Wu Tang Forever (Logic song)
"Wu Tang Forever" | |
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Song by Logic featuring Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Jackpot Scotty Wotty, U-God, Masta Killa and GZA | |
from the album YSIV | |
Released | September 28, 2018 |
Recorded | 2018 |
Genre | |
Length | 8:07 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) | Various
|
Producer(s) |
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"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[2] 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.[1][3][4] The song shares the same title as the group's second studio album.
Background and inspiration
[edit]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".[2] In fact, the rapper's first live performance was opening for Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah.[2] 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.[2][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]
Composition
[edit]The song is eight minutes and seven seconds in length;[5] 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.[8]
Commercial performance
[edit]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]
Reception
[edit]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]
Samples
[edit]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]
Personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Tidal.[1]
- Main artist – Logic
- Featured artists – Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, RZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Cappadonna, Jackpot Scotty Wotty, U-God, Masta Killa and GZA
- Producers – 6ix, NAZ.
- Composers and lyricists – Sir Robert Hall II, Arjun Ivatury, Russell Jones, Jason Hunter, Robert Diggs, Corey Woods, Dennis Coles, Darryl Hill, Caleb Armstrong, Brian Alexander Morgan, Elgin Turner, Lamont Hawkins, Ray Anthony Smith, Scott Watt, Joshua Portillo, Gary Grice, Clifford Smith
- Mixer and recording engineer – Robert Campbell
- Recording Engineer (for Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa) - Josh Gannet
- Assistant mixers – Matt Dyson, Tyler Gorgon, Karl Wingate, Gabe Burch
- Studio personnel – Matt Dyson, Tyler Gorgon, Karl Wingate, Gabe Burch, Robert Campbell
Charts
[edit]Chart (2018) | Peak position |
---|---|
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[18] | 14 |
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[19] | 44 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[20] | 17 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Young Sinatra IV / Logic". Tidal. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Bonita (October 2, 2018). "Logic Explains How He Was Able To Triumph & Get All Of Wu-Tang On His Song (Video)". AFH. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ Williams, Aaron (September 28, 2018). "Logic Masters Lyrical Kung-Fu On 'Wu-Tang Forever' Alongside Every Living Member Of The Clan". Uproxx. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ Yoo, Noah (September 25, 2018). "Logic's New Song Features the Entire Living Wu-Tang Clan". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Holmes, Charles (September 28, 2018). "How Logic Reunited Wu-Tang Clan on His New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
- ^ Haffenden, Dayna (October 3, 2018). "Logic Shares How He Created New Song "Wu Tang Forever"". XXL. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ LA (October 2, 2018). "Watch Behind-The-Scenes Footage of Logic Recording "Wu-Tang Forever" Off 'YSIV'". radio.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
- ^ a b "Logic – Wu Tang Forever Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
- ^ "Logic Wu Tang Forever Chart History – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ "Logic Wu Tang Forever Chart History – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ Suarez, Gary (October 9, 2018). "Oct 9, 2018, 11:03pm Thanks To Logic, Wu-Tang Clan Have Their First Billboard Charting Single In 16 Years". Forbes. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ Grant, Shawn (October 11, 2018). "Wu-Tang Clan Land on Billboard Charts for the First Time since 2002". The Source. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ Eustice, Kyle (October 10, 2018). "Wu-Tang Clan Earns 1st Billboard Charting Single In 16 Years Thanks To Logic". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
- ^ Phillips, Yoh (September 27, 2018). "Logic 'YSIV' 1 Listen Album Review". DJBooth. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ Pierre, Alphonse (October 4, 2018). "Logic: Young Sinatra IV Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ Weingarten, Christopher R. (October 4, 2018). "Review: Logic Is a Solid Motivational Speaker on 'YSIV'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ "Logic feat. Wu-Tang Clan's "Wu Tang Forever"". WhoSampled. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 8, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ "Logic Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
- ^ "Logic Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
- 2018 songs
- Logic (rapper) songs
- Ghostface Killah songs
- GZA songs
- Method Man songs
- Songs written by Cappadonna
- Songs written by Ghostface Killah
- Songs written by Method Man
- Songs written by Ol' Dirty Bastard
- Songs written by Raekwon
- Songs written by RZA
- Wu-Tang Clan songs
- Songs written by Logic (rapper)
- Songs written by 6ix (record producer)
- Raekwon songs
- Wu-Tang Clan