Method Man

Wu-Tang Clan

The Wu-Tang Clan came together in Staten Island, New York during the early 1990s. The group was founded by three cousins, GZA (Gary Grice), Ol' Dirty Bastard (Russell Tyrone Jones) and The RZA (Robert Diggs). When they released their debut album "Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers" in late 1993, they had nine members - Method Man, GZA aka The Genius, The RZA, Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and Ghostface Killah.

This debut album was praised by both music critics and rap fans, with its pentrating beats mixed in with samples from kung fu movies. It featured several hit singles including, "Can It Be All So Simple", "Method Man", "C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)", "Tearz" and "Protect Ya Neck".

After several solo projects by Wu-Tang clansmen including The RZA, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon and GZA; the Wu returned with a double-album in 1997. Titled "Wu-Tang Forever", this 28 track compilation went to the top of the Billboard 200 and Rap/R&B charts in the United States and Canada. In 2000 they released their third album, "The W", "Iron Flag" in 2001 and in 2004 they released a live album titled "Disciples of the 36 Chambers: Chapter 1".

The year 2004 was tragic for the Wu-Tang Clan with the passing of its enigmatic original member Ol' Dirty Bastard. ODB collapsed on November 13, 2004 at Wu-Tang's New York recording studio, dying a couple of days before his 36th birthday. Though the group has not gone back to the studio for any collaborative efforts, the various member continue to release new albums and singles. U-God and Ghostface Killah released albums in 2005 and Raekwon and Method Man have two much anticipated albums around the corner.

The Wu