Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men - General Discussion

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On the heels of its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, today SHOWTIME announced that WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN, the four-part limited docuseries from filmmaker Sacha Jenkins (BURN MOTHERF*CKER, BURN!), will premiere on Friday, May 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

As the group marks the 25th anniversary of their breakout debut album Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the series looks back on their career, combining intimate and reflective interviews from each of the nine living members with never-before-seen archival footage and performances.

The series follows the founding members - RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Masta Killa and Cappadonna - many of whom were childhood friends in the hardscrabble world of '70s and '80s Staten Island and Brooklyn. Their ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit brought them together to overcome the poverty, violence and oppression of their neighborhoods. But it was music and their shared lyrical genius that allowed them to form the most recognized musical movement in the world, all while walking the treacherous tightrope that links business with brotherhood.

Promo:

 

Edited May 5, 2019 by ElectricBoogaloo

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S1.E1

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Robert Diggs knew that there was something special about the way he and his friends from Staten Island and Brooklyn told stories. They were apostles of hip hop culture, fans of kung fu cinema, members of the Five Percent Nation. They were survivors. Brilliant kids with absolutely no social capital. Then they cut a song - “Protect Ya Neck” - and the world hasn’t been the same since. The RZA, The GZA, ‘Ol Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon The Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, Masta Killa and Method Man were on their way.

Original air date: 5/10/19

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Sacha Jenkins, Masta Killa, and Cappadonna discuss Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men

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I would categorize myself as a casual fan, not a hardcore fan, so watching the first episode gave me a lot of information. It was also fun to see everyone reunite and hug.

I loved the cousin/manager's tactics for selling records (having someone else ask for the album at the record store). I remember when Boyz II Men said that they would call the radio stations and ask them to play their song over and over. Old school DIY guerilla marketing!

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S1.E2

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Wu-Tang Clan’s underground rap single starts to blow up and business moved fast. RZA, along with his brother Mitchell “Divine” Diggs, Oliver “Power” Grant, John “Mook” Gibbons and Michael “Lask” McDonald, come together on behalf of the Wu-Tang cause. If there were mistakes made along the way, it didn’t matter. The rise to the top felt good and they were enjoying the view. Despite their success, things were still going on back home in the projects that affected their friends and family — the Wu weren’t immune to it. Nor were they bulletproof.

Original air date: 5/17/19

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Although it was only about a minute of the entire episode, I was really disturbed by ODB's wife talking about how he gave her a new name, locked her in the bathroom FOR HOURS, and refused to let her out until she had memorized the meaning. The way she recited it robotically and without any inflection almost like it was one really long word sounded like someone who has been brainwashed.

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S1.E3

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The sweet smell of success was intoxicating but the death of a friend changed the way each member saw the world and the Wu; the members would all go on to have successful solo careers, and Wu-Tang's global footprint was massive.

Original air date: 5/24/19