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Chris Elwell-Sutton's rating
The trooping of rap's colours
By
Chris Elwell-Sutton
6 Jul 2007
Back in the early Nineties, the Wu-Tang Clan blew the rap world open with their frantic rhymes, pounding basslines and pioneering use of imagery and martial-arts movie samples.
As they reminded us last night in no uncertain terms, their back catalogue of classics has ensured them a permanently elevated spot in rap history.
A quick glance at the multiracial-multi- generational crowd last night confirmed that Wu-Tang's appeal hasn't been diminished by a few ropey solo projects, nor by the crack-induced death of Ol' Dirty Bastard-in 2004.
As Inspektah Deck threw on the brutal beat of that old favourite Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin' Ya F*** Wit, the rappers fanned out across the stage like soldiers, exuding energy that stopped just short of being out of control, throwing water wildly on their euphoric fans.
More hits followed, but some lacked focus, confusing our eyes and ears with the spectacle of nine men rapping simultaneously.
A slick version of their remarkably current-sounding 1993 track Protect Ya Neck was the show's highlight, on which they passed the microphone as smoothly as a relay team.
Ironically for a group that revels in mayhem, Wu-Tang were at their best when they showed a little discipline.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (2)
Great review, I take it you werent at the show? Neither are you a hip-hop fan nor have you mean to many a show?
Without a doubt, the worst show I have ever been to! And those whom accompanied me agreed. The warm up acts, were, a no-show. They used two kids who were previously selling CDs to the line outside as a 5 minute warm up act. We were then left with 2 hours of Techno being played over the PA system before Wu-Tang came out, just before 10PM, to play a set, which, to their credit, was okay. For about 25 minutes before 6 of them left the stage leaving only RZA and Method Man to half perform half stand there.
Oh, and did anyone notice the venues great use of security? How kind of them to use 6 cell Mag-Lites as batons to make a "path" for themselves through the crowd.
Waste of time, and money.
- Rake Yohn, London, England, 06/07/2007 13:44
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Great to see all the Wu on stage. Must be real tough for international superstars to appear together. What an effort. Shame they can't get a decent sound engineer to sort out the worst sound at a gig I have ever been to.
- Larry, London UK, 06/07/2007 12:12
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