The Essential Wu-Tang Clan

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan
Compilation album by Wu-Tang Clan
Released	October 29, 2013 (2013-10-29)
Recorded	1993–2001
Genre	East Coast hip hop[1] hardcore[2]
Length	1:58:21
Label	Loud Legacy
Producer	Noah Uman (exec.)[2] Disc One: 4th Disciple Mathematics Ol’ Dirty Bastard Poke And Tone RZA True Master Disc Two: RZA
Wu-Tang Clan chronology
Legendary Weapons (2011) The Essential Wu-Tang Clan (2013) A Better Tomorrow (2014)

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan is a compilation album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which was released October 29, 2013 on Loud and Legacy.^{[citation needed]} It follows 2011's Legendary Weapons. The Essential Wu-Tang Clan serves as a best of. It features performances by all Wu-Tang members and several affiliates.

Background

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan includes standout tracks from high-profile studio albums, as well as rare soundtrack selections and compilation cuts.^{[citation needed]}

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[3]

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan was met with positive reviews. It was noted for the influential and groundbreaking sound from the '90s hip-hop collective. With its distinctive style, with dark, atmospheric backing tracks (often punctuated by samples from vintage martial arts movies).^[3]

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Discogs.^[2]

Disc One
No.	Title	Original Album	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Time
1	"Da Mystery of Chessboxin'"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	Clifford Smith Gary Grice Dennis Coles Lamont Hawkins Robert Diggs Corey Woods Jason Hunter Russell Jones	The RZA Ol’ Dirty Bastard^[a]	4:48
2	"As High as Wu-Tang Get"	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Grice Diggs Jones	The RZA	2:38
3	"C.R.E.A.M."	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Woods Hunter Diggs David Porter Isaac Hayes	The RZA	4:07
4	"Cash Still Rules/Scary Hours (still don't nothing move but the money)"	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Coles Woods Selwyn Bougard	4th Disciple	3:02
5	"Rules" (featuring Streetlife)	Iron Flag	C. Smith Coles Woods Hunter Elgin Turner Patrick Charles Ronald Bean	Mathematics	3:52
6	"I Can't Go to Sleep" (featuring Isaac Hayes)	The W	Coles Diggs Hayes	The RZA	3:35
7	"Uzi (Pinky Ring)"	Iron Flag	C. Smith Grice Woods Coles Hawkins Diggs Hunter Jones Turner Clarence Reid	The RZA	5:18
8	"America" (featuring Killah Priest)	America Is Dying Slowly	Woods Diggs Hunter Turner Walter Reed	The RZA	5:34
9	"Gravel Pit" (featuring Paulissa Moorman)	The W	C. Smith Woods Diggs Coles Hawkins Paulisa Moorman	The RZA	4:14
10	"The Projects" (featuring Shyheim)	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Woods Diggs Coles Hawkins	The RZA	3:18
11	"Back in the Game" (featuring Ronald Isley)	Iron Flag	C. Smith Woods Coles Hunter Jean-Claude Olivier Samuel Barnes	Poke And Tone	4:29
12	"What You in fo'" (featuring Streetlife)	Oz	C. Smith Woods Diggs Charles	True Master	3:08
13	"The Monument" (featuring Busta Rhymes)	The W	C. Smith Woods Diggs Coles Hawkins Trevor Smith	The RZA	2:38
14	"Can It Be All So Simple"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	Woods Diggs Coles Alan Bergman Marilyn Bergman Marvin Hamlisch	The RZA	4:12
15	"The W"	Bonus Track from Iron Flag	C. Smith Grice Woods Diggs Hawkins	The RZA	3:41
58:34

Disc Two
No.	Title	Original Album	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Time
1	"Protect Ya Neck"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	Clifford Smith Gary Grice Dennis Coles Lamont Hawkins Robert Diggs Corey Woods Jason Hunter Russell Jones	The RZA	4:32
2	"Reunited"	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Grice Diggs Jones	The RZA	5:22
3	"Shame on a Nigga"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	2:54
4	"Hollow Bones"	The W	Coles Diggs Woods Hunter	The RZA	3:16
5	"Triumph" (featuring Cappadonna)	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones Jamel Irief Darryl Hill	The RZA	5:38
6	"Redbull" (featuring Redman)	The W	C. Smith Diggs Hunter Reginald Noble	The RZA	3:54
7	"Method Man" (performed by Method Man)	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Diggs	The RZA	5:00
8	"It's Yourz"	Wu-Tang Forever	Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Juergen Koduletsch Mats Bjoerklyn Thoris Baldursson	The RZA	4:14
9	"Put Your Hammer Down"	The Mix Tape, Vol. III	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter	The RZA	2:04
10	"One Blood Under W" (featuring Junior Reid)	The W	Diggs Elgin Turner Delroy Reid	The RZA	4:12
11	"Diesel" (featuring Ron Isley)	Soul in the Hole	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	5:30
12	"Careful (Click, Click)"	The W	Hawkins Diggs Hunter Hill Turner	The RZA	4:25
13	"Protect Ya Neck II (The Jump Off)"	The W	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	3:38
14	"Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber (Part II)"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	5:08
59:47

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer.

References

1. Huey, Steve. "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – Wu-Tang Clan". AllMusic. Archived from the original on June 2, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
2. "Wu-Tang Clan - The Essential Wu-Tang Clan (2013, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
3. Deming, Mark. "Wu-Tang Clan - The Essential Wu-Tang Clan Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved June 19, 2022.