The nine members of Wu-Tang Clan hit the 1993 hip hop scene with a plan that successfully made each MC a star that received their own royalties after establishing the Clan in the industry. Working together as a revolutionary support network this crew changed their lives.

Wu-Tang Clan: A Revolutionary Congregation

"We think Wu-Tang had one of the biggest impacts as far as a movement." Kanye West

The nine members of Wu-Tang Clan hit the 1993 hip hop scene with a plan that successfully made each MC a star that received their own royalties after establishing the Clan in the industry. Working together as a revolutionary support network this crew changed their lives.

Banding together

Disgruntled with producers in their initial forays into the hip-hop industry cousins Gary Grice and Russell Jones teamed up with another cousin, Robert Diggs, in 1992 on Staten Island to become the first hip-hop team that was more than a musical group. The Wu-Tang Clan vision was a five year plan during which RZA would operate as the de facto CEO for the group and produce the Wu-family projects. In between Clan's group releases each artist would launch solo projects and develop a royalty base of their own.

Hailing from either Staten Island or Brooklyn all the members were New York City based rappers that had performed under a variety of pseudonyms.

• Gary Grice (born 1966) aka GZA, The Genius, Justice, Maxi Million
• Russell Jones (born 1968- died 2004) aka Ol' Dirty Bastard, Unique Ason, Joe Bannanas, Dirt McGrit, Dirt Dog, Osirus
• Robert Diggs (born 1969) aka RZA, Prince Rakeem, RZArecta, Chief Abbot, Bobby Steels
• Corey Woods (born 1970) aka Raekwon the Chef, Shallah Raekwon, Lou Diamond
• Dennis Coles (born 1970) aka Ghostface Killah, Tony Starks, Sun God
• Jason Hunter (born 1970) aka Inspectah Deck, Rebel INS, Rollie Fingers
• Clifford Smith (born 1971) aka Method Man, Johnny Blaze, Ticallion Stallion, Shakwon, Methical, MZA
• Elgin Turner (born 1969) aka Masta Killa, Noodles
• Lamont Hawkins (born 1970) aka U-God, Golden Arms, Lucky Hands, Baby U, 4-Bar Killer.

The five year plan

The first Wu single, Protect Ya Neck, became an instant underground hit. With the master plan in mind the group held out for the deal that would allow each rapper to function as a free agent. Loud/RCA agreed to the collective's terms and Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was released in November 1993 on their label. The single C.R.E.A.M. drew the fans and the album became a financial success in 1994.

Method Man released his solo project, Tical, first. The single All I Need took the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. Ol' Dirty Bastard immediately released Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version which is now a hip-hop classic. In 1995 Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx