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Staten Island's gritty hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan originated with three founding fathers in 1992. RZA (Robert Diggs,) GZA (aka The Genius, Gary Grice) and Ol' Dirty Bastard (aka ODB, Russell Jones) dreamed of a hip hop empire shaped in their own image, and recruited six other local MCs. The final lineup included Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Masta Killa and U-God. In 1993 the Wu released their classic Gangsta manifesto Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers.) Produced entirely by group leader RZA, the debut was a raw, violent slice of life wrapped up in dissonant samples. Each clan member brought their own "fighting style" to the party and the album was a totally immersive mix of imagery from the street, kung fu, samurai flicks and the Islamic offshoot Five Percent Nation of Gods and Earth. Almost every member of the group has gone on to successful solo careers under the Wu Tang flag. RZA has established himself as a production genius and has gone over to Hollywood, producing soundtrack cuts for Jim Jarmusch's Ghost Dog and Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill. GZA released Liquid Swords, widely considered one of Wu Tang's best solo albums. The disc expands on Wu Tang's cinematic imagery and themes it begins with a dialog clip from the cult classic Shogun Assasin over their trademark menacing beats. ODB was the most eccentric and humorous member of the collective. He took on numerous personas, showed up for concerts while fleeing the law and found time to release several critically acclaimed albums. Unfortunately, ODB died of a drug overdose while recording at Roc-A-Fella studios in 2004. Ghostface and Raekwon released the excellent Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. The raunchy Method Man scored a Grammy for his Mary J. Blige duet I'll Be There For You and he has gone on to star in several high-grossing movies including the munchies-classic How High.

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