Wu-Tang Clan at K-Arena Yokohama, May 24th 2026

 

 

"I bomb atomically, Socrates’ philosophies and hypothesis can’t define how I be dropping these…" There are many that will rate this intro as the best in hip hop. For some it is the best verse all times. It comes from Triumph, a song from Wu Tang Forever, the second album from the Wu-Tang Clan. At the time this album came with huge anticipation. It was the conclusion of a run of releases, probably unparalleled since. Their first one, Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers), was a bona fide classic from the get go. It was released in 1993 and introduced a super group of sorts where each member had its personality clearly defined and their strengths worked combined to assemble a catalog of unheard lyrical prowess, witty wordplay, engaging storytelling and hard hitting beats. The core members followed with solo/side projects for the following couple of years and each one of those, to this day, are considered hip hop milestones. Gravediggaz/6 Feet Deep, Method Man/Tical, Ol’ Dirty Bastard/Return to the 36 Chambers, Raekwon/Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, GZA/Liquid Swords and Ghostface Killah/Ironman.                        

A double album with the full group was announced and the first single released in February of 1997. I clearly remember watching the music video premiere on MTV and being stunned. It might looks dated now, but back then it felt like the Thriller of hip hop. Rap music was not part of the mainstream back then and to watch a full blown epic production for a six minutes plus song with no chorus that showcased each of the group members in such an epic way was mind bending. Seeing Method Man leading a bike gang with “a six pack and A Streetcar Named Desired”. I’m sorry, but the mainstream doesn’t have those kinds of moments these days. For those reasons and many more hearing those introductory line at the end of the concert was a magical moment destined to be ingrained in my memory.

It was my first time at K-Arena all the way in Yokohama. Unlike most recent international shows, it was clear that the vast majority of attendees were locals and you know that Japanese people for the most part love merchandise. I think at least seven out of ten people were wearing a t-shirt with the Wu Tang logo. Got into the arena and could tell that it was not the best I’ve visited from the start. There were huge lines for everything. Seems like they forgot to build bathrooms for it because each floor has I think two at most and we’re talking about a twenty thousand plus capacity venue. Same with the bar, only two for floor. I spent 40 minutes waiting in line to get a beer, so i missed the first two opening acts: Yellow Bucks and Hannya.

Luckily I got in just in time to se the opening act that I wanted to see the most. Awich, years ago I watched her interview on Vlad TV and listened to some of her stuff. Her voice is an acquired taste, but I like it. She performed for about 15 minutes and included tunes from her latest album produced by RZA. King Giddra came out next. They were a solid boom bap act that had a huge following in the late nineties. They were good, but I was not familiar with their music and nothing really stood out to make me want to investigate.

Around 7:15 the lights dimmed, the intro started, killer bees on the screen, just like in the Triumph video. RZA was the first one out joined by a live band behind him. Bring Da Ruckus hit with Ghostface stepping out to deliver the first verse. Then Raekwon and later GZA. At that point we knew that we were in for a treat with the majority of the core members there, unfortunately no Inspectah Deck, U-God or Capadonna. Bring Da Ruckus was followed by an exhilarating run over almost all the songs from theirdebut album. I jumped of off my seat when Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ hit. ODB’s verse on that one is my personal favorite of the entire Wu-Tang canon and Young Dirt Bastard, ODB’s son did a really good job delivering it. Of course we got Method Man and Meth spitting just like he did on the album but thirty plus years later. The fan favorite Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nothing to F’ With and the closer of this section Can It Be All So Simple brought the house down.

Then it was time for the individual members to shine. First Raekwon and Ghostface showcased the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx album. They did Criminology and Ice Cream, among a few others from that record. Method Man did Bring the Pain and the All I Need remix that had Mary J. Bridge singing the hook. It then was GZA’s turn to recreate some of the amazing tunes from Liquid Swords and we got treated to what RZA explained to be the first performance of Shadowboxin’ with GZA and Method Man together in more than fifteen years.

After a very brief intermission, the group came back with the only deep cut from Enter the Wu Tang (all of them songs are hits), the amazing Tearz that famously samples Wendy Rene who recorded the source After Laughter for the Stax label in 1964. RZA paid tribute to some of the rappers we’ve lost and got the audience to sing the hooks from their trademark songs. among them Just a Friend by Biz Markie and Party Up by DMX. One of my favorite Wu-Tang joints came next, Reunited and then another tribute that hit closer to home. YDB got his time to shine with two unbelievable hits by his dad the ODB. In my opinion both are some of the best examples of the avant grade infiltrating the mainstream. Shimmy Shimmy Ya and Got Your Money kept the energy growing reaching a peak with perhaps the Wu’s biggest hit, C.R.E.A.M.  and then closing with the anthem.

Triumph was performed in its entirety with all the members on stage as well as the opening act guests. It was one of my favorite moments at a concert in recent years. I’m thinking that it might be the same for the majority of the people there. Everyone in that arena was vibing. To even the most reserved one, this song is sure "guaranteed to make them jump like Rod Strickland".
 
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