Review: Wu-Tang Clan – A Better Tomorrow

As scores of American citizens rally in the streets, protesting injustice and racial discrimination across the country, Wu-Tang Clan releases their reunion album titled A Better Tomorrow. With more than two decades since their debut, and deemed hip-hop’s greatest group of all time, RZA managed to get all nine original members of the Wu-Tang on this recording, a group that also includes GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna, who went from unofficial to official member to replace the deceased Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who also appears on this record and opens the album with a short message in his trademark style. But getting the whole crew together was a daunting task, the group admitted in recent interviews that shed light on intra-Wu disputes and personal agendas that have caused challenges over the years. Yet, the message of this sixth studio album from Shaolin (that’s how they refer to Staten Island, the Wu-Tang Clan’s origin) could not have been better timed when the voice of a pioneering hip-hop group like the Wu-Tang is needed. “We’re all striving for a better tomorrow, we all have a something in common with a brotherhood and a respect, and when we say a better tomorrow, we’re trying to inspire it for the world”, the group explains. The album’s video for the title track falls in line with that mission, highlighting a montage of protest footage of the civil unrest that has taken place in the US since late November, and escalated through early December with the decisions not to pursue criminal charges against police officers in the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York. Of the video, the crew released this statement: “This visual was created by Wu-Tang Clan in the hopes of inspiring change and promoting unity throughout the world”. Yet, in Wu’s infinite wisdom as a top influential group in music history, the album title A Better Tomorrow had been set and the tracks recorded well in advance of anyone anticipating what was to erupt in the US in recent months.

Twenty-one years after their legendary debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), released in 1993, RZA has taken the classic raw and rugged Wu sound in a new direction. Known for pioneering a certain production sampling style that producers like Kanye West have copied and mastered since, RZA chose to let his inner composer take the lead on this new project, to the chagrin of some of the other Wu-Tang members who did not initially appreciate the artistic departure. But, the album features a live band and original music that grooves so hard that it is no coincidence that the musicians happen to be the same session guys who played on Al Green’s classic albums recorded in Memphis decades ago.

Lyrically, when it comes to the crew, Wu-Tang Clan still “ain’t nuthing ta fuck wit”. Each member is still holding his chamber down with a seasoned flow that has not diminished over time. With critically acclaimed solo careers by all of the members most notably Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, the group naturally fell into sync with recording, a benefit of doing this for so long. Highlights of the message album are certainly clear in songs like “Never Let Go”, which samples Dr. Martin Luther King, and the title track “A Better Tomorrow”, where verses range from militancy and social consciousness to analyses of today’s political perspective. “Mistaken Identity” takes on the persona of a brother who’s serving time for a crime he didn’t commit, which is a horrible legacy of many people of color in America. “Keep Watch”, first single off the album, features GZA, Method Man, Cappadonna, and Inspectah Deck, and the entire group is featured on “Ron O’Neal”, a track with a great 90s throwback feel to it. The MCs mesh well with the live band element too, which gets to spread out on songs like “Ruckus In B Minor” and “Preacher’s Daughter”, a remake of Aretha Franklin’s “Son Of A Preacher Man”. The album concludes with “Wu-Tang Reunion” which remakes another oldie but goodie, “Family Reunion”, from soul music legends The O’Jays. The album closer ends on a positive note, remembering ODB and underscoring exactly where the Wu-Tang crew is in their lives. True hip-hop, in a lot of ways, are the middle-aged pioneers, the successful brothers who are leaving positive influences not only for their families, but their millions of fans. At least this is true of the timeless hip-hop that Wu-Tang produces.

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is currently living a decade long bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. Many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for A Better Tomorrow

Pop Magazine’s official rating for A Better Tomorrow

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure