The Wu-Tang Clan

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The Wu-Tang Clan were a group of nine members which included cousins and forefathers Robert Diggs (RZA) and Gary Grice (GZA), and close friends Dennis Cole (Ghostface Killah), Clifford Smith (Method Man), Russell Jones (Ol’ Dirty Bastard), Corey Woods (Raekwon), Lamont Hawkins (U-God), Jason Hunter (Inspectah Deck), and Jamal Turner (Masta Killah). They were rooted in the housing projects of Staten Island, New York, or better referred to as Shaolin in Wu lore, during the time that break dancing and MC battles were becoming popular. Like many rappers in that era, the Wu- Tang Clan strived to portray their everyday struggle in the hood. They wrote lyrics that depicted the violence they were raised with in both the streets and in their own households. …show more content…

He first surfaced in the rap game during the early '90s as a member of the rap group All In Together Now, a group from Staten Island, New York which also contained fellow Wu-Tang members such as GZA, or better nicknamed Genius for his creative lyrics, and Ol' Dirty Bastard. In 1987, after meeting the two future members of the group, RZA purchased a 4-track recorder and began working as a producer. Following his participation in All In Together Now, he signed to the famous rap label Tommy Boy under the name Prince Rakeem where he issued his first Extended Play Ooh We Love You Rakeem in 1991; a video was later released, and sent to popular music television stations. After his deal with Tommy Boy, RZA formed the Wu-Tang Clan together with fellow members Ol Dirty Bastard & GZA. In 1992, after RZA was on trial for attempted murder and later acquitted on the grounds of self defense, the group released an underground hit Protect Ya Neck which gained them attention from many record labels. They eventually were able to sign with Steve Rifkind’s Loud Records, where they were given a deal that gave the group members creative control and the freedom to negotiate solo projects with other

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