Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Infobox Album
Name = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Type = Studio
Artist = Wu-Tang Clan


Released = November 9, 1993
Recorded = 1992–1993
Firehouse Studio
(New York, New York)
Genre = East Coast hip hop, hardcore rap
Length = 58:22 (North America)
61:40 (international)
Label = Loud/RCA/BMG Records
07863-66336 (North America)
74321-20367 (international)
Producer = RZA
Reviews =
*Allmusic rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ogd2vwdta9rk link]
*Robert Christgau (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=wu+tang+clan link]
*"Entertainment Weekly" (A) [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308969,00.html link]
*PopMatters (favorable) [http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/w/wutangclan-enter.shtml link]
*RapReviews (10/10) [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_36chambers.html link]
*"Rolling Stone" rating|4|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/129082/review/6209929/enterthewutang36chambers 1994]
*"Rolling Stone" rating|5|5 [http://books.google.com/books?id=lRgtYCC6OUwC&pg=PA887&vq=enter+the+wu-tang&dq=rolling+stone+enter+the+wu&source=gbs_search_s&sig=ACfU3U1p_PtehklWcP4KOKP43tt-BQ2Q9A 2004]
*The Source rating|4.5|5 [http://pressrewind.wordpress.com/2007/02/19/classic-review-enter-the-wu-tang-in-the-source/ 1994]
*The Source Rating|5|5 [http://www.listsofbests.com/list/12875 2002]
*Sputnikmusic rating|4.5|5 [http://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=1760 link]
Last album =
This album = "Enter the Wu-Tang"
(1993)
Next album = "Wu-Tang Forever"
(1997)

"Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" is the debut album of American East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan, released November 9, 1993 on Loud Records and distributed by RCA. Many critics consider "Enter The Wu-Tang" one of the most significant albums of the 1990s and one of the greatest hip hop albums recorded. The distinctive sound of "Enter the Wu-Tang" created a blueprint for hardcore hip hop in the mid-1990s and helped return New York City hip hop to national prominence.cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ogd2vwdta9rk | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Review at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 1 | accessyear = 2006] The Wu-Tang Clan's debut was a landmark album in an era known as the East Coast Renaissance. The group's leader, RZA, produced the album with heavy, eerie beats, largely based on martial-arts movie clips and soul music samples. The album is named after the 1978 martial arts film "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin".

The unique sound of "Enter the Wu-Tang" became hugely influential in modern hip hop production. The album also marked the first appearance of a number of rappers—including Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, and Raekwon—who have collectively sold millions of solo records. The lyrics of "Enter the Wu-Tang" are explicit, humorous, and free-associative, and served as a template for many subsequent hip hop records.cite web| last = Heimlich | first = Adam | url = http://www.nypress.com/15/4/news&columns/feature.cfm | title = 2002, Hiphop's Year One: Nas, Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan Face 9/11 | format = Online Article Column | work = The New York Press: Volume 15, Issue 4 | publisher = | accessdate = April 1 | accessyear = 2006] "The Source" declared that the first two singles from "Enter the Wu-Tang", "Protect Ya Neck" and "C.R.E.A.M.", are among the 100 Best Rap Singles yet released. "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" had surprising chart success, despite its raw, underground sound.cite web | last = Touré | first = | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/wutangclan/albums/album/129082/review/6209929/enter_the_wutang_36_chambers | title = Wu-Tang Clan: Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Review from Rolling Stone | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = September 23 | accessyear = 2006] Its highest "Billboard" 200 chart ranking was number 41, and by May 15, 1995, it was certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:54jiea114x07~T3 | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Billboard Albums at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 12 | accessyear = 2006] The style and success of "Enter the Wu-Tang" became influential as it helped lead the way for such East Coast rap artists as Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, and Jay-Z. RS500|386

Conception

Background

In the late 1980s, cousins Robert Diggs, Gary Grice, and Russell Jones formed a group named Force of the Imperial Master, also known as the All in Together Now Crew.cite web | last = Cowie | first = Del F. | url = http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=914 | title = Days of the Wu at Exclaim.ca | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2006] Each member recorded under an alias: Grice as The Genius, Diggs as Prince Rakeem or The Scientist, and Jones as The Specialist. The group never signed to a major label, but caught the attention of the New York rap scene and was recognized by rapper Biz Markie.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.hiphopcore.net/interviews/rza_english.php3 | title = RZA Interview at HipHopCore.net | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 26 | accessyear = 2006] By 1991, The Genius and Prince Rakeem were signed to separate record labels. The Genius released "Words from the Genius" on Cold Chillin' Records and Prince Rakeem released "Ooh I Love You Rakeem" on Tommy Boy Records.

Both were soon dropped by their labels. Embittered but unbowed, they took on new monikers (The Genius became GZA while Prince Rakeem became RZA) and refocused their efforts. RZA writes in "The Wu-Tang Manual" that " [Tommy Boy] made the decision to sign House of Pain over us. When they dropped me, I was thinking, 'Damn, they chose a bunch of whiteboy shit over me.'"cite web | last = Pfeifle | first = Sam | url = http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/arts/books/documents/04646062.asp | title = Days of the Wu - The RZA looks inside the Clan at BostonPhoenix.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 16 | accessyear = 2006] RZA began collaborating with Dennis Coles, better known as Ghostface Killah, another rapper from the Stapleton Projects apartment complex in Staten Island. The duo decided to create a hip hop group whose ethos would be a blend of "Eastern philosophy picked up from kung fu movies, watered-down Nation of Islam preaching picked up on the New York streets, and comic books."

In 1992, RZA and Ghostface joined forces with GZA, Russell Jones (newly christened Ol' Dirty Bastard), and five other New York MCs to form Wu-Tang Clan. RZA assumed leadership of the group and was largely responsible for its artistic direction. After some of the members' past experiences, Wu-Tang Clan was initially hesitant to accept a contract offer and demanded that each member retain solo recording rights. On the strength of the "Protect Ya Neck/Method Man" single, Loud Records and RCA acceded to their demands, paving the way for Wu-Tang Clan to release "36 Chambers" on those labels.

Title significance

The true meaning of the album's title is not well known or understood. According to a Five Percent philosophy, known as the Supreme Mathematics, the number 9 means “to bring into existence,” and this meant everything to the group’s debut album. The group being made of 9 members, each having 4 chambers of the heart, which are 2 atria, and 2 ventricles. All of this is the root for "36 Chambers", being that 9 x 4 = 36.

In reference to the 1978 kung fu film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin that the group enjoyed watching, the Clan considered themselves as lyrical masters of the 36 chambers, and arrived onto the rap scene while appearing to be ahead, and more advanced over others with "knowledge of 36 chambers of hip hop music when everyone else in hip hop was striving to attain the knowledge of 35 lessons"." Also, while the human body has 108 pressure points (1 + 0 + 8 = 9), only the Wu-Tang martial artists learned and understood that 36 of those pressure points are deadly {9 + 36 = 45) (4 + 5 = 9) The lyrics and rhymes of the 9 members are to be considered as 36 deadly lyrical techniques for pressure points. All of this is the basis for the album title, Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, being that 9 members x 4 chambers = 36. [http://www.urb.com/features/246/WuTangWiddlingDownInfinity.php?PageId=1]

Recording

"Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" was recorded at Firehouse Studio in New York City from 1992 to 1993. The album was produced, mixed, arranged, and programmed by RZA, and was mastered at The Hit Factory in New York City by Chris Gehringer.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.discogs.com/artist/Wu-Tang+Clan | title = Wu-Tang Clan Entry at Discogs.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 12 | accessyear = 2006] Because of an extremely limited budget, the group was only able to record in a small, inexpensive studio; with up to eight Wu-Tang members in the studio at once, the quarters were frequently crowded.cite web | last = Cowie | first = Del F. | url = http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=914 | title = Days of the Wu at Exclaim.ca | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2006] To decide who appeared on each song, RZA forced the Wu-Tang rappers to battle with each other. This competition led to the track "Meth Vs. Chef", a battle between Method Man and Raekwon over the rights to rap over RZA's beat; this track was left off the Wu-Tang Clan's debut album but surfaced on Method Man's debut, "Tical".cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=914 | title = Days of the Wu
format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2006]

Music

Lyrical content

"Enter the Wu Tang" ushered in a new standard for hip hop at a time when hip hop music was dominated by the jazz-influenced styles of A Tribe Called Quest, the Afrocentric viewpoints of Public Enemy, and the rising popularity of West Coast gangsta rap. "Rolling Stone" described the album as possessing an aesthetic that was "low on hype and production values [and] high on the idea that indigence is a central part of blackness." While the lyrical content on "Enter the Wu-Tang" generally varies from rapper to rapper, the basic themes are the same — urban life, martial arts movies, comic book references, and marijuana — and the setting is invariably the harsh environment of New York City. The lyrics have a universally dark tone and seem at times to be simply aggressive cries. Allmusic contributor Steve Huey praises the lyricists for their originality and caustic humor:

With the exception of "Method Man" and GZA's "Clan in da Front", every song features multiple rappers contributing verses of varying lengths. The verses are essentially battle rhymes, mixed with humor and outsized tales of urban violence and drug use. There is some debate about whether the lyrics on "36 Chambers" are properly classified as gangsta rap or something else entirely.cite web | last = Yew | first = Ben | url = http://www.proudfleshjournal.com/issue3/yew.htm | title = Retrospect for Hip-Hop: A Golden Age on Record? at ProudFleshJournal.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 21 | accessyear = 2006] In a "Stylus Magazine" review, writer Gavin Mueller evokes the bleakness of the Wu-Tang world view:

All nine original Wu-Tang Clan members contribute vocals on "Enter the Wu-Tang". Masta Killa only appears on one track, contributing the last verse of "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'", but all the other rappers appear on at least two songs. Method Man and Raekwon are the most prolific of the group, featured on eight tracks. Though the performers have widely differing techniques, the chemistry between them is a key ingredient of the album's success.cite web | last = Juon | first = Steve | url = http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_36chambers.html | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Review at RapReviews.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 25 | accessyear = 2006] Pitchfork Media asserts that "Half the charm is in the cast's idiosyncrasies: ODB's hovering sing-song, Raekwon's fake stutter, Ghostface's verbal tics, Method Man's hazy, dusted voice."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36737/Staff_List_Top_100_Albums_of_the_1990s/page_7 | title = Pitchfork Feature: Top 100 Albums of the 1990s at PitchforkMedia.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 14th | accessyear = 2006]

Production

RZA produced "Enter the Wu-Tang" by creating sonic collages from classic soul samples and clips from martial arts movies such as "Shaolin and Wu Tang". He complemented the rappers' performances with "lean, menacing beats that evoked their gritty, urban surroundings more effectively than their words", according to Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic.cite web | last = Erlewine | first = Stephen Thomas | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:knx1z82a2yvj | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (Japan) at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 7 | accessyear = 2006] The use of soul samples and various esoteric clips, and the technique by which RZA employed them in his beats, was unique and largely unprecedented in hip hop. The gritty sound of "Enter the Wu-Tang" is due, at least in part, to the use of cheap equipment to produce the album.cite web | last = Juon | first = Steve | url = http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_36chambers.html | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) at Rapreviews.com
format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 8 | accessyear = 2006] Many critics argue that this plays directly into the appealing "street" quality that makes the album a classic, including Ben Yew, who wrote:

Although Ol' Dirty Bastard is given co-production credit on "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" and Method Man is co-credited for "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit", critics and admirers universally credit RZA with developing a "dusty yet digital production style [that] helped legitimize the use of more diverse sample sources to the hardcore New York rap massive, breaking away from James Brown based beats and embracing a style that turned the Underdog theme into the menacing coda for a group of underground terrorists."cite web | last = Pemberton | first = Rolie | url = http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36737/Staff_List_Top_100_Albums_of_the_1990s/page_7 | title = Pitchfork Feature: Top 100 Albums of the 1990s | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 14th | accessyear = 2006]

ingles

"Protect Ya Neck" and "Tearz" were the first tracks recorded by the Wu-Tang Clan. "Protect Ya Neck" is a free-associative and braggadocious battle rap featuring eight of the nine Wu-Tang members, and "Tearz" tells stories of a man getting shot, and another one who contracts HIV after having unprotected sex. They were independently released as the "Protect Ya Neck"/"After Laughter Comes Tears" single, which RZA financed by demanding $100 (USD) from each rapper who wanted a verse on the A-side.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/arts/books/documents/04646062.asp | title = Days of the Wu - The RZA looks inside the Clan | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 16 | accessyear = 2006] cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=914 | title = Days of the Wu | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 21 | accessyear = 2006] The single was later re-released in a much larger pressing, with "Method Man" as the B-side.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.buy.com/prod/Enter_The_Wu_Tang_36_Chambers_Explicit_Version/q/loc/109/60132453.html | title = Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers (Explicit Version) at Buy.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 6 | accessyear = 2006]

"Method Man" reached number 69 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and number 17 on the "Billboard" Hot Rap Tracks chart. "Method Man" gained significant airplay partly for its catchy refrain, which copies the refrain of Hall & Oates' "Method of Modern Love" ("The M-E-T-H-O-D...Man").

"C.R.E.A.M.", featuring Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, was the second single from the album and the first new A-side to be released after the group signed with Loud/RCA. Its lyrics deal with the struggle of poverty and the desire to earn money by any means. It was the Wu-Tang Clan's most successful single, reaching number 60 on the "Billboard Hot 100" and number 8 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. The single topped the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. "Blender" describes "C.R.E.A.M." as the standout track on "36 Chambers".cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=126 | title = 500 CDs You Must Own: Hip-Hop at Blender.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 2 | accessyear = 2006] "Can It Be All So Simple", featuring Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, was the album's third single. It failed to chart on the "Billboard" Hot 100, but reached number 24 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. A remix of "Can It Be All So Simple" was later featured on Raekwon's debut solo album "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…" in 1995.

The group made music videos for the three A-sides and for "Method Man", "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'", and "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit". As the group's profile increased, the quality of their videos improved; though the "Protect Ya Neck" video resembled a home movie, later videos were directed by rising hip hop music video director Hype Williams. The videos received almost no airplay on MTV, but were extremely popular on video-by-request channels such as The Box.cite web | last = Ward | first = Jacob | url = http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/6.02/newmedia.html?pg=7 | title = Where MTV Fears to Tread at Wired.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 27 | accessyear = 2006] Touré wrote in his 1993 "Rolling Stone" review that "in Brooklyn, N.Y., right now and extending back a few months, the reigning fave is the Wu-Tang Clan, who are to the channel what Guns N' Roses are to MTV."

Reception

Initial

"Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" received a mixed response from critics on its release. "Rolling Stone"'s review was decidedly ambivalent, praising the album's sound, but noting that "Wu-Tang...are more ciphers than masterful creations. In refusing to commodify themselves, they leave blank the ultimate canvas – the self." "Entertainment Weekly" was more enthusiastic, giving the album an A, and writing that "With its rumble jumble of drumbeats, peppered with occasional piano plunking, "Enter" has a raw, pass-the-mike flavor we haven't heard since rap was pop's best-kept secret."cite web | last = Bernard | first = James | url = http://www.ew.com/ew/article/review/music/0,6115,308969_4%7C16405%7C%7C0_0_,00.html | title = Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) from Entertainment Weekly | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 16 | accessyear = 2006] Despite general critical favor of the album, Robert Christgau's review warned listeners of "Enter the Wu-Tung"'s critical hype and expectations:

Music journalist Touré declared of the album, that "This is hip-hop you won't find creeping up the "Billboard" charts but you will hear booming out of Jeep stereos in all the right neighborhoods." However, "Enter the Wu-Tang" peaked at number 41 on the "Billboard" 200 chart and reached number 8 on "Billboard"'s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/wutangclan/albums/album/129082/review/6209929/enter_the_wutang_36_chambers | title = Wu-Tang Clan: Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 7 | accessyear = 2006] cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:54jiea114x07~T3 | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Billboard Albums | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 12 | accessyear = 2006] The album continued to sell steadily and was eventually certified platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America on May 15, 1995.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/search_results.asp | title = Gold and Platinum Database Search | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 15 | accessyear = 2006]

Retrospect

Since its release, "Enter the Wu-Tang" has risen in stature to become one of the most highly-regarded albums in hip hop.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://movies.ign.com/articles/514/514214p1.html | title = An Interview with the RZA at IGN.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 26 | accessyear = 2006] In 2003, "Rolling Stone" named the album among the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", asserting that "East-coast hip-hop made a return in 1993."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6626211/386_enter_the_wutang_36_chambers | title = Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Albums of All Time at RollingStone.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 15 | accessyear = 2006] The magazine later listed it as one of the "Essential Albums of the 90's."cite web | last = Otto | first = Jeff | url = http://www.rocklist.net/rstone.html#Recordings%20of%20the%20%E2%80%9890s | title = Rolling Stone Essential Albums of the 90s at Rocklist.net | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 15 | accessyear = 2006] "The Source" rated "Enter the Wu-Tang" as one of the "The Source Magazine"'s 100 Best Rap Albums", and named "Protect Ya Neck/Method Man" and "C.R.E.A.M." among the "100 Best Rap Singles".cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.rocklist.net/source.htm | title = The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums at Rocklist.net | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 12 | accessyear = 2006] MTV declared it among "The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index13.jhtml | title = MTV.com Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 15 | accessyear = 2006] "Blender" named "Enter the Wu-Tang" among the "500 CDs You Must Own", calling the album a "spare, stunning debut of space-age lo-fi funk."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=126 | title = Blender: 500 CDs You Must Own | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 15 | accessyear = 2006] Non-U.S. publications have acclaimed "36 Chambers" as well: Australia's "Juice" magazine placed it at number 40 on a list of "100 Greatest Albums of the '90s",cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.rocklist.net/juice.html | title = Juice's "100 Greatest Albums of the '90s" at Rocklist.net | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 21 | accessyear = 2006] and "Les Inrockuptibles" of France ranked it number 59 on a list of "The 100 Best Albums 1986–1996".cite web | last = | first = | url = http://disques.de.l.annee.free.fr/inrocks.html#best100 | title = "Les 100 albums des années 1986–1996" from Les Inrockuptibles | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 21 | accessyear = 2006]

In naming "Enter the Wu-Tang" one of the 50 best albums of the 1990s, Pitchfork Media staff member Rollie Pemberton summed up the album's critical recognition by writing:

Influence

East Coast hip hop

"Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" is one of the most celebrated and influential albums in hip hop history.cite web | last = Yew | first = Ben | url = http://www.proudfleshjournal.com/issue3/yew.htm | title = Retrospect for Hip-Hop: A Golden Age on Record? at ProudFleshJournal.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 21 | accessyear = 2006] Adam Heimlich of the "New York Press" considers the album a touchstone of hardcore hip-hop, a gritty, stripped-down, dark and violent sub-genre of hip hop and the signature sound of New York City's rap scene during the mid-1990s. He writes that, "the Wu-Tang Clan...all but invented 90s New York rap, back when the notion of an East Coast gangsta still meant Schoolly D or Kool G. Rap.... [They] designed the manner and style in which New York artists would address what Snoop and Dre had made rap’s hottest topics: drugs and violence."cite web| last = Heimlich | first = Adam | url = http://www.nypress.com/15/4/news&columns/feature.cfm | title = 2002, Hiphop's Year One: Nas, Mobb Deep and Wu-Tang Clan Face 9/11 | format = Online Article Column | work = The New York Press: Volume 15, Issue 4 | publisher = | accessdate = April 1 | accessyear = 2006] A new generation of New York rappers, many of them inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan's example, released a flurry of classic albums that later became known as the East Coast Renaissance. Allmusic indicates that Nas's "Illmatic", The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready to Die", Mobb Deep's "The Infamous", and Jay-Z's "Reasonable Doubt" are among the records of this era that reflected the Wu-Tang Clan's influence.cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:ogd2vwdta9rk | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Review at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 1 | accessyear = 2006]

At the time of the album's release, mainstream hip hop was dominated by West Coast hip hop. "Enter the Wu Tang" (along with the critically acclaimed "Illmatic" and the commercial success of "Ready to Die") was able to shift the emphasis away from the melodious, synthesizer-driven G-funk and restore interest into the East Coast hip hop scene. According to one columnist, "When "Enter the Wu-Tang: The 36 Chambers" first graced the pages of rap lore in 1993, Dr. Dre's funk-filled, West Coast gangster rap dominated the business. Though this initial dominance was difficult to overcome, Wu-Tang still managed to carve out a piece of rap history."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.proudfleshjournal.com/issue3/yew.htm | title = Retrospect for Hip-Hop: A Golden Age on Record?
format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 21 | accessyear = 2006]

Hip hop production

RZA's production on Wu-Tang Clan's debut album had a profound and significant influence on subsequent hip hop producers. Blackfilm.com asserts that "Enter the Wu-Tang"'s production formula "transformed the sound of underground rap into mainstream formula, and virtually changed the face of contemporary music as popsters once knew it."cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.blackfilm.com/20040514/features/rza.shtml | title = Coffee and Cigarettes: An Interview with RZA at Blackfilm.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 17 | accessyear = 2006] Many successful rap producers have admitted to the influence of RZA's beats on their own production efforts. 9th Wonder, a producer and former member of Little Brother, is one of many whose vocal sampling styles are inspired by RZA.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://remixmag.com/artists/remix_little_feat/ | title = Little Feat: An Interview With 9th Wonder at RemixMag.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 7 | accessyear = 2006] The album's reliance on soul music samples was novel at the time, but 21st century producers such as The Alchemist, Kanye West and Just Blaze now rely on this technique.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.superswell.com/samplelaw/quotes.html | title = Sampling Quotes at Superswell.com
format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 7 | accessyear = 2006] The production on two Mobb Deep albums, "The Infamous" and "Hell on Earth", are "indebted"cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:1c821vkozzua | title = The Infamous at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = January 1 | accessyear = 2007] cite web | last = Huey | first = Steve | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=&sql=10:3n881vaozzua | title = Hell on Earth at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = January 1 | accessyear = 2007] to RZA's early production with Wu-Tang Clan.

The vocals from tracks on "36 Chambers" have been extensively sampled by other artists and producers. Raekwon and Inspectah Deck's vocals from "C.R.E.A.M." have been sampled on Masta Ace's "Maintain" and Reflection Eternal's "Good Mourning", respectively. Common's "Nuthin' to Do" samples vocals from Ol' Dirty Bastard on "Protect Ya Neck". The Pharcyde's "Devil Music" samples vocals from U-God on "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'".

ubsequent Wu-Tang work

Following the success of "Enter the Wu-Tang", the individual members of the group negotiated and signed solo contracts with a variety of different labels: Method Man signed with Def Jam, Ol' Dirty Bastard with Elektra Records, GZA with Geffen Records, and Ghostface Killah with Epic Records. This expansion across the music industry was an element of RZA's plan for industry-wide domination, wherein "All Wu releases are deemed to be 50 percent partnerships with Wu-Tang Productions and each Wu member with solo deal must contribute 20 percent of their earnings back to Wu-Tang Productions, a fund for all Wu members."cite web | last = Cowie | first = Del | url = http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=1&csid1=914 | title = Days of the Wu at Exclaim.ca
format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = November 6 | accessyear = 2006] RZA's plan proved successful: every member of the Wu-Tang Clan has released a solo record.

Wu-Tang Clan have produced four subsequent group albums since "Enter the Wu-Tang", including "Wu-Tang Forever", which is certified as a quadruple platinum record.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/search_results.asp | title = Gold and Platinum Database Search at RIAA.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 15 | accessyear = 2006] None of the subsequent Wu-Tang Clan albums have garnered the critical accolades that their debut was accorded.cite web| last = Kurtz | first = Mike | url = http://www.uwire.com/content/topae012402002.html | title = Nas, Wu-Tang Clan show growth, change with new albums at U-Wire.com | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = December 12 | accessyear = 2006] Several songs from the "36 Chambers" sessions later resurfaced on other Wu-Tang Clan releases. Raekwon's 1995 solo album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...", features a remix of "Can It Be All So Simple". Method Man's debut album, "Tical", contains a remix of "Method Man" as a bonus track. Later albums by Wu-Tang Clan affiliates refer to "Enter the Wu-Tang" in their titles: Ol' Dirty Bastard's 1995 solo debut "Return to the 36 Chambers" and the live release, "".

Track listing

CD/cassette

:Tracks 1–5 are on the Shaolin Sword side of the album and tracks 6–12 are on the Wu-Tang Sword side. The international version contains an additional track on the latter.

ingles

Personnel

Information taken from Allmusic.cite web | last = | first = | url = http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2c5uak5kgm3c~T20AC | title = Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers): Credits at Allmusic | format = | work = | publisher = | accessdate = October 28 | accessyear = 2006]
*Carlos Bess - engineer
*Richard Bravo - set design, design
*Inspectah Deck - vocals, lyrics
*Mitchell Diggs - executive producer, supervisor, production supervisor
*4th Disciple - scratching
*Chris Gehringer - mastering
*Ghostface Killah - executive producer, vocals, lyrics
*John Gibbons - supervisor, production supervisor
*Oli Grant - executive producer, supervisor, production supervisor
*GZA/Genius - vocals, lyrics
*Daniel Hastings - photography
*Masta Killa - vocals
*Michael McDonald - supervisor, production supervisor
*Method Man - vocals, producer, lyrics
*Jacqueline Murphy - artwork, art direction
*Ol' Dirty Bastard - vocals, producer, lyrics
*Prince Rakeem - arranger, executive producer, mixing, producer, programming, vocals, lyrics
*Raekwon - vocals, lyrics
*Ethan Ryman - engineer
*Mike Theodore - supervisor, production supervisor
*U-God - vocals, lyrics
*Tracey Waples - executive producer
*Amy Wenzler - design

Notes

References

*cite book | last= Weisbard | first= Eric | coauthors= Craig Marks | title= Spin Alternative Record Guide |publisher= Vintage Books |year= 1995 |isbn= 0679755748