The Wu-Tang Clan were a formidable force in the 1990s. With its lo-fi production and grimy, abrasive edge, the Clan made music that resonated with the city of New York. With humble beginnings in the depths of Staten Island, the Clan rapidly ascended to the top of the hip-hop charts and made history with their projects.
The early and mid-’90s saw New York adopt several sounds and aesthetics. However (heavily inspired by Kung-Fu films), the crew’s aim to harness martial arts mental discipline and ferocity made them wholly unique. They were unlike any other act in America and had a particular aesthetic and sound.
Comprised of individuals from Staten Island, Brooklyn and the Bronx, the Wu-Tang Clan provided the rough and ready retaliation to the mellow G-funk sound that was dominating the mainstream. While the Los Angeles subgenre was trendy, it complemented the city in which it was born but not New York. Artists such as Nas, Big L and the Wu-Tang Clan revived the city and would go on to create a legacy.
Signing with Loud Records in 1991, the crew released their debut single ‘Protect Ya Neck’ the following year to critical acclaim. Based out of Brooklyn’s Firehouse Studios, the Clan went on to release their debut project, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), in 1993, which is to this day regarded as one of the best hip-hop albums of all time.
Just weeks after the crew released their first project, the Clan performed at the legendary Bronx club, The Fever, for an electrifying performance. The crew showcased some of their most renowned hits such as ‘Protect Ya Neck’, ‘C.R.E.A.M’ and ‘Gravel Pit’ to an audience of over 500 people. You can watch some rare footage of the concert in the video below.
The footage was unearthed by the veteran DJ Tony “Touch” Toca, who recently shared the snippet as part of his 50 MCs Reunion series, which includes previously unseen videos the Brooklyn disc jockey has collected over the past two decades.
