Wu-Tang Meet the Indie Culture, Vol. 2

Wu-Tang Clan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ihiphop Distribution
• ASIN: B002PI1KWW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,870 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture Vol. 2: Enter The Dubstep...

Frank Radio and iHipHop Distribution are proud to announce the highly anticipated follow-up to 2005's "Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture Vol. 1″ On November 10th, the newest and freshest sounds in underground electronic music encounter the grimiest and most hardcore hip-hop click in this one-of-a-kind album: "Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture Vol. 2: Enter The Dubstep."

As Vol. 1 sought to introduce hip-hop fans in general, and specifically, the famously large, loyal and diverse fan-base of the Wu-Tang to the burgeoning world of underground hip-hop, so Vol. 2 seeks to expose another untapped resource of underground talent, skill and artistry to this very same avid and intrepid fan-base.

The project serves a double purpose as well: many of the pioneers and practitioners (DJ's and producers) in the Dubstep world came up in a time when Wu-Tang ruled the international airwaves. Unlike much commercial hip-hop, the immediacy of Wu-Tang's sound spoke to many outside of the scope of the typical hip-hop fan, across oceans and at home. Their music and style helped to shape an emerging artform that hadn't yet defined itself. Now, in 2009, as dubstep continues to grow, expand and encompass more styles and subgenres, the Wu-Tang sound is reintroduced into the mix, to spawn a new and unique musical crossbreeding, that is greater than the sum of its constituent parts.

This groundbreaking album is trail-blazing the collaboration between Dubstep and Hip-Hop, with stomach-pounding, bass-thumping guttural beats, and gully, gritty and grimy lyrics that break into the next decade in the chapters of each respective genre's history. With Scuba, Parson, Trillbass, Dakimh, DZ, Rogue Star, Stenchman, Datsik & many more producing not remixes, but complex re-interpollations that include a veritable goldmine of Wu-Tang verses from the vaults that feature Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, RZA, GZA, Method Man, U-God & Masta Killa, Wu affiliates Killah Priest, Bronze Nazareth, Prodigal Sunn, Solomon Childs, Son One & more, and guest spots from Busta Rhymes, MF Doom, Pimp C, Three 6 Mafia, Ras Kass, Vast Aire, Canibus, Lord Jamar & many more, this one of a kind compilation is at the forefront of an emerging cultural and musical blend that is taking place on the margins of the mainstream, but will be talked about for years to come....

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wu-Tang Leaps Across the Pond, November 10, 2009

By 

Ivan Rott (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture Vol. 2: Enter The Dubstep [Explicit] (MP3 Download)

Originally posted on my blog, Hip Hop Is Read (Nov. 8, 2009):

The fate of the Shaolin Temple was sealed by its leaders' refusal to open its doors to newcomers seeking to join their following. Had it not been for the monks' initial anti-proselytization policy; had they accepted all those who sought entrance, the Temple may never have been destroyed. This important lesson, often recounted by The RZA, is a perfect analogy for the Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture series. Released in 2005, volume one introduced a lineup of indie/underground emcees whose form and style were so compatible with Wu-Tang that it made for one of the year's most thorough (and thoroughly enjoyable) albums. In 2009, a new chamber of cross-breeding music has been opened, this time introducing a whole new genre/style to the Wu-Tang sound: Enter the Dubstep.

Dubstep originated earlier within the decade in the midst of the UK garage scene. A fusion of house, drum and bass, 2-step, and London's grime, with influence from dub reggae, dubstep is characterized by its dark, uptempo beats. While artists like Lady Sovereign and Dizzee Rascal have expounded definitely-British sounds to the United States' audience, the movement hasn't really caught on across the pond... or has it? This year alone, dubstep has made a significant leap into the consciousness of U.S. music fans, whether they knew it or not. Dubstep producers Chase and Status' smash track "Eastern Jam" was adopted and remixed by none other than Snoop Dogg on his promotional single "Snoop Dogg Millionaire". Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture Volume 2: Enter the Dubstep seeks to further familiarize this new audience.

While volume one of the Indie Culture series brought along a roster of emcees, volume two is production-centric, highlighting the work of over a dozen dubstep producers. To the newfound dubstep listener - I'll admit, I'm one of them - Indie Culture Volume 2's mixes are either hit or miss; thankfully, they're mostly hit. Tracks like Chimpo's remix of the haunting "Cinema" by the GZA and his son are eerily intensified by the sinister keys and the dark and sparse soundscapes played throughout. In such instances, the production creates a brand new setting, providing the vocals an alternative meaning to the original; in others, they re-sample original beats, putting an emphasis on dub remixing rather than remaking. The Scuba Scythe remix to "Street Corners", for example, retools the great Jean Plum sample from the original, crafting a bubbling, new interpretation that's equally pleasing to the ears.

Unlike the first entry in the Indie Culture series, Enter the Dubstep does not feature any new vocals. The album is a hodgepodge of verses and choruses from previously-released Wu-Tang and Wu-Tang affiliate albums like Raekwon and Icewater's Polluted Water, Lord Jamar's The 5% Album, Wisemen's Wisemen Approaching, GZA's Pro Tools, U-God's Dopium and more (including volume one of the series). While it would have been nice to hear some new lyrics - especially by the main members of the Clan - it works out better this way since this collection is intended to primarily highlight the producers; as such, it's gainful to compare and contrast the originals to the remixes.

It's worth noting that being a fan of Wu-Tang is not an assurance that you'll enjoy this album. Wu-Tang Meets the Indie Culture Volume 2: Enter the Dubstep is very much like Linkin Park's Reanimation in this regard. Open-mindedness is a pre-requisite, particularly for the untrained ear of the genre being tackled. Nineteen tracks deep, unless you're a dubstep fan you may find yourself pressing the fast-forward button once every few or so tracks. But like Reanimation, the core content is still intact despite the altered sounds and backdrops. Overall you'll find that there's plenty of common ground to be shared and enjoyed when you Enter the Dubstep.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Imagine Wu-Tang Rappers Meeting A Futuristic Version of 36 Chambers Beats, November 15, 2009

By 

Raymond J. Krenek "Ray 3rd" (Staten Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wu-Tang Meet the Indie Culture, Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

This is one of the most enjoyable Wu-Tang CD's I've listened to in a long time. Imagine sick Wu-Tang Lyrics that sounds like the beats from 36 Chambers except from the year 2050. That's what this is. The beats on here are off the hook, I kid you not. This is definitely my sleeper album of the year. This CD sounds like what all Wu-Tang fan's hoped RZA's gritty production, but futuristic sounding. Nothing like Bobby Digital, which Iam not a big fan of. This CD = Gritty Wu Tang Lyrics + Production sounding like 36 Chambers came out in the year 2050. It's def worth a purchase...you will not be dissappointed. The beats on here are so sick it could have been released as an instrumental CD, but with Killer Wu verses on top of it, is what makes this a true hip hop gem.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice if you like wu and dubstep, January 14, 2010

By 

rabidusv (TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wu-Tang Meet the Indie Culture, Vol. 2 (Audio CD)

Don't have time for a lengthy review, but I really enjoyed this cd. I've been a big fan of the WU for a while, and I've always liked dubstep. There is a nice mix of more energetic songs and more chill songs. Lots of fresh sounds. I especially liked the track Lyrical Swords.