Wu-Tang: American Saga: Why This Is More Than Music
The history of the Wu-Tang Clan is a blueprint for not only Hip Hop but business as well. Fans of the group know their history but what Hulu has been able to pull off visually with Wu-Tang: An American Saga has been nothing short of remarkable.
For most, it’s a trip down memory lane. While the music is a focal point and what that means to its core fans, the show is much bigger than beats and rhymes.
What American Saga has given the real fans is a glimpse of the past. It’s as if RZA and the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan went into their backyard and dug up a time capsule.
As a true fan of the group, there are questions I’ve always had. Season One was more personal as we got to know each member before they struck any recording deal. And this is the beauty of the show. Fans know the music and may know bits and pieces regarding the members, but to see it played out on TV, well that’s a little different.
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RZA is regarded as a genius. But it goes deeper than that. Without RZA, there would be no Wu-Tang. And while the show does embellish some things, we get the idea that RZA is the glue. He’s hard-working. Think about that. In the early stages, everything was RZA. From the idea of the group to the business side of the group and then the musical side. There was only one producer for the Clan.
One of the most glaring storylines of the Wu-Tang: American Saga has been the bond between Ghostface Killah and Raekwon The Chef.
Looking at the two now, one would never imagine there was a strong dislike there. Well, hell, let’s just call it hate. The two MCs bated each other. But today, they arguably have the best chemistry in Hip Hop. To see how their union played out gives fans a better insight into their music.
It’s been a pleasure to see how Divine and Power were able to put their differences aside and form a bond with a larger goal in mind. Seeing a young Old Dirty Bastard morph into the wild persona fans love has been one for the ages.
The music is still the music. No one can ever take that away from the Wu. But the true blessing of the show has been watching each member develop into the artist we’ve grown to love.
Mark has been covering Sports and Entertainment for the past six years. His work has been featured on Bleacher Report, ESPN, Fox Sports, Teen Vogue, and many other websites.
