Wu-Tang Clan Vinyl Records

Staten Island. Nine MCs. One of the most important groups in rap history.

The Wu-Tang Clan released Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) on Loud Records in 1993 and changed hip-hop permanently. Nine MCs from Staten Island, production from RZA built on chopped soul samples and martial arts movie audio — raw, cinematic, and unlike anything else in the game. Original Loud pressings are among the most sought-after records in hip-hop collecting.

Wu-Tang Forever (1997) arrived as a double album and debuted at number one. The production had evolved: bigger, more layered, still unmistakably RZA. The W (2000) and Iron Flag (2001) followed. Each member's solo output added another layer to one of the most interconnected catalogs in rap — GZA's Liquid Swords, Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Ghostface's Ironman, Method Man's Tical.

Wu-Tang vinyl collecting is its own subculture. The clan's deal with Loud allowed members to sign solo deals with other labels, which means the catalog is spread across Loud, Def Jam, Epic, Elektra, and more. Original pressings of 36 Chambers, Liquid Swords, and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx are all serious grails. See also the Ol' Dirty Bastard page for ODB solo collecting.

Essential Records

• Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993, Loud)
• Wu-Tang Forever (1997, Loud / RCA)
• The W (2000, Loud)
• GZA — Liquid Swords (1995, Geffen)
• Raekwon — Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995, Loud)
• Ghostface Killah — Ironman (1996, Epic)
• Method Man — Tical (1994, Def Jam)
• Inspectah Deck — Uncontrolled Substance (1999, Loud)

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