Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is the 1993 debut album from New York rappers The Wu-Tang Clan. Consisting of 9 members rap had never seen or heard anything like the Wu-Tang at the time this was released. The RZA produced the full album himself by using mixtures of classic soul samples with clips from kung-fu movies, making menacing beats that showed the grittiness of the performers raps in full glory, with cheap studios and cheap equipment used in the recording this only added to the urban feel of the album. At the time this sort of production was largely unprecedented in hip hop and led to the widespread use of samples in future rap performers music, and also for the RZA to get the job to produce the score for the Kill Bill films. The album can also be credited with kicking off the east coast gangster rap scene, something which the west coast rappers were dominating at the time. By 1995 the album had gone Platinum.

The albums title comes from 2 main points of Martial arts folklore - the idea there is 36 pressure points on the human body that when hit are deadly, which came from the kung-fu flick' The 36th Chamber of Shaolin '. Also the group being made of 9 members, each having 4 chambers of the heart, which are 2 atria, and 2 ventricles, when multiplied equals 36.

This is the sound of accidental fame. Something as unique and unusual as this record isn't supposed to find itself at the height of commercial viability; it's supposed to smolder underground, hidden from the view of mainstream America, who surely would not be ready for such a challenge. But America was ready, in part because this one challenged convention, not listeners. Sure, its sloppy drum programming, bizarre song structures, and unpolished sound quality disturbed commercial rap purists, but the talent was so inherent and obvious, and the charisma so undeniable, that it propelled the Wu-Tang Clan to the height of the rap game, and today stands not just as the hip-hop classic that introduced the concept of obscure thematic characters (each member's name references old kung-fu movies), but also bridged the gap between traditional old-school sensibilities and the technical lyricism of today.

A very raw sounding track and one of the first Wu-Tang songs ever recorded, you can tell there wasn't loads of money put into the production of this but RZA still makes an amazing beat. This track really shows the hunger (as much of the album does) that the Wu-Tang had for success in the music business at this point.

Performers

Samples

Track 4 - Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber part 1

The 3rd single of the album (although none did particularly well in the singles charts at the time due to the fact this record sounded much more underground than most things being released at the time), CIABSS is quite simply one of the best rap tracks about, and one of the best examples of how to use a sample to full effect, while the raps sing about a mafia style lifestyle. Love the chorus, sampling at its best.

"The Way We Were" as performed by Gladys Knight & the Pips; written by Marilyn Bergman, Alan Bergman and Marvin Hamlisch
"I Got The" as performed by Labi Siffre; written by Labi Siffre

I first heard this track many years ago at a Fugees concert, Nas didn't get a work permit so couldn't perform so we were left with a DJ for about 2 and a half hours before the main performance. I'll never forget standing in the crowd when this came on, the whole place went up, people were bouncing and singing along everywhere, one of my true favourite memories from being at a gig (which didn't involve the main performers), I knew there and then I had to buy this album as soon as I got home.

Pictures of Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers) - Wu-Tang Clan

Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers) - Wu-Tang Clan

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The original single and perhaps the most well known track on here, the phrase C.R.E.A.M. stand for Cash Rules Everything Around Me, a phrase (both in full and abbreviation) used countless times from rappers everywhere after this was released. A laid back sounding track with great piano, while the lyrics are a gritty tale of coming up on the streets, drug dealing, and gun crime. A rap classic and rap street anthem.

"As Long as I've Got You" as performed by The Charmels; written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter

Track 9 - Method Man

"Synthetic Substitution" as performed by Melvin Bliss
"Sport" as performed by Lightin' Rod; written by Kool & The Gang and Lightin' Rod
"More Bounce to the Ounce" as performed by Zapp; written by Roger Troutman
"Method of Modern Love" as performed by Hall & Oates; written by Janna Allen and Daryl Hall
"Sundown" as performed by Gordon Lightfoot

Track 10 - Protect Ya Neck

Samples

"After Laughter (Comes Tears)" as performed by Wendy Rene; written by Marianne Brittenum, Johnny Frierson, Mary Frierson and Jackson

Track 12 - Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber--Part II

Overall another 10/10 album for me, Enter the Wu-Tang really opened the flood gates up in rap music, taking the underground sound into the mainstream and inspiring 100's of rappers since it's release. This should be in any rap fans collection.