NYS Music 202​0

Category: Staten Island

  • Wu Tang Wednesday: The Foundations of Wu Wear

    Wu Tang Clan have long been innovators within hip hop culture, whether it came from their music, style, or their lingo. Before the masses draped themselves in popular streetwear like Supreme, V-Lone and Bape, Wu Wear occupied that space within the streetwear community. Always the trendsetters, this was the first of many clothing lines by rappers. Its impact was worldwide, as each article of clothing was designed to showcase the most iconic logo in the history of hip-hop, the infamous Wu Tang Clan “W” which combined their love of kung fu and hip-hop. 

    wu wear

    A unisex clothing line, Wu Wear offered a variety of fleece jackets, long sleeve t-shirts with graphics, crew necks along with sweatshirts — all of which donned the iconic logo. While RZA is regarded as the group’s de-facto leader, the idea for Wu Wear stemmed from Oliver “Power” Grant, a close associate of the groups who has executive produced every Wu-Tang Clan album.

    In 2008, they faced a counterfeiting scandal, hurting the brand’s credibility. Consumers were under the assumption that they were getting ripped off with fake clothes that they were paying a lot of money for. The brand has since bounced back and has made a relaunch to their website. Partnering up with the likes of Nike, ALIFE and other popular clothing brands.

    To recognize the brand’s cultural significance, RZA recorded a song titled “Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance.” which was included on the High School High soundtrack, as well as RZA’s greatest hit album. The record also features Wu tang affiliate Cappadonna and Method Man.

    Method Man’s laid back and rhythmic hook (along with his charisma and style) gave the record much needed flavor that balanced RZA’s scientific flow and lyricism.

    “Ain’t what you want baby

    It’s what you need baby

    Ain’t what you want baby

    It’s what you neeeeeeeed”

    Setting a calm and relaxed tone (which was needed) before RZA began his verse. The famed producer begins the record with a breakdown of what makes Wu garments unique, and why it had been deemed a renaissance for streetwear.

    “Yo,  diamond crystal rings sharp like icicles, nickel plated pistols

    official Wu-Wear covers my physical”

    RZA begins his verse describing the jewelry and diamonds that cover his body, concluding with Wu Wear as a way of associating the clothing brand with the valuable jewelry he dons.  

    “You can detect the true and living God from the score

    Keep your sword straight, maintain your weight

    But he ate too much monosodiumglutumate, and polysorbate

    and drug rate concentrate, with sodium benzoate

    By the chicken thighs and tryglycerides

    And this bitch advertised her breast size

    Eighty-five didn’t realize, til the truth opened up his eyes”

    He begins to breakdown all the things that is poisonous to body and wellbeing of his body and of others. He is also referencing the “five percent” teachings when he speaks on searching for the God within. The five percenters focus on how the Black man is the original man and how they are Gods on the earth. That’s why it’s important to keep and maintain your health from many of the substances in this society that destroy your mental and body, which RZA references while also discussing his recent wealth. He refers to is as “chicken” that fattens his thighs which in tun, leads women to show their “breast size,” a clever play on words. He finished the bar off by letting the masses know that  he was once one of the 85% until he searched for his own truth.  

    “Then he became highly civilized,

    and spent time amongst the wise,

    went through a garment renaissance

    and stopped wearing Benetton, Tommy Hill, Perry Ellis, Nautica,

    or Liz Claiborne, Ocean Pacific, Fila, Bill Blass and leave fitted

    Quit the Armani sweaters with the Gucci wool knitted

    Mecca, Pelly Pell, 88, North Q, Bear and a few others

    For the new year, strictly Wu-Wear

    Once he opened up his mind, he spent time with wiser men and gained a greater understanding of his purpose. His garment renaissance came when he stopped wearing name-brands clothing and focused his efforts on the success of Wu-Wear and other Black owned clothing brands. With the renaissance signifying 

    While the theme remained the same, Cappadonna’s verse was much more straight-forward, relying less on philosophical references.

    “The Century 21 son, the new portfolio dunn

    Now it’s my time, Asian Wu-Wear, Cap and fleece wear

    One wear plaids the Don will hold the best for all wear

    plus blue wear, Wu-Wear, what’s going on

    We’re the best of this year, Wu-Wear and fleece wear”

    While RZA focused on the meaning behind his beliefs, Cappadonna spent more time detailing his exploits as a well-dressed man, aligning Wu Wear with other recognized name-brands. 

    “Just hold your own baby

    and just rock on baby

    I got this wine on my mind

    feelin fine darlin

    Now all you see baby

    ain’t what you need baby

    I wanna know just how low it goes

    Official nasty asses, straight shots in dirty glasses

    Wu-Wear fleece for you and your stinkin piece

    Hard time and killer tactics”

    Known for having more crossover appeal, Method Man took a took a different approach to his verse. Unlike the others, he demonstrated how the allure of the clothing line can be used to allure women, a major point of contention for most men. 

    The record sampled The Soul Children and their 1972 single “Don’t Take My Kindness For Weakness,” spending 17 weeks on Billboard charts and peaking at number 20. While it served as great promotion for the clothing line, it also showcased the diversity that made Wu Tang Clan so iconic. There’s knowledge-of-self and wisdom from RZA, “fly talk” from Cappadonna, and the smooth slickness of Method Man. 

    Wu-Tang having their own clothing line and iconic logo has been ingrained in the fabric of hip-hop since the brand came out. They were innovators taking their interests and creativity outside of music and making it into a business to profit off of other than just recording music. You can say this was the model for artists such as Notorious B.I.G and Bad Boys records, Jay-Z and Roc-A-Fella records, rapper Camron and his Dip Set clothing line and Kanye West with his Yeezy brand.

    Companies have also used rappers to promote their companies clothing lines such as the rap group Clipse with Bape and the late Tupac Shakur with Versace. All of this can be traced bac to the Clan and their influence on the culture. 

  • Interview: Natalie Claro’s Inspiration for “Discomposure”

    After seeing Paramore in concert, the then-14 year old Natalie Claro was inspired to take on a music career. Claro writes and produces her own music, integrating genres of pop, rock, folk, R&B, and country into her songs. 

    Natalie Claro

    Claro grew up in Tampa, Florida starting her career as a local musician when she was 15. By the time she was 17, Claro released her own music and started performing shows in New York. She explains what she loves the most about the music industry:

    The aspect of being able to have an outlet where you can just say whatever, speak your mind, and have a platform to be able to do positive things not only for your community but just as many people you can reach in general. I’ve always loved that part of it.

    In her album, Disconnect Claro describes it as her “analysis of the world.” Her EP Selfish Topics “is an analysis about myself,” Claro says. Her songs discuss issues such as depression, insecurities, and uncertainty. She uses her music to speak out about the positive and negative aspects of life.

    Claro is currently working on new music and has released the music video to “Discomposure.” “The song is about anxiety and stress,” she says. The music video for “Discomposure” illustrates Claro expressing fear and worry, yet finding solace in music. She communicates through her songs that we can find positivity and strength through some of our darkest moments. Claro shares what she wants her music to represent:

    I always use my music as a message towards anyone that is listening to it. I try to be a positive influence to my listeners.

  • Wu Tang Wednesday: GZA and Killah Priest teach about the B.I.B.L.E

    While recent racial tensions surrounding police-brutality have garnered the general public’s attention, another divisive issue has picked up steam as of late. Public figures such as, Ice Cube, former NBA player Stephen Jackson and Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson have posted social media doctrines acknowledging that the first of the Jewish people were indeed Black, and those we recognize as Hispanic and Native Americans, are actually decedents of the Black Hebrew Israelites. This sparked backlash with some labeling DeSean Jackson and Ice Cube as anti-Semitic and accusing them of spreading misinformation. While present-day celebrities take the brunt of the repercussions, these claims have been uttered by influential figures in the past. 

    liquid swords

    On November 7, 1995, GZA of the Wu Tang Clan released his second studio album, Liquid Swords. With no made-for-radio records, the project still debuted at number 9 on the Billboard charts and has since been certified platinum. A critically-acclaimed album, Liquid Swords is multi-faceted and backed by complex lyrics, it explores themes such as crime, philosophy and chess. And although GZA is recognized as the most lyrically potent of the Clan, the most compelling of the 13 tracks – and the album’s outro — came from protégé Killah Priest. Aptly titled “B.I.B.L.E” (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), the 4th disciple produced record explores the religious fallacies that have been instilled within the Black community, as well as the hypocrisies within organized religion that many children are forced to accept.  

    In an interview with Righteous Disorder Tv, Killah Priest divulges how his record made the cut,  “it was a process, I just kicked a rhyme for GZA one day before it was even a song and GZA always loved that verse,” and soon after, it was turned into a full song. With the album’s producer — and Wu Tang Clan leader — RZA not sure of its placement within the project, it was turned into a bonus track.

    The song begins with Killah Priest repeating the acronym four times before transitioning into the hook 

    “Life is a test, many quest the Universe and through my research I felt joy and hurt, the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Basic instructions before leaving earth.” 

    With two lines, he sets the stage for the record’s theme. Acknowledging the joy in finding out the truth about his race and the feelings of sadness that come with the truth. The hook ends with “the first shall be last and the last will be first.” A reference to Genesis chapter 25, verse 23, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’”

    killah priest

    Priest begins the first verse discussing his interest in the bible and why it is so important to him,

    Explored my history that was untold and watched mysteries unfold and drop a jewel on them like Solomon, but never follow men cause if you do your brain hollower than space oblivia or the abyss.

    He is ignoring the teachings of the church and doing his own research on the bible and what it means, as well as, who it is meant for. As he learns more, he uncovers new mysteries that he was never taught, and he begins to teach others what he has learned. “Never follow men,” speaks to the ideology that God should be the only entity leading one to salvation. 

    He carries on,

    I speak on Jacob, it might take some time up, and too much knowledge, it might break up the rhyme. I did it anyway, just to wake up the mind of those who kiss stones or prays on carpet. Those who sit home or sell books by the market need to chill and give their mind revived for years religion has done nothing but divide.

    The first line serves as a double entendre, as “Jacob” is a known biblical reference, while Jacob Arabo is known popularly within hip hop circles as “Jacob the Jeweler,” for his unique designs of Jewelry — specifically watches — The last two lines throw stones at those who pray and profit off of selling the bible yet, know little of their true history. 

    On the second verse he advances with his earlier rhetoric on religion and how it has been used to confuse him and his people, while also speaking on the true origins of the White race.

    I even learnt that Caucasians were the tribe of Edom the white image of Christ is really Cesare Borgia. And uhh, the second son of Pope Alexander the sixth of Rome and once the picture was shown that’s how the devil tricked my dome.

    He alleges that Caucasian people are the decedents of Esau (the first son of Isaac and the first White person in history, according to The Old Testament) and his tribe Edom, a stance recently reiterated by Ice Cube and Desean Jackson. 

    On the last verse he says, 

    I prophesized to save man, but no one gives a damn for my nation, the seed of Abraham blessed with the tongue of Hebrew now we strung on needles and some plunging evils. So, study and be wise in these days of darkness, peace to my nephew Marcus.

    With a desolate first bar, Killah Priest gives insight into the thoughts of a man who is trying to warn yet, the more he tells people the true history the more they don’t care or take what he says seriously, leaving him frustrated. On the second line, he says that his people are descendants of the biblical figure —Abraham, ascribing to the chosen seed that God prophesized he would be blessed with. At one point his people were blessed in their history and knowledge of Hebrew. Now, they are strung on needles — referencing the many drugs that have been pipelined to Black inner cities — and committing other evil acts. Finishing off by encouraging them to take their knowledge into their own hands.

    While Black entertainers continue to receive backlash for their thoughts on Judaism, the authenticity of their claims must be acknowledged. With this record being a quarter-century old, how many more people have already accepted Killah Priest’s claims as their truth? It’s easy to accept the status quo as the truth, challenging accepted ideologies is the only way we can grow as people, and that begins with exploring the possibilities of different origins to every religion, as none belong to any one race.

    With contributions from Alain Clerine.

  • Martin Scorcese to direct documentary on David Johansen of New York Dolls

    Oscar winning film director Martin Scorcese has announced plans for a documentary on David Johansen of New York Dolls fame. The film will explore Johansen’s teen years growing up in Greenwich Village, his alter ego Buster Poindexter, feature footage of Johansen’s recent performances at New York’s Café Carlyle.

    To be released on Showtime, the Queens-born/Little Italy-raised Scorcese will co-direct the film with David Tedeschi, who has previously worked with Scorcese on music documentaries No Direction Home and Shine a Light.

    The film plans to take an intimate biographical look at Johansen, looking at his upbringing on Staten Island and later his arrival in New York’s East Village in the late Sixties. While known best as lead singer of the New York Dolls, the documentary will also explore his time in the 80s as alter-ego Buster Poindexter and later the Harry Smiths.

    “I’ve known David Johansen for decades, and his music has been a touchstone ever since I listened to the Dolls when I was making Mean Streets. Then and now, David’s music captures the energy and excitement of New York City. I often see him perform, and over the years I’ve gotten to know the depth of his musical inspirations. After seeing his show last year at the Café Carlyle, I knew I had to film it because it was so extraordinary to see the evolution of his life and his musical talent in such an intimate setting. For me, the show captured the true emotional potential of a live musical experience.”

    Martin Scorcese

  • Wu Tang Wednesday: Nas, Raekwon and Ghostface deliver “Verbal Intercourse”

    Being part of a team is great; when you’re part of a successful one – like Wu Tang Clan – even better. Yet, there may always be that inkling of wonder of what could be accomplished by oneself. For musical acts whose contributions to the world are dissected and compared to one another, that one little thought may be enough to isolate said artist from the group, not to mention the monetary differences between a solo artist and being part of a group.

    Ego has played a part in the demise of many great factions — the likes of New Edition, NWA, The Fugees – they’ve all fallen victim to the individualistic desires of man. Yet, when tamed, this possibly destructive force can be channeled into producing some of the greatest albums in history. Bobby Brown’s Don’t Be Cruel fits in that mold, so does Ice Cube’s Amerikkas Most Wanted. This was also the case for one of the greatest Hip Hop albums ever. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Lynx set the tone for a genre of mafioso themed albums that took the 90’s by storm.  

    Failing to distinguish himself from some of the other charismatic members of the Wu Tang Clan, the man known as “The Chef” was motivated to go out and make himself a classic body of work. And on August 1, 1995, Only Built 4 Cuban Lynx set a new standard for rap. The album received a 4.5 mic rating from The Source magazine (at the time, hip hop’s Bible). While the Method Man and Ghostface Killah assisted “Ice Cream,” was the LP’s most successful record, album cuts like “Verbal Intercourse” are what set the tone for the project. The twelfth track features a young Nas on the heels of his own soon-to-be classic, Illmatic, as well as Wu Tang mate Ghostface Killah – who plays a supporting role in the mafia movie themed album. Considered one of Nas’ best verses (which is saying something), it also stands as one of the greatest opening verses in history. 

    Wu Tang Wednesday: Nas, Raekwon
    Wu Tang Clan – a tough act to follow

    Nas sets the tone for the record early, rapping:

    Through the lights cameras and action, glamour glitters and gold I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe.

    When I’m deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast to conquer peace leaving savages to roam the streets.

    With his newfound fame and fortune from his individual success, his principles haven’t changed, as he still plans to take over the world. And after he has long passed, he hopes to have planted enough seeds in the minds of the youth to bring about a revolution. A Queensbridge legend long before platinum albums, Nas’ lyrical aptitude was as shocking as his youth, as he was barely 21 at the time of this recording.

    With ‘God’s Son’ written across his stomach, Nas looks to accomplish everything he prophesized.

    On the second verse, Raekwon deliver’s a high-quality opening bar of his own.

    Perhaps bullets bust, n**** discuss mad money true lies and white guys, we can see it through the eyes. Catch the most on tape, kilos disintegrate Pyrex pots, we break, fiends licking plates.

    While Nas’ verse pertained to his yearning for a mental uprising, Raekwon keeps with the album’s theme. Describing the dangers that come with operating on the wrong side of the law.

    On the song’s last verse, Ghostface Killah – maybe the most charismatic of the three – adds to the story, Further detailing the greed, jealousy, envy that comes with monetary success, with hopes of a light at the end of the tunnel.

    With the green leathers, hundred-pound snakes and cakes. Fiends found in lakes, jealously jakes we shake. What I strive for is what I live for. Infatuated by material things in this wild life of war like somewhere over the rainbow, I see a big pot of gold.

    “Verbal Intercourse” is defined as “conversation between more than one person.” But in this case, you could say they went a step further and f***ed the beat. The album featured every rapper in the Wu Tang Clan besides ODB, so Raekwon didn’t completely deviate from the already winning formula. Still, as the creative mastermind behind the LP, it helped Raekwon continue to establish himself as his own entity, outside of his groupmates. Debuting at number four on the Billboard charts, Only Built 4 Cuban Lynx sold 130,000 copies its first week, and while not a single, “Verbal Intercourse” saw each respective rapper plant seeds towards their now legendary status.

    with Maxwell Amankwah contributing

  • Julia Gargano Returns to Saint Rose to Record

    Even though schools have been closed since March 16, the College of Saint Rose in Albany has given former season 18 American Idol contestant Julia Gargano and a small group of former classmates special permission to use the Hearst Center for Communications and Interactive Media, the Times Union recently reported. 

    From Staten Island, Gargano was a senior in the music-industry program at Saint Rose when the opportunity presented itself to travel to Brooklyn and perform in front of Idol producers. She continued on to impress all three judges, singing her way onto the show. Each week her performances were top notch until an unprecedented coronavirus pandemic caused the show to halt and send contestants home. 

    Idol production resumed from each of the contestants’ homes where Gargano sang her way into the top seven for the finale. Even though the singer-songwriter did not win she feels that Idol has impacted her career in ways that she did not imagine. Gratitude for how recent experiences have impacted her life has been Gargano’s outlook since the ending of the show. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CATwNDeBGJs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Gargano told the Times Union “‘Idol’ totally lit this drive inside me, I’m in work-work-work mode. The show will really help me be my own artist, my own singer-songwriter.”

    The show might be over but it is not the end of the road for Gargano’s music journey. Now a Saint Rose graduate, Gargano and four of her previous classmates are working on three singles that are set to be released on streaming services later in the year. For now check out Gargano’s original song ‘Growing Pains. 

  • Wu-Tang Clan Wants You to ‘Protect Ya Hands’

    Iconic hip hop group, Wu-Tang Clan are no strangers to good marketing. The Grammy-nominated outfit is partially known for their extremely popular “Wu Wear” clothing brand — founded by Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Oliver “Power” Grant. The Wu has always been able to find the perfect middle ground between good marketing tactics and staying authentic to their brand. Like when the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard began ranting during the 1998 Grammy awards and proclaimed that “Wu-Tang is for the children.” He was upset that the group had been overlooked for best rap album and unintentionally came up with a popular catchphrase, one that the Wu has always stood by.

    In light of the current COVID-10 crisis, the hip hop veterans continue to stay ahead of the curve, as the group announced their “Protect Ya Hands” collaboration with the plant-based brand Jusu. The sanitizer is one item in a campaign launched by the group and Ottawa, Canada, Mayor Jim Watson. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaQf9BnFTM/

    In addition to the sanitizer, they have released the “A Better Tomorrow” collection (named after their 2014 studio album), which includes a T-shirt emblazoned with the famous logo of Wu-Tang Clan and a reusable food bowl. For every bottle purchased, another will be donated to The Ottawa Mission, a homeless shelter in Canada.

    Additionally, the collection benefits the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, with the group’s official website stating “CHEO combines excellence in clinical care, research and education with a commitment to working with our partners to advance seamless care that’s provided where, when and how it’s needed.”

    The sanitizer can be yours for $20. The T-shirt goes for $40, while the Pure Kitchen reusable bowl costs $21. “The purpose of 36 Chambers and Wu-Tang is to always see a better tomorrow,” says the official website. You can help Wu-Tang Clan on their mission by clicking here.

  • Julia Gargano’s Road Ends on American Idol

    As “American Idol” on ABC came to an end on Sunday, May 17, many were disappointed to find out that Julia Gargano would not be advancing to the top five. 

    Gargano, a 22-year-old graduate of the College of Saint Rose in Albany, gave her all in a top seven socially distant group performance of The Beatles’ “Come Together” but it was not enough for her to advance onto the final five. 

    Hailing from Staten Island, Gargano came a long way from her first audition where she performed an original song called ‘Growing Pains’, stunning the judges from the very beginning. She continued to wow spectacular performances such as with Pink’s “Glitter in the Air” and Adele’s “Sweetest Devotion.”

    Despite having not made it on to the top five, Gargano still felt grateful for the experience Idol has given her. “I love you guys. Thank you so much,” she said, while rocking a silver dress at home for the finale.

    Much of the 18th season of “American Idol” took place virtually from the residences of the singers’ homes due to social distancing protocols in place because of the coronavirus outbreak. Technical difficulties initially caused a bit of confusion as the top five were announced but the show continued on. 

    In the top five were piano teacher Jonny Webb, college student Francisco Martin, construction worker Dillon James, Nepalese singer – songwriter Dibesh Pokharel (stage name: Arthur Gunn) and Samantha Diaz (stage name: Just Sam), a 21-year-old subway singer from Harlem. 

    Each finalist performed two songs and viewers voted live for their favorites. New York still saw a victory when Ryan Seacrest announced that Just Sam was the Season 18 winner of ‘American Idol’ on ABC. 

  • Happy Birthday Ghostface Killah

    Staten Island’s own, and at one point a member of the FBI’s most wanted list, Denis Coles aka Ghostface Killah was born in 1970 in one of New York City’s most often overlooked borough, Staten Island. Thus, May 9th marks the birthday of the one and only, Ghostface Killah

    Ghostface mighty healthy killah birthday

    He began his solo career in 1996 with the release of Ironman following Wu Tang’s breakout release, Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers). Renowned for his booming voice and fast-paced flow, Ghostface has remained to be one of the Clan’s most notorious members. As the roommate of Wu Tang founder RZA, Ghostface is credited with playing a role in bringing the original seven members of the group together.

    Ghostface was featured extensively on fellow Wu Tang member Raekwon’s, early mixtapes, making a name for himself before Wu Tang Clan essentially took over the world of hip-hop.

    What separates Ghostface from the rest of the gangsta rap group MCs is his often colorful and imaginative storytelling which has remained the highlight of his performances throughout the years.

    Recently, the works of Ghostface Killah and the rest of the Wu Tang Clan has been celebrated in the media with the short film For the Children: 25 Years of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) which dives into the group’s early years on the come-up in the late ’80s and early ’90s hip-hop scene. Wu Tang and Ghostface Killah have transcended music and represented how their rough upbringing on the streets of New York has brought them to make incredibly moving art and music. The legacy of Wu Tang has been cemented into New York history with Staten Island declaring November 9th as Wu Tang Clan day, turning the classic phrase ” Wu Tang forever” into a reality.

  • Wu-Tang: An American Saga – Season 1 Overview

    The Wu-Tang Clan is one of the most celebrated and impactful musical groups in history. In our era of transparency, it is only fitting that a biopic of sorts would materialize itself. Telling the complete story of a group as large as the Clan isn’t feasible (not to mention any adjacent characters) in 90 minutes (the pre-requisite for big-screen biopics). Therefore, enter Wu-Tang: An American Saga.

    In 2019, the Emmy-nominated Hulu original series rehashed the rise of the legendary hip-hop group. Written by Alex Tse and RZA and executive produced by Tse, RZA, Method Man, Brian Grazer, Michael Rosenberg and Francie Calfo, the series debuted on Wednesday, September 4 with three episodes and followed with an ensuing episode each week, in honor of #WuTang Wednesday.

    https://youtu.be/kBy9umOnhZw

    Inspired by RZA’s guide to the clan, The Wu-Tang Manual and its follow-up, Toa of Wu, the series is set in the early in 1990s Staten Island, New York during the peak of the crack epidemic. It follows the formation of the clan through the lens of RZA. Bobby Diggs’ (RZA) love for music and producing gives him hope for making it out of the inner-cities of Staten Island. His ambitions also include formulating a super-group highlighting the borough’s talent, hoping to harness their untapped potential. What stands in their way are the allures of the street life, the drug trade and vices that have ruined many a dream for young minorities. 

    Wu-Tang An American Saga

    The series format resembles that of The Get Down— a Netflix original series that gave a fictionalized chronology of hip hop’s birth — yet, Wu-Tang: An American Saga has intensity and realism (felt from the opening scene and onward) that outpaces the former. While the screenplay is captivating on its own (who doesn’t want to have some semblance of an idea of how the most unique rap group ever was formed?), the acting makes it that much more enjoyable. Rappers Dave East and Joey Badass each embody their respective roles. Dave East, who had the challenge of portraying the Clan’s most mainstream member in Method Man and in his first real acting gig, does an honorable job of representing the hip hop legend. Moonlight actor Ashton Sanders’ portrayal of RZA is award-worthy, from his speech to his mannerisms; the production value is very high. 

    Although based in the 1990s, issues tackled are those that are still prevalent in present-day black inner-cities. Obstacles such as poverty, crime, the inner workings of the drug trade as well as the corruption that follows, are all issues the main characters have to bypass on their way to success.  

    Wu-Tang An American Saga

    In that same vein of realism, characters are also seen hitting rock-bottom and having to reinvent themselves to ascend to greater heights. Young black males are forced to be the man of the house at young ages (seen with RZA’s brother Divine, who was the family’s main provider through his drug dealings). With illegal affairs such a big part of the series, the consequences of the street life and the dangers that it invites are also highlighted. The inevitable run-ins with the law, prison sentences, prison life, the pain of a mother losing a son and the gut-wrenching feeling of wanting to change your environment and the helplessness one feels in those moments are all captivating themes that the series explores. The destitution of the “hood” leads many of the Clan members to follow the five percent teachings and philosophies they’ve gone on to (along with many other notable hip hop acts) popularize in their music.  

    Even though many of the accounts have been dramatized/fictionalized, it is still really fun to get insight on the influences that made the Clan unique. For example, RZA’s creativity and genius comes from his quick thinking and ability to solve problems and applying those abilities into his production. We also get an idea as to how he became the group’s de facto leader, as he was playing peacemaker between members long before platinum records. 

    Wu-Tang An American Saga

    Wu-Tang: An American Saga is must-watch television. Not only is it informative, the cast – which ranges from Shameik Moore, Ashton Sanders, to Dave East and Joey Badass. do an exemplary job of portraying each respective pioneer of the Clan. With no big-screen release date to rush storylines, writers can take ample time to figure out the best cross between dramatic/entertaining television and re-counting the tales of some of the most important figures in rap history. 

Built in Breakdance