I’ve been a fan of the Wu since I was a young teenager when they erupted from New York’s’ Staten Island and covered the world with their killa bees. Enter the 36 Chambers is one of those albums that is truly timeless – raw, gritty, uncompromising and they didn’t give a fuck about anyone or anything.

So, about two weeks ago I was sat at my computer, hammering some new Wu Tang thru my speakers when I wondered if they would be touring anytime soon. Google be thy friend, and what do you know—they were on the last leg of a European Tour! And their FINAL date was in London in 7 days time!

I bought two tickets, a look of contentment on my face as I sat back in my chair grinning at the ticket receipt on my computer screen slowly starting to fade as I realised that I hadn’t actually asked anyone to go with me!

First port of call was my old mate, Kev, who I knew was as big a fan as I was, but at such short notice he couldn’t get it off of work as another of our friends had just decided to go on holiday at late notice—thanks Joz!

So, armed with two tickets, no partner, and the magic of social networking I hit Facebook and whored myself out. Literally first up was Linden, aka Plum. I’d known Plum since he was a young lad, and his sister is married to Joz, so it all kinda fell together nicely.

We drove up to Brixton in the pouring rain and in vain search of a Burger King which we desperately needed. Every islander knows it’s Written In Stone that you hit BK when on the mainland. [2026 nb: thank god I got away from there and don’t think like this anymore]

Burgerly-disappointed we got to Brixton and managed to park right next to the Academy.

After some chips and bad chicken in the Nando’s opposite, we strolled on over and queued. A few hip-hop-hopefuls patrolled the throng selling their own CDs and I picked one up from a guy who had toured with the Wu on their last British Tour. Can’t remember his name but he’s featured on Radio One Xtra, Kiss, etc. Still haven’t listened to the cd yet though! [’26: This is why i hate going back over my old writing. This paragraph was pointless and uninformative, so I’m leaving it in to punish myself]

[Note: The guy is called Achilles Charrington and his cd is really, really good!] [’26: that’ll teach me for not reading the next paragraph!]

Brixton Academy is decades old. Two staircases sweep up the sides as the foyer filters the majority thru the middle and into the chamber itself (nice Wu reference there, Jode). The main room is like a bowl with a steeped curve that allows those at the back a view of the stage.

When we entered there were a couple of young lads playing a DJ set (Juicy, I think they were called) and these guys were followed by The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble—a group of 8 brothers who all played brass instruments in Hip Hop flavours! Very impressive.

Next up was MistaJam from Radio One Xtra who tore things up with a live set of 90s New York Hip Hop. His energy and vibe and ability to work the crowd was spot on, although by the end you could tell he was being told to keep going while the Wu readied themselves. The shouts of “Wu Wu Wu Wu” were grew stronger and stronger…

Then the Wu Tang hit the stage. I haven’t got many photos as the crowd surged forward and I couldn’t hold my camera up high enough to get any good ones, but luckily Linden’s clearing 6 foot, so, flicking the camera to video mode he got some good footage of the Wu live and in full effect. Add me on Facebook and see the videos on there. [’26: don’t add me on FB. I don’t use it and the old account with all my videos was lost anyway]

Alas, ODB had passed away the year previously (although this allowed RZA to rap ‘Shimmy Shimmy Ya’), and Method Man was also away.

So, a twenty year love affair with a gang of black men from NY culminated in an explosion of sound and jumping sweaty, bodies in Brixton academy. It was worth the wait.

Oh, except maybe watching the Wu Tang sing The Beatles ‘Come Together’.

Fuckin’ A.

[2026: took me months to get around to editing the second blog, after all the bullshit I laid on last year about how I was going to write more. I just have no interest in writing. It bores me…and yet, I enjoyed going over this and tweaking it. I wonder how long it will take me to get round to the next blog. Stay tuned. Or don’t. I wouldn’t.]