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

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

5: Method Man
            I initially had RZA at 5 and Method Man at 4. But, 5 felt too low for the man that produced the Wu’s best material, so I bumped him up a spot. That means Method Man is sitting here at 5. That feels fine to me. Method Man was the first big solo star from Wu, and arguably, has had the most solo success.[1] Method Man is all about the bounce with his flow. He reminds me of a more lyrically talented Snoop Dogg, his flow is open basically. He doesn’t slow it down quite like Masta Killa, but, he always feel casual and collected with his flow. I love his verses on “Wu-Gambinos”[2] from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… and “Shadowboxin’” from GZA’s Liquid Swords.
4: RZA
            RZA’s fucking crazy. This dude doesn’t give a single fuck about the bar line. His accent/speech impediment allows him to pronounce words in such a way, that words that normally wouldn’t rhyme, do rhyme. He normally comes in with a super fast paced flow, lots of multi-syllable rhymes, and, like I said, no regard for the bar line. Which is fine, because he always ends up where he needs to be, and being as he is one of the greatest producers ever, you trust that he knows where to be on his own fucking beats. Some of RZA’s best verses can be found on the aforementioned “Wu-Gambino’s” from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… and “Impossible” from Wu-Tang Forever.
3: GZA
            We’re at the c.r.e.a.m. of the fucking crop here. GZA is this high off Liquid Swords alone. That shit is one of the best hip-hop albums ever made. GZA is a master swordsman when it comes to lyrical ability. His technical craft is nearly untouchable. There is never a single syllable too many, every word, every bar is precise as fuck. They don’t call him The Genius for nothing. My personal favorite GZA verses can be found on “Shadowboxin’” and “Living in the World Today,” both off of Liquid Swords. Don’t sleep on his verse on “Wu Banga 101” from Ghostface’s Supreme Clientele, that shit is filthy. 
2: Raekwon
            Had I done this last a year ago, I might’ve had Raekwon third and GZA second. But, being as Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… is literally my favorite hip-hop project, it doesn’t make sense that the man whom’s album it is should be ranked 3rd. “Why isn’t he number 1 then, Nick?” Because, let’s be honest, that album is really just as much a Ghostface project, as it is a Raekwon project. And, I like Ghostface’s parts, and Ghostface himself more, so he’s number 1. I’m getting ahead of myself, though, we’re here to talk about The Chef, Raekwon. Raekwon has the dopest slang in the fucking game. In his prime, his flow was filthy, lots of slick internal rhymes. His verses tend to go over new listeners’ heads because of how dense his slang is. It’s almost essential to have Rap Genius open when you are listening to Rae. My favorite Raekwon is probably “Knowledge God” from his own Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… One of his secret best verses, though, is from “Wu Banga 101” from Ghost’s Supreme Clientele. I love it, if for nothing else than that he makes the claim “Haagen-Dazs goggles,” which is absolutely fucking ludicrous. That would mean iced out, or blinged out, goggles. Basically diamond encrusted goggles. Ridiculous, fly as fuck, but ridiculous. Rae’s a fucking legend.
1: Ghostface Killah
            Was there ever any question who was gonna be number 1 on my list? Not a fucking chance. Ghostface is one my top 2 all time favorite rappers ever.[3]  This was the only way things were gonna play out. Fuck, where do we even start. Okay, so, Ghost’s diction is fucking bonkers. This man says some of the most obscure bars I’ve ever heard. His word association is crazy. I love his use of non sequiturs, he’ll have a couple bars that are all tied together, then the next 3 don’t pertain at all to what he was just saying. His slang is right up there with Rae’s. I love Ghost’s face paced flow, he always comes swooping in on a beat, opening with something wild, and closing on a wild line as well. He’s always memorable. Because I’d be doing you all a disservice by only mentioning 2-3 Ghostface verses, I’m instead going to come up with my top 15 Ghostface verses/songs. A list within a list, listception. This list will also include my favorite line within each song, I’m too kind.

15. “Verbal Intercourse” - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
"Sharpened toothbrushes, 190 mixed with baby oil and shit
Your man's in the kitchen stashing ice picks”
14. “Apollo Kids” - Supreme Clientele.
“Moseyed off gracefully, New York's most wanted cheeba hawk
Seen the yellow brick road, I stole the pastries”
13. “New God Flow” - Cruel Summer.
"I got soccer moms payin' for cock
Asians get it from behind while they cleanin’ their wok
Comin' with flows that is toxic
Deadly fumes when I'm in the room”
12. “Poisonous Darts” - Ironman.
“But anyway back to furry Kangols, Jamaican Wallabies
My back is on the wall, bombing devils with tricknology
My heart is cold like Russia, got jerked at The Source awards
Next year two hundred niggas coming with swords!”
11. “Iron Maiden” - Ironman.
“Tremendously obnoxious, no blotches
My telephone watch'll leave bartenders topless
Dead arm the prosecutor, smack the juror
Me and my girl'll run like Luke and Laura
We sit back on Malayan islands
Sipping mixed drinks out of broke coconut bowls, we wilding”
10. “Ice Cream” - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
"I'm high-powered put Adina Howard to sleep
Yo pardon, that bitch been on my mind all week
But, uh, back to you Maybeline Queen let's make a team
You can have anything in this world except C.R.E.A.M”
9. “Nutmeg” - Supreme Clientele.
“Portfolio, looking fancy in the pantry
My man got bigger dimes son, your shit is scampi
Base that, throw what's in your mouth, don't waste that
See Ghost lamping in the throne with King Tut hat”
8. “Criminology” - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
“Many brothers I be sparking and busting mad light inside the dark
Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture
I hang glide, holding on strong, hard to capture”
7. “Glaciers of Ice” - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
“Chill on the whips for seven months, we can all get laced
Take a boat cruise, sip daiquiris and max
Swimming pools, fly jewels, Wally shoes, blow stacks
Relax kids, black kids got a craving for Cris”
6. “Buck 50” - Supreme Clientele.
“Supercalifragalisticexpialidocious
Dociousaliexpifragalisticcalisuper
Cancun, catch me in the room, eating grouper”
5. “Wu Banga 101” - Supreme Clientele.
“Smashed a fresh ball of wax caesar
Flashy penthouse that overlooks the vista
Wally Moc' half tied, swimmin trunks
Three chunks of ice sit in Johnny Walker for advice”
4. “Mighty Healthy” - Supreme Clientele.
“Overnight, God schedules, Fed-Ex
Pretty silhouette velvet nice DNA scroll genetics
Too hot to handle, one thought from scrambling the mandolin
Hundred game Wilt Chamberlain, smack 'em, say when”
3. “One” - Supreme Clientele.
“Ayo, crash through, break the glass, Tony with the goalie mask
That's the past, heavy ice Roley laying on the dash
Love the grass, cauliflower hurting when I dumped the trash
Sour mash served in every glass up at the Wally Bash”
2. “Guillotine (Swordz)” - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
“Yo, you fourteen carat gold slum computer wizard
Tapping inside my rap vein causes blizzards
The wildlife that kills for ice trife like by the digits
Gorillas injected with strength of eighty midgets”
1. “Wu-Gambinos” - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
Remember them kids that came off with eight million
Robbed the Brinks and I labelled in royal pavilions
Them flour heads must have been stupid
Tell me how the fuck black niggas get caught with all that loot kid
There's jet money, underground money
Submarines and rings, too bad you fucked up, dummies


BONUS CONTENT
*****Tomorrow, Friday February 9th, 2018, Esoteric Records is releasing their first song of the year. “True To Myself” will drop at 6pm, be sure to follow us on Twitter @RecordsEsoteric to get the link! Song is by DimVinci feat. ADB, Nick Zablocki, Ev, & Pete.*****


[1] It’s really between him or Ghostface in my opinion.
[2] Can you tell that I LOVE this song?
[3] Royce da 5’9” being the other one.

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