#22 - Wu-Tang Clan, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Release Year: 1993

Genre: Avante-Garde Hip Hop

How much do I like my favorite track on the album? 12.8/16 points

C.R.E.A.M.

Cash rules everything around me. Dollar Dollar Bill Yalllll. This song has been sampled so many times, it hurts, but in the good way. There’s also a pragmatic angle to this song that as an adult you absolutely can’t help but appreciate. Oh, and this song was meant to be part of a score they wrote for the move 36 Chambers of Shaolin - how brilliant is that?

How did/does this album influence my own taste in music overall? 12.8 points

Enter the Wu is basically the gateway album for hip hop. If you haven’t heard it and like hip hop (the real hip hop - c. 1990s) I would be impressed. And also not believe you. Iconic beats. Iconic lines.

Does this album hold up since its release? 13.6 points

The simple answer here is yes. Absolutely. The amount of times this album is sampled is infinite. Love it so so much.

What percentage of the album do I listen to? 7.69 points

Sometimes I skip songs on this albums because the ones I want to skip to I can’t wait. Do I have some shame in that? Yeah. But you heard it here first.

What did/do the critics think of this album? 8 points

Universally acclaimed as far as hip hop albums go.

What is the sentimental value to me of the album? 12 points

I saw Wu-Tang Clan perform this album live with 36 Chambers playing behind them. With the Colorado Symphony. Yep, I will always love that.

What was the artists involvement of the production of the album - songwriting, instrumentals, vocals, uniqueness? 13.6 points

Vocals and beats are undeniably hip. O.D.B. is a crowd pleaser on his tracks in particular. The story telling is also excellent.

Overall Rating out of 100 points = 80.5 points

Find yourself like me returning to this classic. The voices that are in the Wu are wholly unique, and have stood the test of time. The fact that all 8 living members (RIP O.D.B.) still tour together and sound amazing says something too. This would be great music even if it didn’t have the vocals. The vocals send it to the moon. This is the first of many rap and hip hop entries on this list. And the first of two times Ol’ Dirty Bastard gets my hyped stamp of approval.