Wu-Tang-Reunion

Saturday November 9th 2013 is a very important date for many men of my generation. It is on this day that we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wu Tang Clan’s debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). This single album not only made possible the careers of over a dozen rappers, it also created a movement that still exists to this day.

“Black gay men are not Wu Tang Clan fans.”

No seriously, they’re not. Not hardcore fans, at least. In all seriousness, without websites like Cypher Avenue to prove otherwise, statements like that would seem depressingly true. Even then, many dedicated readers of this website will totally skip this posting to read the more overtly “gay shit” instead.

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The perception is that hardcore, rugged, grimy, real, authentic rap music is not listened by gay men. This is why, to this day, hardly anyone believes that I’m actually gay, even gay men. But this music is just a part of me as my sexuality. My teenage years were formulated by the music of Nas, Mobb Deep, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Das Efx, Boot Camp Clik and most of all, the Wu Tang Clan.

To celebrate the debut of this legendary album, here are the top 10 songs by members of the Wu Tang Clan that influenced my life.


 

1. “C.R.E.A.M.” – Wu Tang Clan

 

2. “Method Man” – Wu Tang Clan

 

3. “Daytona 500” – Ghostface Killah

 

4. “Labels” – GZA

 

5. “Criminology” – Raekwon featuring Ghostface Killah

 

6. “Ice Cream” – Raekwon featuring Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Cappadonna

 

7. “Can It Be All So Simple” – Wu-Tang Clan

 

8. “Bring the Pain” – Method Man

 

9. “Verbal Intercourse” – Raekwon featuring Nas

 

10. “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta Fuck Wit” – Wu-Tang Clan