Column: The High End Theory – The Wu Brand

There was a point years ago when it seemed as though the Wu-Tang legacy was dying out. Many of the artists had released more solo records, but nothing that had anyone talking. Then 8 Diagrams was released in 2007.

The album was not without its flaws. In fact, it had many. But with RZA’s genius on "The Heart Gently Weeps" and others, it was clear that the Clan still had something in the tank.

Yet it seems that recently the Wu has been in the headlines for beef more than music. GZA’s absurd G-Unit attacks overshadowed an otherwise decent album. Then things came to a head with Raekwon and Joe Budden during the Rock the Bells tour.

Joe commenting (in a response to a Best Rapper Alive poll by Vibe) that in a pure battle, he could defeat Method Man, somehow led to a full-on feud with Wu members. This brought up questions of relevancy in Wu-Tang’s side. Though a legend, at what point does one need to stop using the past as a crutch? Inspectah Deck tried to resurrect an otherwise dead career, to no avail. It ultimately led to one of Raekwon’s boys punching Budden in the eye backstage.

Despite recent critically acclaimed releases (Blackout! 2, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2), the Wu-Tang brand is no longer what it once was. After a certain point a group can no longer rely on decade-old accolades. The new Wu-Massacre album lacks the once guaranteed cohesiveness as well as artistic progression.

Their solo releases have shown that they can sill bring it, but they are nowhere near the skills that catapulted them to legendary status.