Wu-Tang Clan to Conclude Farewell Tour with Final NYC Performance
Wu-Tang Clan, the legendary hip-hop group hailing from Staten Island, is gearing up for their final performances this week, marking the end of an era in music history.
On Wednesday night, the group will take the stage at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, a venue they have graced numerous times throughout their illustrious career. Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the concert kicking off at 8 p.m., promising an unforgettable night for fans.
Following their New York City show, the Final Chamber Tour will make its way to Newark's Prudential Center on Thursday, culminating in a final performance in Philadelphia on Friday.
All surviving members of Wu-Tang Clan are participating in this farewell tour, joined by special guests Run the Jewels, adding to the excitement of these concluding shows.
The group's debut album, "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)," is often hailed as one of the most significant hip-hop albums ever produced, influencing countless artists and shaping the genre.
Over their more than thirty years in the industry, Wu-Tang has released seven studio albums. However, one particular release stirred controversy when it was purchased by Martin Shkreli, a convicted pharmaceutical executive.
Shkreli acquired "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" for over $2 million in 2015, but was later forced to forfeit it as part of his 2018 sentencing for securities fraud. The U.S. government sold the album in 2021 for an undisclosed sum.
This unique album was designed as a singular piece of art, intended never to be fully released or heard by the public. Shkreli even live-streamed a portion of it in 2016, shortly after Donald Trump’s election victory, which drew ire from the group.
Wu-Tang Clan has publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with Shkreli's ownership of the album on several occasions, highlighting their commitment to their art and legacy.
As fans ponder whether this truly marks the end for Wu-Tang Clan, one thing remains clear: "Wu-Tang Forever." Founding member Robert Diggs, known as RZA, reflected on hip-hop's future during its 50th anniversary celebration in 2023, stating, "I always say that hip-hop is a mountain. And I think 50 years only marks the base of the mountain. So I think we got a long way to go. And it's gonna keep evolving."
