History of Wu-Tang Clan in Timeline
Wu-Tang Clan is a highly influential American hip hop collective formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Comprising RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Ol' Dirty Bastard (deceased), and Cappadonna, the group is celebrated for revitalizing East Coast hip hop. Recognized as one of the greatest hip hop groups ever, Wu-Tang Clan's impact on music and popular culture is undeniable.
1995: Wu Wear Expansion
In 1995, after the platinum success of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Oliver "Power" Grant saw the potential for his clothing line, Wu Wear, and opened four stores in New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Norfolk, Virginia, with the line being carried in major retailers.
1998: Wu Wear's Financial Success
In 1998, Power Grant reported earning $10 million from his Wu Wear clothing line.
October 31, 1999: Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style Release
On October 31, 1999, the game Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, featuring all nine original members of the group, was released for the PlayStation, accompanied by a special collector's edition controller.
1999: Nike Wu-Tang Dunk High Release
In 1999, Nike released a Wu-Tang Clan themed dunk high shoe in low quantities, making them highly sought after with reseller prices reaching as much as $7,500.
2004: Influence on Kanye West and Just Blaze
In 2004, Kanye West and Just Blaze released hit songs, "Jesus Walks" and "Breathe" respectively. RZA acknowledged his influence on their production styles, particularly the "chipmunk soul" technique, even expressing he wished he had produced those songs himself. West admitted his style was distinctly influenced by RZA's production.
2004: U-God: Rise of a Fallen Soldier Details Conflict
U-God's book, U-God: Rise of a Fallen Soldier details the struggle between him and RZA, beginning circa 2004.
2005: U-God: Rise of a Fallen Soldier Details Conflict
U-God's book, U-God: Rise of a Fallen Soldier details the struggle between him and RZA, ending circa 2005.
2006: Wu-Tang Tracks Featured in Saints Row
In 2006, several tracks by Wu-Tang Clan members and affiliates, including Method Man, Ghostface, Cappadonna, Trife, and DJ Mathematics, were featured in the game Saints Row.
2007: Partnership with Alife NYC
In 2007, Wu-Tang Clan partnered with the Alife NYC clothing group for an exclusive series of custom sneakers, t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories named "A Wu-Tang Life". This partnership continued into 2008.
2007: Wu-Tang Clan Releases "8 Diagrams"
In 2007, Wu-Tang Clan released their fifth album, 8 Diagrams, on SRC Records, marking Cappadonna's inclusion as an official member. Ghostface Killah expressed discontent with RZA for initiating the project during the recording of The Big Doe Rehab and scheduling their releases on the same date, which led to RZA rescheduling The Big Doe Rehab's release one week later. The album received mixed reviews and was noted as RZA's most experimental work, with Raekwon and Ghostface Killah expressing their dissatisfaction and proposing a group album titled Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tan without RZA production.
September 2008: RZA Signs Deal to Release Wu-Tang Clan's Back Catalogue Digitally
In September 2008, RZA announced a deal with The Orchard to release Wu-Tang Clan's back catalogue digitally worldwide for the first time. This included 13 previously unavailable releases from the group, U-God, Wu-Syndicate, Killarmy, Shyheim, West Coast Killa Beez, and Black Knights, which would be available online starting September 23. RZA emphasized the timing was right to bring older Wu material to fans digitally.
November 13, 2008: Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan Premieres on BET
On November 13, 2008, the Wu-Tang documentary, Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan, directed by Gerald K. Barclay, premiered on BET.
November 18, 2008: Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan DVD Release
On November 18, 2008, the Wu-Tang documentary, Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan, was released on DVD.
2008: Partnership with Alife NYC
In 2008, Wu-Tang Clan continued their partnership with the Alife NYC clothing group for an exclusive series of custom sneakers, t-shirts, hoodies, and accessories named "A Wu-Tang Life". This partnership began in 2007.
January 2009: Afro Samurai Game Release
In January 2009, the game Afro Samurai, based on the TV series with a soundtrack produced by RZA, was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
July 2009: Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang Album Resurfaces
In July 2009, talk of the album Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang resurfaced, originally planned as a Wu-Tang album without RZA's input. The project evolved to include RZA only vocally, with no contribution to production. Raekwon stated it would be alter egos challenging each other, allowing RZA to fall back on the production. Speaking to MTV.com, Method Man revealed his, Ghostface Killah's and Raekwon's plans to record a separate album as a trio.
September 2009: Raekwon Releases "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II"
In September 2009, Raekwon released Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, featuring guest appearances from several big-name artists and Clan members, with Ghostface being the most prominent, and also production from RZA, Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, and J Dilla, among others. The album debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and at number 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Several weeks later, Ghostface Killah released Ghostdini: Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City.
November 10, 2009: Dirty: The Official ODB Biography Release
On November 10, 2009, a documentary on Ol' Dirty Bastard, titled Dirty: The Official ODB Biography, was released, featuring interviews and stories from family members, Wu-Tang members, affiliates, old interviews with ODB, and live performances.
2009: U-God Releases "Dopium" and Wu-Tang Chamber Music is Released
In 2009, U-God released his third solo album, Dopium, which featured guest appearances from several Wu-Tang Clan members. Wu-Tang Chamber Music, a side project executively produced by RZA and featuring live instrumentation from The Revelations, was also released in 2009. The album featured appearances from five Wu-Tang Clan members, along with AZ, Kool G Rap, Cormega, Havoc, Sean Price, and M.O.P.
January 2010: Wu-Massacre Album Release Date Announced
In January 2010, it was announced that the Wu-Massacre album, featuring Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Raekwon, would be pushed back from December to March 30, 2010. A single, "Meth vs. Chef Part II", produced by Mathematics, was released after the announcement. It is an update of the song "Meth vs. Chef" from Method Man's first solo album, Tical.
February 25, 2010: Wu Tang Saga Release
On February 25, 2010, Wu Tang Saga, starring Cappadonna and featuring footage of the Clan dating back to the early nineties through their most recent tours, was released.
March 30, 2010: Original Release Date for Wu-Massacre
March 30, 2010 was the original release date planned for Wu-Massacre.
February 25, 2011: Wu Tang Live At The Palladium NYC Released
On February 25, 2011, Wu Tang Live At The Palladium NYC was released through the group's official Facebook page as a collectors digital download, including exclusive, unreleased freestyles. It was limited to 100 downloads.
June 29, 2011: Raekwon Announces New Wu-Tang Studio Album
On June 29, 2011, Raekwon announced that the group were working on a new studio album, still in early stages.
May 2012: Planned Release Date of New Album Announced
In May 2012, Ghostface Killah stated the new Wu-Tang Clan album would be released.
January 9, 2013: Work on New Album Announced via Facebook
On January 9, 2013, work on the sixth Wu-Tang Clan album was announced via the group's official Facebook page.
March 2013: Clan Working on Sixth Studio Album
In early March 2013, Method Man announced that the Clan was working on a sixth studio album and it would be released during 2013 in celebration of their 20-year anniversary since 36 Chambers. Cappadonna said the album is in recording process taking place in New York, Los Angeles and the Wu mansion in New Jersey.
April 11, 2013: "A Better Tomorrow" Album Title Announced
On April 11, 2013, it was announced via a press release that their upcoming sixth studio album would be titled, A Better Tomorrow and was set to be released in July 2013.
April 2013: Performance at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
During late April 2013, the Clan performed at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
May 17, 2013: "Execution in Autumn" Released for Purchase
On May 17, 2013, an unreleased Wu-Tang song titled "Execution in Autumn" was released for purchase through RZA's record label Soul Temple Records.
June 5, 2013: "Family Reunion" Promotional Single Released
On June 5, 2013, the first promotional single "Family Reunion" featuring Masta Killah, Method Man, Ghostface Killah and RZA was released via the Soul Temple Records website.
June 2013: RZA Updates on the Making of "A Better Tomorrow"
In June 2013, RZA mentioned that every member of the Clan except Raekwon and GZA had contributed to the A Better Tomorrow album, with recording taking place at the Wu-Mansion and the Wu-Mansion West. He also stated that unreleased verses from Ol' Dirty Bastard would be included on the album and hoped to release it in November 2013.
July 2013: Cappadonna Indicates "A Better Tomorrow" Album is Halfway Finished
In July 2013, Cappadonna indicated that the album A Better Tomorrow was half way finished.
July 2013: "A Better Tomorrow" Planned Release Date
On April 11, 2013, it was announced via a press release that their upcoming sixth studio album, A Better Tomorrow, was set to be released in July 2013.
November 2013: RZA Provides Update on "A Better Tomorrow" Album
Once November 2013 arrived, RZA gave an update on the album A Better Tomorrow, saying that not every member had been significantly working on the album. He gave credit to Method Man, Cappadonna, U-God and Masta Killa for working hard on the album, while saying he needed more effort from Ghostface, Raekwon and GZA.
January 2014: Message on Facebook Regarding the Upcoming Album
In January 2014, the group posted a message on their Facebook page, saying: "The new Wu album 'A Better Tomorrow' coming soon."
March 2014: Wu-Tang Clan Compilation Album "The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin" Recorded
In March 2014 it was reported that in addition to work on A Better Tomorrow, a Wu-Tang Clan compilation album entitled The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin had been recorded, with Wu-Tang-affiliated producer Cilvaringz as the primary producer instead of RZA.
August 2014: Forbes Reports on "The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin"
In August 2014, a reporter from Forbes traveled to Marrakesh to meet Cilvaringz and hear a 51-second snippet of a song from the album, The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin, which featured Cher. The snippet was subsequently put on their website.
October 3, 2014: "A Better Tomorrow" Release Date Announced
On October 3, 2014, it was announced that the album A Better Tomorrow will arrive December 2, 2014, courtesy of a new deal with Warner Bros. Records.
December 2, 2014: "A Better Tomorrow" Arrives
On December 2, 2014, the album A Better Tomorrow arrived, courtesy of a new deal with Warner Bros. Records.
2014: First Release to Feature Entire Formation Since 2014
The release on February 6, 2025 of Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman by Wu-Tang Clan and Mathematics, marked the first release to feature the entire formation of the collective since 2014.
December 17, 2015: FBI Arrests Martin Shkreli
On December 17, 2015, the FBI arrested Martin Shkreli, but they did not seize the Wu-Tang Clan album "The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin."
2016: Shkreli Broadcasts Excerpts from "The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin"
Following the victory of Republican candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Martin Shkreli broadcast excerpts from the album "The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin" on streaming platforms Periscope and Hitbox.tv.
August 25, 2017: Wu-Tang Clan Releases "People Say"
On August 25, 2017, Wu-Tang Clan released the song, "People Say", which featured Redman. RZA announced that the song would be part of an upcoming album, titled The Saga Continues.
2018: Shkreli Hands Over Wu-Tang Album to FBI
In 2018, Martin Shkreli handed the Wu-Tang Clan album to the FBI after being convicted of defrauding investors.
May 2019: Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men Premieres
In May 2019, Showtime premiered the four-episode documentary series Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men, created by Sacha Jenkins, commemorating the group's 25th anniversary. The series features interviews from all living members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
May 17, 2019: Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men EP Release
On May 17, 2019, one week after the premiere of the documentary series, Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men, a 7-track EP was released.
January 2020: Wu-Tang: An American Saga Renewed for Second Season
In January 2020, Hulu renewed Wu-Tang: An American Saga for a second season.
July 2021: US Government Sells "The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin"
In July 2021, it was announced that the album "The Wu – Once Upon A Time In Shaolin" had been again sold by the US government for $4 million USD, following Shkreli handing it over to the FBI in 2018. The new owner of the album is the PleasrDAO group.
November 2021: Wu-Tang: An American Saga Renewed for Third and Final Season
In November 2021, Hulu renewed Wu-Tang: An American Saga for a third and final season.
February 15, 2023: Wu-Tang: An American Saga Season 3 Premiere
On February 15, 2023, the third and final season of Wu-Tang: An American Saga premiered.
April 5, 2023: Wu-Tang: An American Saga Concludes
On April 5, 2023, the third and final season of Wu-Tang: An American Saga concluded.
December 2023: Wu-Tang Clan Announces Las Vegas Residency
In December 2023, it was announced that Wu-Tang Clan would host "Wu-Tang Clan: The Saga Continues… The Las Vegas Residency" at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Paradise, Nevada; in the process, they became the first hip-hop act to ever receive an artist residency.
February 6, 2025: Wu-Tang Clan Announces New Joint Project with Mathematics
On February 6, 2025, Wu-Tang Clan announced that they would release a new joint project with producer and tour DJ Mathematics, titled Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman, on April 12 of the same year, in coincidence with Record Store Day. The distribution of the album would be initially limited to 5,000 2xLP copies sold at participating Record Store Day retailers.
February 24, 2025: Wu-Tang Clan Announces Final Tour
On February 24, 2025 the group announced their final tour, "Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber" with performance dates across North America from June through July of 2025.
June 2025: Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver Announcement
In June 2025, the group announced their cooperative action RPG Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver.
July 18, 2025: Final Concert Held in Philadelphia
On July 18, 2025, the final concert was held in Philadelphia as part of their final tour, "Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber".
September 16, 2025: Evil-E. - Eva Ries und der Wu-Tang Clan Documentary Release
On September 16, 2025, German television broadcaster NDR released the documentary Evil-E. - Eva Ries und der Wu-Tang Clan, revolving around the story of the group's longtime manager Eva Ries and her role in its rise to fame. The documentary contains many exclusive interviews and long-lost original footage from touring and recording sessions.
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