The W and Iron Flag are both very underrated

[BuddahMAC]

FOR THOSE THAT MURDERED ME SHALL STAND BEFORE GOD

The W is a personal classic. Rza does not get enough credit for his production on that

He really doesn't. It can throw some people off, but RZA themed the album by pushing the drums to the forefront instead of the spine of each beat. The most dynamic element on the production of every track (including its absence on Hollow Bones) is the drums. Even if you don't like Conditioner (which is the weakest beat on the album) you got the mini GZA /Deck cut at the end of it and if The Jump Off is a little too stripped down for you, there's the beat switch at the end. The drawback on the album is some of the group took a step back lyrically after Forever and they populated the album w/ guest verses when you have a group of 9-10 MCs to service.

Where The W had guest MCs as the concession, Iron Flag had guest producers. It results in a sound that is much more collection of songs than the sculpted album we're used to on RZA led Wu projects. The emceeing overall improves though and the highs are really high on the album, but the sound is so scattered that, instead of vibing with an overall sound throughout, it's just whether you feel each individual song or not.

 

[feelosofer]

I think people don't like Iron Flag because a lot of the album deviated from the traditional Wu sound for a more commercial tilt but despite that I still think the album was dope. I'm surprised I thought most people liked the W.

 

[mitter]

I think people don't like Iron Flag because a lot of the album deviated from the traditional Wu sound for a more commercial tilt but despite that I still think the album was dope. I'm surprised I thought most people liked the W.

What did you think was commercial on Iron Flag aside from "Back in the Game" (which I loved, but I can understand some criticism of it)?

There are 4 songs on Iron Flag that I can understand people not really liking (and I personally like all of them): "Soul Power" (nothing "wrong" with it, but sounds like a bit of a filler track), "Chrome Wheels," "Back In The Game" and "Dashing".

To me, the other 8 songs (9 if you count the hidden track "Da Glock") are absolute bangers which feature the trademark Wu sound.

 

[feelosofer]

What did you think was commercial on Iron Flag aside from "Back in the Game" (which I loved, but I can understand some criticism of it)?

There are 4 songs on Iron Flag that I can understand people not really liking (and I personally like all of them): "Soul Power" (nothing "wrong" with it, but sounds like a bit of a filler track), "Chrome Wheels," "Back In The Game" and "Dashing".

To me, the other 8 songs (9 if you count the hidden track "Da Glock") are absolute bangers which feature the trademark Wu sound.

I don't disagree with you I like Iron Flag (I actually think it's better then the W), I was speaking to why some people wouldn't.

 

[Alvin]

@BuddahMAC

 

[Alvin]

I hated the W, hated that production and the artist just felt like they were asleep or didn't want to be there.

 

[KingsOfKings]

 

[Bed$tuy]

The W.... yes
Iron Flag.... no. It's trash

 

[REAL6]

I wish we could have heard the version of iron flag with Cappa on it.

And needed ODB.

 

[Tommy Gibbs]

Music is so fukin terrible now that we are saying albums like Nastradamus and Iron Flag weren't that bad. Let's not rewrite history. Those albums were bad then and they are bad NOW. Yeah they're better than this trap bullshyt, but that's not saying anything.

 

[semicko82]

Not going to lie this is my 2nd favorite Wu Tang album
I know a lot of Wu Tang fans don't fukk with it

 

[Artificial Intelligence]

Never got into either except for the singles… I was heavy into forever and 36 tho

 

[Heavy_Handz]

Music is so fukin terrible now that we are saying albums like Nastradamus and Iron Flag weren't that bad. Let's not rewrite history. Those albums were bad then and they are bad NOW. Yeah they're better than this trap bullshyt, but that's not saying anything.

Word. I was a huge Wu head in the 90’s and I couldn’t even rock with The W let alone Iron Flag. That shyt was wack. Even that album cover was wack as hell

 

[Bugzbunny129]

Music is so fukin terrible now that we are saying albums like Nastradamus and Iron Flag weren't that bad. Let's not rewrite history. Those albums were bad then and they are bad NOW. Yeah they're better than this trap bullshyt, but that's not saying anything.

The W and Iron Flag werent bad

They just werent 36 chambers

Any wu album under 5 mics is called a dissapointment.

The W was a solid 4 mic album. 90% of the game never made a 4 mic album once.

Iron Flag 3.5. Good enough for flavor of the month rappers, not wutang.

Both albums had a collection of tracks that would have made the difference that went elsewhere.

The W: The Abduction, The W, What You In Fo, Respect Mine, Shaolin Worldwide; even Fast Shadow & Samurai Showdown.

Iron Flag: Killer Beez, Saian remix, Rocksteady, Da Spotlight, KB Ridin and Black Widow II (which shouod have been on a wu albim not rza album in same 6 months)


Had those records dropped, maybe time wouod have been nicer. Maybe not. But theres maybe 1-2 wack songs on both albums at most, and each album has plenty of stone cold wu classics

How that became trash ill never know. Dont get me started on 8 Diagrams neither.