10 Artists Who Never Managed To Top Their First Album
7. Wu-Tang Clan
When 8 MCs from Shaolin united under the guiding vision and production of The RZA, hip hop was forever changed for the better. Wu-Tang Clan used their gritty underground sound and kung-fu inspired thematics to leave an indelible influence on rap's landscape. Enter The 36 Chambers, despite being over 20 years old, is still celebrated by hardcore fans to this day. The album was unlike anything heard at the time. Eight different rappers (nine if you count Masta Killa) brought eight distinctly different personalities into the booth, creating a competitive atmosphere with each man trying to outdo the others. The group was so impressive they each received deals for solo albums. Tracks like Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nothin' To F**k With, C.R.E.A.M and Protect Ya Neck exposed listeners to starving lyricists ripping apart dirty, muddled beats. The record is considered one of the most influential albums of the 90s, blazing a trail for the likes of Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z to follow. "Forever", their follow up, while well-received, never lived up to the lofty expectations of the first. For an interesting footnote on the cult-like following Wu-Tang Clan has garnered, they've decided to hold an auction for exclusive rights and release only one copy of their new album, destroying any other recording so that only the bidded on version exists. That bidding currently sits at 5 million dollars.
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
