The Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Greatest Hits

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Sorry Outkast, EPMD, A Tribe Called Quest, N.W.A and other landmark rap outfits, but Wu-Tang Clan is Hip-Hop’s greatest group. On this 20th anniversary of the Staten Island group’s debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), we provide evidence to support that claim.

When you talk about the Wu-Tang Clan, you must include not only their proper albums but also the solo projects of all nine members; RZA, GZA, Method Man, Ghostace Killah, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa and the late, great Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Throw in on again off again member Cappadonna and you have an insane catalog of “rewind that back, please” verses and scrunch face inducing beats, usually courtesy of the RZA.

Thus, picking the Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 best songs is comical, but you can trust our judgement on this one. Surely some of you will cry foul if that obscure import only cut didn’t make the list, so feel free to let us know any songs you think should have made the cut in the comments.

Check the Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Greatest Hits, starting with…

36. Ghostface Killah – Mighty Healthy

The world can’t touch Ghost purple tape. Ghostface can’t lose rapping over a breakbeat (“Substitution”).

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Photo: Loud

35. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Got Your Money

Hey Kelis. Rest In Power, Russell Jones.

34. Ghostface Killah – Buck 50

Meth, Ghost, Cappadonna and Redman go honey baked ham over a Baby Huey break on this Supreme Clientele winner.

33. Raekwon – House Of Flying Daggers

When Rae dropped Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt 2 he proved he hadn’t lost a step and his brothers Rebel INS, GZA, Ghostface and Method Man helped prove that point with this J Dilla produced the lead single.

32. Ghostface Killah – Flowers (Original), The Watch, The Sun, Good Times

These are all the records that would have made Ghostface’s third album, Bulletproof Wallets, a certified classic if they hadn’t been cut due to sample issues.

31. Wu-Tang Clan – Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin Ta F’ With

When this record came on, chains got tucked.

30. Wu-Tang Clan – It’s Yourz

The Wu did have the rap world in the palm of their hand.

29. GZA/Genius – Liquid Swords

Remember when dope cuts didn’t need to get radio play to get love? This was one of them.

28. Ghostface Killah – One

Don’t try to decipher everything Tony Starks is rapping about, just enjoy the ride, nahmean?

27. Wu-Tang Clan – Careful (Click, Click)

Thought the Wu-Tang Clan was slacking by their third album? Nah, son. Yes, that is Kadeem Hardison in the video.

26. Ghostface Killah – All That I Got Is You

Ghost made thugs that came up in the ghetto shed a tear wit this one. We’re also pretty sure Ghost doesn’t know how to play the piano.

25. Raekwon – Wu-Gambinos

Wu-Tang Clan posse cuts rarely disappoint, especially if it resides on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…

24. Ghostface Killah – Apollo Kids

The Wallabee Champ wins again.

23. Method Man – Bring The Pain

Method Man was the first Wu-Tang Clan rapper to get a solo deal and this lead single proved Def Jam chose right.

22. Ghostface Killah – Daytona 500

The “Nautilus” sample is mean, and Ghost, Cappa and Rae abuse it.

21. Wu-Tang Clan – The MGM/Ghostface Killah – The Hilton

We cheated, “The MGM” and “The Hilton” are from Wu-Tang Forever and Bulletproof Wallets, respectively. But Rae & Ghost are a pair of Hip-Hop’s greatest storytellers, as these two cuts prove.

20. Wu-Tang Clan – Cash Still Rules/Scary Hours (Still Don’t Nothing Move But The Money)

Another sick album cut from Wu-Tang Forever.

19. Wu-Tang Clan – Wu-Wear: The Garment Renaissance

See, Wu-Tang Clan was years beyond Barneys New York, early.

18. Ghostface Killah – Cherchez La Ghost

Ghost Deini and Baby U connected for a dancefloor delight.

17. Genius/GZA – Cold World

Sick Stevie Wonder interpolation, check. Vivid lyrics courtesy of GZA and Inspectah Deck, yep.

16. Ghostface Killah – Black Jesus

“Check out the rap kingpin, the Black Jesus…” The beat is disgusting and everyone involved, Ghost, Golden Arms and the Chef, bring their A-game.

15. Method Man – You’re All I Need/I’ll Be There For You

Diddy & the Trackmasterz’ sampling touch, and Mary J. Blige’s vocals helped, make this one of Meth and Wu’s biggest records.

14. Genius/GZA – Labels

Ya gotta read the labels. GZA put shiesty labels on blast creatively and lyrically.

13. Raekwon – Criminology

Yet another gem from Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…

12. Genius/GZA – 4th Chamber

Ghostface Killah’s verse. Exactly.

11. Raekwon – Ice Cream

It didn’t drop in the summer, but it should have. We didn’t think about ice cream the same.

10. Raekwon – Verbal Intercourse

One of Nas’ greatest verses from what many consider Wu-Tang Clan’s greatest piece of work, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…

9. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Shimmy Shimmy Ya

Dirty liked it raw, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

8. Wu-Tang Clan – Method Man

The “Protect Ya Neck” b-side made Mr. Meth the Clan’s first official solo star.

7. Raekwon – Incarcerated Scarfaces

That beat. Those bars. The slang. This is what Hip-Hop is supposed to sound like.

6. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Brooklyn Zoo

One verse, no hook and a simply masterful flow from the late Dirt McGirt. You gon’ love this.

5. Ghostface Killah – Winter Warz

Everyone bodies this joint, but Cappadonna just lyrically blacked out.

4. Wu-Tang Clan – Can It Be All So Simple

This song was the teaser of what was to come, and we’ve been waiting on a proper R.A.G.U. (Raekwon and Ghostface United) album since. Shout to the Polo Snow Beach jacket, too.

3. Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.

We don’t even need to tell you what the acronym stands for; it’s part of culture, period.

2. Wu-Tang Clan – Triumph

Inspectah Deck’s first verse. That is all.

1. Wu-Tang Clan – Protect Ya Neck

The song that started it all just had to be no. 1. It changed the game.