Latest news with #Wu-TangForever:TheFinalChamber
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wu-Tang Clan Bid Farewell to New York in Majestic Fashion
Near the end of what's purported to be Wu-Tang Clan's final Madison Square Garden set, Raekwon gave the crowd an affirmation about the legendary group: 'One of one!' The most derivative rappers in the world will tell you they are too; the Clan actually embody the term. At times, mainstream rap these days feels like a gentrified city where the spaces that once harbored unforgettable memories have been converted into yet another Starbucks. Lyricism as the default measure of talent feels like a distant memory. But even those cities have indelible, immovable monuments. In this metaphorical megapolis, the Wu-Tang Clan are a bronze 'W' at the town square, sculpted with forever in mind. The nine-man crew wasn't just lightning in a bottle; RZA captured it all in an Ace Trumpet-size container. No other act in music boasted nine inimitable personalities, with disparate styles and sharp lyricism, who all called a single New York borough, Staten Island, home. On Wednesday night, they celebrated their legacy a ferry ride from where it all began, with a cadre of fellow rap legends at 'the world's most famous arena.' More from Rolling Stone RZA Spent His Birthday Jamming Out to Phish Mary J. Blige Dazzles in 2024 Rock Hall Performance Method Man Is Learning to Appreciate 'The Little Things' Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber is the group's farewell tour. There may be more residencies and tours featuring three or four members, but this has been billed as the last time that all eight living members will be on the road. The magnitude was evident as soon as I got near Seventh Avenue, as a swarm of fans were clad in Wu-Tang Nike Dunks and black and yellow Wu shirts. Fans ranged from what appeared to be late twenties to middle age, with a few children attending alongside their parents. It was undoubtedly a grown and grimey crowd that descended upon MSG for the show. The night began with a set from openers Run the Jewels, who delivered a spirited set featuring El-P 'river dancing' and Killer Mike saluting his partner after a spirited rendition of 'Early.' Though they gave a solid set, the then-80 percent-filled room was saving its energy for the main event. The closing set started soon after, with RZA coming from below the stage with a freestyle that embodies the essence of the Wu: He acknowledged the plight of Latinos at the hands of ICE but also referenced 'babies born with microchips behind their ear.' The music commenced with 'Bring Da Ruckus,' featuring Raekwon clad in a red Gucci chef apron. The other members gradually came out, with Method Man noticeably absent before coming onstage around the fourth song, delivering his verse on 'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin ta F' Wit' and then performing 'M.E.T.H.O.D. Man.' Unfortunately, their next song, 'Shame on A …' exemplified one of the night's few flaws: the audio levels. I couldn't hear the song's buoyant horns. And later, a violinist was muffled while he played the main melody of 'Reunited.' There were also times when the guys' vocals were a little too muffled; the locked-in crowd knew every word, but it would have been nice to hear them clearly from the performers. RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, and Method Man were the night's strongest consistent performers, though no one was an outright liability. The Wu left the stage when they finished the first act, and after a trailer for RZA's satirical thriller One Spoon of Chocolate, the following act began with Raekwon and Ghostface Killah. The duo are revered for symbolizing the group's street element, which explained their star-studded set alongside some of New York's grimiest. After a prolonged, powerful rendition of the 'Rainy Dayz' intro by singer Blue Raspberry, Ghostface and Raekwon delved into 'Criminology' and 'Incarcerated Scarfaces.' They were joined by Cappadonna, the group's 10th member, who performed his '97 Mentality' single. Afterward, Technician the DJ came onstage to hand the duo two green championship belts, certifying them as rap's tag-team champions. Technician is Ghost and Rae's tour DJ, but he's also the Lox's DJ (who spearheaded their Verzuz victory). Soon after, Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss came onstage, performing 'We Gon Make It,' and 'Niggas Done Started Something' with Ghost rapping his 'Ice Water' verse over the latter song. Mobb Deep's Havoc then came out, joining Rae and Ghost for 'Eye for an Eye,' before performing all of 'Shook Ones Pt. 2,' taking over for his late partner, Prodigy. This part of the set was the most invigorating of the night, with fans rapping every word to bona fide classics while eagerly awaiting the next guest. (One other guest worth noting, though he didn't come onstage: New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, who was in attendance.) There were plenty more cameos during the group's hometown set: Redman came out to perform with Method Man after he previously lied to the crowd that his New Jersey brethren was 'overseas.' The Clan then paid homage to some of rap's fallen acts, bringing out artists who affiliated with them. While saluting Biz Markie, RZA brought out his Juice Crew comrade Big Daddy Kane, impeccably dressed in a white-and-pink ensemble. Lil Cease and Lil Kim came out in tribute to Biggie. And Slick Rick performed (most of) 'Children's Story.' The rash of guest appearances made the night feel like a throwback concert in a good way, though a look at Phoenix's Final Chamber set list shows that the Wu omitted some of their solo classics to accommodate them. It made sense that Rae and Ghost, Method Man, then RZA, GZA, and Inspectah Deck would be the anchors of separate acts. At the end of the night, the whole Clan returned to the stage, offering a tribute to the late Ol' Dirty Bastard, helmed by his son, Young Dirty Bastard. While YDB did a solid job of mimicking his father's madcap energy, and various Wu members encouraged their 'nephew' during his two-song moment, there were some kinks in his performance. During his rendition of 'Shimmy Shimmy Ya,' the set's triumvirate of giant screens showed him standing silent for a bit too long during the song. And after finishing 'Got Your Money,' he chided the crowd, letting them know that he wouldn't be going anywhere. Perhaps he was responding to social media feedback, but it felt like he was on the verge of derailing the set and making the moment about him. Things got reeled back to the source with 'Triumph,' the Wu's majestic five-minute single where every Wu member has a signature moment. After their set-closing song, PAs came onstage and gave each member a plaque to commemorate the tour. RZA then began a speech about what New York meant to the group, though he didn't explicitly reference the possibility that this would be their final time performing in New York together. (Maybe he was overwhelmed by the moment, but it felt like a missed opportunity.) During his speech, RZA brought Havoc back out and suggested a joint tour between him and Raekwon, but then Ghostface urged the crowd to chant for the Lox to be added. And toward the end of RZA's monologue, after bringing out industry legend Steve Rifkind, who signed them to Loud Records, Method Man told RZA to wrap it up soon because he was 'tired.' These were funny moments, but they also suggested just how difficult it can be to keep nine men on one accord. The Wu have gotten in a good amount of road time over the past several years after a prolonged absence from Clan endeavors, but this might be their last collective saga. If that is the case, they went out in New York with a spectacular showcase worthy of their legacy. 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Express Tribune
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Raekwon blames landlord after dispensary closure in NJ
Wu-Tang Clan legend Raekwon is facing business troubles after his New Jersey cannabis dispensary, HashStoria, was shut down over a $540,501 rent dispute. The rapper has pointed fingers at his landlord, BMHC LLC, claiming they breached prior rental agreements tied to construction delays on the property. According to court documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, BMHC LLC moved to shut down the dispensary after Raekwon allegedly failed to pay over half a million in rent. In response, Raekwon says the rent was originally agreed to be prorated during ongoing construction, which took far longer than expected. A HashStoria rep claims both parties agreed to pause rent payments until renovations were completed. The situation escalated when the landlord allegedly permitted an unlicensed dispensary to operate next door during this time. 'We were hoodwinked,' Raekwon told TMZ Hip Hop, adding that HashStoria plans to countersue. BMHC LLC, however, insists they gave the rapper ample time to resolve the payments following the 2024 grand opening. Despite the dispensary setback, Raekwon's music career is flourishing. He just released his first album since 2017, The Emperor's New Clothes, under Nas' Mass Appeal label. The album features appearances by Ghostface Killah, Nas, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, and more. In an Instagram post, Raekwon described the project as a 'bespoke creation' and thanked fans for their continued support. Earlier this year, Raekwon also reunited with Wu-Tang Clan for their final New York City concert on the 'Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber' tour. While the future of HashStoria remains uncertain, Raekwon's artistic legacy shows no signs of slowing.
Boston Globe
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Wu-Tang Clan's farewell tour mesmerizes TD Garden
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up —Led by the mastermind Advertisement The crowd cheers as Wu-Tang Clan takes the stage for Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber at TD Garden on Friday. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe Famous for transcending their collective upbringing in the housing projects and on the mean streets of Staten Island by envisioning an alternate universe based on the feudal Japanese warrior class, RZA and Wu-Tang recreated much of that onstage. A huge video screen overhead flashed with animated visions of ancient samurais and pagodas while the group members took turns commanding the stage below. Advertisement After Cappadonna roared through 'Run,' from his 1998 solo debut, RZA took the opportunity to deplore gun violence. 'Sometimes you don't get a chance to run,' he said. Noting that the government 'is trying to regulate women, but won't regulate guns,' and education but not guns, he paid tribute to several of hip-hop's fallen heroes — Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Nipsey Hussle, A Tribe Called Quest's Phife Dawg ('Can I kick it?,' RZA chanted) — as huge black-and-white images of each appeared overhead. The 'in memoriam' segment emphasized what was already a clear bid for posterity. With their justice-seeking tirades, openers Run the Jewels were an apt table-setter. 'Boston shows up on time!' El-P noted appreciatively. They were honored, he said, to open for 'the greatest rap group of all time. It's really not a debate.' Method Man performs during "Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber" at TD Garden. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe After RZA's introduction, Ghost and Raekwon led Wu-Tang onstage, prowling like tigers as they took the first two verses of 'Bring da Ruckus,' the lead track on '36 Chambers.' The crowd enthusiastically chanted along to the repeated phrase in the title of 'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit.' The Wu-Tang Clan is New York City to its core, but the Boston audience exulted in their presence. And the rappers reciprocated. Several wore custom kelly-green Celtics jerseys with the number 25 on the front and their stage names across the back. As he's been doing throughout the tour, Inspectah Deck led a tribute to Gang Starr, the vintage New York rap duo led by the late Boston native Keith Elam (a.k.a. Guru), with that group's song 'Above the Clouds,' which featured a guest vocal by Deck. Advertisement RZA of Wu-Tang Clan during the hip-hop collective's farewell tour show at TD Garden. Ken McGagh for The Boston Globe The final segment of the show began with the band's electric violinist ripping a soundtrack interlude spiced with a snippet of another hip-hop classic, OutKast's 'So Fresh, So Clean.' Young Dirty Bastard ably took the fore during his father's 'Shimmy Shimmy Ya' and 'Got Your Money,' while a collage image of the old man loomed overhead. The band wrapped with their best-loved track, 'C.R.E.A.M.' — Cash Rules Everything Around Me — and 'Triumph,' the latter from their second album, 1997's 'Wu-Tang Forever.' Each member took a verse. RZA sent the wrung-out crowd into the night by imploring them to raise their Wu-Tang 'flags.' A sea of hands went up, thumbs crossed. If this was in fact the group's last time in town, the shadow of those Ws will linger. WU-TANG CLAN With Run The Jewels. At TD Garden, Friday. James Sullivan can be reached at .
The Province
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
Photos: Wu-Tang rocks Evander Kane Canucks jersey during Vancouver concert
The Wu-Tang Clan performed at Rogers Arena on Monday night and hockey fans were pleased to see Method Man rock a Canucks skate logo jersey The Wu-Tang Clan were in Vancouver on Monday evening, performing at Rogers Arena and hockey fans were pleased to see Method Man rock a Canucks skate logo jersey bearing Evander Kane's name and number. Photo by NICK PROCALY (PNG) AND BLUESFEST Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Is it cash or the Canucks that rule everything around me? This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Wu-Tang Clan were in Vancouver on Monday evening, performing at Rogers Arena and hockey fans were pleased to see Method Man rock a Canucks skate logo jersey with the newly acquired Evander Kane's name and number on the back. Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan performs in a Vancouver Canucks Evander Kane Jersey at Rogers Arena on June 30, 2025, for their Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber tour. Photo by STEPHANIE KIM / SUBMITTED Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Wu-Tang Clan have become one of the most legendary and influential acts in hip hop since their 1993 release of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), largely regarded as one of the best hip hop albums of all time. The group's Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber Tour will include 27 stops across North America and features the group's surviving members, including GZA, RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna and Mathematics. Young Dirty Bastard — who is the son of original member Ol' Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004 — also joins the group on tour, while Run the Jewels will open for Wu-Tang on the majority of their stops. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The B.C.-born Kane played for the Vancouver Giants before being drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009. Since then, Kane has played 930 games in his career, scoring 326 goals in that time. He also has 32 goals in 97 career playoff games, including six in 21 games during the Oilers' 2025 Stanley Cup playoff run. Last week, the Canucks traded a fourth-round draft pick for Kane, bringing the B.C. boy back to his hometown. sip@ Read More Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances.
Black America Web
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Method Man Flexes His Muscles At Concert, Sends Lady Fans Into A Frenzy
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty Method Man sent the internet into a frenzy on June 26, when the rapper appeared on the Love B. Scott Instagram page lifting his shirt for a crowd of rowdy fans. The hip-hop icon was performing onstage for a recent stop on the 'Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber tour' when he flashed a glimpse of his perfectly sculpted body for the crowd, sending the audience crazy. Ladies on social media were hot and bothered too, as they couldn't get enough of seeing the rapper's impeccable abs and pecs in the short but sweltering clip. 'I've already rewatched this at least 69 times!' Dr. Catrise Austin-Veneer penned in the comments section. Another user mentioned that the 54-year-old rapper was 'always the fiiione one' out of his Wu-Tang entourage. A third fan simply penned, 'Daaaamn!' While Method Man may be admired by fans for his chiseled physique, fitness holds a much deeper meaning for the Grammy-winning rapper. In a 2020 interview with Men's Health , Clifford Smith—his real name—revealed that his commitment to working out began as a way to combat a severe bout of insomnia. What started as a health necessity has since evolved into a disciplined daily routine that he's maintained ever since. His typical workout begins with a warm-up of wide-grip pull-ups and close-grip chin-ups, followed by an intense strength-training session that includes deadlifts, bent-over rows, seated cable rows, straight-arm pulldowns, weighted neck extensions, and core-focused exercises like ab rollouts and cable crunches. For Method Man, fitness isn't just about looks—it's about mental clarity, consistency, and overall well-being. 'My goal is to get to a point where I can take my shirt off in any setting, basically be the Rock without the tattoos and the movie accolades,' the Hempstead native told the outlet at the time. Well, mission accomplished, Mr. Man! Method Man's dedication to health and fitness has fueled a creative resurgence, giving him the energy to dive into a wave of new music and film projects as of late. In May, he starred alongside Kyra Sedgwick in Bad Shabbos , a Tribeca award-winning comedy that marked a major leading role for the rapper-turned-actor. Just a month later, he dropped a new track titled 'Ricky Bobby' with Rome Streetz and Conductor Williams, proof that Method Man is still at the top of his game, both in the studio and on screen. DON'T MISS… Tamron Hall Lost All Composure When Method Man Visited Her Show And We Don't Blame Her Method Man Makes Us Swoon + More Moments From The 2024 Essence Festival That Everyone Is Talking About SEE ALSO Method Man Flexes His Muscles At Concert, Sends Lady Fans Into A Frenzy was originally published on
