Raise ’em up if you were disappointed by 8 Diagrams! Anyone not raise their hands? Then you don’t know shit about Wu Tang Clan. I’m happy to say, though, that The Razor, a cornerstone of New York’s most talented collective, hasn’t lost his skillz. Released on the independent Wu Music Group, Afro Samurai: Resurrection, is the second soundtrack to the groundbreaking Anime series. Cartoon Network has done some great things with music, and this is yet another. Not a traditional soundtrack, the album contains fully formed songs and fantastic rappers. There’s “You Already Know,” which features Kool G Rap and Inspectah Deck; “Blood Thicker Than Mud,” which samples Sly Stone’s “Family Affair;” Whar w/Kool G Rap, Tash, and my personal pick for the most talented Wu banger, Pretty Toney, who goes by Ghostface Killah on this track; and a key spot by Rah Digga, Bitch is Gonna Get Ya, which really shows off this underrated female rapper’s ability. And best of all: No useless snippets.
This is the best rap album of the year so far. It’s early in 2009, only January, so it’s easy to say this, but don’t take it too lightly. There’s a lot of strong, classic-sounding Wu on here.
Whar-Kool G Rap, Ghostface, Tash, and RZA
Classic Wu:
Wu Gambinos-Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Rza & Masta Killa.
