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8 Diagrams

8 Diagrams
Studio album by Wu-Tang Clan
Released December 11, 2007 (U.S.)
Recorded 2007
Genre East Coast hip hop, hardcore hip hop, hip hop
Length 71:05
Label Loud, SRC, Universal Motown
588 036
Producer RZA (exec.), Easy Mo Bee, George Drakoulias, Mathematics
Professional reviews
Wu-Tang Clan chronology
Iron Flag
(2001)		 8 Diagrams
(2007)

8 Diagrams is the fifth studio album by New York hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released through Street Records Corporation on December 11, 2007.[1]

Contents

Background

The album's title is derived from the Kung Fu film Eight-Diagram Pole Fighter.[2] The Clan, which has not released an album since 2001's Iron Flag, signed a one-album deal with Steve Rifkind's SRC Records in December 2006. The group's four previous albums were all released on Rifkind's now-defunct Loud Records. The U.S. version of the album will not include "16th Chamber (ODB Special)" or "Tar Pit".

On Sunday, August 5, 2007, at the Virgin Festival in Baltimore, RZA announced that the new release date for the album would be November 13, 2007, noting that this is the third anniversary of the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard. However, the date was pushed back to December 11, 2007.[3]

In a released statement, group leader RZA commented on the need for the Clan's return:

“ This is the perfect time for us to come back; the stars are aligned. It's like when we first started with Steve. We put out real hip-hop at a time when it was turning into pop or R&B. We brought the focus back to the music in its rawest form, without studio polish or radio hooks.... People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush. We're here to supply that fix. How could hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever? We're here to revive the spirit and the economics and bring in a wave of energy that has lately dissipated.[4] ”

At the public premiere of Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang in New York, Cappadonna revealed that the Clan had recorded between 40 and 50 songs for the record, of which around fourteen would make up the album. Prior to the album's release, Loud.com issued a free 8 Diagrams mixtape containing exclusive and unreleased tracks, including "Thug World", "Life Changes", "Stick Me for My Riches" and "Weak Spot".[5]

Collaborations

8 Diagrams featured all eight current members - RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Masta Killa. The album features previously recorded material from Ol' Dirty Bastard, the ninth member, as well as a tribute track titled "Life Changes." Auxiliary members Cappadonna and Streetlife also appear.

In a recent article from Nme.com, it was stated that the album would feature production from Easy Mo Bee, Marley Marl, Q-Tip, DJ Scratch and Nile Rodgers.[6] George Clinton, of P-Funk; Dhani Harrison; John Frusciante; and Shavo Odadjian, bassist of System of a Down will be on the album as well.[7]

This was also the Wu's first collaboration since the passing of original member Ol' Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004. "We still miss him every day," GZA added. "It's like you lost an arm or a leg; you feel incomplete. You can still walk or do other things, but you're limited to a certain degree." With the RZA adding, "He was a very special person, like a very rare diamond. You know, it's like you wake up one day and they're saying, 'There are no diamonds in the world anymore, just cubic zirconia...'"

The back of the pre-album mixtape states that the album will feature "the entire Wu-Tang Clan (including Cappadonna and Streetlife)".

Singles

In a BBC 1Xtra interview Method Man stated that the first single will be called "Watch Your Mouth" and that it is produced by DJ Scratch. However, sample clearance issues have been rumoured and "Watch Your Mouth" was not included in the final release of 8 Diagrams.

The first official single is "The Heart Gently Weeps", an adaptation of the Beatles song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". George Harrison's son Dhani Harrison and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers have all been involved in the making of the song. Originally thought to be a sampled track, this is actually an interpolated version, sampling Jimmy Ponder's cover of the song. The song features Raekwon, Ghostface, and Method Man rapping and guest singing provided by Erykah Badu. The RZA also recently confirmed that Stone Mecca, one of the newer Wu-Tang-affiliated groups, contributed backing music to the track.[8]


"Take It Back" was released as a second single.

Reception

The first official review of the complete album was posted on Hip-Hop Connection magazine's website on November 19th.[9] "Watch Your Mouth" was praised by Evan Serpick of Rolling Stone magazine, calling the song a relief from the "simplified ringtone rap" that he claimed was dominant of the hip-hop industry while Wu-Tang Clan was inactive from 2001 to 2007. Serpick also highlighted the lyrical parts of U-God and RZA.[10] Rolling Stone also praised "The Heart Gently Weeps".[11] Allhiphop.com gave the album a 7/10, claiming that while the album is "arguably RZA's most diverse group of beats," the "lack of cohesiveness found throughout the album bolster and prove some of the members' claims of friction." Asides from the generally good reviews, many fans have expressed disappointment with the album and criticized RZA's attempt at making a more orchestral sound with his production.

Track listing

All tracks produced by RZA, unless otherwise noted.

  1. "Campfire"
  2. "Take It Back"
  3. "Get Them Out Ya Way Pa"
    • Verse 1: Method Man
    • Verse 2: U-God
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Chorus: Ghostface Killah & Raekwon
  4. "Rushing Elephants"
    • Verse 1: Raekwon
    • Verse 2: GZA
    • Verse 3: RZA
    • Verse 4: Masta Killa
  5. "Unpredictable"
    • Verse 1: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 2: RZA
    • Chorus: RZA & Dexter Wiggles
    • Contains samples from "Wailing Wail" by Nicholas Flagello
  6. "The Heart Gently Weeps"
  7. "Wolves"
    • Verse 1: U-God
    • Verse 2: Method Man
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Chorus: George Clinton
  8. "Gun Will Go"
    • Verse 1: Raekwon
    • Verse 2: Method Man
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Chorus: Sunny Valentine
  9. "Sunlight"
    • RZA solo
  10. "Stick Me for My Riches"
    • Verse 1: Method Man
    • Verse 2: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 3: RZA
    • Verse 4: GZA
    • Chorus: Gerald Alston
    • Produced by Mathematics & RZA
  11. "Starter"
    • Verse 1: Streetlife
    • Verse 2: GZA
    • Verse 3: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 4: U-God
    • Chorus: Sunny Valentine & Tash Mahogany
  12. "Windmill"
    • Verse 1: Raekwon
    • Verse 2: GZA
    • Verse 3: Masta Killa
    • Verse 4: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 5: Method Man
    • Verse 6: Cappadonna
    • Contains samples from "Bang Bang" by Nancy Sinatra
  13. "Weak Spot"
    • Verse 1: RZA
    • Verse 2: Raekwon
    • Verse 3: GZA
    • Produced by RZA & George Drakoulias
  14. "Life Changes"
    • Verse 1: Method Man
    • Verse 2: Raekwon
    • Verse 3: GZA
    • Verse 4: Masta Killa
    • Verse 5: Inspectah Deck
    • Verse 6: U-God
    • Verse 7: RZA
    • Contains samples from "The Road We Didn't Take" and from "Easiest Way to Fall" by Freda Payne
  15. "Tar Pit"
    • Verse 1: U-God
    • Verse 2: Cappadonna
    • Verse 3: Streetlife
    • Chorus: George Clinton
  16. "16th Chamber (ODB Special)"

Charting

U.S. Billboard 200
Week 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15
Position 25[12] 82 77 83 86 107 132
Sales Per Week 68,478 32,622 19,798 11,267 7,610 6,002 4,859
Total 68,478 101,100 120,981 132,248[13] 139,858[14] 145,860[15] 150,719[16]

References

  1. ^ Mixtape Monday: Nas Talks About 'Crazy Joint' With Jay-Z; Wu-Tang Delay LP For Ghostface's Sake | MTV NEWS
  2. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan close to releasing new album “Eight Diagrams”", hiphopnews.com.
  3. ^ Montgomery, James; Aswad, Jem; Roberts, Steven (2007-10-03). Wu-Tang Clan's First-Ever Cleared Beatles Sample Claim Is Incorrect. MTV News. Retrieved on 2007-10-14.
  4. ^ Strong, Nolan. Wu-Tang Clan Reunites, Preparing '8 Diagrams'. AllHipHop.com. (2007-1-24). Retrieved on February 10, 2007.
  5. ^ » Loud.com
  6. ^ Wu Tang Clan reveal new album plans.www.nme.com.
  7. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. Wu-Tang Clan 'Unique' As Ever on 'The 8 Diagrams'. "Billboard.com" (2007-7-10). Retrieved on July 10, 2007.
  8. ^ YouTube - RZA talks to Kotori on the Beatles' "My Guitar Gently Weeps"
  9. ^ THE HHC NEWS BLOG » Blog Archive » Wu-Tang ‘8 Diagram’ Review
  10. ^ Serpick, Evan (October 4, 2007), “Downloads - "Watch Your Mouth"”, Rolling Stone (no. 1036): p. 82  Serpick gave the song 4 out of 5 stars.
  11. ^ Hoard, Christian (November 1, 2007), “Downloads - "The Heart Gently Weeps"”, Rolling Stone (no. 1038): p. 88 
  12. ^ Katie Hasty, "Groban Remains No. 1, Becomes '07's Best-Seller", Billboard.com, December 19, 2007.
  13. ^ Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 01/07/08 | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
  14. ^ Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 1/15/07 | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
  15. ^ Hip Hop Album Sales: Week Ending 1/20/08 | Hip Hop News > HipHopDX.com
  16. ^ UKMIX - Forums - View topic - US Billboard Charts (09/02/2008)
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Wu-Tang Clan
Ghostface Killah · GZA · Inspectah Deck · Masta Killa · Method Man · Ol' Dirty Bastard · Raekwon · RZA · U-God
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Singles
Compilations
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