Legendary Hip-Hop group Wu-Tang Clan performed exclusively for SiriusXM and Pandora last night at the Knockdown Center in Queens as part of its “For the Love” Hip-Hop 50th anniversary celebration on Thursday, August 10.
The night kicked off with opener Lola Brooke followed by headliners, Wu-Tang Clan, who were introduced on stage by iconic rapper Flavor Flav and SiriusXM host Sway Calloway. The group performed a set of their biggest hits to a packed audience of SiriusXM subscribers, Pandora listeners and fans.
SiriusXM and Pandora also partnered with Sneaker Con for a first of its kind activation and immersive experience at the event where audience members had the opportunity to win merch and some of the most sought after sneakers including artist collab sneakers, limited editions and more.
The Wu-Tang Clan icon continues to win as of late. Raekwon is building upon a top-notch rap legacy, that is now including opening his very own cannabis franchise. The dispensary is expected to open its doors with the plan to build it in New Jersey’s capital, Newark. The company is called Hashtoria and you can find it on Instagram by simply searching “Hashstoria.” However, there is still just one more obstacle to clear before Hashstoria can provide its services to the public.
They are still requiring the final approval from the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission for things to get moving. Additionally, the approval was given by the board during the meeting last month on July 24 after the first denial to open a Class 5 cannabis retail facility. Furthermore, Raekwon is not tackling this on his own, though. Charlamagne Tha God is joining forces with the Wu-Tang artist as one of the main supporters of this exciting project. He was elated as well to be a part of this opportunity commenting under Raekwon’s Instagram post saying, “I Love The Brick City and I love that we get to create jobs for our people We Thank GOD for it ALL!”
Raekwon shared his uncontrollable excitement for this news on his Instagram account a few days ago. With joy he says, “THANKYOU NEWARK , NEW JERSEY !!!!!!!!!!and all my Amazing Partners @jeddcanty @bakarisellers @cthagod on this wonderful and culture shifting Endeavor,” he wrote while thanking his partners.@hashstoria is Guaranteed to be the top tier consumption lounge / dispensary to hit the east coast period ! you heard it from chef himself .we will be right in the heart!”
How do you feel about Raekwon beginning his new business venture? Do you think it will succeed or flop? Do you plan on checking it out when it is open? Be sure to tell us your answers to the questions in the comments section below. Additionally, keep it locked in with HNHH for the news surrounding the music industry in every shape and form.
Twenty-eight years ago today, one of the greatest conceptual albums in the history of Hip Hop was released. Raekwon The Chef released his debut album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, guest-starring his right-hand man, Ghostface Killah aka Tony Starks.
Released on the Loud/RCA imprint and produced exclusively by The Abbott himself, Only Built For Cuban Linx was available on cassette, which was manufactured and distributed in a violet casing, thus, spawning its nickname. The album’s influence was tremendous on other landmark LPs of that era including Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt and Nas’ It Was Written, with heavy mafia references, the introduction of Cristal to the hood, and constant usage of the 5% Nation’s language of Supreme Mathematics and Supreme Alphabets in the lyrical content. The album also introduced the other WTC members via their aliases i.e. RZA is Bobby Steele, Ghost as “Tony Starks”, Deck is “Rollie Fingers”, Meth is, of course, “Johnny Blaze”, Masta Killa as “Noodles”, the Genius as “Maximillian” the Chef as “Lou Diamonds” and all together known as the “Wu-Gambinos”, which is the 16th track on the journey.
The Four and a Half Mic Classic’s(writer Nicholas Poluhoff) storyline plays out as a film, using many samples of John Woo’s Killer as an interlude between several tracks. The album contained several classic singles that had lives of their own in others spaces. The platinum-selling album yielded legendary hits such as the radio/female friendly “Ice Cream”, the inspirational “Glaciers Of Ice”, the genre sparking “Criminology”, which gave birth to many “Shark N****s”, which was an ode to biters and commanding them to “be original”. Ghost even shot a dart at the late B.I.G., accusing the slain legend of biting Nas’ pre-adolescent album cover concept. The album concludes with a positive build from the late Popa Wu aka Freedum Allah, which reminisces about the past life of a young, crime Raekwon who evolved into the multi-faceted individual seen today, which ironically is called “North Star(Jewels)”.
This platinum-selling time capsule is a must-have for all real Hip Hop fans, aficionados, critics, and historians. Salute to the entire Wu, especially Rae, Starks, and the RZA for this gem. We will forever be in debt to you guys for the “Purple Tape”.
New York City is gearing up for a monumental celebration as the legendary Wu-Tang Clan prepares to return to their roots for a headlining performance at the “For the Love” concert. The iconic rap group will honor hip-hop’s 50th anniversary with a performance that promises to be historic. Wu-Tang Set To Headline “For the Love” […]
Some classic hip-hop songs will remain timeless no matter when they are played. Whether listeners were alive or not when released, fans know and appreciate their impact on the genre. Many started a new era that evolved, and others are locked in the time capsule they came from. This year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and there have been celebrations, documentaries, concerts, and more honoring the genre throughout the year.
With the power of the internet and the passion of our icons passing stories on, hip hop has become the most popular genre in the world. Please note that none of our choices in this article would be possible without songs like “The Message,” “Rapper’s Delight,” and “Planet Rock.” We have omitted them from our list (in no particular order) to leave room for those that will cause little to no debate.
“Protect Ya Neck” – Wu-Tang Clan (1992)
This song is from one of hip hop’s most popular groups. Music lovers who don’t listen to rap know their name, and their logo is iconic. This song showcases several core aspects of the group. This is fitting, considering it was their first single, initially released in 1992. Later, it was re-released in 1993 to much greater fanfare.
The original only brought them success in the underground scene since they released it independently on their own label. The track features RZA’s trademark gritty production as each member brings aggression and wordplay to the dusty drums and minimalist melody. This track helped set the tone for “hardcore” rap and directly contrasted the jazzier outputs from other groups in New York.
“Electric Relaxation” – A Tribe Called Quest (1994)
Multiple generations have celebrated and heard this classic hip hop song. Some know the original track, and others recognize it from the intro for The Wayans Bros. Younger listeners heard its iconic sample from Ronnie Foster’s “Mystic Brew” on ”Forbidden Fruit” by J. Cole feat Kendrick Lamar. No matter when you heard it, the smooth bassline and peaceful melody stuck with you.
Q-Tip and Phife Dawg trade fun and clever verses about interactions with women on the track. The back and forth keeps listeners locked in because they don’t know who will pop in next. Q-Tip produced this one, along with many other songs in their discography. Tracks like this paved the way for artists like Saba, Cordae, Mick Jenkins, and more, who shine on jazz-based hip-hop productions.
“Nuthin But A “G” Thang” – Dr.Dre feat. Snoop Dogg (1993)
Two hip hop titans still active in the rap game today dominated this classic. They gained their titan status by bringing this distinctive West Coast sound to the game. Of course, Dre’s fame origins began in his days as a producer in N.W.A. However, the production of his solo work after that era ended took him to the next level.
Glitzy synthesizers helped lay the groundwork for a new genre called “G-Funk.” Snoop and Dre established a chemistry that would boost their careers. This was their second single together and the first for Dre’s solo debut album, The Chronic. Songs like this paved the way for West Coast artists like Larry June and YG, who take aspects from music and make it work in their favor.
“Straight Outta Compton” – N.W.A (1988)
This is a classic hip hop song that may have reached a new generation through the movie of the same name. N.W.A was a pioneer in the genre of “gangsta rap.” In the song, each group member introduces themselves and details what will happen to those who cross them. The song is abrasive, with production from Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. This track paved the way for aggressive rap artists to say precisely what they wanted, how they wanted.
The early 2000s had many pivotal moments, and Missy was central to several. On this track, she showed how she helped lay the groundwork for women in rap today. While not as explicit as today’s artists, Missy still asserts confidence in her sexuality throughout the song. Her delivery makes the track fun and danceable through her creative delivery, rhymes, and of course, the iconic backmasking used in the song’s chorus. She employs the same technique in the song’s second verse, too. Also, she produced the track with Timbaland. Music moments such as this helped pave the way for artists like Megan Thee Stallion.
Today (July 6) marks the birthday of one of the most rebellious lyricists of Hip-Hop culture, the Wu-Tang Clan’s Inspectah Deck. The culture notable turns 53.
The unorthodox approach of Inspectah Deck raised a satisfying hell when he smoked the mic back in 1992 on Wu-Tang’s groundbreaking debut single “Protect Ya Neck.” Amid every single slot of opportunity, Deck proceeds to expose his ability to describe realities in the form of rapping with a style that the average human being cannot detect.
Following the Wu’s debut, the Rebel INS went on to drop persuasive verses on the solo projects of Wu members Method Man, Raekwon, GZA, and Ghostface Killah creating a slew of the collective’s most renowned tracks which are deemed infinite on the classical realm. In 1997, he went on to create history by giving birth to arguably the greatest verse in Hip-Hop history. Featured on Wu-Tang’s second studio album, “Triumph,” Deck left an enormous impression on the masses as he bombed “atomically” which overall triggered a supreme evolution with his outlook upon the Hip-Hop masses.
As his metaphoric mastery and mortal flow set in stone Deck’s emcee stance throughout the ’90s, his own solo debut was longingly anticipated. Finally, in 1999, Deck’s solo debut Uncontrolled Substance was released and Hip-Hop heads were blessed with the opportunity to witness the rebellious lyricist take center with his intricate rhyme patterns and soul bound narratives scattered in street reality.
Most may consider Deck to be one of the Wu’s most underrated emcees, but the truth of the matter is that he is one of Wu-Tang’s strongest lyricists. Not only was this evident during his prime time, but as the Manifesto maker entered the following profound eras of Hip-Hop, which can be proven in his most recent works. That only goes to show you to the truth about how soulful emcees, never stop.
Happy birthday to Hip-Hop’s rebellious lyricist, Wu-Tang Clan’s Inspectah Deck!
On this day in Hip Hop history, one of the culture’s most influential musical masterminds was born. Wu-Tang Clan frontman Robert Fitzgerald Diggs a.k.a. RZA was born today (July 5) in Brooklyn, New York, 49 years ago. Since stepping on the scene in 1989, RZA has done more than just create an outrageously successful career for himself and his affiliates but has also forever shaped and changed the way a lot of things are handled in the music industry. From branding to merchandising to mastery of one’s craft, RZA stands as a pillar example of how someone given nothing but their own mind can rise to be a titan in the entertainment industry.
In honor of his birthday, we’ve compiled a list of five of RZA’s most important power moves that helped to build and strengthen his empire. Spanning from music to video games, RZA’s influence can be felt across culture, color lines and international borders.
-Signing With Tommy Boy Records
RZA signed with the famous Tommy Boy Records in 1991 under the moniker Prince Rakeem and released one EP, Ooh I Love You Rakeem. Although this may not have been the most eventful or productive period of RZA’s career, his tumultuous relationship with Tommy Boy is what helped RZA to formulate his own plan to monopolize Hip Hop. His time at Tommy Boy allowed him to build vital connections with artists and executives that can been seen lasting throughout the remainder of his career. Tommy Boy gave RZA a necessary first glimpse of how the music industry works as a whole, which helped him to finesse it into something that worked for him.
-The Five-Year-Plan
In his autobiography The Tao of Wu, RZA detailed a majority of the events surrounding the ridiculous success of Wu-Tang Clan, the most prominent of these being his “Five Year Plan.” This plan, enacted in 1992 following the success of the RZA-produced Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers, was RZA’s scheme for his group to become the most powerful figures in Hip Hop as a whole and individually. In an analogy, RZA explains, “I want all of y’all [Wu-Tang] to get on this bus. And be passengers. And I’m the driver. And nobody can ask me where we going. I’m taking us to No. 1. Give me five years, and I promise that I’ll get us there.”
At the end of the five year period, Wu-Tang Clan had released the Grammy Award-winning, number one Wu-Tang Forever LP (which sold four million copies in its first six months on shelves), GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, ODB and Ghostface Killah all had Top 10 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, and Wu-Tang Clan had a successful comic book, clothing line and video game under their belt.
-Wu-Tang Clan Record Deals
As Wu-Tang’s popularity continued to grow exponentially, major labels were breaking down the door to get a piece of the action. For a short while there was a question of where the group and its members would sign. In an attempt to divide and conquer the corporate music world, RZA came up with the idea to have the majority of the members sign with competing record labels. Although from the outside this plan may seem risky and convoluted, RZA was again right on the money with this decision. Having Method Man sign with Def Jam, Raekwon sign with Loud, Ghostface Killah sign with Sony, ODB sign with Elektra and GZA sign with Geffen/MCA allowed for maximum promotion of each artist. No one company had to divvy out the funds to try and support the promo of each of these rap icon’s solo work. This also allowed record labels to work together like never before when pushing Wu-Tang Clan (who remained under Razor Sharp Records) albums because of the number of companies involved with its production. Never before or since has there been a group to sign a deal of this nature.
-Wu-Wear
In 1995 Wu-Tang released their clothing line Wu Wear, which quickly became one of Hip Hop’s most coveted streetwear brands. The brand’s importance, however, doesn’t come from its popularity but its pioneering. With Wu Wear, Wu-Tang became the first rap group to be laced from head to toe in their own gear. This again gave the group another step ahead of their competition. Even today, Wu Wear is international worn and recognized as a prominent Hip Hop streetwear brand and can be found in stores across the globe and online on various outlets.
-Hollywood Takeover
RZA’s most recent and ambitious endeavor to date is his dabbling in acting and filmmaking. As an actor, RZA has appeared in 21 films and has written and directed three. His popular The Man With The Iron Fists Kung-Fu series has proven he can successfully take his love for traditional Asian martial arts films and put his own spin on them to create something of his own. His partnership with famed director Quentin Tarantino only further validates his abilities and potential as a filmmaker and opens the door to the possibility of future projects.
RZA has yet to stop shaping Hip Hop’s culture and sound over the years, although he may not be as visibly active as he once was. His prominence in this culture is known and felt by anyone with knowledge of Hip Hop, its origins and its success as a genre. From everyone here at The Source, happy born day RZA, thank you for building such a godly culture.
Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon tied the knot with his partner Jasmine on June 30 in Dallas. Scram Jones served as DJ for the event, while Faith Evans was also present to personally serenade the happy couple. Of course, several of Raekwon’s Clan brothers, namely RZA and Ghostface Killah, were present for the ceremony. “Celebration of love Congratulations @raekwon and Jasmine,” RZA’s wife wrote on Instagram.
However, the Clan weren’t the only music legends in attendance for the event. The crowd was a veritable who’s who of rap royalty. Nas, N.O.R.E, and Fat Joe were just some of the industry legends spotted in the crowd. Many of them posted black-and-white photos from the event on Instagram, showcasing the sheer amount of talent that had assembled. Many happy returns to Raekwon and Jasmine.
However, his wedding is not the only reason that Raekwon is making headlines. Recently, Steve-O, of Jackass fame, released footage of the Wu-Tang Clan member putting him in his place. The footage was taken from the memorial event for Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who passed away in November 2004. Steve-O, who had been a big fan of the Clan OG, had earned an invite to the event after striking up a friendship with Method Man and RZA. However, his eulogy, in which he told a story about a raunchy performance ODB gave before his death., didn’t go over well.
Raekwon reportedly grabbed Steve-O by the back of the neck and threatened him if he didn’t apologize. ‘I didn’t appreciate that, and I’ma tell you right now in front of all these people, you gonna apologize or I’ma knock you out in front of all these people. ‘I’m not playing, straight up, that was disrespectful. I’m ready to fuck you up, so you better apologize right now. And I’m going to jail, straight up.’” Follow all the latest music news here at HotNewHipHop.
Taniqua Jones, the daughter of late Wu-Tang Clan member Ol’ Dirty Bastard, recently shared a clip on social media revealing her new tattoo. The tattoo pays tribute to her father, who passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2004. In the clip, Jones is seen at a tattoo parlor, admiring the piece in the mirror.
Jones’ sister, Shaquita, and her mother Icelene joined her for the excursion. She got the tattoo done at Cypress Tattoos in Oregon. She calls the tattoo of her father’s face “so nice,” before beginning to cry. “Sorry…Thank you so much,” she tells the artist.
Earlier this month, Steve-O reflected on his own, questionable tribute to ODB. He revealed that he had planned to do a far-out, naked onstage stunt at Wu-Tang Clan’s 2006 Rock The Bells performance in honor of the late artist. Steve-O recalls thinking, “Dirty would love that!” Unfortunately, Raekwon stopped the comedian in his tracks. He explained that “[ODB] was the king of not giving a f*ck, way before Kanye did it.” He reminisces about the late rapper “on stage with his pants down, d*ck out, smoking a huge blunt of PCP.” Steve-O recalls thinking, “‘That is my hero.’”
“All of a sudden, Raekwon stops the show completely,” he revealed. “He grabs me by my neck and drags me to the front of the stage.” In a clip of the incident, Raekwon says, “I didn’t appreciate that, and I’ma tell you right now in front of all these people, you gonna apologize or I’ma knock you out in front of all these people. ‘I’m not playing, straight up, that was disrespectful. I’m ready to f*ck you up, so you better apologize right now. And I’m going to jail, straight up.’” “I’ve never considered myself a tough guy, but even I was surprised by what a b*tch I was in that moment,” Steve-O admitted. “After that, I was allowed to go. And security told us that I really should go because I was definitely not safe.”
Dennis Coles, popularly known as Ghostface Killah, is a revered figure in the hip-hop world. A key member of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah hails from Staten Island, New York. His unique style and storytelling prowess have earned him a special place in the annals of rap music.
Evaluating Ghostface Killah’s Wealth
NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 20: Rapper Ghostface Killah performs at Xbox party and concert at Discotheque February 20, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images for Microsoft)
So, what is Ghostface Killah’s net worth in 2023? According to Celebrity Net Worth, the rapper’s wealth is estimated to be around $10 million US Dollars. This figure is a testament to his success in the music industry and his ventures outside of it.
Ghostface Killah of Wu-Tang Clan during X Box Live Presents the OutKast Diamond Party – Outside at Crobar in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Ghostface Killah’s net worth is primarily accumulated from his music career. With numerous albums under his belt, both as a solo artist and as part of the Wu-Tang Clan, he has generated considerable revenue from album sales and streams. His live performances and tours also contribute significantly to his wealth.
(NETHERLANDS OUT) NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 15: Photo of GHOSTFACE KILLAH (Photo by Lex van Rossen/MAI/Redferns)
Beyond music, Ghostface Killah has ventured into several businesses to diversify his income streams. He has launched his own line of merchandise and has invested in tech startups, contributing to his overall wealth.
Ghostface Killah during Ghostface Gives Away Sleeping Bags To Homeless at The Bowery Mission in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
In spite of his wealth, Ghostface Killah has remained committed to giving back to his community. He has been involved in several charitable initiatives, particularly those aimed at supporting disadvantaged youth. While these endeavors may not directly boost his net worth, they certainly enhance his public image and indirectly contribute to his overall wealth.
Looking ahead, Ghostface Killah’s net worth seems set to grow further. With new music releases, business ventures, and potential collaborations in the pipeline, the rapper’s financial future looks promising. Given his talent and business savvy, Ghostface Killah’s $10 million net worth is likely to increase.
In conclusion, Ghostface Killah’s net worth is a reflection of his illustrious career in the music industry and his entrepreneurial ventures. His journey from the streets of Staten Island to a net worth of $10 million is a testament to his talent, perseverance, and business acumen. As he continues to make music and engage in business ventures, there’s no doubt that Ghostface Killah’s influence and wealth will continue to grow. His story serves as an inspiration, proving that talent combined with hard work and smart business decisions can lead to significant success.
Congratulations @raekwon and Jasmine,” RZA’s wife wrote on Instagram. 
