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Today in Hip-Hop History: Wu-Tang Clan’s Debut Album ‘Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’ Dropped 27 Years Ago

On this day in Hip-Hop history, the prolific Wu-Tang Clan took the first steps of one the most powerful careers to date by releasing their debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) LP. With…

On this day in Hip-Hop history, the prolific Wu-Tang Clan took the first steps of one the most powerful careers to date by releasing their debut Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) LP. With a martial arts title and righteously murderous lyrics, this may be one of the most ferocious and raw debuts Hip Hop has ever seen. RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, and Method Man were all in rare form, rapping with chips on their shoulders and something to prove.

Recorded, mixed, mastered, and arranged exclusively by RZA at Firehouse Studios in New York, the album totes a very unique and rugged sound. Each track was recorded with all eight active members simultaneously in the studio. To decide which of the eight would appear on a track, RZA would have group members battle rap against each other to ensure that the best man capable would get the job. The result of one of the battles was the track “Meth VS Chef” which was a sparring match between the two for the prize of an RZA beat. The song later surfaced on Method Man’s solo debut Tical. Other premiere tracks from the album include the street anthem “C.R.E.A.M.”, which gave a new euphemism to money, the two solo tracks (“Method Man”, “Clan In Da Front”) and of course, the leading single, the infectious “Protect Ya Neck”.

This album brought cultural reform to Hip Hop. With its conception, New York’s hardcore movement was at its apex. Wu-Tang did not focus on the glitz and glamour that came along with Hip Hop status. Much like the kung-fu movies they emulated, the Wu had a preoccupation with being the most righteous and skillful MC’s on the scene. This attitude toward their craft tempered the collective into Killa Bees, lyrical warriors who were constantly sharpening their swords for war. Their 10,000 hours of training opened the door for artists ranging from The Notorious B.I.G. to Jay-Z to Mobb Deep. They were the voice of the slums and popularized retaining one’s rough edges among a more polished musical aristocracy.

Commercially, this album was a surprise hit. Although the group had already become popular in New York through their sheer presence and ability, it was up-in-the-air whether or not the group was going to appeal to the general public. Fortunately, their change to the game was embraced and the album peaked at #41 on the Billboard 200 and #8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Wu-Tang Clan’s Debut Album ‘Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’ Dropped 27 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

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Bianca Censori Defies Hotel Dress Code in Scandalous Style with Kanye West

Earlier this week, Bianca Censori and her husband Kanye West were spotted at the iconic Chateau Marmont for lunch. The Australian model, known for her daring fashion choices, turned heads yet again with her provocative outfit. Censori sported a tiny pair of shorts, black heels, and a revealing white bikini top, which undoubtedly caught the attention of both onlookers and the hotel staff.

Despite Chateau Marmont’s strict business casual dress code, Censori’s nearly nude appearance did not elicit any complaints from the staff. This is not the first time Censori has pushed fashion boundaries at the luxury hotel. Earlier this month, she made headlines by arriving in a thong and later in a sheer nude mini dress paired with long stockings, heels, and a tan hat, while Kanye shielded her from photographers.

As of now, Chateau Marmont has not commented on Censori’s repeated dress code violations. What do you think of Bianca Censori’s scandalous fashion statements at the Chateau Marmont? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned to Honk Magazine for more updates.

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Keke Palmer Defends Tyler Perry Amid Misogyny Backlash, “The Real Enemy is the System!”

In a recent episode of her podcast Baby, This is Keke Palmer, Keke Palmer hosted Tyler Perry, sparking intense discussions online. Perry’s comments, addressing long-standing criticisms that his films often depict Black women in distress, went viral. Defending his creative choices, Perry stated, “A large portion of my fans are disenfranchised. Who cannot get in the Volvo and go to therapy on the weekend. You’ve got this highbrow negro who is all up in the air with his nose up looking at everything… Don’t discount these people and say their stories don’t matter. Who are you to be able to say which Black story is important, or should be told? Get out of here with that bullsh*t.”

Perry’s remarks led to significant backlash, including accusations of misogyny. In response, Keke Palmer took to social media platform X to defend Perry. She argued that critics are misdirecting their anger. “The enemy isn’t Tyler, it’s the system that makes it hard for multiple black artists to shine at one time,” Palmer asserted. “Oppression turns you against the person that gets the shine opposed to questioning why there can only be so few at a time. Tyler is not the gatekeeper of all black stories; he’s just one creative who broke through the system. Advocating for others to do the same is the fight, not hating Tyler for his work that many do love.”

Palmer also highlighted Perry’s significant contributions to the Black community in a follow-up tweet, noting his employment of numerous Black individuals and urging followers not to “blame his movies for oppression.”

What are your thoughts on Keke Palmer’s defense of Tyler Perry amid the backlash? Share your opinions in the comments, and stay tuned to Honk Magazine for more updates.