Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) at 30

Yo Ho, WeRCatz here!

On November 9, 1993, Loud Records released Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) performed by the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. It would change the landscape of hip-hop forever and serve as a major influence for East Coast rappers to emerge.

Influenced by martial arts films, comics, teachings of the Five-Percent Nation, and living in the streets of New York, the Wu-Tang Clan debuted at a time when hip hop was progressive and jazz-influenced.

The effects of Wu-Tang Clan’s success is profound. The album explained what was going on in the streets and expressed their messages in a raw, hard way. The samples of classic Kung Fu films complement the soul samples while producer RZA pieces the lyrical and musical content using minimalism; you don’t need to be complex to be profound.

So far, there’s only a very limited edition coffee book that commemorates the 30th anniversary of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Perhaps there will be more events or items that will honor the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop groups that still rock the world.