How Can Hip-Hop Be Dead If Wu-Tang Is Forever?
Reunited Wu-Tang Clan to release new album on 15 year anniversary
 Wu-Tang Clan |
New York, NY (August 15, 2007) – Fresh off the sold-out Rock The Bells run, Wu-Tang Clan shows no signs of slowing down. It's been six years since Wu-Tang has released a studio album, and on November 13, 2007, the reunited band will release The 8 Diagrams on Wu Music Group/LOUD/SRC/Universal. This album will also drop 15 years to the month since the release of their historical debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
"The RZA himself has called upon his Wu-Tang brothers to reunite and show the real unity and raw force of hip-hop. How can hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is Forever?" Wu-Tang producer RZA declares.
The 8 Diagrams also marks another reunion: A resurrection of Steve Rifkind's LOUD name on his SRC/Universal label. "The energy is just like it was, and it's needed in our industry same as back then," says Rifkind.
The 8 Diagrams contains new tracks by the eight remaining original members, as well as unreleased vocals by the late Ol'Dirty Bastard, which were recorded during sessions for the group's first album. The Wu will also pay tribute to ODB on a track called "Life Changes." Some of the diverse guest collaborators include: Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, and Dhani Harrison, the son of late Beatle George Harrison. Contributing on the production end are Easy Mo Bee and EPMD's DJ Scratch.
Debuting in 1993, the Staten Island, NY-based Wu-Tang Clan is one of the most revolutionary hip-hop acts of all time. Throwing out the pre-established formulas for breaking a rap group, Wu-Tang methodically released each album while cultivating the solo careers of all nine MCs.
After their breakthrough album, Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers), the Clan reconvened in 1997 for the much-anticipated double-album Wu-Tang Forever, which shot straight to #1 in every country the album was released. In 2000, the group released The W, and most recently, Iron Flag in 2001. With Wu-Tang's combined album sales reaching 25 million, they will once again prove that "Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to f**k with."
"I think the time is perfect right now," says Gary "Genius/GZA" Grice. "Hip-hop is missin' somethin' important - it's missin' a main element. And Wu-Tang is the one to bring that element."
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