YOU ARE ON U-WU MAILING LIST #21 LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LLL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LL LLLL LL LL LL LLLLLL LLL LLL LLLLLL =================================================== THE UNOFFICIAL WU-TANG CLAN MAILING LIST NEWSLETTER =================================================== VOLUME 3/NUMBER 68 by John Book YCAA10A (PRODIGY PEEPS) JohnBook@hiphopsite.com (INTERNET OTHERS) U-WU Home Page: http://pages.prodigy.com/WA/methtical/ <&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&> <&><&><&><&> ============ INTROduction ============ Aloha, and welcome to the 68th edition of the Unofficial Wu-Tang Clan Mailing List Newsletter. I am John Book, your host, and I would like to welcome the 150 or so new members which have enrolled in the last week. Just when it seems like there is no Wu news to report, here comes something new. So I hope you'll all enjoy what you're about to read. In the past, I have printed lyrical interpretations of Wu songs, but now I have highlighted it in its own section. So scan down and take a look. On an unrelated Wu note, some of you inquired about my rap group, CRUT. Well, we have just come out with our 15th tape called "DOO DOO WINDOWS". It costs $5 ppd within the U.S., so if anyone wants a copy, please e-mail me for ordering info. CRUT will also be appearing on a number of compilations this year, including a 70-song CD(!) compilation from the guys who gave us "THORA-ZINE" down in Texas. Be on the lookout. Also coming out soon is the debut single from another group I'm a part of, called LYRICAL MILITIA. The single is "Deja Vu"/"Lyrical Espionage". More on this as time goes on. But nuff of my shit. Let's get to the Wu in the new U-WU. <&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&> <&><&><&><&> ============ WU-TANG NEWS ============ ****** Some new WU-TANG CLAN news concerning Wu LP #2, information provided by my contact at BMG. A TV commercial will be airing in the next two months promoting LP #2. It is said to resemble the infamous "domination" scene from the movie "INDEPENDENCE DAY" so expect to see a big ass Wu symbol in the sky ready to take over the world once again. Last time around I said that four tracks had been completed, but now it is reported that 20 songs are complete and ready to go. However, no word on if all 20 will be on the new Wu-Tang Clan album, or if some will be saved for solo albums. The album is still scheduled for May, or as my contact said, it's "SPRING OR BUST!" With 20 tracks in the can, "something" is definitely on the way. ****** WU-TANG LAND? A lot of you have written in to me asking about what you read at www.hiphopsite.com, if the news about Wu-Tang Land is true. According to the interview with Wu manager Mook in the new issue of "URB" (January/February 1997; issue #52), it definitely is. For those who are unaware, the Wu are currently in the planning stages for what they call the Wu-Tang Family Complex. Essentially it's a mini-mall, but in this complex there will be a bunch of movie theaters, a bowling alley, a restaurant, a club, and rollerskating rink. Virginia may be the first place to have one. Now, as most of you all know, shopping malls tend to lower everybody's IQ by about 50 points so will this Family Complex work? We'll see. Obviously the Wu-Tang Clan know they can't be riding high in the music world forever, so like any smart entertainer, they're investing. Also in the URB interview with Mook, it says that there are also a few Wu-affiliated record labels you should check out. One will be Protect Ya Neck Records, which is the original label that released the Trigga single "New York Carjack" (Trigga is now known as Big Trigg). Mook actually talked to me on the phone about this single in early 1996, but I'm still waiting. There is also another label called HOT WAX RECORDS (no relation to the classic soul music label from the late 60's/early 70's). Hot Wax has released a small number of records so far, including 12" singles by KGB ("Yeah You"/"Heads On"), ULTIMATE ("Say I Do"/"Mr. Gunman"), and FIERCE ("Crab"/"Come Close"). Once again, proof that the Wu Dynasty continues to grow. (HOT WAX RECORDS can be reached at 95 Cedar Lane/Englewood, NJ 07631; (201) 568-7821) ****** GHOST FACE KILLER's debut album, "IRONMAN", sold 500,000 copies in the U.S. last year. However, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has finally given it official Gold Record Status. ****** Also on GFK, there will be an on-line performance, interview, and chat session on February 19th at 10pm Eastern, 7pm Pacific (which I guess would means about 3am in England). It is being hosted by Sony. For more info, click to Sony's Ghost Face web site at http://www.sony.dreammedia.com/EpicCenter/docs/artistupdate. qry?artistid=26 0 ****** DJ MUGGS' "Soul Assassins" compilation will be out next month, but in the meantime they have opened up their own Web site at http://www.soulassassins.com. The RZA and The GZA are both going to be on Muggs' album. <&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&> <&><&><&><&> ========= MISC NEWS ========= ****** BIGGIE SMALLS' second album is finished. It is a double CD called "LIFE AFTER DEATH...TILL DEATH DO US PART". 2Pac started it by releasing a 2CD project, Biggie will do it and the Wu are scheduled to do it as well. Let's hope this trend will not continue for everyone, because a lot of us will be more than broke by the time summer comes around. ****** The long awaited "DANGEROUS GROUND" soundtrack from Jive Records is about to drop on February 11th. The album will feature new tracks by Ice Cube, B-Legit, Joe, MC Lyte/Yo Yo/Nonchalant/Bahamadia, Mystikal, Too Short featuring UGK, Celly Cell, Spice 1, KRS-One, and The Click. ****** If you have severe booty cramp, may I suggest the new comedy coming out called "BOOTY CALL". The soundtrack, due out on February 25th, will feature new music from The Fugees, BLACKstreet, A Tribe Called Quest, KRS-One, Too $hort, E-40, B-Legit, and Me'Shell Ndegeocello among others. With two new KRS-One tracks on the way (did any of us ever dream that his name would be on an album called "BOOTY CALL"), it's a sign that a new LP from him is underway. ****** For you FUGEES collectors, be on the lookout for the promo CD single to their joint "Rumble In The Jungle". This song is off the soundtrack to the Muhammad Ali documentary "WHEN WE WERE KINGS" (Mercury). The song itself features A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, and Forte, but the promo CD features soundbites of Muhammad Ali from the movie, as well as interview segments with The Fugees. This is sure to be a collector's item. Also, the Fugees track is the only hip hop song on the soundtrack. There will be songs on the album by Zelma Davis (the skinny woman who lip-synched her way to super-stardom in those C+C Music Factory videos), Diana King & Brian McKnight. The rest of the LP will be packed with funk and soul from the concert which promoted the famous fight between Ali and George Foreman (check out the video for live footage of James Brown with his bad self.) <&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&> <&><&><&><&> ============== LYRICAL WISDOM ============== From: "Flash, Founder and Editor, HardC.O.R.E." Subject: slapbox with Jesus Date: 01/18/97 05:56 PM Some kid sent me this correction; and I know how I think the lyric sounds but I don't know what to make of his logic -- perhaps it's a U-Wu discussion topic? ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- -- "I slapbox with Jesus, lick shots at Joseph" Shouldn't read "lick shots" for sure and I don't think "slapbox" either. He's referring to Jesus and his father, Joseph, of the Christian religon. "Lick shots" would imply that Ghost is trying to kill Joseph for some reason or another. I know that can't be it since it's negative (and Ghost has up to this point, to the best of my knowledge, never said anything negative about Christianity). I don't know quite what the correction should be, but I believe "mixed shots" with Joesph. I'm not saying it makes sense, it just sounds that way to me http://www.public.iastate.edu/~hip-hop krs_one@iastate.edu MY COMMENT: When I first heard "Daytona 500" on a radio show, I always heard it as "I slapboxed with Jesus, I licked shots with Joseph". It's another way of saying something I said in one of my songs: "I'm gonna get biblical on your ass". There was some controversy on the Usenet concerning Raekwon's Jesus head necklace. To me, Ghost Face has always been very boastful, from his rhymes on "ENTER THE WU-TANG" to his verse on Jodeci's "Freek'N You" right up to the raunchy "Wildflower". MTV completely censors that line to where it says "I slap box with/ with Joseph". MTV is notorious for censoring odd gun references, but then again this is the same network that censored the Ghost Face line "my first JOINT and it went gold" (from "Can It Be All So Simple"). Any comments on this line? ****** From: "Flash, Founder and Editor, HardC.O.R.E." Subject: Ghostface corrections Date: 01/19/97 05:58 PM Of all the songs I was sent from Ghost's album, these two deserved corrections the most -- two of the most lyrical and musically satisfying out of what I considered to be on the whole a below par Wu-Tang release. Artist: (Ghostface Killah) RZA, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Master Killer Album: Ironman Song: Assassination Day (Raekwon: What? Hey yo!) Intro: [from the motion picture "The Usual Suspects"] There's no coke! What? You heard me you dumb fuck, there's no coke! What the fuck do you mean, there's no coke? I've been up and down this ship. I've been in every fuckin room! There's gotta be coke! There is nothing! NOTHING! Huh, uh, uh, help please! Huh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, help me! *gunshot* Intro Two: Master Killer It's assassi, it's assination day, I stalk... It's assassination, I sta... It's assassination day... It's assassination day, I Verse One: Inspector Deck Ryzarector, Madman, uh, uhh, yo, uhh I move through the third world, my third eye's the guiding light Invite the fight, we all die tonight The life I lived, a 25 to life bid Parole reneged, I stroll the globe fugitive CREAM is short, C-cypher power stalk plus the fiend talk Three G's accost in Supreme Court White lies and blackmail land me back in jail We're all for sale, a stolen gold but it fail Stranded on the front line, I shine to the dumb and blind It comes time I take back what was once mine Crunch time in the first quarter, from the worst slaughter Devil's poisonin the birth water The earth daughter rest her head on my chest Through the struggle we cuddle under half-moon crest While the press plant fear and exploit the gun blasting Central broadcasting is shackling, nerves are unfastened, shhhh Trapped em deep, boy they gasped When I Clash with the Titans from my half on they asses Verse Two: RZA I stop producers careers, the weak spot was their ears Scorpion darts, pistol mark pierce their heart with silver spears You're bewildered, my unsaturated, low filtered Devils still peeled it still they're living built tilted MC's upon their axis, their body has a tactic Lactic acid, desert drop cactus, practice You can never master, it's invincible, Wu-Tang indispensabe One nation under God, indivisible With liberty and justice, the mike is in my clutches Thugs who bring ruckus, leave in crutches Unforgiveable snakes face the double-edged swords starts to swivel Decapitates the head, makes the projects, more livable Interchangable, caution flameable My chamber is ninety-nine plus one unnameable, angles And strangles, microphone cords start to dangle Silent as the gases that pass throughout your anal Retrieve through your doors Seep out like sweat through the pores Destroy your internal organs with the biological warfare Verse Three: Raekwon (Assassination day) First of all, before we move on, this shit is like a Yukon Don, spread it out like Grey Poupon Splurgin, mergin in the suburbs, using this just like an adverb Action word, flowing like a blackbird God came in, aimin like Terry Bradshaw He hit the crash bar, stay relaxed God, his shit is smashed Pah You handle this just like algebra, UFO spot 'em like Gallagher Hold on like bullet-proof Acuras You so fly, yeah right, you want to get me high Yo Bobby, you hear how I'm shootin it like they blew top snow You won't play me like your lady Pay me three-eighty spit it at you like a baby Final destination Haiti Verse Four: Master Killer War is extremely serious and it saddens me To have to take tings to deadly measures And have you measured and shot for no pay It's assassination day I stalk my enemy like prey Tranked by deceptional sounds that deceives And lures MC's to the lair With a mic-like bait, then awaits to be bitten by greed Temptation tempts my victim to proceed Forward, ignorance wouldn't allow retreat You'd rather pursue DEATH than admit defeat Now who's best to describe for what I specialize in Murdereous rhymin, constantly in climbin My mind spits with an enormous kickback Your brain didn't absorb the impact Disorderly conduct from the crowd is the feedback... It's assassination day, I It's assassination day It's assassination day It's assassination day, I stalk my enemy It's assassination day, I stalk my enemy Artist: Ghostface Killer f/ Mary J. Blige, Poppa Wu Album: Ironman Song: All That I Got is You Intro One: [some movie] What dey gives you blood? Three months man Whatchu doin in here anyway? You oughta be home with your momma How old are you boy? Thirteen Thirteen? Damn, the bastards must be runnin outta niggaz to arrest Intro: Ghostface Yeah, ohh yeah, this goes out to all the families that went through the struggle Yeah, from the heart It was from the heart, everything was real [Mary J.]All that I got is you And I'm so thankful I made it through Verse One: Yo, dwellin in the past, flashbacks when I was young Whoever thought that I'd have a baby girl and three sons I'm goin through this difficult stage I find it hard to believe Why my old Earth had so many seeds But she's an old woman, and due to me I respect that I saw life for what it's really worth and took a step back Gamily ain't family no more, we used to play ball Eggs after school, eat grits cause we was poor Grab the pliers for the channel, fix the hanger on the TV Rockin each others pants to school wasn't easy We survived winters, snotty nosed with no coats We kept it real, but the older brother still had jokes Sadly, daddy left me at the age of six I didn't know nuttin but mommy neatly packed his shit She cried, and grandma held the family down I guess mommy wasn't strong enough, she just went down Check it, fifteen of us in a three bedroom apartment Roaches everywhere, cousins and aunts was there Four in the bed, two at the foot, two at the head I didn't like to sleep with Jon-Jon he peed the bed Seven o'clock, pluckin roaches out the cereal box Some shared the same spoon, watchin saturday cartoons Sugar water was our thing, every meal was no thrill In the summer, free lunch held us down like steel And there was days I had to go to Tex house with a note Stating "Gloria can I borrow some food I'm dead broke" So embarrasin I couldn't stand to knock on they door My friends might be laughin, I spent stamps in stores Mommy where's the toilet paper, use the newspaper Look Ms. Rose gave us a couch, she's the neighbor Things was deep, my whole youth was sharper than cleats Two brothers with muscular dystrophy, it killed me But I remember this, mom's would lick her finger tips To wipe the cold out my eye before school wit her spit Case worker had her runnin back to face to face I caught a case, housin tried to throw us out of our place Sometimes I look up at the stars and analyze the sky And ask myself was I meant to be here... why? Yeah, yo Chorus: Mary J. Blige All that I got is you And I'm so thankful I made it through (repeat 4X) Word up mommy, I love you Word up It was all you, word, you brought me in like this Verse Two: Mary J. Blige, Poppa Wu I sit and think about All the times we did without, yeah I always said I woudn't cry When I saw tears in your eyes I understand that daddy's not here now But some way or somehow, I will always be around, yeah All things that I did from this to them Oh from drugs to being there Being down and out and I love you always Yeah, you say You see the universe, which consists of the sun moon and star And them planets, that exist in my space Like man woman and child You understand? We got to keep it real, and what reality and reality will keep it real with us I remember them good ol days Because see, that's the child I was What made me the man I am today See cause if you forget where you come from, heheh You're never gonna make it where you're goin, aheh Because you lost the reality of yourself So take one stroll through your midn And see what you will find And you'll see a whole universe all over again and again and again and again and again Heheheh, yeah heheheheh ahaheheheh ****** From: "Flash, Founder and Editor, HardC.O.R.E." Subject: a confusing correction: where is Street? Date: 01/19/97 06:26 PM I know he's listed in the liner notes, but the guy who transcribed this put the second verse down as Street when it unquestionably is Ghostface. I can't imagine that being Street; or furthermore, Ghost having yet _another_ song on his own album he's not featured on besides The Faster Blade and Assassination Day. Artist: Ghostface Killer f/ Raekwon, Method Man Album: Ironman Song: Box In Hand Intro: *sung* Wu Tang will survive, no no no-no no no Wu Tang will survive Cause every time they flip a party You know the party screams and shouts Cause you... DAMN! Aw, TC that was the bomb... [Ghostface] Get all my peoples,get all my peoples headphones All of em Lay em a death warrant Aaaah, yo, show it off, kid, show em, what, what Let em have it, bust it, hey yo, hey yo Verse One: Raekwon Blend wine, who want to win mine Shorty get a ten-round for floatin With the richest, huh Flexed out, Flinstone style Your crimi-nal pen pal kidnapped Loud, jetted the Mosyin, posin for them niggaz up in Poland Rollin wax style museum, G 'em Them richest niggaz bless this Like Russian cut VVS's Slide the hatchback, black were finessing this Them niggaz over there know, Gazelle goggles And them Lottos, 88 style, throwin' bottles (bottles) Scenario rap, rap imperial, material (uh, yo yo, yo, yo) Murderin' cats is like that real Verse Two: Ghostface Yo come do me somethin word to Michelob peep the Land Rov' Sleeper hold club faggots lay your dome on a stove It's like space kid, the whole world is pitch black, granola rap Dough got smaller famous team, walked up in Photomat Black down, numerous rounds, boots is brown Getaway driver, this white bitch from out of town We love horse races shakin Jakes and high-speed chases Porno stations, drinkin violations, God relations 90 minute Maxell tapes, instrumental breaks Bangin earaches, lay my verse down in two takes The speaker pops, the Winchester rifle's in the kitchen Murder the DJ's eyes twitchin, woofer hissin Interlude: Raekwon Yo, he's strong armin, manipulatin niggaz, scrapin niggaz Takin play from niggaz, hate fakin niggaz, yo you hear me? The whole shit's like wrestling What you dare me? Back the fuck up kid, we flexin Verse Three: Method Man This rap shit bust yo' gums, and leave you stunned Pull your plug, now you can't function There's no to-tal or sum to this equa-tion, you fro-zen Many may come but few are cho-sen Pretty niggaz want to play the war po-sin When the ruckus come, they be the first to get their shine stolen Do or die, it be I, Meta-physical Man Holding court from my Wu, indivisible clan I see your thoughts and your hand reachin It's getting deep in this mud Cats heat seekin, for one blood Nameless thugs with aimless slugs, shootin at these stank bitches Less he gon' bring this above, I make switches From the lamp I grant three wishes Johnny be parlayin, I Blaze britches, then I roll One hundred percent mind, one hundred percent body One hundred percent soul, individual Assholes tend to run From this PLO extortion to the one The next chamber, you fuckin with the star spangler To the dawn's early light with this head-banger Boogie, represent this shit fully Like I'm constantly at war with the town bully Who want that pressure, about to get smacked silly Like a fat bitch in Spandex, free Willy! We on some milli, check the joint, engine number nine Niggaz wastin time worryin about me and mine Get your own shit ****** <&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&> <&><&><&><&> ============== U-WU GIBBERISH ============== In the last U-WU newsletter I asked members about new Wu music. Would you rather hear the new Wu album already, or do you think each member should release a solo album before starting over again. It is a debate that continues, especially with new Wu fans who are serious about being involved within the chambers. Here is what you had to say: From: baiju@juno.com (Baiju C. Patel) Date: 01/27/97 07:09 PM yo jb, that's a tough question that you pose, but i think that the core members for wu tang should drop their solo album's before the next wu tang joint hits the street, however, i still am eagerly anticipating their follow up album to be released. but in the meantime, i'm listenin to "IRONMAN", which by the way is a phat album. ****** From: Beto Date: 01/26/97 02:48 PM I've always thought the problem with the Wu releasing their records was the record companies. My guess was that labels figure one wu member is as hot as the others and don't want to cut into the sells of one by releasing another too soon. For example, say Inspectah Deck released his record only a month or two after Ghostface's album and some kid only has can only get one. Which does he choose? If there was more time in between then he could get both. (Probably...you know) They don't want to compete with themselves. What makes or breaks an artist is all those marginal fans. The ones that aren't huge wu-tang fans. Personally I'd like to see one album a month for the rest of my life. But for now I'd be satisified with the new Wu-Tang album, new ODB and the one I'm most psyched about, Cappadonna. I can't wait for his album. Goddamn, he tears up everytrack he's on. Anyway, stay true. ****** From: Merrick Joseph Green Date: 01/26/97 10:15 PM John I think the Wu should drop the album, do the U.S. tour and make Wu wear available to anyone that wants it. But we all know that this won't happen. The RZA the Wu, they are just the greatest. MTV needs to dedicate a rap show to the Wu in their honor or something. MY COMMENT: Merrick, MTV actually did a half hour documentary on the Wu in 1994, recorded during the time "C.R.E.A.M." was released as a single. It featured interviews with Meth, RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Raekwon, and some decent live in-studio performances (although not enough). As the new album comes out, maybe MTV will show it again, or do a new one. ****** From: Keith Morris Date: 01/26/97 08:51 PM What's up John? I just subscribed to UWU and I think it's great. Anyways I was wanting to ask you a question I thought you might have the answer to. How come on almost all the Wu solo albums the O.D.B. isn't on any of the songs? He isn't on Method Man, Raekwon, or Ghostface Killa. He is only on one song on the Genius. He isn't on the song America from America is Dying Slowly. He isn't on hardly any singles made by the Wu. I didn't know if there was any kind of controversy betweeen the group or what. Because I feel that he is one of the best members of the Wu. Maybe you have wrote about this before but I just subscribed so I am not aware of whether you have or not. Anyways it seems like I good question, don't you think? MY COMMENT: We had commented on this in the past, but it's worth mentioning again. One could say the same about The Genius, who isn't as cameo-friendly as Method Man. But Ol' Dirty did do the background vocals for Meth's "Bring The Pain" and Raekwon's "North Star (Jewels)". As far as raps, he has stayed low key on other Wu solo albums. ****** From: Mike Albano Subject: Complete the circle Date: 01/29/97 02:38 AM As much as I want to hear Wu-2 and everything it has to offer...i think they should complete the circle first. No matter how long it takes. I.E.---release Rebels shit(its been done for over a year), U-god's gotta drop his, Rza'a solo joint...etc. Just lettin u know my opinion( u asked for it) ****** From: topgun_@ix.netcom.com Subject: Some new Wu Tang info (RZA & Snoop together) Date: 01/29/97 07:33 PM I haven't heard you talk bout this news here but you might know, and if you didn't then now u do. Cappachino's alieses are Cappa, Cappashowgun, and Iron Man (Didn't see them in the Wu Tang Statistics page so i thought u didn't know) also on BET Snoop said that he wants the RZA and Marilyn Manson to do some stuff on his next album and said he will do anything he can to get the RZA to throw some beats, and that this will DEFINETLY happen. Also Snoop is gunna do a song for Howerd Stern's new movie cuz howard want's him on the SNDTRK. (along with Coolio also) MY COMMENT: Iron Man is actually another name for Ghost Face Killer, not Cappachino. Tony Stark is the real name of the Marvel Comics book character "Iron Man", which is how Tony Starks and Ironman connect with Ghost. I can see The RZA doing something with Marilyn Manson as well but as for Snoop... we'll see. ******* From: Konscious-V Subject: Wu interview... Date: 01/29/97 11:54 AM There's only 3 years left... What up John and all otha Wu headz! I recently read an interview with Ghostface Killer/Killah? and Cappadonna in the British magazine Hip-Hop Connections. I was very surprised to hear about this man calling himself "Devine". As it turns out he is Mitchell Diggs, the Rza's brother, who's been managing much of the business and is executive producer on every one of their albums! The man seemed extremely intelligent and came with some very interesting explanations on the whole Wu concept and future plans. He said that "Wu World Order" means their way, their new order amongst themselves and that the Wu would always try to invest in their local community and NEVER in stockmarkets etc. Furthermore, he compared the Clan's versatility to a multicoloured rainbow that you would never grow tired looking upon. Very interesting stuff, no doubt. The interview also gave me the impression that the Wu are going back to the original title "Wu World Order" for their second album. Peace to all my peeps worldwide...One ****** From: Jon Subject: WU WORLD ORDER Date: 01/29/97 07:23 AM Yo John! I just wanted to give you my point of view on this "delay-bullshit" issue. First off, a true wu fan understands the clan and does not pressure them, I mean they have PLENTY phat shit out to listen too so they aint lacking good shit. And as for someone said that he thought they=20 would come out in 1998, sheez thats bull, my record store will get the wu #2 cd sometime early march. So dont go around dissing the wu for delaying their releases, just listen to some of their old stuff! Besides, IRONMAN is DOPE!! Thats all I wanted to say.. peace out, Jon ****** From: pim van kamperdijk Subject: Rza on Armand van Helden's track: Mecca Toast? Date: 02/02/97 11:41 AM Yo John, on Armand van Helden's single: The Funk Phenomena (with the redman sample) There's also this track Mecca Toast which begins with this Rza speech (from some sort of interview I think). I also found this Down Low Wreckage E.P. (Wu-Tang Clan logo on it) -Promotional use only - A looking for a deal production- 1. Life Of Shorty 1. Lockshit Down 2. The Horror 2. Smoke In Ya Face 3. Untitled Raw Shit 3. Gotta Get The Creme (I think "Cream") Featuring Raekwon, Methodman. Are All These Tracks D.S.A. Tracks? I think the site is the dopest around! Thanks for all the info - U-Wu and the info on Prince Paul About Whose solo project should hit the hip hop nation right now, Rza's thing or Inspektah Deck's would be fine. MY COMMENT: Three of those songs on the EP are definitely Dark Skinned Assassin songs, in fact, "The Horror", "Lock Shit Down", and "Gotta Get The Cream" is from his debut 12" on Doe Loe Records. Never heard of the other songs. Smells like a bootleg LP to me. ****** From: Evan Abram McGinnis Subject: WHATEVER MAN Date: 02/02/97 06:01 AM Hey John, I was watching the new Redman/Methodman video entitled "whatever man". But what's the deal with the part where Red is talking to the nun and whatever he says they mute it and blur his mouth?? Whats up with that? Why do rappers do that if they know it's going to be edited & censored? Will we ever be able to see it? Thanks MY COMMENT: Partly because there are some video outlets that still show uncensored/uncut versions of videos. The video itself is a parody of the classic movie "The Blues Brothers", and for those who aren't sure that Redman is saying when his mouth is blurred, he is saying "I guess you're up the shit creek". The only way you would be able to see it is if you know someone who lives in a place where they show uncensored videos, or wait until Redman comes out with a compilation video. ****** From: Chris Schultz Subject: Bootlegs Date: 02/02/97 12:41 AM I think you or someone like myself should start a Wutang Clan Bootleg trading page. I already have a tape list at http://165.190.208.95/index.htm and I have 2 wutang bootlegs/freestyle tapes. If you could advertise this page to get others to start trading, that would be great. ****** From: jlouthan@notes.primeco.com Subject: First things first, man, you're in for the worst..." Date: 02/02/97 03:14 PM 'sup, A very important issue needs to come to light. The record label known as Bad Boy cannot claim hip-hop nor speakth her name and furthermore, every last member screaming hip-hop will have their ghetto passes revoked. The atrocities and unspeakable crimes that this label commits in the name of hip-hop has got to stop. The shit was ill when two of Biggie's play buddies jumped Strang Wonda from Originoo Gunn Clappaz at D-n-D studios in NY... I was about ta drop the whole Bad Boy my damn self for some shit like that. Whatever the Boot Camp Clik does, I'm backin 'em 50,000%. Fuck if Biggie can't take criticism because his no talent ass cannot rhyme himself into a poetry club. Props due to Craig Mack for getting the fuck out... that cat knows what's real. But shit went unforgivable when that person who likes to call himself a producer, Sean Combs and that kid who keeps speaking in all of the Bad Boy's songs (I guess he's suppose to be rapping, but shit is too simplistic... I don't know) have that single... what was it called? oh yea! "The Message". A total disrespect to hip-hop... I was definitely not impress. I wanted to sling every Bad Boy recording on a disk catapult and blow it out of the air. But I just gave that shit away. Their R&B is a-ight but still, no classics 'cept for Faith because she doesn't do that upbeat fake R&B wack ass crap that they play on the radio night and day. But they need to drop the hip-hop out of their record label because they cannot represent anymore. On a lighter side, I was wondering if ya saw that video by Mother Superior... I forgot what the track is called. The song is a-ight but the video is directed by none other than The Genius. The video wasn't nothing to write home about but nothing cannot really compare to "Liquid Swordz", "Cold World" or "Shadowboxin'/ 4th Chamber". Speaking of which, I have always notice that when Inspektah Deck rocks on the set, for the most part, starts at the beginning (Protect Ya Neck, Mr. Sandman, Swordz (Gulliotinez), etc...)and The Genius is always raps that the joint up (Protect Ya Neck, Bring Tha Ruckus, 7th Chamber Pts. I and II. I cannot explain why INS starts before most everybody but Raekwon said that the rest of the Clan almost never rocks after The Genius kicks a verse on a song because they do not want their rhymes to be over-shadowed and for a good reason, too. But notice when Inspektah Deck and The Genius collaborated on "Cold World", The Genius went first and The Deck finished it off. Just something to chill on, ya know. Props due for all your hard work and that piece on The RZA was beautiful. Keep bangin' and The Wu-Tang Clan will forever glo'. MY COMMENT: I definitely saw that video by MOTHER SUPERIOR, and I like her style. Not bad looking either. Someone wrote in saying her 12" single (which is out now) isn't much of anything but it is sure to catch a lot of attention with a Genius-directed video. No word yet on if she has any Wu connections. ****** From: Sheuman Subject: Monifah/ODB Date: 02/03/97 07:22 PM John, Do you know the name of the track of the new Monifah/ODB song? I'm sure it's a remix, but I don't listen to R&B so I have no idea. MY COMMENT: ODB and Monifah? DAMN! Anyone know about this one? <&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&> <&><&><&><&> ====================== CURRENT MUSICAL TASTES ====================== I normally have a decent sized music review section, but I've been broke and/or my means of transporation is now non-existent. If you have any music you'd like for me to review, please send it along to me. E-mail me at JohnBook@hiphopsite.com for address info. I prefer vinyl and CD's over cassettes, unless it's a demo or a mix tape. ART OF NOISE The Drum And Bass Collection (China/Discovery) Not really Art Of Noise, but a lot of remixers and producers going batty over a very influential group. Get "THE AMBIENT COLLETION" and mellow out a bit. CIBO MATTO Super Tasty! (Reprise) I love these ladies, in fact I would like to meet them, dance with them, take them home with me and share chocolate recipes. Funky ladies from Nippon, and to make it worse, they sample a beat which (for you long time U-WU readers) I have considered to be "MY BEAT" since I was 9. I sampled it on one of my tapes, then I heard it on a DJ Krush album, then Dr. Octagon, then on NFL Jams, then on the "ALTERED BEATS" comp, and now on Cibo Matto. I'm glad my original record of the beat is crackly as all hell and that I was the first to use it (HA HA HA!) But Cibo Matto, I love them, and this EP of remixes, a live track, and outtakes is pretty cool. However, once Puff Daddy uses this beat, I'm going to pound him. <&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&><&> <&><&><&><&> ============ OUTROduction ============ Thanks for joining us, it's been great and swell. U-WU #69 is up next and we'll have more of the same and hopefully some new items. COMING UP IN U-WU #70: VIDEO WRAP-UP #2. A few of you (especially Mark Balasbas from Aiea, HI) have written in asking me to update what I did in U-WU #16, which was to talk about all of their music videos. So, I will do that. Also, more music to review, including the long awaited SOUL KID KLIK review. I received five letters last week asking me questions about them, you can click to their Web site which I have linked on my home page, or buy the music yourself. That's it. p.e.a.c.e. -John Book all roads lead to wu da 9 star ali'i buy DOO DOO WINDOWS