STROUDSBURG — On Thursday, Dec. 29, the Wu-Tang Clan brought the ruckus to The Sherman Theater. The Staten Island-based hip-hop collective has developed a loyal fan base since its debut in 1993 and had played at the Sherman on 2010’s “Rebirth Tour.” This time, it returned for its “Wu-Fest Tour,” though with a few different faces.
With the troupe’s constant solo projects, fans never quite know who to expect at a Wu-Tang show. Energized by that evening’s local opening talent, the audience was chanting “Wu-Tang Clan” and flying the signature W, or Wu Bird, in anticipation.
The curtain raised to reveal MCs RZA and Method Man, joined by Capadonna, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killer and DJ Mathematics, among others. WTC had an electric energy that circulated through the Sherman Theater, onstage and in the audience.
The hour-long set opened with classic anthems like “Bring Da Ruckus,” “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit,” “Method Man,” and “C.R.E.A.M.”
Member Ol’ Dirty Bastard, or ODB, passed away in 2004, but his memory was present among the WTC and audience members alike who sang along during his verses. RZA had stage lights dimmed, prompted audience members to sway, phones out, in cell phone-lit vigil to ODB while they paid musical tribute to their lost brother. WTC was joined onstage by Brooklyn Zu’s 12 O’Clock (cousin to ODB and RZA), who, along with the audience, sang his cousin’s parts in popular songs like “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” The medley continued as energy amplified throughout the theater.
The Wu-Tang Clan kept the momentum with audience participation.
“Hip-hop is missing something, a three-letter word: F-U-N,” Method Man said, calling out audience members who didn’t jump with RZA. “Since when is the hip-hop crowd too cool to jump? Since when is the hip-hop crowd too cool to say, ‘hooo?’ Since when is the hip-hop crowd too cool to throw their hands in the air, like they just don’t care? Since when is the hip-hop crowd too cool to have fun?” he continued as the crowd went through the roof.
The tenacious Wu-Tang Clan commanded the stage and thrilled the audience throughout its entire set. Method Man casually announced its encore as the collective went into an explosive rendition of “Protect Ya Neck” and “Gravel Pit.”
It ended the evening with the gratitude and professionalism shown over more than a decade as hip-hop’s finest, thanking the technicians at the Sherman, “Aunt Cherry” —audience member and mother of the late ODB — and “the beautiful fans of PA, for coming and rocking … Wu-Tang is family, and tonight, we just got an extended family in Stroudsburg, Pa.” w
| Tweet | Follow @wkdr |
|
|
