Wu-Tang Clan

USA, 1992–now

Staten Island collective formed in 1992, led by RZA. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) fused gritty, kung-fu-sampled beats with nine distinct MCs, reshaping East Coast hip-hop and spawning a sprawling solo universe.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Wu-Tang Clan and 2 artists Wu-Tang Clan influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Wu-Tang Clan?

• Public Enemy — Public Enemy's dense, aggressive, politically charged hip-hop is a foundational influence on Wu-Tang's gritty East Coast sound.
• Afrika Bambaataa — Afrika Bambaataa's foundational hip-hop and funk-sampling ethos underlie RZA's soul- and funk-built beats.

Which artists did Wu-Tang Clan influence?

• Danger Mouse — The cinematic, sample-driven hip-hop production of the Wu-Tang Clan's RZA is part of the lineage behind Danger Mouse's atmospheric, beat-based craft.
• Kanye West — One of the acts that inspired the teenage West — and, in his own framing, one that pushed boundaries and still sold records.