Concept sneaker in celebration of the release of Wu-Massacre, created by Mike Norris of Break Your Neck Urban Customs on Melrose in Los Angeles.

Biggie’s Life After Death album changed the face of New York rap. The massive double disc collection rewrote all the rules of the city, mainly by outsourcing the production to different houses, expanding upon the sounds and styles associated with the rapper. Songs like “Notorious Thugs” (feat. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony), “Fuckin You Tonight” (feat. R. Kelly) and “The World Is Filled” (feat. Too Short) showed it was okay for a NYC rapper to market himself to different audiences. After all, he could easily win back the hardrocks with songs like “10 Crack Commandments” or “Kick In The Door”. After that, we began to see every major rapper (Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z) do the same, in a formulaic approach that usually counted on DJ Premier for any respective rapper’s one hardcore hip-hop album track. This truly was the blueprint of hip-hop for the last decade.

Prior to this though, you had the Wu-Tang Clan writing the rules on how to make a hip-hop album in New York City, with classic records that featured virtually all in house production. This was an era when rappers defined their own sound, rather than hiring the hottest producers to define it for them. Unfortunately, in the post-Life After Death era, New York City seemed to have lost it’s way, and local acts like the Wu-Tang Clan were forced to rethink their strategies on how to create albums. The end result was a bunch of albums that were more concerned with the moment, rather than the legacy.

The music industry’s recent implosion is catastrophic on many levels, but one way that it is positive is that it actually encourages artists to make art. Raekwon proved this recently with Only Built For Cuban Linx 2, an album he recorded with no intention of blowing up or crossing over, and ended up producing the strongest piece of work to come from the Wu-Tang Clan in years. Quick to cash in on it’s success, Def Jam reunited Raekwon, Ghostface, and Method Man for a group project, allowing the trio to create a rugged hip-hop album, untainted by mountain climbing, electric-guitar playing, A&R’s.

As expected, the final product satisfies on every level, in a neatly packaged 30 minute LP that shows off tight production and razor sharp rhymes. It begins with a pair of sequel records that – in a rare occurrence – actually live up to their predecessors. “Criminology 2.5″ is a tweeked version of the original track, as Ghost and Meth pay homage to Raekwon’s original, while the rematch “Meth Vs. Chef 2″ completely outdoes the original with a dramatic track that ends in momma jokes.

The brief guest appearances on the record help round things like any Wu-Tang LP, keeping things interesting. The pimped out “Smooth Sailing” features a blistering verse from Street Life, while Solomon Childs delivers a hook more raw than anything Gucci Mane could muster. Later, the Scram Jones produced “Youngstown Hiest” is a well planned caper flick, directed by Ghostface Killah, Sheek Louch, and Trife Da God.

The production here is classic Wu-Tang, even if little handled by RZA. “Miranda” for instance is a hypnotic Mathematics banger, while “Dangerous” employs what sounds like an Ol’ Dirty vocal sample as the trio slides comfortably into their element. But the crown jewel is the lead single “Our Dreams”, where RZA outshines them all by samurai chopping a Michael Jackson sample into raw Shaolin goodness. That non-album Alicia Keys Ant Acid remix version also knocks.

Yes, this is a bit of a rush job, but you wouldn’t know it, as we haven’t seen consistancy from the Wu like this in years. The missing element of symbolic kung fu flim samples throughout the album may have tied it all together a little better than say, a Tracy Morgan skit, but in a package this tight, there isn’t a track worth skipping. While heads may complain about the album’s brief playtime, we’ll take an incredible 30 minute listen over a lackluster 74 minute snoozer anytime. Prepare yourselves, a second Wu-Tang dynasty may be upon us.

]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/04/02/method-man-ghostface-killah-raekwon-wu-massacre-12/feed/ 0 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/03/30/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-erykah-e-40-wu-usher-today/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/03/30/where-is-the-best-place-to-buy-erykah-e-40-wu-usher-today/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 09:39:01 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=9897 [cont.]]]> Decisions, decisions. We know each and every one of you is going to be first in line at your local mom and pop shop with $50 in your hands to cop the new albums from Erykah Badu, Meth + Ghost + Rae, Usher, E-40 right? Surely the only way to get these never heard before albums are to camp outside the store until they break out the orange box cutters and place them on shelves for all to consume. So question is, where’s the best place to do it? Let’s take a look.

Erykah Badu – New Amerykah Part 2: Return of The Ankh: Price or exclusive bonus tracks? Considering that the Itunes digital version includes one bonus track – “Jump Up In The Air (Stay There)” (feat. Lil Wayne + Bilal) – that seems kind of exciting in comparison to other versions. However look at the economics of it, virtually every major retailer – Amazon, Target, & Best Buy – are offering the physical CD for $10. Itunes bonus track version’s asking price is $11.99. That’s three dollars more than what you’d pay digitally at Amazon and $2 more than you’d pay on for a CD anywhere else. And let’s face it, this bonus track has been floating around the information superhighway for a while now. Verdict: Price, go for any major retailer.

Meth + Rae + Ghost – Wu-Massacre: Not many special bonus tracks for Wu-Massacre, so this makes it much easier to decide. However, with the album’s three different covers, if you are a rabid, tattoo-having Wu fan, you might want to go the economic route and grab all three versions for $9.98 at Amazon, Best Buy, or Target. You also have the option to get some swanky bonus items, if you like. Our old competitor, Sandbox Automatic is offering a free bonus mix CD of Avenging Eagles, which Mathematics released for free download a month ago. No word if these are officially sanctioned Def Jam pressed promo discs or crappy CD-R’s produced in house at the ‘Box. We’re willing to bet the latter.

The best deal though? Try UGHH.Com. Yes, you will have to spring some extra cash, but for $35.97 you get can get the album on CD, plus an incredibly dope Wu-Tang T-Shirt in any size, produced by Rocksmith Tokyo and Be Street. Rumor has it that those are the fists of Ed Wong shaking angrily at the Wu-Tang logo. Oh, and this “Made Men” supposed track with Cappadonna isn’t on any version we’ve seen thus far. Verdict: UGHH.Com Deluxe Package.

Usher – Raymond Vs. Raymond: Listening to this LP as this is being typed, as a matter of fact. Review is coming shortly….Anyway, with such a wealth of tracks recorded for this LP, it’s surprising that there aren’t meatier bonus tracks being offered with this thing. In fact, there’s just one, “More”, which is included on the Itunes edition for $10.99. So if you are going digital, you might as well go that route, as the AmazonMP3 version does not include the extra track. But here’s the rub: the CD versions are priced at $9.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target – and since the Itunes bonus track “More” was previously released as a single on Itunes for $1.29 – you might as well get the disc and grab the bonus track separately. Truthfully, “More” is one of the album’s best tracks, despite the Batman incident. Verdict: Get the CD @ any major retailer, and the bonus track sold separately at ITunes.

E-40 – Revenue Retrievin’ Night Shift / Day Shift (Double Album): This one is pretty easy, since this is a double album, to cop both discs (each sold separately), you are going to spend at least $20, as the cheapest you’ll find them are for $9.99 a piece. Get this though: Itunes has a special offer where you can get Day & Night for $16.99 – and each album comes with 2 bonus tracks (making a total of four exclusive Itunes bonus tracks, for all you mathematicians out there). You can believe Steve Jobs is rubbing elbows with E-40 right now, laughing all the way to the bank, black turtleneck and all. Verdict: Itunes.

One more new track from the Wu Massacre album as it prepares to drop in stores at the end of the month. “It’s That Wu Sh*t” was produced by Scram Jones.

LISTEN: Method Man + Ghostface + Raekwon – “It’s That Wu Sh*t”

FINALLY – the video for this track drops, directed by the always busy Rik Cordero. No more behind the scenes clips, this is the real deal. Taken from the Wu-Massacre LP dropping next week.

Another leak from the trio of Meth, Ghost and Rae. Wu-Massacre coming at the end of the month. Hopefully this album won’t leak anymore and we will all have more to wait for.

LISTEN: Method Man + Ghostface Killah + Raekwon – “Dangerous”

Last night we got a some new Redman, this morning we get a little Meth, Ghost and Rae. This track hits iTunes today as well. Wu-Massacre coming very soon now.

LISTEN: Method Man + Ghostface Killah + Raekwon – “Miranda”

Third cover in the Method Man, Ghostface, Raekwon Wu-Massacre variant series. Album drops March 30th – there’s only two weeks left…

Raekwon dishes to MTV on the forthcoming Wu-Massacre LP, explaining how the Wu-Tang Clan focuses on making albums, rather than ringtone singles meant for radio or club play. “A lot of the production was dealt with through us playing phone tag,” Rae told MTV later, off camera. “Ghost had a lot to do with really binding the album together. It’s a great album. I think the people gonna enjoy it. One thing about me that I could say is, lyrically, it’s never been a problem for us to deliver. It’s great production on the album. RZA is on there. A couple of other soldiers we work with is on there. If you’re a ride-or-die Wu-Tang fan, and you know where we coming from, you’re gonna enjoy this one.”

Off camera, Method Man also added, “We’re not doing this to win. We’re not doing this to bring Wu-Tang to the forefront. We’re not doing this to save the group. We’re a part of the group. This album could have been done by Deck, U-God and GZA. Either/or, it’s still Wu-Tang. The bottom line with this LP, it was something fans always requested. It’s like, what else was we doing? It was a given. Hopefully, we can all get back in the studio and get enough time to really work on an LP.” [Source: MTV]

Another fresh joint from Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon off the upcoming Wu-Massacre album.  Along for the ride on this track is D-Block members Sheek Louch and Bully, and fellow Wu affiliated artist Trife Diesel.  Production on this track from Scram Jones.  This track definitely follows the previously released ones with the same type of flow and production that sounds like it will be constant throughout the album.

LISTEN: Method Man, Ghostface and Raekwon – “Youngstown Heist”

UPDATE: This mashup has been making the rounds lately. Usually we don’t post stuff like this, but sometimes someone pulls something off so good, it’s worth mentioning. Below, Ant Acid meshes A. Keys vox with Wu-Massacre’s acapella, and the end result is something not unlike Mighty Mi’s classic remix of Ghostface’s “All That I Got Is U” – a street remix that trumps the original. Won’t be on the album, unless Def Jam moves quickly.

Method Man, Ghostface, Raekwon vs. Alicia Keys – “Our Dreams (Ant Acid Mix)” (MP3)

Marvel’s Chris Bachalo unveils 2/3 variant covers for Raekwon + Ghostface + Method Man’s Wu-Massacre LP, dropping March 30th. The Method Man cover was revealed last week, we suspect Rae’s cover will drop next week….

Footage from last night’s performance, with appearances from Raekwon, Ghostface, and Smif N Wessun. [Source: EW]

1/3 covers for Rae+Ghost+Method Man’s Wu-Massacre (March 30th, Def Jam).

Raekwon leaked the artwork for the upcoming Method Man + Raekwon + Ghostface “Wu Massacre” album via Twitter today,  which drops March 30th on Def Jam. Coincidentaly, preorders also began today at Amazon.com. Rae further tweets “I forgot the album won’t be called “Wu Massacre” wit my brothers it will be called “THREE, THE HARD WAY” so lookout for it!” Sounds like the label may have inadvertently helped change the album’s title, but have they given the Clan any tips on how to make the music “better”? Behold, the Def Jam machine in action.

UPDATED 2/23: The tracklist has now been confirmed by Def Jam press release and now includes the following producers. Hmm, no Darkchild beats. That’s a good thing….

TRACKLIST:

1.  “Criminology 2.5” featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man.

2.  “Mef vs. Chef” featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars, produced by Allah Mathematics.

3.  “Ya Moms” skit featuring Method Man and Raekwon.

4.  “Smooth Sailing” Remix featuring Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Solomon Childs and Streetlife, produced by Ty Fyffe.

5.  “Our Dreams” featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man, produced by RZA.

6.  “Gunshowers” featuring Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck and Sun God, produced by Digem Tracks Productions.

7.  “Dangerous” featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars, produced by Allah Mathematics.

8.  “Pimpin’ Chipp” featuring Rhythm Roots Allstars, produced by E Meal.

9.  “How To Pay Rent” skit featuring Tracy Morgan.

10.  “Miranda” featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Method Man, produced by Allah Mathematics.

11.  “Youngstown Heist” featuring Trife, Sheek and Bully, produced by Scram Jones.

12.  “It’s That Wu Sh*t” featuring Ghostface Killah & Method Man, produced by Scram Jones.

Wu-Massacre: Behind The Scene from Mazi O. Video on Vimeo.

Raekwon, Ghostface, and Method Man break down the concept for the “Our Dreams” video, from the forthcoming Wu-Massacre LP. What’s great about these interviews with the guys is that they are speaking about the events in the video as if they really happened.