But "36 Chambers" is icy-fresh every time you drop it into your stereo. It's everything hip-hop should be: raw beats, simple hooks and evocative samples intertwined with nine rappers' unique styles, all of which come together to build an hour-long assault on the body and mind.

I weep when I listen to this album. It showcases the Ol' Dirty Bastard when he was simply a purveyor of a brilliant style that was utterly his own, before the persona overshadowed the man. The price of the album is worth it for "Protect Ya Neck" alone--a concise, perfect summary of what it means to be Wu-Tang. You come to know the album, and then you come to know the rappers themselves, seeing them like a twisted set of Superfriends, finding yourself thinking, "Here comes Inspectah Deck; he's about to rip sh*t up."

You have to take most rappers' boasts with a grain of salt or two. But when the Wu-Tang say they're nothing to f*ck with, you believe them. They are, most especially on this album, an unstoppable force for hip-hop justice.


Sorry for the cliched review title, but this is the "Sgt. Peppers" of Gangsta Rap   September 19, 2005
 26 out of 41 found this review helpful

While not my favorite rap album (that award goes to either Tribe Called Quest's "Low-End Theory", Public Enemy's "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back", or Beastie Boy's "Paul's Boutique"), this is by far the best example of gangsta rap I have ever heard, not to mention some of the best production ever in an album, rap or otherwise. If you like intelligent and political rhymes, you should look elsewhere. However, if you want intimadation, excellent production, or need to check out your new car stereo system, pick up this East Coast classic. In all honesty, I'd take this over "The Chronic" anyday. Every rapper makes an important contribution, and none stand out as being more talented than others. They all work well as both individual rappers and as a collective whole. The main reason why this is a classic though is the production. Minimalist without being too sparse, RZA knows where to put certain beats. The beats mesh perfectly with the rhymes, inhancing the feel of them. The only complaint I can think of for this album is the skits, but even those add to the overall atmosphere. Classic gangsta rap, a must for anyone with a fleeting interest in the genre.


R.I.P. O.D.B.   November 14, 2004
 13 out of 14 found this review helpful

O.D.B. aka The Ol' Dirty Bastard, aka Big Baby Jesus aka Dirt McGirt died today, and I think everyone who doesn't have this album owes it to him to PICK IT UP, also because its the second best rap album of all time behind Ready To Die (in my opinion).

For all of you who don't know, the Wu-Tang Clan was RZA, GZA/Genius, Ol Dirty Bastard, Inspektah Deck (Rebel INS), Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, U-God & Raekwon, with RZA producing all Wu-Tang albums, and almost all of Wu-Tang's solo projects

1.Bring Da Ruckus (Ghostface, Raekwon, Inspektah Deck, GZA)-5/5-Perfect opening song. RZA's production is perfect like usual, and every verse is great
2.Shame On A N**** (Ol Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ol Dirty Bastard)-6/5-One of my favorite songs of all time, one of the only old upbeat RZA productions I've ever heard (even tho i love this beat), ODB stands out on this one, with some of his best work
3.Clan In Da Front (Intro by the RZA, GZA solo)-5/5-My favorite Wu member (GZA), rips it up over a classic RZA piano loop.
4.Wu-Tang:7th Chamber (Raekwon, Method Man, Inspektah Deck, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, GZA)-5/5-All Wu members on this song drop hot verses (over a great RZA beat) but my fav's on this song are Rae's, Ghostface's & RZA's
5.Can It Be All So Simple (Raekwon, Ghostface Killah)-5/5-Great song by Rae & Ghost, who always go great together (if you like this song you will love Only Built 4 Cuban Linx)
6.Da Mystery Of Chessboxin (U-God, Inspektah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, Ol Dirty Bastard, Ghost Face Killah, Masta Killa)-5/5-Classic beat by RZA, every verse is great, and the first time you hear Masta Killa and U-God, who drop hot verses
7.Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta F' Wit (RZA, Inspektah Deck, Method Man)-6/5-One of my favorite songs of all time, one of the greatest RZA productions and the energy on this track is crazy
8.C.R.E.A.M. (Raekwon, Inspektah Deck, Meth on chourus)-5/5-RZA produces one of the best piano loops in rap EVER, and Raekwon and Inspektah Deck drop 2 of the best verses on the CD
9.Method Man (Method Man)-5/5-My favorite Method Man song of all time, and another great beat.
10.Protect Ya Neck (Inspektah Deck, Raewkon, Method Man, U-God, Ol Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, GZA)-5/5-This song is edited on this CD for some reason? This song features all Wu-Tang members except for Masta Killa, and everyone drops a hot verse, especially ODB & GZA
11.Tearz (RZA, Ghostface Killah)-5/5-RZA & Ghostface drop CLASSIC verses, on one of my favorite RZA beats
12.Wu-Tang 7th Chamber Pt.II (Raekwon, Method Man, Inspektah Deck, Ghostface Killah, RZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, GZA)-5/5-Same verses as Wu-Tang 7th Chamber, new hot beat

The CD is a MUST HAVE for all rap fans
PICK IT UP RIGHT NOW IF YOU DONT HAVE IT!


Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)   December 14, 2002
 9 out of 15 found this review helpful

This is without a doubt the best album found in hip-hop today. This is also the LP that inspired me to be a rapper. Some of the hardest and best metaphors can be found on this one CD. (I developed my style from this LP.) What I like about this CD is that every member of Wu has his well-deserved shine. All of these songs can be considered calssics. Wu-Tang has always been my favorite group. A group that has Method Man, GZA, RZA, Inspectah Deck & Ghostface Killah must be the greatest of all-time. A group that has these 5 lyricists AND produces hit after hit; hot album after hot album is definitly somewhat sacred. The top songs on this cut are C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, Can It All Be So Simple, Protect Ya Neck & Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin Ta [Mess] Wit. If you don't have this LP, then your life just isnt complete. Below is my track rating (1-5):

Track 1 - 5
Track 2 - 4.5
Track 3 - 5
Track 4 - 4.5
Track 5 - 5
Track 6 - 5
Track 7 - 5
Track 8 - 5+++
Track 9 - 5+++
Track 10 - 5+++

Track 11 - 5
Track 12 - 4.5