| Wu Tang Forever | |
| Artist: | Logic featuring Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Jackpot Scotty Wotty, U-God, Masta Killa and GZA |
| Album: | YSIV |
| Recorded: | 2018 |
| Genre: | |
| Label: | |
"Wu Tang Forever" is a song by American rapper Logic, featured as the sixth track on his 2018 album YSIV.[1] The song is a homage to the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan and features all living members of the group: Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, U-God, Masta Killa and GZA, as well as Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Jackpot Scotty Wotty; deceased member Ol' Dirty Bastard received a writing credit.[2] [3] The song shares the same title as the group's second studio album.
Logic has been a long-time Wu-Tang Clan fan and over the years, has gained the respect of the Wu-Tang rappers; he has stated that the group was his "introduction to hip-hop".[4] In fact, the rapper's first live performance was opening for Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah. In an interview, Logic said that he, while intoxicated, contacted Wu-Tang member RZA and asked if he could get every Wu-Tang member on his album and call it "Wu Tang Forever". RZA was enthusiastic to the idea, saying "all you gotta do is ask, baby" and made it happen.[5] On October 1, 2018, Logic posted a video on Instagram, showing him rapping the lyrics to the song. The video was captioned "Recorded Wu Tang Forever while I was on tour this summer".[6] [7]
The song is eight minutes and seven seconds in length; it song consists of an intro, 11 verses, and an outro.[8] The first verse is provided by Logic, followed by Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Jackpot Scotty Wotty, U-God, Masta Killa, and GZA.
The song reached number 44 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart and number 17 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart the week of October 13, 2018.[9] [10] The song marked Wu-Tang Clan's first Billboard charting single since 2002, with their single "Uzi (Pinky Ring)" from their album Iron Flag.[11] [12] [13]
The song has received positive reviews from music critics. Yoh Phillips of DJBooth praised the song, complimenting everyone who appears, although criticizing the song's length.[14] Alphonse Pierre of Pitchfork gave the song a positive review, writing "Logic is all in, dedicating himself to fitting in as the latest Wu-affiliate, which rubs off on the Wu who, for once, don’t take that cushiony Def Jam direct deposit for granted."[15] Conversely, Christopher R. Weingarten of Rolling Stone believed the song is a great example of showcasing Logic's strengths and weaknesses, writing that the rapper had none of the Clan's "mystery, their way with funk and flow, [or] the effortlessness of their punchlines."[16]
The song contains dialogue from the martial arts films Ten Tigers from Kwangtung (1979) and Shaolin and Wu Tang (1983); the same dialogue is used in Wu-Tang Clan's song "Bring da Ruckus" from their debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).[17]
Credits adapted from Tidal.