Categories
Writing

My Best Writing of 2022

As both my personal and professional lives became not just busier, but also more complex, my writing output — and my readership and reach — has declined. 

However, I do feel like almost everything I do publish these days is worthy of being clicked on and read. I couldn’t always honestly say that. Still, some things are better than others so I’ve collected the best things I wrote this year — a tradition that dates all the way back to 2015. It’s like my own personal literary version of Spotify Wrapped.

So please take a look below and, if something strikes you as interesting, please give it a click. 

Categories
Hip-Hop Music Rap Wu-Tang Clan

The Disappointment of RZA’s Solo Career

The sad truth is that he doesn’t have an undisputed classic in his own— or Bobby Digital’s — name

Definition of alter ego:

1: a second self or different version of oneself: such as

  • a: a trusted friend
  • b: the opposite side of a personality [Clark Kent and his alter ego Superman]
  • c: a fictional character that is the author’s alter ego

— via Merriam-Webster.com


What is RZA’s best solo album?

Actually, back up a moment. Can you even name every RZA solo album?

Categories
Books Wu-Tang Clan

An Amazing Though Asymmetrical History of the Wu-Tang Clan — “From the Streets of Shaolin” Reviewed

photo by Christopher Pierznik

The Wu-Tang Clan is more than a hip-hop group. It’s more than a mere musical collective. The Clan and its members are a movement unto themselves.

“At this point, it’s fair to say they have even transcended the rap game, claiming their place in the cultural zeitgeist.”

Categories
Hip-Hop Rap Wu-Tang Clan

From the Vault: The Wu-Tang Paradox

This originally appeared on I Hate JJ Redick on February 3, 2012


“What RZA put together let no man tear asunder.”

I would argue the Wu-Tang Clan the most influential hip-hop collective outside of possibly Run-DMC. It’s more than just music, chess, and karate flicks. It’s a way of life and almost a religion. For proof, look no further than the fact that the makeup, philosophy and history of the Wu-Tang Clan has its own manual and even its own bible.

Categories
Hip-Hop Rap Wu-Tang Clan

Still ‘Supreme’ After Two Decades

With his sophomore disc, Ghostface Killah threw the Clan on his back and reached his apotheosis

via wudisciples.blogspot.com/

“Walk with me like Dorothy”

It was over.

Categories
Hip-Hop Rankings Rap Wu-Tang Clan

The Top 20 Wu-Tang Albums

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Below is a list I created in November, 2013, in honor of the 20th anniversary of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). It was published on Medium and then republished by Hip Hop Golden Age. In honor of today – November 9, 2018 – being the 25th anniversary of the release of that album, I chose to post it here. Please keep in mind that this list hasn’t been changed, amended or updated in five years. Any projects that came out since then were obviously not considered. Reading back through the list, there are minor changes I might like to make – I think Cuban Linx…Pt. II is a bit too low – but it’s been out there for a half-decade so I’ll leave the list as it is. Please tell me how wrong I got it in the comments below.

Wu-Tang Forever!

-CP 11/9/18

Categories
Hip-Hop Podcast Rap Wu-Tang Clan

Wu-Tang Podcast: “Wu-Tang Forever” [Disc 2] featuring Christopher Pierznik

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If it’s going to take years for something to happen, it better be worth the wait. With that in mind, for my first podcast appearance, I was lucky to have the opportunity to talk about my absolutely favorite album, Wu-Tang Forever.

Categories
Hip-Hop Rap Reviews Wu-Tang Clan

A Wu-Tang Album in Name Only – The Deception of “The Saga Continues”

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If a (supposedly) new Wu-Tang Clan album doesn’t move the needle the way it once did, it’s largely because it’s easy to be skeptical about new material coming out of Shaolin.

Categories
Hip-Hop Music Wu-Tang Clan

The Triumphant Album of My Youth – “Wu-Tang Forever” at 20

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“Reunited, double LP, world excited”

It wasn’t just an album release. It was an event.

Categories
Hip-Hop Lists Rap

R.A.G.U. – Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Collaborations

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They’re the dynamic duo of hip-hop.