When you talk about strong, iconic units in American music history, Wu-Tang Clan’s name demands a place at the top. While the legendary crew hasn’t released many group projects in recent years, their influence continues to shape pop culture through timeless lyricism, legendary artwork, and unforgettable beats.
Now, after a notable hiatus, Wu-Tang Clan teams up with longtime producer Mathematics for a brand-new project: Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman. The album not only honors their legacy but adds a bold new chapter to it.
STREAM
TOP 5
5. Dolemite
If I’m being completely honest with you (which I always am), the main reason this track made my top 5 is the production. It’s got that signature, action-packed Wu-Tang sound I’ve always loved. At the same time, there’s this festive vibe baked into the beat—it genuinely feels like a gangsta Wu party. And let’s be real: who wouldn’t want to get inebriated at a gangsta Wu party?
While I don’t love how every rapper rides the beat, Cappadonna definitely comes correct with a hard-ass verse, reflecting on the darkness of street life and his untouchable status on the mic. U-God slides in with a Big Boi-esque delivery, finding creative ways to kill his enemies—and, well, kill some other things, like vajayjays. Masta Killa adds a fun “clap your hands” moment that feels celebratory and classic.
Overall, this joint is a vibe. I had fun listening to it—and I bet you will too.
4. Warriors Two, Cooley High (Ft. Method Man & Benny The Butcher)
“Warriors Two, Cooley High” features Method Man and Benny The Butcher trading fierce verses over haunting, hard-hitting production that knocks harder than Jehovah’s Witnesses at your front door. Benny opens the track with raw bars about being comfortable in the streets, doing time, and navigating the drug game.
Method Man follows up with razor-sharp punchlines, showcasing his lyrical dexterity and veteran presence. What does he rap about? His confidence in his pen game and his loyalty to those who move with him. While both artists bring undeniable grit and energy, it’s Method Man’s relentless delivery of clever lines that steals the spotlight.
3. Let’s Do It Again (Ft. RJ Payne, 38 Spesh, Willie The Kid & RZA)
The best rapping on Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman comes courtesy of the successors on “Let’s Do It Again.” Over a beat so hard-hitting it could knock pictures off your wall, RJ Payne kicks things off with a sharp, clever verse that pays homage to Wu-Tang and draws comparisons between Griselda and the Clan.
38 Spesh follows with a gritty verse packed with street wisdom and tight punchlines, sounding like someone who knows the game front to back. Then Willie The Kid, who we haven’t heard from in a minute, pulls up with a slick verse full of vivid imagery—Porsches, Amish-level moves, and strip club economics.
RZA wraps it up as the beat grows grittier, delivering a final verse that, while not the most technically strong, adds that signature Wu-Tang seasoning to close things out.
2. Mandingo (Ft. Mathematics, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man & Cappadonna)
“Mandingo” just might be the most Wu-Tang Clan-sounding track on the entire album. The production immediately grabs your ear with a punchy, nostalgic beat that transports you straight back to the ’90s—picture a weed-scented DeLorean gliding through hip-hop’s golden era.
Blessing the throwback backdrop are none other than Wu-Tang’s original members: Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, and Cappadonna. Raekwon kicks things off sounding both trigger-happy and like a major dreamer. Inspectah Deck follows with a competitive, aggressive verse, threatening to spit in food and tackle foes like Maxx Crosby. Method Man slides in with that sly swagger, rapping about his street weight, his spending habits, and fearlessness. Cappadonna closes the cypher with a gritty verse about protecting his neck, chasing women, and keeping the industry at arm’s length.
The chemistry? On point. The rapping? God-tier. This is classic Wu energy bottled up and unleashed.
1. Claudine (Ft. Mathematics, Method Man, Ghostface Killah & Nicole Bus)
On a track that features two of the most iconic members of Wu-Tang Clan—Method Man and Ghostface Killah—Nicole Bus ends up walking away with MVP honors. In “Claudine,” she delivers an impassioned vocal performance that injects some much-needed soul into an album heavy on testosterone. Her voice glides beautifully over the hypnotic, magical production, creating a truly captivating moment.
Method Man slides in with a slick verse that details his romantic routine and plans for building a future with his special someone. Meanwhile, Ghostface Killah goes deep, paying tribute to his late mother with a heartfelt verse that adds emotional depth and gravity to the song.
Altogether, “Claudine” is a standout—complete, soulful, and emotionally dynamic.
SONG-BY-SONG RATING
WANT TO KNOW WHAT GRADE WE GAVE EVERY TRACK ON THIS ALBUM? SUBSCRIBE BELOW!
OVERALL RATING
(87%)
From the moment the project begins, it’s clear that this is classic Wu-Tang—lyrically sharp, conceptually rich, and sonically rugged. Mathematics provides the perfect gritty, cinematic backdrop for the Clan to deliver their signature “ass-kicking rapping,” packed with wisdom, street-coded storytelling, and ironclad bars.
For fans who have been waiting patiently for a proper return, Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman is well worth it. It’s a reminder that Wu-Tang is forever.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
