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Sometimes, BILLY X. SUNDAY talks about rap music he actually likes over at XXL Mag Dot Com

If you fuck with the internets and Hip-Hop with any type of regularity then you already know that the new Wu-Tang album ‘8 Diagrams’ has received the seal of the shit sandwich. I typically don’t believe anything I read on the internets except when there is some hate involved since that and pr0n are all the world wide web is good for. With everyone from the webs along with even the Wu shitting on their collective’s new album how could it be any good? It turns out that the album is actually damn good. It falls short of ‘Wu-Tang Forever’(which was also a double album), but it certainly eclipses ‘Iron Flag’ and also the ‘W’ albums.

The internets were quick to shit on this album because it seemed like the Wu itself was at odds with the release. Rae and Ghost seem to be separating themselves from the RZA. I feel Raekwon’s frustration though. Last year at this time I went to see Raekwon open up for Redman and at the show then he said that Only Built For Cuban Links 2 was going to drop first quarter of 2007. Oops. It has to be somewhat frustrating for an artist when they are dependent on other people to make sure their music gets into the ears of the fans. I trust RZA though and he hasn’t really ever disappointed me. Okay, ‘Iron Flag’ was on some lackluster, end of the Wu Tang shit, but even that is just some stan bullshit talk.

The Wu hasn’t gone anywhere. They still spit collectively like they are happy to be here. No one is rhyming about holding more money than they can count. No one in the Wu acts like rap music is some shit they do for a hobby. For no other reason I appreciate that from my emcees. After circling the globe several times can you imagine what perspective you might have for the world you live in? And then try to deliver that experience and state of mind to people that haven’t seen what you have. Shit ain’t easy talking to the masses. Peoples’ first instinct is to hate on some shit they don’t understand. Remember when niggas shitted on Moses for bringing those directives from God? The Wu’s new album doesn’t contain any directives from God, but it is definitely inspired by the most high. So if you fucks with real Hip-Hop you won’t be disappointed by this album. No matter what Ghost or Rae says.

The album starts off nice with a track called ‘Take It Back’. This is the Wu realizing that people want to see them bouncing off the walls as if this shit was 1987 in the Prince Rakeem days, but the Wu stays grounded and keeps grinding(ouch – MGG). Yes, the Bob James track ‘Nautilus’ is re-sampled. True story is that Bob James is so Hip-Hop they may need to rename Hip-Hop ‘Bob James’.

‘Take It Back’ featuring Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah and U-God

When the third song ‘Rushing Elephants’ comes in you realize you are deep inside a Wu-Tang project. Rae, the GZA, the RZA and Masta Killa all go in hard on this joint. The beat is heavy and ‘Triumph’-ant. I just wish the song were longer and featured all of the clan on it. You will bump this shit in your whip for sure.

‘Rushing Elephants’ featuring Raekwon, GZA, RZA and Masta Killa

‘The Heart Gently Weeps’ is some shit that would have been on OB4CL2 if that shit would ever get released. Rae, Ghost and Meth all bring that manic Wu shit to this track. John Frusciante from the Red Hot Chili Peppers has an axe solo too. If you don’t fuck with the Red Hot Chili Peppers you should stop reading this drop now and go drown yourself in the toilet bowl in your parent’s apartment.

‘The Heart Gently Weeps’ featuring Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Erykah Badu, Dhani Harrison and John Frusciante

I fucks with Meth’s verses on ‘Wolves’. Method Man is slept on by so many people, but he needs to be on your top 10 rappers from the 90’s list. When you see the Wu perform live Method Man makes it worth your money just by himself. I respect him and Redman for being in the arena for nearly twenty years and still being down to jump into a crowd and get wild.

I can’t begin to say enough good shit about the track ‘Stick Me For My Riches’. This might be my favorite song for 2007. It’s classic Wu-Tang Clan shit that frames the ghetto perspective on life and success. ‘C.R.E.A.M. 2007’ is what this shit should be called. It’s that good, mad soulful, real survival music. Meth, Deck. RZA and GZA go in righteously. I want to hear the remix with Cappa, Golden Arms, Ghost and Rae. That shit will be harder than hell. Copp the album for this track alone.

‘Stick Me For My Riches’ featuring Method Man, Inspectah Deck, RZA, GZA and Gerald Alston

‘Windmill’ is another fly joint that I thought was probably originally slated for OB4CL2. Six members of the Wu throw in eight bars and bounce. Cappa crushes the shit even though his spit is brief.

‘Windmill’ featuring Raekwon, GZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Method Man and Cappadonna

How ill is the Wu that they have almost all of the greatest rappers from the 1990’s? I mean, the niggas that made you want to start rapping. It’s that witty, unpredictable fly shit these dudes display. The Dungeon Family is the closest collective to have a stable of incredibly talented artists, but even the DF is so far behind the Wu-Tang’s rappers when you look at the metaphysical properties of rhymes. How rhymes go up into the atmosphere and change the weather and shit.

R.I.P.O.D.B.

I can’t wait to see the Wu again in concert. This album reminds me why they are the most important collective in the history of Hip-Hop. The definitive descendants of the Cold Crush plus more than you ever bargained for. Go copp that new Wu-Tang shit when it is available in your area. Real talk.