Release Date:  February 2005

Publisher:  Riverhead Trade

Released Format:
Paper Back (250 Pages)

Written By: The RZA

ISBN: 1594480184

Notes:

BOOKS OF THE WU-TANG MANUAL:

Book I
[Provides basic information, backstory, and a complete list of alter egos for each of the nine core members of Wu-Tang Clan]

+ RZA
+ GZA
+ ODB
+ Method Man
+ Ghostface Killah
+ Raekwon
+ U-God
+ Inspectah Deck
+ Masta Killa

Book II
[Breaks down nine key themes of the Wu-Tang universe: ]

+ Spirituality: the spiritual journey through the Bible to Greek Mythology to Five Percent Nation to Ch’an Buddhism to a holistic spirituality.
+ Martial Arts: from a fascination with kung fu movies up through a serious study of martial arts Eastern spirituality.
+ Capitalism: from the now-famous original record deals that allowed the Clan to record together and as solo artists through the Clan’s later diversification, including Wu-Tang Records, Wu-Wear, the Shaolin Style Playstation, and more.
+ Comics: the influence of comic book heroes on hip-hop and Wu-Tang, including specific discussions of the bestselling Nine Rings of Wu-Tang comic books and Bobby Digital.
+ Chess: the importance of chess to Wu-Tang both as a game and as a multi-sided metaphor.
+ Organized Crime: Wu-Tang’s personal, cinematic, and structural affinities with the Mafia.
+ Cinema: includes both kung-fu and mafia movies, but also the cinematic sound of Wu-Tang music, plus sections on key filmmakers John Woo, Jarmusch, and Tarantino.
+ Chemistry: brief history, anecdotes, and information about Wu-Tang Clan’s experimentation, and how it has influenced their music.
+ Slang: a dictionary-like compendium of Wu-slang.

Book III
[Provides the lyrics and densely annotated explanations of nine Wu-Tang songs]

+ “Protect Ya Neck”
+ “Bring Da Ruckus”
+ “C.R.E.A.M.”
+ “Triumph”
+ “Hellz Wind Staff”
+ “Impossible”
+ “Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)”
+ “Uzi (Pinky Ring)”
+ “Rules”

Book IV
[RZA discusses the art and craft of hip-hop as it relates to Wu-Tang]

+ Wu-Tang Samples: RZA’s unique, groundbreaking approach to sampling
+ Technology: history of key technological components RZA and the Clan had to master to make their music what they wanted it to be.
+ The Spirituality of Producing: what goes into producing Wu-Tang’s music and what it has meant to the RZA.
+ Voices as Instruments: how the nine members of Wu-Tang Clan function like a symphony, with each member playing an instrumental role
+ The Art of Rhyme: a discussion of Wu-Tang lyric-writing, with key contributions from GZA and U-God.
+ Live Performances: a brief history of the importance and the sensibility of Wu-Tang performances, up through their recent show in Los Angeles.
+ The Way of the Abbot: RZA on his role at the center of the Wu-Tang Clan
+ Wuman Resources: the career management behind the Wu-Tang Clan and the solo careers of the individual members
+ The Saga Continues: The future of Wu-Tang...