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Gonzo Report: Wu-Tang pops the cork at Pechanga
East Coast legends at West Coast show
One night after the summer solstice, I made a Shaolin pilgrimage to Pechanga Arena, there to join the throngs celebrating the legacy of Wu-Tang Clan at the sixth stop of their "Final Chamber" tour. Blacks, whites, Latinos, men, women, children, all gathered for this landmark cultural event, the lines of clouds I spotted from my Lyft giving way to lines of fans along Sports Arena Boulevard.
Wu-Tang, which started on the rough streets of Staten Island in 1992, is hip-hop royalty that created a sound beyond hip-hop, drawing inspiration from kung fu flicks, African Nation teachings, and comic books. (The name comes from the 1983 martial arts film Shaolin and Wu Tang.) Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, and, up until his death in 2004, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB). Later, Cappadonna became an official member of the group.
The swarm of black-and-yellow shirts flooding into the arena echoed the colors of the Wu-Tang bus parked outside. Outside the bus, I noticed two people sitting on folding chairs beside a folding table; from the crowd gathered 'round, I suspected they might be people of significance. As I approached a Wu-Tang crew member named Swift greeted me with a smile, handshake, and hug, as if we were longtime friends. Then hip-hop artist Fatty Baby Fresh draped one of his t-shirts on me and had Swift take a picture of us with our hands making the traditional W. Fatty Baby Fresh whispered in my ear: “$35.00 for the shirt.”
FBF has affiliations with the extended Wu-Tang family. He’s collaborated with acts like Wu-Syndicate and M.M.O. And while he didn’t take the stage, his track “La Cosa Nostra” bumped through Bluetooth speakers as people tailgated outside the arena. Then another guy from the crew, DJ Bless 1ne, sold me a Wu-Tang shirt for $25.00. He took me onto the bus, and there I met Shamika Bottom, who sold me a Wu-Tang hand fan for $20.00. My pilgrimage was becoming a swag raid.
Next, I was introduced to Mook: John “Mook” Gibbons, the founder of Wu-Tang Management and the group’s first manager. Before he hustled his way into the entertainment industry, he used to be a bus driver in New York City. He helped Wu-Tang’s early rise by pushing their CDs independently and securing shows, and kept the Wu-Tang brand intact even as its members pursued various solo careers. He took me out to the front of the bus and pointed out a sign: forthechildren.org. “This is my favorite project, and what I’m most proud of now. Helping feed and clothe kids. Some of the proceeds from the concerts go into this program.”
I arrived inside the arena just in time for opening act Coast Contra. They had a youthful, high energy delivery. Security kept me from getting onto the floor, but just as the first act was ending, I received an e-mail from Pechanga's Emma Sidell, asking me to meet her on at the Stella Artois Lounge. Saved!
As I made my way to the lounge, who should pop up out of nowhere — well, out of the men's room — but my good friend Milo Rose, who let me know our mutual friend Neal was also in attendance. I promised to hit them up later and continued on my mission.
In the lounge, Emma introduced me to some other industry people and told us to wait there during Run the Jewels set. Meanwhile DJ Symphony was sending me texts from his spot backstage with the Clan, asking me where I was. It was almost stressful. At 9:05, Emma brought us up to the front of the floor and told us we could stay up there until the eighth song, “Protect Ya Neck." I started taking pictures of the crowd with my iPhone. Suddenly, Emma approached me and said, “I’m sorry but the head of security said you must leave the area because you don’t have a camera — iPhones don’t count as cameras.” She was very apologetic, and I told her not to worry about it. I went back to my assigned lower lodge seat. I guess I’ll be investing in a camera soon.
RZA emerged first, alone. “Bring da motherfuckin’ ruckus,” he declared, and the floor shook in reply. One by one, the Clan assembled: Ghostface, Raekwon, Deck, GZA, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, and Young Dirty Bastard, who made his entrance during the Clan’s performance of “Da Mystery of Chessboxin" and channeled his father’s spirit. It seemed more like a resurrection than a tribute.
Method Man finally stormed the stage to his namesake anthem. There was only one political mention that night and it was from RZA “I don’t like what ICE is doing. I don’t’ like that shit!” He also said he love San Diego “I want to fucking retire here!” The transitions were fluid, and the chemistry was strong. They used a real backing band with a guitar player, bass, drums, keyboards, and backing vocalists who provided hook on “All I Need” during Method Man’s solo segment and the intro to “Reunited."
During the final chorus of "C.R.E.A.M.," RZA sprayed champagne into the crowd as Wu-Tang Clan closed a chapter of hip-hop history.
Here's something you might be interested in.
Gonzo Report: Wu-Tang pops the cork at Pechanga
East Coast legends at West Coast show
Gonzo Report: Wu-Tang pops the cork at Pechanga
East Coast legends at West Coast show
One night after the summer solstice, I made a Shaolin pilgrimage to Pechanga Arena, there to join the throngs celebrating the legacy of Wu-Tang Clan at the sixth stop of their "Final Chamber" tour. Blacks, whites, Latinos, men, women, children, all gathered for this landmark cultural event, the lines of clouds I spotted from my Lyft giving way to lines of fans along Sports Arena Boulevard.
Wu-Tang, which started on the rough streets of Staten Island in 1992, is hip-hop royalty that created a sound beyond hip-hop, drawing inspiration from kung fu flicks, African Nation teachings, and comic books. (The name comes from the 1983 martial arts film Shaolin and Wu Tang.) Its members include RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killa, and, up until his death in 2004, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB). Later, Cappadonna became an official member of the group.
The swarm of black-and-yellow shirts flooding into the arena echoed the colors of the Wu-Tang bus parked outside. Outside the bus, I noticed two people sitting on folding chairs beside a folding table; from the crowd gathered 'round, I suspected they might be people of significance. As I approached a Wu-Tang crew member named Swift greeted me with a smile, handshake, and hug, as if we were longtime friends. Then hip-hop artist Fatty Baby Fresh draped one of his t-shirts on me and had Swift take a picture of us with our hands making the traditional W. Fatty Baby Fresh whispered in my ear: “$35.00 for the shirt.”
FBF has affiliations with the extended Wu-Tang family. He’s collaborated with acts like Wu-Syndicate and M.M.O. And while he didn’t take the stage, his track “La Cosa Nostra” bumped through Bluetooth speakers as people tailgated outside the arena. Then another guy from the crew, DJ Bless 1ne, sold me a Wu-Tang shirt for $25.00. He took me onto the bus, and there I met Shamika Bottom, who sold me a Wu-Tang hand fan for $20.00. My pilgrimage was becoming a swag raid.
Next, I was introduced to Mook: John “Mook” Gibbons, the founder of Wu-Tang Management and the group’s first manager. Before he hustled his way into the entertainment industry, he used to be a bus driver in New York City. He helped Wu-Tang’s early rise by pushing their CDs independently and securing shows, and kept the Wu-Tang brand intact even as its members pursued various solo careers. He took me out to the front of the bus and pointed out a sign: forthechildren.org. “This is my favorite project, and what I’m most proud of now. Helping feed and clothe kids. Some of the proceeds from the concerts go into this program.”
I arrived inside the arena just in time for opening act Coast Contra. They had a youthful, high energy delivery. Security kept me from getting onto the floor, but just as the first act was ending, I received an e-mail from Pechanga's Emma Sidell, asking me to meet her on at the Stella Artois Lounge. Saved!
As I made my way to the lounge, who should pop up out of nowhere — well, out of the men's room — but my good friend Milo Rose, who let me know our mutual friend Neal was also in attendance. I promised to hit them up later and continued on my mission.
In the lounge, Emma introduced me to some other industry people and told us to wait there during Run the Jewels set. Meanwhile DJ Symphony was sending me texts from his spot backstage with the Clan, asking me where I was. It was almost stressful. At 9:05, Emma brought us up to the front of the floor and told us we could stay up there until the eighth song, “Protect Ya Neck." I started taking pictures of the crowd with my iPhone. Suddenly, Emma approached me and said, “I’m sorry but the head of security said you must leave the area because you don’t have a camera — iPhones don’t count as cameras.” She was very apologetic, and I told her not to worry about it. I went back to my assigned lower lodge seat. I guess I’ll be investing in a camera soon.
RZA emerged first, alone. “Bring da motherfuckin’ ruckus,” he declared, and the floor shook in reply. One by one, the Clan assembled: Ghostface, Raekwon, Deck, GZA, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna, and Young Dirty Bastard, who made his entrance during the Clan’s performance of “Da Mystery of Chessboxin" and channeled his father’s spirit. It seemed more like a resurrection than a tribute.
Method Man finally stormed the stage to his namesake anthem. There was only one political mention that night and it was from RZA “I don’t like what ICE is doing. I don’t’ like that shit!” He also said he love San Diego “I want to fucking retire here!” The transitions were fluid, and the chemistry was strong. They used a real backing band with a guitar player, bass, drums, keyboards, and backing vocalists who provided hook on “All I Need” during Method Man’s solo segment and the intro to “Reunited."
During the final chorus of "C.R.E.A.M.," RZA sprayed champagne into the crowd as Wu-Tang Clan closed a chapter of hip-hop history.
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