Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Clan Artistfacts

  • 1992-
    RZA (Prince Rakeem)
    GZA (The Genius)
    Inspectah Deck (Rebel INS)
    Ghostface Killah
    Ol' Dirty Bastard1992-2004
    Raekwon (The Chef)
    Method Man
    Masta Killa
    U-God
    Cappadonna1997-
  • RZA is their leader of Wu-Tang Clan and their primary producer. He prides himself on avoiding samples, creating original tracks for the lyricists in the group.
  • RZA and GZA both released failed solo albums before finding success with Wu-Tang Clan.
  • The group is from Staten Island, which among the five boroughs of New York City had been underrepresented in hip-hop. The group sometimes refer to it as "Shaolin" Island, a reference to the Shaolin style of martial arts.
  • When the group signed a major-label deal with Loud Records, they insisted on a clause granting the members freedom to do solo projects and collaborations on other labels. By the time their second album was released, RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Inspectah Deck each had solo deals.
  • Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Ol' Dirty Bastard all derived their rapper names from their favorite kung-fu characters.
  • Wu-Tang Clan leader RZA filed a trademark opposition suit in November 2017 against dog-walking company Woof-Tang Clan for trademark infringement. The Brooklyn-based company claim to walk "the illest group of dogs in New York City."
  • Wu Tang's GZA is a science nerd and has spoken at Harvard and hosted a Physics lecture at MIT. In 2012, he discussed astrophysics with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
  • After Wu-Tang Clan's debut album broke through, Ol' Dirty Bastard was filmed taking a limousine to a New York State welfare office to cash a $375 welfare check and receive food stamps. Because ODB had yet to file his taxes, his then-recent income did not impact his eligibility for government support.
  • Rihanna's first child, born in 2022, is named after RZA. His dad is the rapper ASAP Rocky, a huge Wu-Tang fan.
  • Once Upon a Time in Shaolin by Wu-Tang Clan holds the title for the world's rarest and most expensive album ever sold. Only a single physical copy of the album exists, a two-CD set housed in a silver encrusted box. There are no digital versions available for purchase or streaming.

    In 2015, the album was auctioned off through Paddle8, an online auction house, for $2 million. The buyer was Martin Shkreli, a controversial pharmaceutical entrepreneur.
  • "Wu-Tang Forever," the title of their 1997 album, became their credo, a symbol of how no matter what direction they take, they will live on in spirit. The phrase quickly entered the cultural lexicon, and during divisive presidential elections in America, some voters made a point by putting up campaign-style signs with the slogan "Presidents Come And Go, Wu-Tang Is Forever."
  • They're big fans of the New York Knicks and did their part to help the team by firing up the crowd when they played the halftime show at Game 4 of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden with the team down by 27 to the Spurs. The crowd kept the faith, and the Knicks staged the biggest comeback in finals history to win the game. During their set, the group shouted, "Knicks in five!" and that prediction came true, with the team earning their first championship since 1973 with another comeback win in the next game.

Comments: 1

  • The Electric Beef from Bothell, WaWu Tang Clan is for the children
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" Album

Arrested For Your Art - The Story Of 2 Live Crew's "Obscene" AlbumSong Writing

In the summer of 1990, you could get arrested for selling a 2 Live Crew album or performing their songs in Southern Florida. And that's exactly what happened.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.