The 100 Best Wu-Tang Clan Songs
By Gabriel Alvarez | Aug 18, 2011 | 10:33 am | Permalink
1. Wu-Tang Clan "C.R.E.A.M." (1993)
Producer: RZA
Album: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Label: Loud
Dollar dollar bill, y'all. "C.R.E.A.M." (Cash Rules Everything Around Me) became another way for rappers and rap listeners to describe their riches, but the song itself was far from an anthem about poppin' bottles or makin' it rain.
Rather, the hard look at economic depression sees Raekwon complain about the shortcomings of being a stick-up kid ("My life got no better/Same damn 'Lo sweater/Times is rough and tough like leather") and decide that "the only way I begin to G off is drug loot," while Inspectah Deck laments a troubled childhood, memorably noting, "Life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough."
Mesmerizing keys and tortured wailing backed by Method's authoritative voice on the choppy hook still command your attention 18 years later as the financial gap in this country widens between the haves and have-nots.
Effuzion August 18th, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Wu-Tang Clan Aint Nuttin ta Fuck Wit! Why's it so far down? That's the song everybody knows when you mention Wu-Tang. Good list tho. Gotta give these guys respect, best group in the game hands down.
MurrayOTU August 18th, 2011 at 12:39 PM
I think this is epic and a hell of an effort to compile this list. However, and unfortunately when you consider the amount of time it's taken for you to put this all together, I find it all a bit too much to sit and read through. A more concise list would have worked better here in my opinion. Even Complex's top 25 can take some getting through at the best of times! Just offering some constructive criticism. But all in all, top work considering the extensiveness of The Wu's back-catalogue. @MurrayOTU
yeah August 19th, 2011 at 01:13 AM
agreed, this is kind of ridiciulous, especially since you have to reload the page every time. its kind of cumbersome. good article though
Cinsere August 22nd, 2011 at 11:47 AM
This would work awesome in an iPad app. *hint hint* Get on that, Complex!
Ryan Wilson August 18th, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Why is this so far back on the list???
Triple August 18th, 2011 at 12:44 PM
@Murray I dig wut your saying.. but I mean, dudes name IS Complex... haha
UK Man August 18th, 2011 at 12:53 PM
Personally, I would've put 'Protect Ya Neck' at number one. Still, it's a good list and well written.
Skipper North August 18th, 2011 at 12:54 PM
my favorite rap group foreever shame on nigga who tryin run game on a nigger wu tang forever man
Jacky August 18th, 2011 at 01:50 PM
i would've put "Fast Shadow" from Ghost Dog OST number one and this track is not in the list!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRgjJRjDF5s
Eye Father God Allah August 18th, 2011 at 02:12 PM
Yo! da Gods blew this down. Wu-head for life!
NYC/BROOKLYN© August 18th, 2011 at 02:36 PM
A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!© A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!© A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!© A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!© A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!© A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!© A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!© A. HOLE YOU PAPOOSED YOURSELF!!!©
LionSpride13 August 18th, 2011 at 02:55 PM
Ok, the list is good up til about the 4 spot. Enter the 36 Chambers should basically hold the top 5 positions hands down, justified by being produced in the golden era of hip-hop/rap, being the genesis album for Wu-culture(do u have Wu Tat?) and being a pure classic album from start to finish. They ranked Ole DB at 78, plus put the Mobb Deep Raekwon, Eye for an Eye at 40.....this is all wrong. We all accept the ET36Chambers as best work and can draw top 5 or 8 from album. Then it is arguable the next albums or songs should come from either the purple tape or liquid swords. The list is a little donkey backwards, just like the porn actress (Skin Diamond should have been way higher) list they posted too. I didn't see Methodman's riddler up on list, and Wu-Tang is a larger than the original casting members.... we have Killah Army Killa Sin, its a lot of music to sift through to make a Wu-Tang's top one hundo. I don't think they listened to list and ranked, I think they looked at billboards or record sales an made list. Complex, you should hire me to keep your list well rounded and true to nature. How are you gonna rank How-High and not have Old DB's Brooklyn Zoo up at all? Then a major problem is if it is the top 100 of Wu, then only Wu albums should be up, no guest appearances on other albums. The real kicker to me is that they ranked a Malt liqs song, really..........? Should I go on?
ColgateMC October 6th, 2011 at 04:58 PM
Yes please :) I love Wu and all these songs here are great but what you sayin is totally true, i miss many of them.. Make your own top 100 list, a lot of people would appreciate it i believe :-) On the other side, this is the Wu, we need more than 100 places to name their best songs, I have 666 wu songs in my pc :D