#4th disciple

Wu-Tang Clan: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)

In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t listen to a lot of hip hop, but what can I say? 

I simply can’t relate to the experience of growing up in a Staten Island project -- nor am I presumptuous enough to try -- so it’s hard for me to contextualize the Wu-Tang Clan’s classic debut (and rap music, in general), which arrived in stores 25 years ago today.

But you know what really helped? 

Watching The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Shaolin and Wu-Tang, Ten Tigers of Kwangtung, and other Kung-Fu films that provided so many samples for “Bring da Ruckus,” “Shame On a Nigga,” “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’,” etc., as well as the philosophical concepts (if you can call them that) that inspired RZA and his eight cronies.

Breaking down the math, from what I’ve gathered: that’s nine Wu-Tang Clan members, each with four heart chambers, equals 36 chambers.

But, at the root of it all, I finally realized, is music as a vehicle for escapism from everyday life, and I can totally relate to that, coming from the heavy metal community -- more so than I can realistic, socially-conscious hip hop like Public Enemy’s, ironically enough.

Context, at last! 

You know what, this album is dope! 

Can I say that?

"Death Be The Penalty (Charlemagne Remix)" by Shabazz The Disciple    

"Death Be The Penalty (produced by 4th Disciple)" by Shabazz The Disciple featuring Kavalier    

25 Years of Wu Tang Forever

I completely get why their limited commercial appeal dried up completely after 9/11 but I still love Killarmy and think 4th Disciple is a better DJ/producer than his much more famous cousin. Fight me.