Masta Killa Keeps Wu-Tang Close For New Projects
With his sophomore solo set, "Made in Brooklyn," due for an Aug. 8 release via Nature Sounds, Wu-Tang Clan rapper Masta Killa will also appear on upcoming projects with Wu colleagues Method Man ("4:21: The Day After"), Inspectah Deck (a new mix tape) and Raekwon (the highly anticipated sequel to his 1995 debut, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx")...
"Everybody who has an album coming out, I'm there," Masta Killa tells Billboard.com. "The foundation of my music is family oriented so without my supporting cast it wouldn't be what it is. The only thing that really keeps us separated is that we're all pulled in so many different directions. I'm fortunate that I'm in a situation where I can be patient enough to be creative."
Aside from guest turns by the entire Wu-Tang Clan, "Made in Brooklyn" sports production from MF Doom, Pete Rock and PF Cuttin. It's the follow-up to 2004's "No Said Date."
"Having the opportunity to work with producers and other emcees from my 'hood -- East New York, Brooklyn -- was definitely something I wanted to do for a long time," says Masta Killa. "'No Said Date' was a pretty good pot of stew. From the chef's position, I was told not to change too many ingredients [and] just give the same dish again, so I tried to stay consistent with that."
With so many internal collaborations underway, the rapper says a new Wu-Tang studio album is continuously in the works. "We're definitely in the midst of building it," he says. "It's nothing really to work out. It's just saying, 'This is what we're ready to do' and also 'This is what we have time to do.' We're always recording so at any time we could say, 'Let's put this array of songs together.'" Also up in the air is the status of late member Ol' Dirty Bastard's posthumous "A Son Unique," which was supposed to be out last year.
As previously reported, Wu-Tang will regroup next month for several shows, dubbed the Tribute to ODB tour, beginning Aug. 3 in Phoenix. "I'm looking forward to that. It's a chance for a lot of the hip-hop fans that have been waiting to see Wu-Tang as a family [to see] all eight members on stage," says Masta Killa. "Even for us not having been onstage together for a long time, it's a good feeling and we want to bring that energy to our fans."
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