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A Better Tomorrow (album)

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Untitled

A Better Tomorrow is the sixth studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The album is scheduled to be released on December 2, 2014, by Warner Bros. Records. The album was supported by the singles "Keep Watch", "Ron O'Neal" and "Ruckus In B Minor".

Background

On June 29, 2011, Raekwon announced that the group were working on a new studio album, still in its early stages, saying: "It's kind of early to announce a new album right now. "We've been working on some things, though. As far as Wu-Tang goes, it's something that we really got to get together first for."[1] In July 2011, Ghostface Killah said that the album should be released in May 2012.[2] In April 2012, GZA hinted that a new album was unlikely, saying: "We haven't been on the same page in years. It is what it is. Sometimes that match burns out... I don't feel bad about it. It's good. I'm grateful for everything we have done throughout our careers and if there's nothing else to put out, then there's nothing to put out."[3] In October 2012, RZA said a new Wu-Tang Clan album might happen after all, on the occasion of the group's 20th anniversary, saying: "Well, what I can say about that Sway is next year, November 2013 – I’m going back from 1993 to 2013, that’s our 20-year anniversary. So I told the brothers we should definitely come together and maybe do something to close the book. So we’ve been building about it. If life permits and the energy is proper maybe next year on the same date or the same time we put out 36 Chambers we’ll put out a final chapter of recorded music."[4]

In November 2012, Raekwon doubted a new album would happen, saying: "We've been talking about it and it's a lot of discussion about it, but it's not consolidated yet. We know as a group that 20 years in the business is something serious, so there was a couple of conversations going on about it...you know, everyone's so nonchalant about shit, like they don't know if it's going to happen. For me, it's like I don't respect that because it should happen. It should happen in a way where it can help us from all the shit we've been through together. We've made a lot of money, of course, and we've lost a lot of money, and it kinda put certain cats in situations where this can help [them] right now - at the end of the day, it can help all of use, but it can help the ones that really need to be helped and it can put us back where we need to be financially, back in the game as one of the iconic groups in the game, but it takes a lot of loyalty, it takes a lot of love, it takes a lot of respect. I want to see it happen, but more importantly, I want to see it done the right way."[5] On January 9, 2013, work on the sixth Wu-Tang Clan album was announced via the group's official Facebook page.[6] In 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.[7]

Development

In March 2013, Cappadonna said the album was in the recording process, taking place in New York, Los Angeles and the Wu mansion in New Jersey, saying: "I already spoke to the RZA. We’ve been texting each other. We’re definitely concentrating on more positivity and teachings and trying to put that back into the original recipe for this next Wu-Tang album. The recording has begun. It’s all being done in the secret Wu-Tang bat chamber. RZA has all the tracks lined up. There are recordings taking place in New York, L.A., and perhaps at the Wu mansion in New Jersey.”[8] In April 2013, RZA said he had talked to Adrian Younge about working on a song for the album.[9] 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.[10] In April 2013, the reunited to Clan perform at the 2013 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[11] On May 17, 2013, a unreleased Wu-Tang song titled "Execution in Autumn" was released for purchase through RZA's record label Soul Temple Records.[12] In June 2013, they performed at the 2013 HOT 97 Summer Jam at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, twenty years after they performed at the first annual Summer Jam concert.[13]

In June 2013, RZA spoke about the song "Family Reunion" and the album's progress, saying: "The song 'Family Reunion' was recorded in my old studio, the same studio we recorded Wu-Tang Forever, which is the Wu-Tang mansion in south [New] Jersey—which I still own. He also maintained a Wu Mansion West in California, in addition to a longtime lab on 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan. I recently remodeled it and rebuilt the studio. I invited the brothers to come back to this place where we have such great memories. We recorded that song 'Family Reunion.'" The song takes greater meaning to the former Tommy Boy Records artist. "To me, it's time for a family reunion, not only as us—just Wu-Tang Clan, but all our fans." "We strive and have a better tomorrow. We had some good times; we had some bad times. But if tomorrow can be better than today [that is a good thing]." If things go right...you know, it's hard to get a Wu-Tang album, 'cause we all have such big careers and big families that we have to maintain, of our own, to bring that energy back is not so easy. It's looking real promising. Method Man did a lot of verses already. [Ghostface Killah] is writing some verses. U-God came over last week and took some music to write his verses. Masta Killa's been very on-point with his verses. Inspectah Deck, myself [have been working too]."[14]

He also stated he was hoping to release the album in November 2013, saying: "If things go right and we finish this album, I think that we'll try to put it out in November, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of [Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)]. That's my goal."[14] In July 2013, Inspectah Deck stated that unreleased verses from Ol' Dirty Bastard would be featured on the album, saying: "RZA has a bunch of Ol’ Dirty tracks and verses that for years nobody’s heard and, from my last conversation [with RZA], we’re supposed to have an Ol’ Dirty track on there. I”t may be by itself or we might join it on to another song. But Ol’ Dirty is going to be part of this album, that’s a fact.".[15] In July 2013 Cappadonna indicated the album was half way finished.[16] In November 2013, RZA gave an update on the album, saying: "I got optimism off the summer tour we did in Europe. It was so healthy. We got a lot of time on the bus to talk, to argue, to laugh, to hug, to see fans loving us. And to see the potential of what we can do. To see the potential of the legacy of what we did. We got a lot of work done [recording in Europe]. I feel like we have enough material on the album. I just need Raekwon to come onboard fully. I need some more energy from Ghost and GZA. If they give that energy, I will give us a great last album. If they don’t give us the energy, I gotta figure out a plan B."[17] In November 2013, Method Man stated that Raekwon had not worked on the album at all, and Ghostface had only recorded two songs for the album so far.[18] In late November 2013, RZA suggested that the album was approximately six weeks from completion.[19] In January 2014, the group posted a message on their Facebook page, saying: "The new Wu album A Better Tomorrow coming soon."[20]

In March 2014, Raekwon said he didn't want RZA in charge of the album, saying: "I would be the first one to say that we cannot leave everything in RZA’s hand no more,. He has done his job to the greatest of his ability when we were younger, but now every man plays an imperative role in this situation. His plan was to do a more humble album. We was like, Nah. You can’t do that with the hardest group in the game."[21]

RZA
Raekwon
In 2014, RZA and Raekwon had a public dispute over the direction of the album.

In April 2014, RZA spoke about Raekwon's hesitation to record on the album, saying: "I haven’t had a chance to really talk to him about why not. All I see is the press going back and forth. But I would say that maybe creatively we on different paths. I’m creatively different than I was in the ‘90s."[22] In a April 2014, interview with Rolling Stone Raekwon responded saying: "I don’t know why he said he didn’t speak to me, because he did speak to me. We spoke about two weeks ago. It was me, him, his brother and business partner Devine and we talked about why I’m not there right now. They know where I’m at and at the end of the day, him saying he didn’t speak to me is a bold-faced [sic] lie. And yeah, we are at creative differences because at the end of the day, I want to win. I’m used to being a winner. Being that I feel the team is being compromised by his so-called "logic" of making music, I have a problem with that because I love my fans. I would never want to give my fans anything other than the best. So when we’re sitting there discussing the creative process of making a great album for the fans, I’m not going to never settle for less. I’m not the only one [in the group] that feels this way too."[23] He elaborated on the album, saying: "The bottom line: I’m not happy with that. I’m not happy with the direction of the music and I’m not happy with how dudes is treating dudes’ business. What are we giving the fans? What are we giving the people that help us be here? If it don’t feel right, I can’t be fake. And I’m not the only one who feels like that. Fans want the best and I have to sit here and work that hard to give them the best. Period."[23] RZA responded, saying: "When you form Voltron, you need every piece. We need him there. I want him there. I asked him over and over to be there."[24]

In May 2014, after several disputes between Raekwon and RZA about the direction of the group and album, they reconciled, with the latter agreeing to record verses for A Better Tomorrow.[25] On October 3, 2014, it was announced that the album would be released on December 2, 2014, courtesy of a new deal with Warner Bros. Records.[26] In October 2014, Raekwon spoke about recording the album without Ol' Dirty Bastard, saying: "Its real deep bro, because we miss that energy. When he come in the room and be like, ‘What is this? What’s going on?' Or if he didn't like something, he would let you know he didn't like it. If he loved it, he came in the room and was overjoyed with love from his side. So I kind of just miss the energy of him being around, him just being there, or just spotting him from across the room like, 'Look at this dude over there.' But at the end of the day, once you miss a member out of your family B, it’s never the same. All due praises to Ol' Dirty, though."[27]

Singles

On June 5, 2013, the album's first promotional single "Family Reunion" featuring Masta Killa, Method Man, Ghostface Killah and RZA was released via the Soul Temple Records website.[28] On March 19, 2014, the album's first single "Keep Watch" featuring Nathaniel, GZA, Method Man, Cappadonna, and Inspectah Deck was released.[29] On August 6, 2014, the whole group appeared on The Daily Show to premiere the album's second single "Ron O'Neal".[30] On November 4, 2014, the album's third single "Ruckus In B Minor" was released.[31]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)[32][33]Length
1."Ruckus In B Minor"RZA, Rick Rubin5:25
2."Felt"RZA3:51
3."40th Street Black / We Will Fight"Mathematics4:26
4."Mistaken Identity"RZA5:44
5."Hold the Heater"RZA4:08
6."Crushed Egos"Adrian Younge2:26
7."Keep Watch" (featuring Nathaniel)Mathematics4:25
8."Miracle"4th Disciple5:03
9."Preacher's Daughter"RZA5:13
10."Pioneer the Frontier"RZA3:59
11."Necklace"4th Disciple4:11
12."Ron O'Neal" (featuring Nathaniel)RZA4:28
13."A Better Tomorrow"RZA4:24
14."Never Let Go"RZA5:22
15."Wu-Tang Reunion"RZA3:34
Total length:66:39
Boombotix Rex Bonus Track[34]
No.TitleLength
16."Big Horn"3:34

Release history

Region Date Format Label Edition(s)
Germany[35] November 28, 2014 CD, digital download Warner Bros. Records Standard, deluxe
France[36] December 1, 2014
United Kingdom[37]
United States[38] December 2, 2014

References

  1. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (June 29, 2011). "Raekwon Reveals Wu-Tang Clan Is Working On A New Album". Hiphopdx.com. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  2. ^ Vasquez, Andres (July 15, 2011). "Ghostface Killah Promises Wu-Block LP, New Wu-Tang LP & More". Hiphopdx.com. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
  3. ^ "Wanna Rap on a GZA Album?". Pitchfork. 2012-04-04. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  4. ^ "RZA Hints At Wu-Tang Clan Dropping A Final Album On The 20th Anniversary Of "Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)"". Hiphopdx.com. 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2012-10-10.
  5. ^ "Raekwon Says Wu-Tang Clan Reunion May Not Happen". HipHopDX. Retrieved 16 November 2012.
  6. ^ "Wu Tang Album is in the works. Hold on tight". Facebook. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Video: Method Man Says New Wu-Tang Clan Album Will Drop in 2013". Complex. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  8. ^ Boardman, Madeline (2013-03-10). "New Wu-Tang Clan: Cappadonna Says The Group Will Celebrate Its Anniversary With New Music". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  9. ^ "The Making of Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge's "Twelve Reasons to Die" – Page 8 of 8 – XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  10. ^ Wu-Tang Clan Announce Reunion Album Title.
  11. ^ Harling, Danielle. "Wu-Tang Clan Reunite At Coachella, R. Kelly Performs With Phoenix | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-04-17.
  12. ^ "Listen To Wu-Tang Clan's “Execution in Autumnâ€? (Produced By Frank Dukes) – XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  13. ^ "Announcing The Summer Jam XX Artist Line-Up". HOT 97. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2013-04-02.
  14. ^ a b Paine, Jake (2013-06-27). "RZA Explains "The Cure" Delay, Wu-Tang Clan's "A Better Tomorrow" Progress". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  15. ^ "Previously Unreleased Ol' Dirty Bastard Verses To Be Unearthed For New Wu-Tang Clan Album – XXL". Xxlmag.com. 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  16. ^ Baker, Soren (2013-07-07). "Cappadonna Clamoring For Swizz Beatz, Diddy Production On New Wu-Tang Clan LP | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  17. ^ "Wu&A: The RZA on Enter the Wu-Tang 20 Years Later and Who's Holding Up the Wu's Reunion Album – Hollywood Prospectus Blog". Grantland. 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  18. ^ Rys, Dan (2013-11-12). "Method Man On Wu-Tang's New Album, Chris Brown And Why He's Not A Rapper - Page 3 of 3 - XXL". Xxlmag.com. Retrieved 2014-04-24.
  19. ^ Talbott, Chris (November 21, 2013). "RZA: Wu-Tang's 'A Better Tomorrow' Album Still 'Six Weeks Out'". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  20. ^ Martins, Chris (January 6, 2014). "Wu-Tang Clan's 'A Better Tomorrow' Is Coming Soon (Again)". Spin. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
  21. ^ "Raekwon Talks Disapproval of Wu-Tang Clan's New Album A Better Tomorrow". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  22. ^ "NME News RZA confirms Raekwon will not appear on Wu-Tang Clan's 'A Better Tomorrow' - NME.COM". NME.COM. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  23. ^ a b "Raekwon 'On Strike' From Wu-Tang Clan, Blasts RZA for 'Mediocre' Music - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  24. ^ "RZA Responds to Raekwon's Recent "Strike", Says Wu-Tang Clan "Need Him" on New Album". Pitchfork. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  25. ^ HipHopDX. "Wu-Tang Clan Announces RZA & Raekwon Truce". HipHopDX. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  26. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan ink deal with Warner Bros., will release album Dec. 2". latimes.com. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  27. ^ HipHopDX. "Raekwon Addresses Wu-Tang Clan Recording "A Better Tomorrow" Without Ol' Dirty Bastard". HipHopDX. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  28. ^ "Family Reunion | Soul Temple Music". Soultemplemusic.bandcamp.com. 2013-06-05. Retrieved 2013-11-09.
  29. ^ "Hear Wu-Tang Clan's Smooth New Single, 'Keep Watch'". SPIN. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  30. ^ "Entire Wu-Tang Clan Reunite on 'Daily Show' to Debut 'Ron O'Neal'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  31. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan Share New Track "Ruckus in B Minor", Detail A Better Tomorrow Tracklist". Pitchfork. 3 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
  32. ^ http://www.warnermusic.ch/catalogue_detail-n40-i93624932338-sF.html
  33. ^ http://www.juno.co.uk/products/wu-tang-clan-a-better-tomorrow/555516-01/
  34. ^ http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141001006277/en/RZA-Partners-Boombotix-Debut-Limited-Release-Album#.VGPoe1JOW1s
  35. ^ "A Better Tomorrow: Amazon.de: Musik". Amazon (Germany). Amazon. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  36. ^ "A Better Tomorrow Wu-Tang Clan: Amazon.fr: Musique". Amazon (France). Amazon. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  37. ^ "A Better Tomorrow by Wu-Tang Clan: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon (United Kingdom). Amazon. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  38. ^ "Amazon.com A Better Tomorrow [Explicit]: Wu-Tang Clan: MP3 Downloads". Amazon (United States). Amazon. Retrieved November 13, 2014.

[1]

  1. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow (2014)". FirstLeaks.com. November 27, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
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