Wu-Tang+Clan

Wu-Tang Clan had 9 members, RZA ( Robert F. Diggs), GZA/Genius ( Gary Grice), Raekwon ( Corey Woods), U-god ( Lamont Jody Hawkins), Ghostface Killah ( Dennis Coles), Inspectah Deck ( Jason Hunter), Method Man ( Clifford Smith), Masta Killa ( Elgin Turner), and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard ( Russell Tyrone Jones), who died on November 13, 2004 due to accidental drug overdose just 2 days before his 36th birthday. RZA was born on [|July] [|5,1969]. GZA was born on [|August 22, 1966], Raekwon on [|January 12, 1970], U-god on [|October 7, 1973]. Ghostface Killah was born on [|May 9, 1970], Inspectah Deck on [|July 6, 1970], Method Man on [|April 1, 1971], Masta Killa on [|August 18, 1969,] and Ol' Dirty Bastard on [|November 15, 1968].

The group started in 1992. When they came out they were intending to take over the record industry in the most profitable way possible. They were going to do this by releasing their group album, and then several solo projects.  The success of the group is due to member RZA, who made the instrumentals for the other member’s solo project, which was a new thing to the rap world.  After the groups first hit underground single “Protect Ya Neck” record labels where trying to sign them but they didn’t sign with one until they found on that would allow them to produce their solo projects under different labels. They were signed to Loud/RCA. They released their debut album //“Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)”// in November of 1993. In early 1994 the single C.R.E.A.M. put the group over the top. The success of C.R.E.A.M. landed Genius, RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard solo contracts. Method Man was the first member to become a major star. He released Tical on Def Jam Records in November 1994, which was the group first official solo project.  After a couple of years of solo projects the group came back together to release their second album //“Wu-Tang Forever”// in June of 1997, which sold over 600,000 copies in the first week.  In 1998 member Ol’ Dirty Bastard began having run-ins with the police that made headlines. In February he interrupted an acceptance speech made by Shawn Colvin at the Grammy Awards, protesting their group losing the best rap album category. Shortly after he announced that he was changing his name to Big Baby Jesus. Sadly on November 13, 2004 at 5:29 Ol’ Dirty Bastard collapsed at Wu-Tangs studio. Hours later he was pronounced dead. He died two days before his 36 birthday.

CITATION "Wu-Tang Clan." 2000-2009 25 Feb 2009 .