost to Puff Daddy's No Way Out.

Discussion

Ask a question about 'Wu-Tang Forever'

Start a new discussion about 'Wu-Tang Forever'

Answer questions from other users

Full Discussion Forum

Encyclopedia

Wu-Tang Forever was the long-awaited follow-up to the Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan

Album

Ol' Dirty Bastard

Russell Tyrone Jones was an American rapper who went by the stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard . He was one of the founding members of the hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan....
interrupted Shawn Colvin

Shawn Colvin

Shawn Colvin is a Grammy Award-winning United States singing, songwriter and musician....
's Song of the Year acceptance speech to protest the loss in the Best Rap Album category, saying that he spent a lot of money on an expensive suit with expectations of winning, and proclaiming "Wu-Tang is for the children".

Overview

The sound of the album is built significantly on the sounds of the previous three solo albums, with RZA

RZA

Robert F. Diggs , better known as RZA , is an United States Grammy winning music producer, rapper, and occasional actor. A prominent figure in hip hop music, he is the de facto leader of the hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan....
using more keyboards and string samples, as well as assigning some of the album's production to his protégés True Master

Wu-Tang Clan affiliates

The hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan has various "affiliates" which receive support, financial and otherwise, from the Wu-Tang Clan. This is a list of musical groups and producers that are officially affiliated with the group, mostly through the RZA....
. The group's lyrics differed significantly from those of 36 Chambers, with many verses written in a dense stream-of-consciousness form heavily influenced by the teachings of the Five Percent Nation.

Wu-Tang Forever also marked the end of The RZA's "five year plan". After Forevers success, The RZA ceased to oversee all aspects of Wu-Tang product as he had done previously, delegating much of his existing role to associates such as Oli "Power" Grant and his brother Mitchell "Divine" Diggs. This move was designed to expand Wu-Tang's reach in hip-hop and take advantage of financial opportunities for the group. In keeping with this move, a large amount of Wu-Tang product (both musical and otherwise; example Wu-Wear) was to be released over the next two years.

Critical reaction
Due to the success of the group's debut and subsequent solo albums, expectations of both fans and critics were high for this album's release. Stephen Thomas Erlewine - writing for Allmusic - stated:

Track listing

Disc one

# Title Time Producer(s) Performer(s)
1 Wu-Revolution 6:46 RZA
RZA

Robert F. Diggs , better known as RZA , is an United States Grammy winning music producer, rapper, and occasional actor. A prominent figure in hip hop music, he is the de facto leader of the hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan....
Popa Wu & Uncle Pete
2 Reunited (feat. Roxanne) 5:21 RZA
Intro/outro: Roxanne
First verse: GZA
GZA

Gary Grice , better known by his stage name GZA , is an United States hip hop music artist best known as a founding member of seminal hip hop group the Wu-Tang Clan and for his inclusion on their group albums, his groupmates' solo releases and a successful solo career....
Second verse: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Ol' Dirty Bastard

Russell Tyrone Jones was an American rapper who went by the stage name Ol' Dirty Bastard . He was one of the founding members of the hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan....
Third verse: The RZA
Fourth verse: Method Man
Method Man

Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man, is an United Statesn hip hop music, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop culture collective Wu-Tang Clan....
3 For Heaven's Sake (feat. Cappadonna) 4:13 RZA
Samples "Don't Leave Me Lonely" by King Floyd
King Floyd

King Floyd was a New Orleans soul music singing and songwriter, best known for his Top 40 hit record from 1970, "Groove Me".Early career...
First verse: Inspectah Deck
Inspectah Deck

Jason Hunter , better known as Inspectah Deck, is an United States rapping, Record producer, and Acting. A founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan, he has not achieved the same level of success in his solo career as some of his fellow Clansmen ; nevertheless, he has continued to release material into the late 2000's....
Second verse: Masta Killa
Masta Killa

Elgin Turner , better known as Masta Killa, is an United States rapping and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Though one of the lesser-known members of the group and on their debut album was only in one song: "Da Mystery of Chessboxin" in which he had the last verse....
Third verse: Cappadonna
Cappadonna

Darryl Hill, best known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an United States rapper, friend of the Wu-Tang Clan. He has appeared on many of their albums, as well as having a successful solo career....
4 Cash Still Rules/Scary Hours (Still Don't Nothing Move But the Money) 3:01 4th Disciple
Wu-Tang Clan affiliates

The hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan has various "affiliates" which receive support, financial and otherwise, from the Wu-Tang Clan. This is a list of musical groups and producers that are officially affiliated with the group, mostly through the RZA....
First verse: Raekwon
Raekwon

Corey Woods, better known by the stage name Raekwon , is an United States East Coast hip hop rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. His 1995 album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is widely considered to be one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums, and one of the finest and most influential hip hop albums of the 1990s....
Second verse: Method Man
Third verse: Ghostface Killah
Ghostface Killah

Dennis Coles , better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapping and member of the Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the early- to mid-1990s, each member went on to pursue a solo career....
5 Visionz 3:09 Inspectah Deck
First verse: Method Man
Second verse: Raekwon
Third verse: Masta Killa
Fourth verse: Inspectah Deck
Fifth verse: Ghostface Killah
6 As High as Wu-Tang Get 2:37 RZA
Intro/Chorus: Ol' Dirty Bastard
First verse: GZA
Second verse: Method Man
7 Severe Punishment 4:49 RZA
First verse: U-God
U-God

Lamont Jody Hawkins , better known as U-God, is an United States hip hop music and member of the hip hop culture collective, Wu-Tang Clan....
Second verse: GZA
Third verse: Raekwon
Fourth verse: The RZA
Fifth verse: Masta Killa
8 Older Gods 3:05 4th Disciple
First verse: Ghostface Killah
Second verse: Raekwon
Chorus: Ghostface Killah & Raekwon
Third verse: GZA
9 Maria 2:55 RZA
Samples "I Love You More than You'll Ever Know" by Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears

Blood, Sweat & Tears is an United States music group, originally formed in 1967 in New York City. Since its beginnings in 1967, the band has gone through numerous iterations with varying personnel and has encompassed a multitude of musical styles....
& "Get out of My Life, Woman" by Lee Dorsey
Lee Dorsey

Lee Dorsey was an Afro-American pop music/Rhythm and blues singing during the 1960s. Much of his work was record producer by Allen Toussaint with instrumental backing provided by The Meters....
Intro/First verse: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Second verse: Cappadonna
Third verse: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Fourth verse: The RZA
10 A Better Tomorrow 4:55 4th Disciple
Samples "A Time For Us" by Peter Nero
Peter Nero

Peter Nero is an United States pianist and pop music Conductor ....
Intro/First verse/chorus: Inspectah Deck
Second verse/chorus: Masta Killa
Third verse: U-God
Fourth verse: The RZA
Fifth verse: Method Man
11 It's Yourz 4:17 RZA
Samples "Black Grass" by Wilbur 'Bad' Bascomb
First verse: Raekwon
Second verse & Chorus: U-God
Third verse & Chorus : The RZA
Fourth verse: Inspectah Deck
Fifth verse: Ghostface Killah

Disc two

# Title Time Producer(s) Performer(s)
1 Intro 2:02 RZA The RZA & GZA
2 Triumph
Triumph (Wu-Tang Clan song)

"Triumph" is a single released by Wu-Tang Clan, from their 1997 in music album Wu-Tang Forever. Unusually for a single, the song does not have a refrain....
(feat. Cappadonna) 5:38 RZA
Intro: Ol' Dirty Bastard
First verse: Inspectah Deck
Second verse: Method Man
Third verse: Cappadonna
Intermission: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Fourth verse: U-God
Fifth verse: The RZA
Sixth verse: GZA
Seventh verse: Masta Killa
Eighth verse: Ghostface Killah
Ninth verse: Raekwon
3 Impossible (feat. Tekitha) 4:28 4th Disciple
Co-produced by RZA
Samples Pathetique Sonata by Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He was a crucial figure in the transitional period between the Classical music era and Romantic music eras in classical music, and remains one of the most acclaimed and influential composers of all time....
Chorus: Tekitha
Wu-Tang Clan affiliates

The hip hop music group Wu-Tang Clan has various "affiliates" which receive support, financial and otherwise, from the Wu-Tang Clan. This is a list of musical groups and producers that are officially affiliated with the group, mostly through the RZA....
First verse: The RZA
Second verse: U-God
Third verse: Ghostface Killah
Outro: Raekwon
4 Little Ghetto Boys (feat. Cappadonna) 4:49 RZA
Samples "Little Ghetto Boy" by Donny Hathaway
Donny Hathaway

Donny Edward Hathaway was an Grammy Award-winning United States soul music musician. He signed with Atlantic Records in 1969, and with his first single "The Ghetto " , Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music." His collaborations with Roberta Flack took him to the top of the charts and won him the Grammy Awa...
First verse: Raekwon
Second verse: Cappadonna
5 Deadly Melody (feat. Streetlife) 4:20 RZA
Intro & first verse: Masta Killa
Second verse: U-God
Third verse: The RZA
Fourth verse: Method Man
Fifth verse: The RZA, Masta Killa, U-God & GZA
Sixth verse: Method Man
Seventh verse: Streetlife
Eighth verse: Ghostface Killah
Ninth verse: Streetlife
6 The City 4:05 4th Disciple
Samples "Living For the City
Living for the City

"Living for the City" is a 1973 hit single by Stevie Wonder for the Tamla label, from his Innervisions album. Reaching #8 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and #1 on the Billboard Black Singles chart, the record is driven by a slow bass synth groove that manages to exude a certain amount of tension, an appropriate soundscape for the a...
" by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty US top ten hits, won twenty-two Grammy Awards , plus one for Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, won an Academy Award for Best Song, an...
Inspectah Deck
7 The Projects 3:17 RZA
Intro & first verse: Raekwon
Chorus : U-God & Raekwon
Second verse: Method Man
Third verse: Ghostface Killah
8 Bells of War 5:12 RZA
Samples "Sneakin' in the Back" by Tom Scott
Tom Scott (musician)

Tom Scott is an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, Conducting and bandleader of the west coast jazz/jazz fusion ensemble L.A. Express....
First verse: U-God
Second verse: Method Man
Third verse: The RZA
Fourth verse: Masta Killa
Interlude: Method Man & Raekwon
Fifth verse: Ghostface Killah
Outro: The RZA
9 The M.G.M. 2:38 True Master
True Master

True Master is an United States hip-hop record producer and very occasional rapper. He is closely affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan and an original member of its production team, sometimes referred to as Wu-Elements....
Ghostface Killah & Raekwon
10 Dog Shit 3:34 RZA Ol' Dirty Bastard
11 Duck Seazon 5:42 RZA
Intro & first verse: Raekwon
Second verse: The RZA
Third verse: Method Man
Fourth verse: Raekwon
12 Hellz Wind Staff
Hell's Wind Staff

Hell's Wind Staff is a popular 1979 kung fu film....
4:52 RZA
First verse: Streetlife
Second verse: Ghostface Killah
Third verse: Inspectah Deck
Fourth verse: Method Man
Fifth verse: The RZA
Sixth verse: Raekwon
13 Heaterz (feat. Cappadonna) 5:26 True Master
First verse: Raekwon
Second verse: Inspectah Deck
Third verse: Ol' Dirty Bastard
Fourth verse: U-God
Fifth verse: Cappadonna
14 Black Shampoo 3:49 RZA U-God
15 Second Coming 4:39 RZA Tekitha
16 The Closing 2:37 RZA Raekwon

International release only

# Title Time Producer(s) Performer(s)
17 Sunshower 6:11 RZA RZA
18 Project (International Remix) 4:34 RZA
Intro: Shyheim
First verse: Raekwon
Chorus: U-God & Raekwon
Second verse: Method Man
Third verse: Ghostface Killah

Album singles

Released: August 4, 1997
B-side: "Projects International Remix" (European Version only)>
Single information
"It's Yourz"
Released: September 23, 1997
B-side:
"Reunited - The Remixes" [Non Album Single]
Released: March 30, 1998
B-side:

Chart positions

Album

Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200
Billboard 200

The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling Albums and extended play in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine....
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums Top Canadian Albums Top UK Albums
1997 Wu-Tang Forever #1 #1 (18 Weeks) #1 #1

In the UK, it fell from #1 to #14 - the biggest fall from the summit in that chart's history.

Singles

Year Song Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1997 "It's Yourz" #75 #21 #7

Personnel

Ney Pimentel - Artwork, Art Direction, Design, Layout Design
Sherin Baday - Photography, A&R
Bob Berg - Photography
Carlos Bess - Mixing, Mixing Engineer
Cappadonna - Performer
Dennis Coles - Executive Producer
Tom Coyne - Mastering
Mitchell Diggs - Executive Producer
Robert Diggs - Executive Producer
Divine - Production Coordination
Fourth Disciple - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
Arlene Godfrey - A&R
Oli Grant - Executive Producer
Scott Harding - Mixing, Mixing Engineer
Che Harris - A&R
Inspectah Deck - Producer, Mixing
Laurie Marks - A&R
Philippe McClelland - Photography
Shawn Mortenson - Photography
Eugene Nastasi - Editing
P.O.W.E.R. - Production Coordination
Michael "Wolf" Reaves - Mixing
RZA - Producer, Engineer, Mixing, Assistant Producer
Troy Staton - Mixing
True Master - Producer, Engineer, Mixing