Few groups have had a stranglehold on the hip-hop community over the last 25 years like the Wu-Tang Clan. The rap collective produced superstars like Method Man, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, RZA, and GZA, along with breakout MC’s like Masta Killa and Inspectah Deck. Now that most of the members of the Wu-Tang Clan have been focusing on their solo careers, Memphis has been a tour destination for a few of the group’s artists, including Masta Killa and Inspectah Deck (who played at the old Hi-Tone a few years ago) and Raekwon (who played at the Young Avenue Deli in 2012). But no Wu-Tang Memphis appearance has had more hype than this Friday’s show that features Ghostface Killah and Raekwon at Minglewood Hall.
The duo is touring in support of the 20th anniversary of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, the masterpiece of an album that launched Raekwon into superstardom. Every track on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is a classic, from the hard-hitting lyrical content of “Guillotine (Swordz)” to the classic anthem “Ice Cream,” featuring Method Man’s infamous chorus, which isn’t exactly fit for print. While Ghostface Killah went on to create seminal albums like Bulletproof Wallets, Put It on the Line, and The Pretty Toney Album, there is something about the staying power of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx that just oozes classic Wu-Tang Clan. RZA produced most of the album, and while many have tried to replicate/rip off his beats, few have come close to re-creating that classic ’90s Shaolin sound. If you’ve been paying attention to hip-hop at any point in the last two decades, be at Minglewood Hall on Friday and remember, “Wu-Tang is for the children.”