courtney (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} milkosaurus) wrote in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} ohnotheydidnt,@ 2007-08-12 21:59:00 |
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TOP 20 WU-TANG VIDEOS on a seasame seed bun, you big dummy!
sundays are boring, have some wu-tang in your life.
URB.com counts down the 20 greatest Wu-Tang videos of all-time:
If there is one thing more infinitely sprawling than the amount of content on YouTube, it'd be the output of the Wu-Tang Clan. While we all sit around and wait for 8 Diagrams, URB.com scoured the video-hosting site for our favorite videos from the Clan's group and solo outputs. While some videos didn't make it because they simply aren't on YouTube ("All That I Got Is You"), others lost their eligibility because a Wu MC wasn't the primary artist ("Woo-ha! Got You All In Check").
Lists are worthless without debate, so feel free to stroll through these next 20 pages and start voicing your winters of discontent. Without further ado, here they are, starting at #20, the greatest Wu-Tang videos of all-time:
#20 Ghostface feat. U-God, "Cherchez La Ghost"
The complete opposite of another lady-loving single that'll appear later in this countdown, "Cherchez La Ghost" is blatantly descriptive of hip-hop's misogyny. But there probably isn't a more fun epitome. Beginning after a night of ridiculous partying--evidenced by the carpet covering sprawl of dime pieces--"Cherchez" picks up where the previous night left off. Ghostface's outfits are no joke--from the red, white and blue bedspread/toothbrush get-up to the fluorescent-green, stuffed-animal fur coat--and neither is Method Man's retro Astros piece as he makes the cameo. We had a blast just watching this party.
#19 GZA feat. The RZA, "Liquid Swords"
Certainly not the greatest video in the Wu cannon, the song alone garners "Liquid Swords" a spot on the countdown. The giant clock is a great touch, as is the 3-D inducing effect from flashing red and blue, but really that doesn't hold a candle to the videos that'll be featured later in this countdown. However, the punchlines that we all have memorized--"played like zodiac signs on sweat shirts," "feminine like sandals," "lyrics are weak like clock radio speakers"--are just too undeniably entranced in all of our brains to not bring up this song whenever there's a chance. Even if the video doesn't include the Shogun Assassins introduction.
#18 Bobby Digital aka The RZA, "Holocaust (Silkworm)"
While it's not Bobby Digital: The Movie, the video for "Holocaust (Silkworm)" does have The RZA in a mask. While the lack of an official flick from the Wu cappo's alter ego is a true tragedy--even if only because it wasted the greatest movie poster of all-time--this video will have to do. It features many of the familiar elements from Wu's later output (girls in cages, girls in Wu panties), there's also a gang of seizure-inducing strobe effects and spinning shots...which in our head, wouldn't have been the case with the Bobby Digital feature length film.
#17 The RZA, GZA & Bill Murray, "Delirium"
Not technically a music video, but the entertainment value supplied in under eight minutes is absolutely priceless. The rest of Jim Jarmusch's film of vignettes, Coffee and Cigarettes really can't compare to the rich comedy of such a simple phrase as "Bill Groundhog Day Ghostbustin' Ass Murray" or RZA's not-far-from-reality holistic medicine advice. If this scene was extended an extra 90 minutes and had some ninjas, it might've won an Oscar.
#16 Masta Killah feat. Ol Dirty Bastard & RZA, "Old Man"
On a sesame seed bun, you big dummy! This pseudo-period piece is made unforgettable for two reasons: (1) Ol Dirty being Ol Dirty and (2) RZA loosening up because Ol Dirty was being Ol Dirty. There was something about ODB that allowed every other motherfucker to just relax and let loose....especially when he's mucking up the McDonalds Big Mac song.
#15 Method Man & Redman, "Da Rockwilder"
This is absolutely as cartoony as it needs to be...GAP parody commercial break and all. It's 100% exciting to think that Red and Meth are these tragically malformed super-heroes bounded by the very source of their energy (those K-Mart jumper cables). Of course, it doesn't hurt that "Da Rockwilder" may be one of the most perfectly pop rap songs ever to be released; girls who don't like hip-hop love "Da Rockwilder" and the video only made it cooler.
#14 Ol Dirty Bastard, "Brooklyn Zoo"
Indicative of every Wu-Tang video of the era, pick your poison or charm here, because the flick for "Brooklyn Zoo" has it all: poor lighting, too many extras, ghetto Wu Wear sweatshirts, frightening mean mugging, dirty hallways, bizarre wearing of clothing accessories, belligerently extreme close-ups, and zero females. One particularly funny and telling piece of history: To censor the word "dick," someone uses the clocking of a gun. Such a choice still sounds safer.
#13 Wu-Tang Clan, "Gravel Pit"
It's taking a genuine effort to not put this higher on the list both because and in spite of the video's jokey nature. After every member pushes buttons on the magic elevator only to mistakingly be transported back to 2000 BC, "Gravel Pit" sees Wu-Tang battle both ninjas and dinosaurs. Hilarious highlights include Ghostface's fur costume not looking unlike anything he might wear in 2000 AD, U-God pulling out hair extensions from a recently clubbed hottie and Method Man spitting "Can't stand Bentleys/They cost too much" in one of his better post 36 Chambers verses. Of course, the minute-plus ninja battle at the video's close--easily the best directed action sequence in any music video ever--only ends when RZA gets eaten by a T-Rex while levitating. Awesome.
#12 Raekwon, "Incarcerated Scarfaces"
Crime! Rooftops! Behind bars! Rubber bands! Sepia tone! Shake downs! Wallabees! Elevators! Blurred out contraband! Haircuts! Crime! Jumping fences! These were the good old days when Wu-Tang members didn't even need a verse to show up at the video shoot. Raekwon wasn't the first to include all those exclamation worthy elements, but "Incarcerated Scarfaces" seemed to do so realer than anyone else.
#11 Wu-Tang Clan, "Can It Be All Simple"
The cinematography is way beyond anything necessary for a music video and the simplicity is simply implied. It is no mistake that shots from this video have been jacked for a score of other rap videos, but nothing truly captures the "guys rapping in front of cars and neighborhood dudes" shot like this flick.
#10 Method Man feat. Mary J Blige, "All I Need"
Bathed in blue, Mr. Meth's tour with Ms. Mary is certainly a little melodramatic but no less imperative to a list like this. "All I Need" also has more of a story-line, even if it turns out that Method Man--the original Clifford (sorry T.I.)--is just going to the store to get feminine hygiene products for his girl. It's got the standard rooftop shot that Wu-Tang--and all of hip-hop really--was obsessed with in the mid-'90s and as long as Meth has that half-braids, half-froed crazy eyed look, the video is a classic.
#9 Ol' Dirty Bastard, "I Got Your Money"
This is how to make a video when the video's star is in jail. Snapping together classic (but not ubiquitous) blaxploitation scenes and bits of ODB amazingness (including the aforementioned "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"), this might just be the definition of unfuckwitable...and that's hardly hyperbole. Even with the kinda-creepy placement of ODB's barking head on the body of some drunk fool ordering a hot dog, "I Got Your Money" truly captures Dirty's energy without him even showing up.
#8 Method Man, "Bring the Pain"
Once again: terrifying, but conversation starting. How and, perhaps more so, why is Method Man's eye dead? Is he just turning it inside his head? Is it a contact? Why does it continue to give me nightmares? How do I get one? The out of control and completely tagged bus isn't exactly peachy either and when it's all topped off with RZA's paranoid production, it just ain't right. Also not right and strangely questionable, why does that little kid have to steal money in his underwear?
#7 Wu-Tang Clan, "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'"
This video makes it on the strength of the giant chessboard alone. Sure, it may be a little literal, but the soldiers brandishing weapons in opposing black and white hoodies is about as ridiculously bad ass as Wu-Tang gets. Ghostface is terrifying with a stocking on his face and Method Man may look like he just got a nose job, but it's equally horrific. Setting the whole thing off is that GZA and RZA are the players behind the game that is the song.
#6 Raekwon ft. Method Man, Ghostface & Cappadonna, "Ice Cream"
It looks like a Wu-Tang video and then it doesn't. First, there are bunch of dudes hanging out with their arms in the air as Raekwon raps and then, suddenly there's a bunch of dime pieces. Girls aren't supposed to be in Wu-Tang videos! However, in this classic, ain't no one mad.
#5 Wu-Tang Clan, "C.R.E.A.M."
Back before HD television sets made ESPN commentator Stuart Scott's lazy eye unbearable to endure, he used to say that any particularly nasty play was "harder than Wu-Tang with a headache;" that probably stems from this video and the fact that Wu-Tang has their own branded bags of money. Or that all those goose downs, leathers and skull caps in the huddled mass of milling rap cats makes for the most ardently perfect picture of NYC's bitter winter--even without the snow. Juxtaposed against the champagne filled warmness of the video's interior shots, the outdoor scenes of "C.R.E.A.M." look even harder...like the Clan has a headache.
#4 Ol Dirty Bastard, "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"
Introducing the Ol Dirty Bastard. And what better way than in '70s regalia? Quite literally, an episode of "Soul Train" on crack, "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" flipped back and forth between a bell-bottomed ODB and a pant-less ODB (both wearing tremendously crazy afros, however). It's the insanity of an artist captured on film and really makes today's videos a complete collection of eyesores. And even if this video wasn't that great--which it is--the value of ODB's other MTV moments (nearly dying on the MTV Awards while performing "Ghetto Superstar," picking up food stamps in a limo, etc.) would more than merit a Top-5 selection. Wu-Tang is for the kids!
#3 Ghostface Killah ft. Raekwon & Cappadonna, "Daytona 500"
Can you even imagine this video running on BET's "Rap City" some time this week? Ripping clips from the classic cartoon "Speed Racer," Ghostface's "Daytona 500" is furiously fast and unforgettably energetic. Occasionally the lyrics match up with the moving lips of the early anime characters, but even if everyone knows that Ghost "slapboxes with Jesus/lick shots at Joseph," that doesn't necessarily mean that an animated race car driver can keep up.
#2 Wu-Tang Clan, "Triumph"
This shit was just so large. So large that it needed a news report to jump start the special effects laden gargantuan insanity. Terror domes, motorcycles, flames, killer bees, gravity defying stunts, ODB stand-ins, killer bees....the whole six minutes are ridiculous and probably one of the greatest examples of how a music video can be an "event." Even if the green screen looks a little tame by today's standards (U-God looks a little fruity hanging from the tree), back in the day, when those killer bees burst through the prison walls leaving behind a perfectly shaped Wu "W," there wasn't a damn thing cooler.
#1 Wu-Tang Clan, "Protect Ya Neck" !!!
From the baby faces to the public access fonts to The RZA's Dallas Cowboys hoodie, it's certainly Wu-Tang's first single...but it's also their best video. Disturbingly violent without ever glorifying the transparent, "Protect Ya Neck" really does make ya guard that throat. The alternating black and white shots and the early-'90s home video footage are ages from the special effects of "Triumph" but even more intimidating. "Protect Ya Neck" remains the essence of Wu-Tang: grain, grit, independence, anger and unbridled energy in the form of a posse cut.
thee source
sundays are boring, have some wu-tang in your life.
URB.com counts down the 20 greatest Wu-Tang videos of all-time:
If there is one thing more infinitely sprawling than the amount of content on YouTube, it'd be the output of the Wu-Tang Clan. While we all sit around and wait for 8 Diagrams, URB.com scoured the video-hosting site for our favorite videos from the Clan's group and solo outputs. While some videos didn't make it because they simply aren't on YouTube ("All That I Got Is You"), others lost their eligibility because a Wu MC wasn't the primary artist ("Woo-ha! Got You All In Check").
Lists are worthless without debate, so feel free to stroll through these next 20 pages and start voicing your winters of discontent. Without further ado, here they are, starting at #20, the greatest Wu-Tang videos of all-time:
#20 Ghostface feat. U-God, "Cherchez La Ghost"
The complete opposite of another lady-loving single that'll appear later in this countdown, "Cherchez La Ghost" is blatantly descriptive of hip-hop's misogyny. But there probably isn't a more fun epitome. Beginning after a night of ridiculous partying--evidenced by the carpet covering sprawl of dime pieces--"Cherchez" picks up where the previous night left off. Ghostface's outfits are no joke--from the red, white and blue bedspread/toothbrush get-up to the fluorescent-green, stuffed-animal fur coat--and neither is Method Man's retro Astros piece as he makes the cameo. We had a blast just watching this party.
#19 GZA feat. The RZA, "Liquid Swords"
Certainly not the greatest video in the Wu cannon, the song alone garners "Liquid Swords" a spot on the countdown. The giant clock is a great touch, as is the 3-D inducing effect from flashing red and blue, but really that doesn't hold a candle to the videos that'll be featured later in this countdown. However, the punchlines that we all have memorized--"played like zodiac signs on sweat shirts," "feminine like sandals," "lyrics are weak like clock radio speakers"--are just too undeniably entranced in all of our brains to not bring up this song whenever there's a chance. Even if the video doesn't include the Shogun Assassins introduction.
#18 Bobby Digital aka The RZA, "Holocaust (Silkworm)"
While it's not Bobby Digital: The Movie, the video for "Holocaust (Silkworm)" does have The RZA in a mask. While the lack of an official flick from the Wu cappo's alter ego is a true tragedy--even if only because it wasted the greatest movie poster of all-time--this video will have to do. It features many of the familiar elements from Wu's later output (girls in cages, girls in Wu panties), there's also a gang of seizure-inducing strobe effects and spinning shots...which in our head, wouldn't have been the case with the Bobby Digital feature length film.
#17 The RZA, GZA & Bill Murray, "Delirium"
Not technically a music video, but the entertainment value supplied in under eight minutes is absolutely priceless. The rest of Jim Jarmusch's film of vignettes, Coffee and Cigarettes really can't compare to the rich comedy of such a simple phrase as "Bill Groundhog Day Ghostbustin' Ass Murray" or RZA's not-far-from-reality holistic medicine advice. If this scene was extended an extra 90 minutes and had some ninjas, it might've won an Oscar.
#16 Masta Killah feat. Ol Dirty Bastard & RZA, "Old Man"
On a sesame seed bun, you big dummy! This pseudo-period piece is made unforgettable for two reasons: (1) Ol Dirty being Ol Dirty and (2) RZA loosening up because Ol Dirty was being Ol Dirty. There was something about ODB that allowed every other motherfucker to just relax and let loose....especially when he's mucking up the McDonalds Big Mac song.
#15 Method Man & Redman, "Da Rockwilder"
This is absolutely as cartoony as it needs to be...GAP parody commercial break and all. It's 100% exciting to think that Red and Meth are these tragically malformed super-heroes bounded by the very source of their energy (those K-Mart jumper cables). Of course, it doesn't hurt that "Da Rockwilder" may be one of the most perfectly pop rap songs ever to be released; girls who don't like hip-hop love "Da Rockwilder" and the video only made it cooler.
#14 Ol Dirty Bastard, "Brooklyn Zoo"
Indicative of every Wu-Tang video of the era, pick your poison or charm here, because the flick for "Brooklyn Zoo" has it all: poor lighting, too many extras, ghetto Wu Wear sweatshirts, frightening mean mugging, dirty hallways, bizarre wearing of clothing accessories, belligerently extreme close-ups, and zero females. One particularly funny and telling piece of history: To censor the word "dick," someone uses the clocking of a gun. Such a choice still sounds safer.
#13 Wu-Tang Clan, "Gravel Pit"
It's taking a genuine effort to not put this higher on the list both because and in spite of the video's jokey nature. After every member pushes buttons on the magic elevator only to mistakingly be transported back to 2000 BC, "Gravel Pit" sees Wu-Tang battle both ninjas and dinosaurs. Hilarious highlights include Ghostface's fur costume not looking unlike anything he might wear in 2000 AD, U-God pulling out hair extensions from a recently clubbed hottie and Method Man spitting "Can't stand Bentleys/They cost too much" in one of his better post 36 Chambers verses. Of course, the minute-plus ninja battle at the video's close--easily the best directed action sequence in any music video ever--only ends when RZA gets eaten by a T-Rex while levitating. Awesome.
#12 Raekwon, "Incarcerated Scarfaces"
Crime! Rooftops! Behind bars! Rubber bands! Sepia tone! Shake downs! Wallabees! Elevators! Blurred out contraband! Haircuts! Crime! Jumping fences! These were the good old days when Wu-Tang members didn't even need a verse to show up at the video shoot. Raekwon wasn't the first to include all those exclamation worthy elements, but "Incarcerated Scarfaces" seemed to do so realer than anyone else.
#11 Wu-Tang Clan, "Can It Be All Simple"
The cinematography is way beyond anything necessary for a music video and the simplicity is simply implied. It is no mistake that shots from this video have been jacked for a score of other rap videos, but nothing truly captures the "guys rapping in front of cars and neighborhood dudes" shot like this flick.
#10 Method Man feat. Mary J Blige, "All I Need"
Bathed in blue, Mr. Meth's tour with Ms. Mary is certainly a little melodramatic but no less imperative to a list like this. "All I Need" also has more of a story-line, even if it turns out that Method Man--the original Clifford (sorry T.I.)--is just going to the store to get feminine hygiene products for his girl. It's got the standard rooftop shot that Wu-Tang--and all of hip-hop really--was obsessed with in the mid-'90s and as long as Meth has that half-braids, half-froed crazy eyed look, the video is a classic.
#9 Ol' Dirty Bastard, "I Got Your Money"
This is how to make a video when the video's star is in jail. Snapping together classic (but not ubiquitous) blaxploitation scenes and bits of ODB amazingness (including the aforementioned "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"), this might just be the definition of unfuckwitable...and that's hardly hyperbole. Even with the kinda-creepy placement of ODB's barking head on the body of some drunk fool ordering a hot dog, "I Got Your Money" truly captures Dirty's energy without him even showing up.
#8 Method Man, "Bring the Pain"
Once again: terrifying, but conversation starting. How and, perhaps more so, why is Method Man's eye dead? Is he just turning it inside his head? Is it a contact? Why does it continue to give me nightmares? How do I get one? The out of control and completely tagged bus isn't exactly peachy either and when it's all topped off with RZA's paranoid production, it just ain't right. Also not right and strangely questionable, why does that little kid have to steal money in his underwear?
#7 Wu-Tang Clan, "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'"
This video makes it on the strength of the giant chessboard alone. Sure, it may be a little literal, but the soldiers brandishing weapons in opposing black and white hoodies is about as ridiculously bad ass as Wu-Tang gets. Ghostface is terrifying with a stocking on his face and Method Man may look like he just got a nose job, but it's equally horrific. Setting the whole thing off is that GZA and RZA are the players behind the game that is the song.
#6 Raekwon ft. Method Man, Ghostface & Cappadonna, "Ice Cream"
It looks like a Wu-Tang video and then it doesn't. First, there are bunch of dudes hanging out with their arms in the air as Raekwon raps and then, suddenly there's a bunch of dime pieces. Girls aren't supposed to be in Wu-Tang videos! However, in this classic, ain't no one mad.
#5 Wu-Tang Clan, "C.R.E.A.M."
Back before HD television sets made ESPN commentator Stuart Scott's lazy eye unbearable to endure, he used to say that any particularly nasty play was "harder than Wu-Tang with a headache;" that probably stems from this video and the fact that Wu-Tang has their own branded bags of money. Or that all those goose downs, leathers and skull caps in the huddled mass of milling rap cats makes for the most ardently perfect picture of NYC's bitter winter--even without the snow. Juxtaposed against the champagne filled warmness of the video's interior shots, the outdoor scenes of "C.R.E.A.M." look even harder...like the Clan has a headache.
#4 Ol Dirty Bastard, "Shimmy Shimmy Ya"
Introducing the Ol Dirty Bastard. And what better way than in '70s regalia? Quite literally, an episode of "Soul Train" on crack, "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" flipped back and forth between a bell-bottomed ODB and a pant-less ODB (both wearing tremendously crazy afros, however). It's the insanity of an artist captured on film and really makes today's videos a complete collection of eyesores. And even if this video wasn't that great--which it is--the value of ODB's other MTV moments (nearly dying on the MTV Awards while performing "Ghetto Superstar," picking up food stamps in a limo, etc.) would more than merit a Top-5 selection. Wu-Tang is for the kids!
#3 Ghostface Killah ft. Raekwon & Cappadonna, "Daytona 500"
Can you even imagine this video running on BET's "Rap City" some time this week? Ripping clips from the classic cartoon "Speed Racer," Ghostface's "Daytona 500" is furiously fast and unforgettably energetic. Occasionally the lyrics match up with the moving lips of the early anime characters, but even if everyone knows that Ghost "slapboxes with Jesus/lick shots at Joseph," that doesn't necessarily mean that an animated race car driver can keep up.
#2 Wu-Tang Clan, "Triumph"
This shit was just so large. So large that it needed a news report to jump start the special effects laden gargantuan insanity. Terror domes, motorcycles, flames, killer bees, gravity defying stunts, ODB stand-ins, killer bees....the whole six minutes are ridiculous and probably one of the greatest examples of how a music video can be an "event." Even if the green screen looks a little tame by today's standards (U-God looks a little fruity hanging from the tree), back in the day, when those killer bees burst through the prison walls leaving behind a perfectly shaped Wu "W," there wasn't a damn thing cooler.
#1 Wu-Tang Clan, "Protect Ya Neck" !!!
From the baby faces to the public access fonts to The RZA's Dallas Cowboys hoodie, it's certainly Wu-Tang's first single...but it's also their best video. Disturbingly violent without ever glorifying the transparent, "Protect Ya Neck" really does make ya guard that throat. The alternating black and white shots and the early-'90s home video footage are ages from the special effects of "Triumph" but even more intimidating. "Protect Ya Neck" remains the essence of Wu-Tang: grain, grit, independence, anger and unbridled energy in the form of a posse cut.
thee source
