![_Dandy Warhols at Emo's East [Show Preview]](http://austinist.com/assets_c/2012/05/DandyWarhols-thumb-250x250-715813.jpg)
Nuthing Ta F Wit: Wu-Tang Clan Show Review
If you shied away from shelling out forty bills for Saturday night’s Wu-Tang Clan show, you can start kicking yourself now -- believe it or not, (ODB aside) they all showed up! [This just in -- RZA may or may not have been in attendance. While he was not signed on to tour with The Clan this time around, one close-up fan swore he saw The Abbot tinkering about.] Call it a comeback, or a Christmas miracle, but the Killah Bees swarmed the stage. Their presence was a surreal sight for those of us who grew up bumping hits by the NYC-based hip-hop pioneers.
The heavy-weight troop of emcees are notorious for scheduling conflicts due to solo projects that have complicated so-called reunions of the past. RZA’s busy schedule kept him from previous stops along the tour and news that Method Man was absent from Friday night’s Dallas show had fans in fear, but sure enough, the Wu was back.
From the slums of Shaolin, the legendary hip-hop collective took over Emo’s -- the sold out show had a packed house chanting “Wu” and fans flailing W’s until a familiar Kung-Fu sample taunted, “Do you think your Wu-Tang sword can defeat me?” The house literally jumped as the crowd erupted into dance. The Clan plowed through hits from 1993’s immortal 36 Chambers, including “Bring Da Ruckus,” “Shame On A Nigga,” “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’,” “Clan In Da Front,” and reminded Austin that “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit.”
Method Man, Ghostface Killah,GZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, Cappadonna , Raekwon and RZA milled around on Emo's humble stage with an air of showmanship. Always charismatic and smiling, Method Man stepped up as master of ceremonies for the majority of the night. While RZA is largely recognized as the unofficial leader of the group, he was barely visible at the show -- running sound with the DJs and only rapping on a couple songs.
The Rebirth Tour demonstrated a renewed fraternity for the The Clan, who seemed less plagued by egos than earlier in their career. Each emcee took a turn in the spotlight. Sporting a Wu-Wear shirt, the Ticallion Stallion rambunctiously launched into his trademark song, “Method Man.” Raekwon served up some “Ice Cream,” U-GOD busted out “Do You Really Really,” and everyone chimed in, exchanging microphones for GZA’s “Liquid Swords.” They genuinely appeared to be having fun, as they joined together for a soulful cover of The O’Jays' “Family Reunion.” Their energy was contagious as the crowd continuously pushed forward, pumping fists enthusiastically as Wu-Tang followed up with “C.R.E.A.M.”
As the nearly two hour set drew to an end, Method Man led the crowd in chants for ODB and invited Dirty’s son, appropriately called Young Dirty Bastard, to the stage to perform the fallen emcee’s classics -- “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” and “Baby, I Got Your Money.” YDB continued to freestyle and showcase his skills for the crowd as a rowdy Meth climbed the rafters. The night proved that after all these years, Wu-Tang still brings the mutha-f’n ruckus.
