A Reverse Ranking Of The Wu-Tang Members, Based On No Tangible Methodology. Part 1 of 2. By: Nick Zablocki

A Reverse Ranking Of The Wu-Tang Members, Based On No Tangible Methodology. Part 1 of 2.
By: Nick Zablocki

            Like my long-winded title implies, there is no formula, no methodology behind the ranking that is about to come. I just decided this week to rank the ten[1] members of the Wu-Tang Clan from my least favorite to my most favorite. I will most likely contradict myself throughout this list. And, for anyone who knows me, you know EXACTLY who number one is going to be. This will be a 2 part series, because I went fucking long with this one. Shocker. Let’s begin.
10: Ol’ Dirty Bastard
            Potentially blasphemous for some old heads, but, they should be happy that I love the Wu enough to write about them. Look, ODB’s schtick has just never stuck with me. I don’t hate ODB, I just don’t frequently listen to much of his material. I think his gimmick is interesting, but, he pigeon-holed himself into a corner with it. His spirit lives on most obviously with Meechy Darko of the Flatbush Zombies, in the best possible way.
9: Cappadonna
            Okay, so like, here’s the deal, my first experiences with Cappadonna I was wowed. I think the first verse I heard of his was on “Winter Warz” off Ghost’s ’96 album Ironman. That’s a phenomenal verse.[2] One of my favorite Wu verses. I also really like his verse on “Iron Maiden,” also from Ironman. But, after that, there’s not a lot of great Cappa verses to be found. His verse on “Ice Water” from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… is alright, but probably the weakest of the 3 verses. This dude is low key whack most of the time. But, he has more verses that I genuinely love than ODB, so he gets the “higher” ranking.
8: U-God
         Honestly, who else did you expect here? At this point in the list it had to be either U-God or Masta Killa. I think Masta Killa is better. I like what Masta Killa does more. U-God’s gimmick, if you will, seems to be his bassy, baritone voice. My favorite U-God moment is on “Black Jesus” from Ironman. He arguably has the best verse between him, Ghostface, and Raekwon, which is unheard of usually. That’s quintessential Wu, though, on posse cuts, you never truly know who is gonna have the best verse. Other than that, there’s not a lot of U-God verses that grab my attention or steal the show. Why is he higher than Cappadonna then, because he’s more consistently good. I’d rather have U-God’s consistent 7/10s than Cappa’s two 10/10s and mostly whack shit after that. This is my list, not yours.
7: Masta Killa
            Masta Killa is another one who is consistently good. He tends to come in with more methodical, slower-paced verses. This can help balance out a track after RZA or Ghostface just went bonkers with fast-paced barrage of bars. He may not be the best rapper of the bunch, but, he consistently holds his own. Oftentimes, he places more emphasis on syllables, as opposed to matching end rhymes, letting internal rhymes carry him home. Some of his best verses are on “Assassination Day,”[3] from Ironman, “Wu-Gambinos,”[4] from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, and “Glaciers of Ice,” also from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
6: Inspectah Deck
            Known for kicking off some of the best Wu-Tang posse cuts with verses filled with multi-syllable rhymes, and often alliteration, Deck is potentially the most underrated of what I consider the foundational Clan members. To me, there is a certain line that distinguishes my bottom 4 member from the upper 6, the foundational members. Deck got screwed out of the solo success some of the other key members had due to the infamous flood in RZA’s basement studio. He suffered the most from the lost files and tapes, losing most of his debut solo album. His momentum and career never recovered. It sucks. To end on a high note, some of Deck’s best verses are on “Guillotine (Swordz)” from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, and his legendary verse on “Triumph”[5] from Wu-Tang Forever.
            This concludes Part 1. Check back next week for Part 2.



[1] We’ll throw Cappadonna a bone and include him on this list.
[2] In August of 2014, Cappadonna tweeted that this verse was a freestyle. Doubtful. If it was, maybe he should’ve freestyled all his fucking verses, cause he definitely peaked with this one, freestyle or not.
[3] This song is weird because it’s on Ghostface’s album Ironman, but, Ghostface literally isn’t anywhere on this song. Instead it’s Inspectah Deck, RZA, Raekwon, & Masta Killa. Honestly, only something the Wu could/would do.
[4] My current favorite hip-hop song ever.
[5] This video is so late 90s it hurts. TERRIBLE special effects.

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