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The W
Studio album by
Wu-Tang Clan
ReleasedNovember 21, 2000
Recorded1999–2000
GenreHip hop
Length59:04
Label
Producer
Wu-Tang Clan chronology
Wu-Tang Forever
(1997) 		The W
(2000) 		Iron Flag
(2001)
Singles from The W
  1. "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)"
    Released: October 17, 2000
  2. "Gravel Pit"
    Released: December 5, 2000
  3. "I Can't Go To Sleep"
    Released: 2001
  4. "Careful (Click, Click)"
    Released: July 17, 2001

The W is the third studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on November 21, 2000, by Loud Records.[1] After their 1997 album Wu-Tang Forever, several of the group's members released solo projects before The W, which has a more rugged, less polished sound than that of most Wu-Tang related albums from that era. The album also features guest appearances from Isaac Hayes, Redman, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and Junior Reid. It is the group's last album to feature Ol' Dirty Bastard before his death in 2004, as he was absent from their next album, Iron Flag (2001).

The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, and number one on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart with 301,000 copies sold in the first week.[2][3] It produced several singles, which also charted as well. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[4] Upon its release, The W received largely positive reviews from most music critics based on an aggregate score of 80/100 from Metacritic.

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic80/100[5]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStarHalf star[6]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[7]
The GuardianStarStarStarStar[8]
Los Angeles TimesStarStarHalf star[9]
NME8/10[10]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarStar[11]
The Rolling Stone Album GuideStarStarStarStarHalf star[12]
Spin8/10[13]
USA TodayStarStarStar[14]
The Village VoiceA−[15]

The W received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 80, based on 17 reviews.[5] Aside from calling Wu-Tang "the best rap group ever," Kris Ex of Rolling Stone called the album "A sonic gestalt that exists somewhere between the Queensbridge projects and OutKast's Stankonia."[11] Entertainment Weekly's David Browne remarked that the members sound "utterly mellow on their third album." He further stated "The W forgoes innovation and simply revels in the Clan's strengths: the way their star rappers toss around rhymes as if playing catch; RZA's skulking, string-enhanced beats."[7] Kelefa Sanneh of The Village Voice declared it "The best-produced Wu-affiliated album since GZA's 1995 Liquid Swords.[16] Rob Fearn of Q stated "The W is largely a return to murky idiosyncratic form after 1997's filler-bloated Wu-Tang Forever. Weighing in at a svelte 60 minutes, it plays to the group's main strengths: brutal hooks and scary ambience."[17] Dave Heaton of PopMatters described it as "the sound of a group growing up and realizing that collaboration can lead to endless creativity" and commented on its significance in the group's catalogue, stating:

The Wu-Tang Clan of today is not the same as the Clan of 1993. And for this, we are blessed. Every Wu-Tang Clan member is growing as an MC as the years go by. Put them all together again now, after they've each done their own things separately, and you get an entirely new dynamic, a mix of the dark and the bright.[1]

Despite commenting that "The W isn't quite the masterpiece it sounds like after the first few tracks [...] it falls prey to inconsistency, resulting in half-formed tracks", AllMusic editor John Bush praised the album's "back-to-basics approach", writing that it succeeds "not only because it rightly puts the focus back on the best cadre of rappers in the world of hip-hop, but also because RZA's immense trackmaster talents can't help but shine through [...] When they're hitting on all cylinders, Wu-Tang Clan are nearly invincible."[6] Steve Jones of USA Today called it "sharply focused."[14] S. H. Fernando Jr. of Vibe called it "a dense, demented, 15-song opus that will now draw comparisons to the now classic 36 Chambers."[18] He further noted its "originality, innovation, and a mastery of the fundamentals of beats and rhymes", and commented "This album goes against the grain of everything that's going on in rap right now".[18] Sasha Frere-Jones of Spin complimented RZA's diverse range of production and the group's word play;[13] in The Rolling Stone Album Guide, Frere-Jones called the production "possibly RZA's most consistent yet."[12] In his consumer guide for The Village Voice, critic Robert Christgau commented that he "can't swear they've taken their moral vision much beyond 'Handle your bid and kill no kids'", but praised RZA's production and stated "He serves up a bounty of song-centered musique trouvée and stomach-churning beats from anywhere [...] Far from straining, he's gone sensei, achieving a craft in which the hand leads the mind".[15]

Accolades

[edit]

The W appeared on Albums of the Year lists by several American publishers, such as Rolling Stone,[19] Spin,[20] and The Village Voice.[21] The album also appeared on the same lists for several international publishers, such as NME,[22] The Wire,[23] and Uncut from the United Kingdom, and Liberation and Les Inrockuptibles from France, for which it was ranked number one in the latter.[citation needed] In 2005, Hip Hop Connection ranked the album number 70 on their 100 Greatest Rap Albums 1995–2005 list.[citation needed] One year later, the album was included in Gary Mulholland's book The 261 Greatest Albums Since Punk and Disco.[24] In 2009, Pitchfork ranked it number 162 on their Top 200 Albums of the 2000s list, stating "The W was as surprising as it was pleasing, packing some of the RZA's best production work, and some of the group's best music."[25]

Commercial performance

[edit]

The W debuted at number five on the US Billboard 200, and number one on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums charts, selling 301,000 copies in the first week.[2][3] On December 14, 2000, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of over a million copies in the United States.[26] As of April 2014, the album has sold 1.1 million copies in the United States.[27]

Track listing

[edit]

Track listing information is taken from the official liner notes and AllMusic.[28][29] All tracks produced by RZA, except where noted.

The W
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
1."
  • Intro (Shaolin Finger Jab)"

  • "Chamber Music
"
4:26
2."Careful (Click, Click)"Wu-Tang Clan
4:56
3."Hollow Bones"Wu-Tang Clan
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Inspectah Deck
  • Raekwon
3:37
4."Redbull" (featuring Redman)
  • Inspectah Deck
  • Method Man
3:53
5."One Blood Under W" (featuring Junior Reid)
  • Masta Killa
4:11
6."Conditioner" (featuring Snoop Dogg)
5:32
7."Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)"Wu-Tang Clan
  • Cappadonna
  • Ghostface Killah
  • GZA
  • Inspectah Deck
  • Masta Killa
  • Method Man
  • Raekwon
  • RZA
  • U-God
3:58
8."Let My Niggas Live" (featuring Nas)
  • Inspectah Deck
  • Raekwon
4:29
9."I Can't Go to Sleep" (featuring Isaac Hayes)
  • Ghostface Killah
  • RZA
3:35
10."Do You Really (Thang, Thang)" (featuring DJ Kay Slay and Street Life; produced by Mathematics)
  • Inspectah Deck
  • Masta Killa
  • Method Man
5:22
11."The Monument" (featuring Busta Rhymes)
  • GZA
  • Raekwon
2:38
12."Gravel Pit"
  • Wu-Tang Clan
  • Paulissa Moorman
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Method Man
  • Paulissa Moorman
  • Raekwon
  • RZA
  • U-God
4:51
13."
  • Jah World" (featuring Junior Reid)
"
  • Wu-Tang Clan
  • Ghostface Killah
  • RZA
3:51
Total length:55:18
CD Bonus Track
No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length
14."
  • Clap
" (produced by Mathematics) (hidden track)
  • Wu-Tang Clan
  • Ghostface Killah
  • Method Man
  • Raekwon
3:46

Notes

  • "Do You Really (Thang, Thang)" features raps by Street Life and uncredited vocals by DJ Kay Slay.
  • "Gravel Pit" features additional vocals by Paulissa Moorman.
  • "Jah World" contains the uncredited hidden bonus track "Clap", produced by Allah Mathematics.

Sample credits

Personnel

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[53] Gold 50,000^
Germany (BVMI)[54] Gold 150,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[56] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

The W

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
''The W'' is the third studio album by American hip hop group . It was released on November 21, 2000, by and . Recording sessions took place from 1999 to 2000, primarily at the group's Firehouse Studios in , New York. The album was mainly produced by , with additional production from , , and 4th Disciple. The album debuted at number five on the US ''Billboard'' 200 chart and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 301,000 copies in its first week. It was certified platinum by the (RIAA) on December 14, 2000. Upon release, ''The W'' received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production and the group's lyrical interplay, though some criticized its inconsistencies compared to prior albums.

Background

Group context

The Wu-Tang Clan was formed in the early 1990s in , New York, by Robert Diggs () and his cousins Gary Grice () and Russell Jones (), expanding to include , , , , , and , with later joining as an affiliate. The group's debut album, , released on November 9, 1993, via , introduced a raw, gritty sound characterized by 's sample-heavy production drawing from soul, funk, and martial arts films, which revitalized East Coast hip-hop during a period dominated by West Coast . The album's innovative structure—allowing each member to pursue solo deals while maintaining group unity—set a new template for hip-hop collectives and influenced the genre's emphasis on extended "Wu" family projects. Following the debut's success, Wu-Tang members capitalized on their solo career clauses, with Method Man releasing the platinum-certified Tical in 1994 and Ol' Dirty Bastard issuing Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version in 1995, both showcasing individual styles within the group's ecosystem. The Clan's sophomore effort, Wu-Tang Forever, arrived as a double album on June 3, 1997, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 with 612,000 first-week sales and eventually certified quadruple platinum by the RIAA for over four million units sold. However, the project's scale amplified internal tensions, including creative disagreements and ego clashes among members; the supporting tour faced issues with racist sentiments from concert promoters, leading to an early withdrawal from headlining dates. In the years after Wu-Tang Forever, the group navigated significant challenges, including disputes with Loud Records over royalties and finances amid the label's financial instability, which culminated in its effective collapse by 2000 as distribution deals faltered. Members pursued solo endeavors, such as GZA's Beneath the Surface (1999) and Method Man's Tical 2000: Judgement Day (1998), while Ol' Dirty Bastard's escalating legal troubles— including a 1998 arrest for drug possession and assault, a 1999 felony charge for illegal possession of body armor as a convicted felon, and fleeing rehab in 2000 to become a fugitive—further strained group cohesion. RZA, leveraging his signature production approach of layered, cinematic beats from prior works, played a pivotal role in reuniting the Clan for a third album by mediating conflicts and delivering motivational speeches, such as one at a 2000 concert that symbolically bridged their divides just before Ol' Dirty Bastard's surprise appearance as a fugitive.

Album conception

Following the commercial and critical expansion of Wu-Tang Forever, RZA sought to refocus the Wu-Tang Clan on their core identity amid growing group fragmentation from solo careers and business ventures. He envisioned The W as a return to the raw, street-level hip hop that defined their debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), moving away from the orchestral complexity of their sophomore album to prioritize unity and authenticity. External pressures played a significant role, as Loud Records expected another multi-platinum success to match Wu-Tang Forever's sales, while the group aimed to reclaim the critical acclaim of their gritty origins. The conceptual title The W symbolized the group's foundational letter—"W" from Wu-Tang—and their enduring resilience, serving as a brand mark for their highest-quality collective work. RZA explained that the album would embody this by consolidating efforts and ensuring only the finest Wu-Tang products bore the "W" stamp, reinforcing unity after years of individual pursuits.

Recording and production

Sessions and locations

The recording sessions for Wu-Tang Clan's third studio album The W primarily took place at a rented mansion in and 36 Chambers Studio in , spanning from mid-1999 to the summer of 2000. Initial sessions in 1999 concentrated on beat production led by , with full group tracking commencing in 2000; the process faced significant delays due to the members' individual availability issues stemming from solo projects and Ol' Dirty Bastard's incarceration during portions of the period. Solo verses and guest features were tracked at multiple studios. RZA's intensive directing of the 13 core members and various affiliates helped maintain creative cohesion.

Key production elements

RZA served as the primary producer for nearly all tracks on The W, crafting beats that fused dusty, chopped samples from and sources—including works by , and , and —with sparse, gritty rhythms often clocking in at 80–100 BPM to underscore the album's raw energy. This approach prioritized minimalism and emphasis on unpolished drum breaks, incorporating live elements such as muffled strings and horns only sparingly to create breathing room in the mixes, a deliberate shift from the orchestral density of the group's prior release Wu-Tang Forever. Guest production contributions were minimal, limited primarily to Mathematics on the track "Gravel Pit," while RZA relied on Ensoniq ASR-10 samplers to meticulously loop and manipulate source material for the album's signature texture. The album's mixing, handled by RZA alongside Jose "Choco" Reynoso on select tracks, and subsequent mastering at Sterling Sound, emphasized sonic clarity to amplify the interplay of the Wu-Tang Clan's ensemble cyphers and layered deliveries.

Composition

Musical style

The W represents a return to the hardcore East Coast hip hop roots of Wu-Tang Clan's debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), characterized by boom bap rhythms and a dirty, lo-fi aesthetic that emphasizes raw, unpolished production. The album's sound draws heavily from scarred soul samples and tough, minimalist beats crafted primarily by RZA, evoking the gritty urban environments of Staten Island with a spartan intensity. This lo-fi approach incorporates paranoid kung fu cinema score samples and bizarre found sounds, stripping away the orchestral flourishes of prior works to heighten a sense of street-level paranoia and immediacy. Influences from funk and are evident in the crate-dug loops and bass-heavy grooves, but they are rendered in a degraded, low-fidelity manner to amplify the album's urban grit, blending elements of and Jamaican dub for an edge. Tracks average between 3:30 and 4:30 in length, contributing to a more concise runtime of approximately 59 minutes across 13 songs, allowing for tighter arrangements focused on rhythmic drive over expansive layering. In contrast to the epic, double-disc scope of Wu-Tang Forever, The W adopts street-focused, claustrophobic compositions that prioritize density and momentum, with RZA's production techniques emphasizing skulking strings and inexplicable sonic textures for a murky, idiosyncratic vibe. Standout tracks highlight this style: "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)" delivers a high-energy posse cut built on punishing boom bap percussion and aggressive sample flips, while "Gravel Pit" features playful, hook-driven funk interpolations from Cameo's "Back and Forth" alongside dramatic film-score horns from Antoine Duhamel's "Belphegor's Theme," creating a bouncy yet gritty contrast. "Careful (Click, Click)" exemplifies the kung fu-infused tension through eerie samples and sparse beats, and "Let My Niggas Live" employs dense, claustrophobic layers to underscore the album's raw sonic palette.

Lyrical themes

The lyrics of The W delve into Wu-Tang Clan's signature storytelling, emphasizing themes of street life, survival, and Shaolin mythology rooted in the group's Staten Island upbringing, often mythologized as the Shaolin Temple to symbolize resilience against urban adversity. These narratives draw on gritty depictions of poverty and violence as mechanisms of cultural resistance, portraying the harsh realities of inner-city existence while invoking kung fu-inspired metaphors for empowerment and brotherhood. For instance, the album opener "Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)" extends the clan's posse-cut tradition with aggressive declarations of dominance and survival instincts, echoing the raw energy of their earlier works amid threats from rivals and systemic oppression. Personal struggles form a core undercurrent, with references to , , and highlighting individual vulnerabilities within the collective struggle. GZA's verses on "Do You Really Want It?" offer introspective reflections on these hardships, using vivid, confrontational rhymes to question the allure of street involvement and its toll on mental and physical well-being. Tracks like "Let My Niggas Live" further amplify this through calls for perseverance amid and loss, blending raw emotion with calls for communal uplift. Group dynamics shine in cypher-style tracks that showcase each member's distinct flow, infusing humor and bravado to assert identity and unity. Cappadonna's contributions, in particular, inject playful yet fierce , balancing the album's intensity with charismatic flair that underscores the clan's unbreakable bond. Cultural references to as "Shaolin" permeate the lyrics, reinforcing a mythological framework for local pride and resistance, while Islamic influences from the Five Percent Nation—emphasizing Black self-knowledge and divinity—appear through empowerment motifs tied to members like DJ Allah Mathematics. These elements promote education and spiritual elevation as tools for survival, aligning with the clan's broader philosophy of turning hardship into strength.

Release and promotion

Singles

The lead single from The W was "", released on October 17, 2000. The track, produced by , served as a sequel to the group's 1993 debut single and featured verses from multiple members including , , , , , , , , and . It peaked at number 9 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and number 52 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The accompanying , directed by Joseph Kahn, depicted the group in a gritty urban setting and contributed to the single's visibility on music television channels. The second single, "", followed on December 5, 2000, with delivering the hook alongside verses from , , , , and . Produced by , the song blended funky production with the group's signature lyrical interplay. It reached number 20 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and number 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, while achieving number 6 on the UK Singles Chart and earning heavy rotation on , where its imaginative video—directed by and featuring the group as animated superheroes—boosted its cultural resonance. "Careful (Click, Click)", released in limited promotional formats in 2001, served as a non-commercial single emphasizing cautionary themes over tense, string-driven production by . Featuring contributions from , , , , , and , it appeared as a B-side on the "" vinyl release but did not receive wide commercial push or chart significantly. A third single, "I Can't Go To Sleep" featuring , was released promotionally in 2001. The singles were primarily issued in and 12-inch vinyl formats through , often including radio edits, instrumental versions, takes, and remixes such as the "Brown Panthers Mix" for "Careful (Click, Click)". B-sides varied by release, with "Careful (Click, Click)" backing "" and additional non-album cuts like exclusive instrumentals enhancing collector appeal.

Marketing and touring

Loud Records mounted a targeted marketing campaign for The W, emphasizing airplay on urban radio stations and video rotation on MTV to capitalize on the Wu-Tang Clan's established fanbase in hip-hop circles. The lead single "Gravel Pit" benefited from heavy promotion, including its video topping BET's 106 & Park countdown for two consecutive weeks, which helped drive visibility ahead of the album's release. The album's launch was marked by a release party at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on November 21, 2000, where the group performed live sets drawing thousands of fans and affiliates. In-store promotional events at retailers like Tower Records further engaged consumers with signings and displays to encourage immediate purchases upon release. To support the album, the undertook a tour beginning in early 2001, performing across major U.S. venues in cities such as and , with the itinerary expanding into later that year for arena shows backed by affiliates including . Promotional tie-ins extended beyond music, with "" incorporating samples reminiscent of video game soundtracks to appeal to younger audiences.

Critical reception

Reviews

Upon its release, The W received generally positive reviews, earning a Metacritic score of 80 out of 100 based on 17 critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim." Critics praised the album's return to the group's raw, foundational sound after the expansive Wu-Tang Forever. AllMusic awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, commending RZA's tight, soul-sampled productions that highlighted the rappers' skills and marked a "back-to-basics approach" emphasizing the top performers in the Clan. Similarly, Pitchfork, in its retrospective ranking of 2000s albums, noted the record's focused production and intact group chemistry as a successful "return to form." Robert Christgau of The Village Voice gave it an A- grade, lauding the complex and funny rhymes alongside RZA's hard, clean beats that achieved a refined craft. Steve "Flash" Juon of RapReviews highlighted its "down to Earth Wu-Tang shit," capturing the grimy authenticity of their street-level origins in tracks like "Hollow Bones." Some reviewers pointed out inconsistencies, including filler tracks and the limited involvement of , who contributed remotely due to incarceration and delivered a phoned-in performance on "Conditioner." rated it 3.5 out of 5 stars but observed an uneven quality in its blend of inscrutable and more accessible elements, with some cuts falling short of the Clan's peak cohesion. , while scoring it 80 out of 100, acknowledged the album's improved MC talents but implied it did not fully recapture the revolutionary spark of earlier works. In retrospective assessments during the and , The W has been viewed as underrated, with its balance of vintage grit and experimentation gaining appreciation over time. Albumism's 20th-anniversary review described it as a "solid entry in the Wu-Tang canon" that has "only grown in appreciation," blending classic material with bold risks. Albumism's 25th-anniversary retrospective in November 2025 similarly celebrated it as a enduring testament to the Clan's innovative spirit, balancing raw energy with experimental flair. ranked it #13 in its 2025 list of the Clan's greatest albums, praising standout tracks like "Gravel Pit" and noting more good than bad despite some unevenness.

Accolades

The W earned a for Album of the Year at the 2001 Source Hip-Hop Music Awards, alongside releases such as OutKast's , Eminem's , Jay-Z's , and Scarface's . While the album itself did not win any major awards, it has garnered recognition in subsequent critical rankings. In 2013, ranked The W at number 466 on its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, praising the collective talent of the despite the project's position lower in the tally.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

The W debuted at number 5 on the US chart in November 2000 and reached number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album charted for 17 weeks on the , with its longevity supported by airplay from singles such as "". On year-end charts for 2001, it ranked number 95 on the . Internationally, the album peaked at number 3 on the Canadian Albums Chart, number 19 on the , number 24 on the Australian Albums Chart, and number 37 on the French Albums Chart.

Selected weekly chart positions

United States

ChartDebut positionPeak positionWeeks in top 20
5517 (total weeks on chart)
11N/A

International

Chart (2000–2001)Peak position
Canada (Canadian Albums Chart)3
UK Albums (OCC)19
Australia (ARIA)24
France (SNEP)37

Sales and certifications

In the United States, The W sold 301,000 copies during its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan data. The album was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 14, 2000, for one million units shipped. Internationally, The W earned Gold in for sales of 50,000 units in 2001, in the United Kingdom for 100,000 units in 2001, and in for 150,000 units in 2001. As of 2025, no additional certifications or significant updates incorporating streaming equivalents have been reported. The album's sales represented a decline from the group's previous release, , which debuted with over 612,000 first-week copies and achieved multi-platinum status; this drop was attributed to the three-year group hiatus following Forever, the burgeoning impact of via platforms like , and ongoing distribution challenges at their label . Despite these factors, The W's performance exceeded expectations for a post-hiatus return amid industry shifts.

Track listing and credits

Track listing

The standard edition of The W contains 13 tracks with a total runtime of 59:04, including three hidden bonus tracks. All tracks were written by members of the , with additional writing credits to featured artists where applicable; production was handled primarily by , except where noted.
  1. Intro (Shaolin Finger Jab) / Chamber Music (4:26)
    Produced by .
  2. Careful (Click, Click) (4:56)
    Produced by ; uncredited rap by .
  3. Hollow Bones (3:37)
    Produced by .
  4. Redbull (feat. Redman) (3:53)
    Written by Reggie Noble; produced by .
  5. One Blood Under W (feat. ) (4:11)
    Written by ; produced by ; samples "One Blood" by .
  6. Conditioner (feat. ) (3:57)
    Written by Calvin Broadus; produced by .
    Hidden track: Untitled (1:35).
  7. Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off) (3:58)
    Produced by ; bass by Ramsey Jones.
  8. Let My Niggas Live (feat. ) (4:29)
    Written by Nasir Jones; produced by .
  9. I Can't Go to Sleep (feat. ) (3:35)
    Written by Isaac Hayes; produced by .
  10. Do You Really (Thang, Thang) (feat. Streetlife) (4:10)
    Produced by ; intro by ; samples "Hang on Sloopy" by David Porter.
    Hidden track: The W (1:12); samples "Down on the Avenue" by .
  11. The Monument (feat. ) (2:38)
    Written by Trevor Smith; produced by .
  12. Gravel Pit (4:51)
    Produced by RZA; additional vocals by Paulissa Moorman; samples "Mister Magic" by Grover Washington Jr.
  13. Jah World (feat. Junior Reid) (3:51)
    Produced by RZA.
    Hidden track: Clap (3:45); produced by Mathematics.

Personnel

The album The W features performances from the core members, including (who also handled production and vocals), , , , , , , , and . Additional contributors on vocals include affiliate Streetlife and uncredited samples from , a founding member who was incarcerated during much of the recording process. RZA served as the primary producer, executive producer, and mixer for the project, with executive production support from (credited as Dennis Coles), Mitchell Diggs, and Oli Grant. provided additional production and DJ scratches. On the technical side, Jose "Choco" Reynoso acted as recording and mix engineer for the majority of the album. Mastering was handled by James Cruz at Sony Music Studios in . A&R direction came from Amy Finnerty, with coordination by Ashaunna Ayars. For artwork and design, Jamie Story created the cover, while Dave Bett managed package design. The album was recorded primarily at 36 Chambers in and Track Record, Inc. in .

References

  1. https://albumism.com/features/wu-tang-clan-the-w-album-anniversary
  2. https://www.discogs.com/master/36772-Wu-Tang-Clan-The-W
  3. https://rapcentralstation.net/rapstation/story/wu-tang-clan-certified-platinum
  4. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/901-wu-tang-clan-the-w.php
  5. https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20190426-how-wu-tang-clan-revolutionised-hip-hop-forever
  6. https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-rap-albums-all-time/
  7. https://www.npr.org/sections/therecord/2013/04/08/176519640/the-wu-tang-clans-20-year-plan
  8. https://www.vibe.com/news/movies-tv/wu-tang-clan-of-mics-and-men-things-learned-656489/
  9. https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Rage-Doesn-t-Subside-Wu-Tang-drops-out-of-tour-2827701.php
  10. https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-idea-generations-all-angl-107764262/episode/loud-records-the-rise-fall-117851219/
  11. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ol-dirty-bastard-faces-charges-in-new-york-248276/
  12. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/11/fbi-wu-tang-clan-ol-dirty-bastard
  13. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fugitive-odb-surfaces-at-wu-tang-show-255100/
  14. https://time.com/archive/6912459/interview-robert-diggs-a-k-a-the-rza/
  15. https://albumism.com/features/wu-tang-clan-the-w-turns-20-anniversary-retrospective
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/6479699-Wu-Tang-Clan-The-W
  17. https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/rza-dj-mathematics-interview-the-saga-continues-wu-tang-clan-8022004/
  18. https://www.whosampled.com/album/Wu-Tang-Clan/The-W/
  19. https://getsongbpm.com/album/the-w/p6Xp
  20. https://www.discogs.com/release/1359620-Wu-Tang-Clan-The-W
  21. https://gearspace.com/board/rap-hip-hop-engineering-and-production/1311777-equipment-used-classic-wu-tang-productions.html
  22. https://sterling-sound.com/artist/wu-tang-clan/
  23. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-w-mw0000103732
  24. https://www.spin.com/2007/11/across-wuniverse/
  25. https://www.whosampled.com/Wu-Tang-Clan/Gravel-Pit/
  26. https://egrove.olemiss.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1007&context=southernanthro_proceedings
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/27/nuthing-ta-f-wit-wu-tang-clans-greatest-albums-ranked
  28. https://www.revolt.tv/article/how-wu-tang-clan-triumph-broke-the-rules-and-redefined-hip-hop
  29. https://www.bet.com/photo-gallery/w42jtv/artists-influenced-by-the-five-percent-nation/pa388a
  30. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4028086/
  31. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/wu-tang-clan-gravel-pit/
  32. https://www.discogs.com/master/36817-Wu-Tang-Clan-Careful-Click-Click
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/315850-Wu-Tang-Clan-Gravel-Pit
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/225682-Wu-Tang-Clan-Careful-Click-Click
  35. https://www.musicgrotto.com/wu-tang-clan-songs/
  36. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wutang-clan/2000/hammerstein-ballroom-new-york-ny-3be35064.html
  37. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/concert-map/wutang-clan-3bd69c24.html?year=2001
  38. https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-w/wu-tang-clan
  39. https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/7710-the-top-200-albums-of-the-2000s-20-1/
  40. https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=4210
  41. https://www.rapreviews.com/2000/11/wu-tang-clan-the-w/
  42. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/the-w-81666/
  43. https://albumism.com/features/wu-tang-clan-the-w-turns-25-anniversary-retrospective
  44. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/eminem-outkast-lead-source-awards-nominees-79456/
  45. https://www.nme.com/photos/the-500-greatest-albums-of-all-time-500-401-1426363
  46. http://musicchartsarchive.com/albums/wu-tang-clan/the-w
  47. https://elpee.jp/artist/Wu-Tang%20Clan/
  48. https://bestsellingalbums.org/year-end/Billboard_Top_Albums_2001
  49. https://www.officialcharts.com/albums/wu-tang-clan-the-w/
  50. https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Wu-Tang+Clan&titel=The+W&cat=a
  51. https://bestsellingalbums.org/album/55908
  52. https://bestsellingalbums.org/artist/14324
  53. https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-w/457508066
  54. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/12089/Wu-Tang-Clan-Junior-Reid-One-Blood-Under-W-Junior-Reid-One-Blood/
  55. https://www.whosampled.com/sample/6117/Wu-Tang-Clan-Streetlife-DJ-Kay-Slay-Do-You-Really-%28Thang-Thang%29-David-Porter-Hang-on-Sloopy/
  56. http://hiphopgoldenage.com/artists/wu-tang-clan/
  57. https://www.discogs.com/release/18142882-Wu-Tang-Clan-The-W
  58. https://www.discogs.com/release/5862101-Wu-Tang-Clan-The-W
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