Wu-Tang Forever
| Wu-Tang Forever | ||||||||||
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| Studio album by Wu-Tang Clan | ||||||||||
| Released | June 3, 1997 | |||||||||
| Recorded | 1996–1997 | |||||||||
| Genre | Hardcore hip hop, East Coast hip hop | |||||||||
| Length | 44:58 (Disc 1) 67:08 (Disc 2- US) 77:53 (Disc 2- International) |
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| Label |
Loud/RCA/BMG 07863-66905 (North America) 74321-45768 (international) |
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| Producer | RZA, 4th Disciple, True Master, Inspectah Deck | |||||||||
| Wu-Tang Clan chronology | ||||||||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Chicago Tribune | |
| Entertainment Weekly | A |
| Los Angeles Times |  |
| NME | 8/10 |
| Q | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | |
| Spin | 7/10 |
| USA Today | |
Wu-Tang Forever is the second studio album of American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released June 3, 1997, on Loud/RCA Records in the United States. Pressed as a double album, it was released after a long run of successful solo projects from various members of the group, and serves as the follow-up to their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Forever features several guest appearances from Wu-Tang affiliates Cappadonna, Streetlife, 4th Disciple, True Master, and Tekitha. The original run of compact discs featured an "Enhanced CD" which allowed users to walk around the "Wu Mansion" and access additional content.
Despite limited radio/TV airplay, and a lead single that famously clocked at nearly six minutes with no chorus, Wu-Tang Forever debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 612,000 copies sold in its first week. The album was certified 4× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on October 15, 1997 (each disc in the double album counted as separate unit for certification purpose), and has sold over 2 million copies in the United States. It is the group's highest selling album to date. Upon its release, Wu-Tang Forever received favorable reviews from most music critics, while it also earned the group a Grammy Award nomination for Best Rap Album at the 40th Grammy Awards in 1998.
While the group's previous album is known for its minimalistic production style, producer RZA had been expanding the musical backdrop of each solo Wu-Tang album since then. Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., in particular, was praised for its cinematic feel. RZA earned accolades for his new dense style of production; incorporating strings, heavy synthesizers, and the kung-fu samples of old. The production of the record also pioneered RZA's technique of chopping up and speeding up soul samples to where it is unusually high-pitched. This style of production would be influential on later producers such as Just Blaze and Kanye West.Wu-Tang Forever marked the first group album in-which RZA assigned some of the album's production to Wu-Tang protégés True Master and 4th Disciple, as well as Wu-Tang member Inspectah Deck.
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Wikipedia