Shaolin Sword:

Bring da Ruckus acts as a masterful introduction to the Wu-Tang Clan; all the references to martial arts double as beautiful metaphors for lyrical ability and RZA’s bombastic production. To complement these invigorating lines, the beat is a powerful, in-your-face, and euphoric experience with an absolutely explosive snare tone. Moreover, the hook is a shouted and electrifying call for potential challengers which sets up each verse greatly, one after another.

Mid 9.

Shame on a N****  continues the instigation of combat from the past track, almost as if looking around for anyone to try their Wu-Tang style on who isn’t an easy pushover. Audibly, the beat on this track is beautifully mobile and dynamic. It’s ever-changing but also stable and grounded with intricate additions of brass hits and pianos. The dynamism mentioned can be seen in places like Raekwon’s verse which switches up the mood into a lo-fi piano arpeggio without losing inertia.

Mid-High 9.

Clan in da Front opens with an insanely euphoric presentation of everyone associated with the Wu-Tang, along with a powerful set of backing vocals, buzzing bees, and a plump bassline all coming together for an intro absolutely brimming with energy. For the rest of the track, GZA takes a front seat and continues to dish out clever boasts and wordplay along with a beat adorned with a cleverly fitting and wonderfully disjointed piano melody. The only thing I can say is that the “Wu Wu Wu” backing vocals are ever-so-slightly distracting, personally.

Mid-High 9.

Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber opens up with a skit that is quite funny due to the delivery —especially Method Man’s— despite the strong and difficult topics of crime and death that are brought up. Additionally, it shows usage of The Universal Language associated with the Five-Percent Nation, a movement Wu-Tang Clan associates with. Once the verses begin to come, every member speaks of murdering the beat and their adversaries, each with their unique styles: ranging from Wu-Tang martial arts to sword techniques, sorcery, terrorism, etc…. Musically, the beat once again brings jazzy piano elements which form an intricate chord progression this time around, complementing the reverb-coated boom bap foundation. Additionally, some other samples like the soul guitar lick only add even more groove to the cut.

Low 9.

Can It Be All So Simple takes a more melancholic take both lyrically and sonically. Raekwon and Ghostface Killah both speak of their upbringing in Shaolin (Staten Island) and describe it as both a place with much turmoil but also as the place where their young memories were formed, while nevertheless narrating their hardships. The beat follows suit as a low-profile, calming, and even somewhat psychedelic atmosphere. The vocal delivery sometimes disagrees with the mood, but the instrumental remains beautiful even if it’s (personally) a tad less evocative with its lack of fervour.

↳Intermission marks the halfway point of the record and re-introduces the members of the Wu-Tang Clan in a short interview full of personality.

Low-Mid 8.

Wu-Tang Sword:

Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ alludes to the importance of strategy, premeditation, and mastery in the context of combat. It’s no surprise then that some of the most creative verses and one-liners are here, making the deep thought that goes into the craft of every member evident. The instrumental side of things takes a step back this time around and lets the Clan shine with their lyrical ability — though it still implements creative elements like the harpsichord-like melody that ties the track together and fits the aggression greatly.

Mid 9.

Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit continues this aggression directed towards any who dare oppose the Wu-Tang Clan. This time around, however, more than focusing on their adversaries, RZA, Inspectah Deck, and Method Man speak of their unchallengeable nature in the face of the rap game. Also, the outro highlights the size of the Wu-Tang Clan and their ally warriors. Audibly, this track brings to the table what is probably the most shouted and euphoric delivery on the record. Additionally, the sampling on this track is genius, the eerie ‘oo’s’ are part of the opening theme of “Underdog”, a cartoon from the 60’s about a superhero dog — and somehow, this fits pristinely into the mix, by virtue of RZA’s production of course.

Low-Mid 9.

C.R.E.A.M. is a powerful and wholly visual narration of the life of Raekwon and Inspectah Deck. They detail how difficult and even insurmountable life can be when held back by racist inequity and poverty. Instrumentally, the hook is catchy, fitting, and charming; the delivery of the “dollar dollar bill, y’all” is especially wonderful. Moreover, the jazzy (and slightly romantic) piano contrasts greatly with the reverb-heavy guitar used in the beat.

High 8.

Method Man immediately kicks off the song with style through a hilarious skit featuring Method Man and Raekwon shooting torture methods at each other. Afterwards, the whole song is a Method Man self-introduction of rapping style, Wu-Tang affiliation, lyrical ability and party-animal qualities. Audibly, this beat is insane! And Method Man’s high-energy, uplifting, and evocative delivery makes it all the more moving. Also, the funny bridge he does when he sings the “Come Together” melody is yet another proof of charisma.

10.

Protect Ya Neck goes back to the threatening disposition seen earlier in the record. This time, every member of the Clan (minus Masta Killa) takes turns to admonish mediocrity, their adversaries, promoters of “suit-and-tie rap”, and even “the globe”. Instrumentally, the beat implements quite an evocative and certainly unique combination of lo-fi strings, more intimate piano samples, and even a teapot-whistle-like melody.

Low 9.

Tearz is an extension of the ‘after laughter comes tears’ phrase, coming from Wendy Rene’s song of the same name. Whether it’s by karmic judgement (in RZA’s verse) or by “press[ing your] luck” (in Ghostface Killah’s), the powerful juxtaposition of hardship after a moment of careless joy is maintained. Audibly, the “after laughter” sample adds a mellow keyboard riff that comes as a great fit to the boom-bap beat. What’s more, the raw intensity that RZA and Ghostface Killah bring to the table does great work in selling the heartache of the stories they tell, with emphasis on RZA’s palpably passionate enunciation.

Low 9.

Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber – Part II is a remixed rendition of “Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber”. Lyrically, the song remains the same, though the instrumental is completely different while managing to maintain a dynamic, cohesive, and moving chemistry with the member’s verses. The saturated bass line is a great tone-setter for this alternative approach to the original song.

↳Conclusion is a wholly loveable edited version of an interview with a charismatic sample urging the Wu-Tang Clan not to divulge the secret of their style.

Mid 9.

Sources:

[1] Song Lyrics & Knowledge. Genius, Masta Killa’s annotation. Retrieved March 30, 2023, from https://genius.com/56966