The Essential Wu-Tang Clan

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan
Compilation album by Wu-Tang Clan
Released	October 29, 2013 (2013-10-29)
Recorded	1993-2001
Genre	East Coast hip hop hardcore
Length	1:58:21
Label	Loud Legacy
Producer	Noah Uman (exec.) Disc One: 4th Disciple Mathematics Ol’ Dirty Bastard Poke And Tone RZA True Master Disc Two: RZA
Wu-Tang Clan chronology
Legendary Weapons (2011) The Essential Wu-Tang Clan (2013) A Better Tomorrow (2014)

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan is a compilation album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which was released October 29, 2013 on Loud and Legacy. It follows 2011's Legendary Weapons. The Essential Wu-Tang Clan serves as a best of. It features performances by all Wu-Tang members and several affiliates.

Background

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan includes standout tracks from high-profile studio albums, as well as rare soundtrack selections and compilation cuts.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic

The Essential Wu-Tang Clan was met with positive reviews. It was noted for the influential and groundbreaking sound from the '90s hip-hop collective. With its distinctive style, with dark, atmospheric backing tracks (often punctuated by samples from vintage martial arts movies).

Track listing

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Discogs.

Disc One
No.	Title	Original Album	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Time
1	"Da Mystery of Chessboxin'"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	Clifford Smith Gary Grice Dennis Coles Lamont Hawkins Robert Diggs Corey Woods Jason Hunter Russell Jones	The RZA Ol’ Dirty Bastard[a]	4:48
2	"As High as Wu-Tang Get"	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Grice Diggs Jones	The RZA	2:38
3	"C.R.E.A.M."	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Woods Hunter Diggs David Porter Isaac Hayes	The RZA	4:07
4	"Cash Still Rules/Scary Hours (still don't nothing move but the money)"	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Coles Woods Selwyn Bougard	4th Disciple	3:02
5	"Rules" (featuring Streetlife)	Iron Flag	C. Smith Coles Woods Hunter Elgin Turner Patrick Charles Ronald Bean	Mathematics	3:52
6	"I Can't Go to Sleep" (featuring Isaac Hayes)	The W	Coles Diggs Hayes	The RZA	3:35
7	"Uzi (Pinky Ring)"	Iron Flag	C. Smith Grice Woods Coles Hawkins Diggs Hunter Jones Turner Clarence Reid	The RZA	5:18
8	"America" (featuring Killah Priest)	America Is Dying Slowly	Woods Diggs Hunter Turner Walter Reed	The RZA	5:34
9	"Gravel Pit" (featuring Paulissa Moorman)	The W	C. Smith Woods Diggs Coles Hawkins Paulisa Moorman	The RZA	4:14
10	"The Projects" (featuring Shyheim)	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Woods Diggs Coles Hawkins	The RZA	3:18
11	"Back in the Game" (featuring Ronald Isley)	Iron Flag	C. Smith Woods Coles Hunter Jean-Claude Olivier Samuel Barnes	Poke And Tone	4:29
12	"What You in fo'" (featuring Streetlife)	Oz	C. Smith Woods Diggs Charles	True Master	3:08
13	"The Monument" (featuring Busta Rhymes)	The W	C. Smith Woods Diggs Coles Hawkins Trevor Smith	The RZA	2:38
14	"Can It Be All So Simple"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	Woods Diggs Coles Alan Bergman Marilyn Bergman Marvin Hamlisch	The RZA	4:12
15	"The W"	Bonus Track from Iron Flag	C. Smith Grice Woods Diggs Hawkins	The RZA	3:41
58:34

Disc Two
No.	Title	Original Album	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Time
1	"Protect Ya Neck"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	Clifford Smith Gary Grice Dennis Coles Lamont Hawkins Robert Diggs Corey Woods Jason Hunter Russell Jones	The RZA	4:32
2	"Reunited"	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Grice Diggs Jones	The RZA	5:22
3	"Shame on a Nigga"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	2:54
4	"Hollow Bones"	The W	Coles Diggs Woods Hunter	The RZA	3:16
5	"Triumph" (featuring Cappadonna)	Wu-Tang Forever	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones Jamel Irief Darryl Hill	The RZA	5:38
6	"Redbull" (featuring Redman)	The W	C. Smith Diggs Hunter Reginald Noble	The RZA	3:54
7	"Method Man" (performed by Method Man)	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Diggs	The RZA	5:00
8	"It's Yourz"	Wu-Tang Forever	Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Juergen Koduletsch Mats Bjoerklyn Thoris Baldursson	The RZA	4:14
9	"Put Your Hammer Down"	The Mix Tape, Vol. III	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter	The RZA	2:04
10	"One Blood Under W" (featuring Junior Reid)	The W	Diggs Elgin Turner Delroy Reid	The RZA	4:12
11	"Diesel" (featuring Ron Isley)	Soul in the Hole	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	5:30
12	"Careful (Click, Click)"	The W	Hawkins Diggs Hunter Hill Turner	The RZA	4:25
13	"Protect Ya Neck II (The Jump Off)"	The W	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	3:38
14	"Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber (Part II)"	Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)	C. Smith Grice Coles Hawkins Diggs Woods Hunter Jones	The RZA	5:08
59:47

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer.