Wu-Tang’s final tour proves they can still bring the ruckus

A revelation made by RZA during his appearance on Rick Rubin’s Tetragrammaton podcast is how, in 2017, he contacted the eight surviving members of the original Wu-Tang Clan and told them, “If you’re not paying attention, hip-hop is forgetting us.” The cause of his alarm was how documentarians retold the history of 90’s hip-hop in New York City, stirring a revelation: If the Wu did not tell their story, it would not be told. This train of thought led to a five-year plan in hopes of securing their financial and cultural legacies, which brought into fruition the Emmy-nominated Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men documentary directed by the late Sacha Jenkins, three seasons of Wu-Tang: An American Saga biopic series on Hulu, the N.Y. State of Mind Tour co-headlined with Nas, the first-ever hip-hop residency in Las Vegas, and a final Wu-Tang Clan tour, Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber.

Wu-Tang’s farewell march arrived at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 11th. Men and women, of all ages and shades, appeared in black and gold graphic tees and Wu-Tang merchandise. The spirits were high, their clothes fly, and everyone had a companion: fathers with sons, husbands with wives, girls out with their girls, boys out with their boys, creating a communal sense of unity leaving a feeling that Wu-Tang has transcended music and has become a global community represented by the iconic W.

Lights inside State Farm dimmed around 9:15 p.m., bringing the entire audience to their feet. A massive swell of excitement traveled from floor toward the rafters as RZA stepped out alone, backed by a live band, saying four words that sent an eruption of floor-shaking energy through every aisle: Bring da motherfuckin' ruckus. Hands started to wave, voices began to shout, and everyone appeared possessed by his wrecking crew chant. What kept the roaring crowd on their toes was how each member, one by one, emerged from backstage to do their iconic verses of “Bring Da Ruckus,” one of hip-hop’s greatest album intros. First came Ghostface Killah, then Raekwon, followed by Inspectah Deck, and finally GZA.

If the concerts stopped at those five, then it would have been an incredible crew of emcees on stage, giants of the genre, but then came out U-God, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, and Young Dirty Bastard, who filled in for his father with an explosive entrance that sent shockwaves through the venue. He didn’t just recite ODB’s verse of "Da Mystery of Chessboxin," he moved like a man embodying Old Dirty Bastard’s spirit, channeling his body language, replicating the braids, ultimately providing a liveliness that properly represented a larger-than-life presence likely to never be replicated again. As mouths recited each word, not missing a single lyric, Method Man comes out to "Method Man," and no one was able to contain their enthusiasm. Screaming heads matched the joyful exhilaration felt as he joined the crew, everyone beaming with pride, absorbed in nonstop applause.

Together, standing as a unit, one is reminded how impressive it is that a group with such a sizable membership and unique personalities could mesh together as if they shared one stomach. This was Wu-Tang, nine emcees fed a diet of mathematics, chess, comic books, and kung-fu flicks. Wu-Tang, the Staten Island wordsmiths who survived shootouts, drug deals, jail time, and housing projects. Rightfully, after 30 years of making the words on their breath contain all they had been through, this posse of poets can relish in the glory of going a distance that only a handful of musicians will ever experience. Their 40-song set felt like a two-hour celebration of three unrivaled decades of bringing the ruckus, honoring each member's contribution by allowing each other room to walk out before their fans, recite songs they know like scriptures, and stand in solidarity when the spotlight isn’t on them.

There’s only a handful of intermissions during the lengthy set. What allows for a continuous concert is how the crew shuffles around, at times appearing on stage in smaller squads. Ghostface, Raekwon, and Method Man will have a set, running through classics from their solo albums Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., Tical, and Ironman. GZA, too, feels the spotlight alongside RZA as they perform a handful of highlights from his timeless solo debut, Liquid Swords. A surprise appearance from Red Man during Method Man’s set received one of the loudest reactions of the night. Although a majority of their setlist is dedicated to the group, prioritizing music that made listeners into lifelong fans, with the number of members and how they interchange around each other, so much of the show felt like being at a music festival, Rolling Loud for the Reaganomics generation.

With that said, if this is indeed the final tour, Wu-Tang is going out showcasing what longevity should look like: A healthy relationship with your peers, your history, and your fanbase. On stage, they respect one another, allowing the audience to appreciate their survival and to show the new generation a standard worth following. They represent where hip-hop was, not in a pretentious way, but honorably. By the end of their performance, when everyone is back on stage, performing "C.R.E.A.M." for what may be the final time on tour, and RZA is spraying champagne on the crowd, it feels unforgettable, like you just witnessed history.