Wu Tang Forever (Logic song)

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"Wu Tang Forever"
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
ReleasedSeptember 28, 2018 (2018-09-28)
Recorded2018
Genre
Length8:07
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"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]

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]

  1. ^ a b c d "Young Sinatra IV / Logic". Tidal. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Yoo, Noah (September 25, 2018). "Logic's New Song Features the Entire Living Wu-Tang Clan". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  5. ^ a b Holmes, Charles (September 28, 2018). "How Logic Reunited Wu-Tang Clan on His New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  6. ^ Haffenden, Dayna (October 3, 2018). "Logic Shares How He Created New Song "Wu Tang Forever"". XXL. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  7. ^ LA (October 2, 2018). "Watch Behind-The-Scenes Footage of Logic Recording "Wu-Tang Forever" Off 'YSIV'". radio.com. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Logic – Wu Tang Forever Lyrics". Genius.com. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
  9. ^ "Logic Wu Tang Forever Chart History – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "Logic Wu Tang Forever Chart History – Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ Grant, Shawn (October 11, 2018). "Wu-Tang Clan Land on Billboard Charts for the First Time since 2002". The Source. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  13. ^ Eustice, Kyle (October 10, 2018). "Wu-Tang Clan Earns 1st Billboard Charting Single In 16 Years Thanks To Logic". HipHopDX. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  14. ^ Phillips, Yoh (September 27, 2018). "Logic 'YSIV' 1 Listen Album Review". DJBooth. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  15. ^ Pierre, Alphonse (October 4, 2018). "Logic: Young Sinatra IV Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  16. ^ Weingarten, Christopher R. (October 4, 2018). "Review: Logic Is a Solid Motivational Speaker on 'YSIV'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  17. ^ "Logic feat. Wu-Tang Clan's "Wu Tang Forever"". WhoSampled. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  18. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. October 8, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  19. ^ "Logic Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.
  20. ^ "Logic Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2018.