Studio Album · No. 1

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Songwriting Credits by Wu-Tang Clan

1993 Loud Records / RCA Records 12 tracks 58 min
Loud Records / RCA Records Hardcore Hip HopEast Coast Hip HopBoom Bap
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Wu-Tang Clan carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
12 trackswritten by Wu-Tang Clan 0 tracksoutside writers
Wu-Tang Clan's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer100%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
9
Lyricists
3
Producers
1993
Released

Awards & Recognition 1

National Recording Registry selection (2022, Inducted)
Data Insight

Every one of the nine original members wrote and performed their own verses, with Method Man and Raekwon appearing on the most tracks. RZA produced the entire album alone at Firehouse Studio in Brooklyn, building the gritty sound from soul loops and dialogue lifted from kung-fu films. Chris Gehringer mastered it at The Hit Factory. The record carries no outside guest rappers, presenting the Clan as a self-contained unit.

The debut album by Wu-Tang Clan, released on November 9, 1993 by Wu-Tang Records, Loud, RCA and BMG, and recorded across late 1992 and early 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City. RZA produced every track and Wikipedia credits the writing to the group, meaning each member wrote the verse he rapped; no outside rapper appears anywhere on it. The title comes from two martial arts films, Enter the Dragon and The 36th Chamber of Shaolin. It sold 30,000 copies in its first week and peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200, a modest showing for a record the RIAA certified quadruple platinum in November 2025 and the Library of Congress added to the National Recording Registry in 2022.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Bring da Ruckus
Ghostface KillahGZAInspectah DeckRaekwonRZA Dennis David ColesGary Eldridge GriceJason HunterCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)GZA (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)RZA (Rap)
2
Shame on a Nigga
Method ManOl' Dirty BastardRaekwon Clifford Smith Jr.Russell Tyrone JonesCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Method Man (Rap)Ol' Dirty Bastard (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)
3
Clan in da Front
GZARZA Gary Eldridge GriceRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA GZA (Rap)RZA (Rap)
4
Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber
Ghostface KillahGZAInspectah DeckMethod ManOl' Dirty BastardRaekwonRZA Dennis David ColesGary Eldridge GriceJason HunterClifford Smith Jr.Russell Tyrone JonesCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)GZA (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Ol' Dirty Bastard (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)RZA (Rap)
5
Can It Be All So Simple / Intermission
Ghostface KillahRaekwon Dennis David ColesCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)
6
Da Mystery of Chessboxin'
Ghostface KillahInspectah DeckMasta KillaMethod ManOl' Dirty BastardRaekwonU-God Dennis David ColesJason HunterJamel IriefClifford Smith Jr.Russell Tyrone JonesCorey WoodsLamont Jody HawkinsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZAOl' Dirty Bastard Ghostface Killah (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Masta Killa (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Ol' Dirty Bastard (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)U-God (Rap)
7
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit
Inspectah DeckMethod ManRZA Jason HunterClifford Smith Jr.Robert Fitzgerald Diggs RZAMethod Man Inspectah Deck (Rap)Method Man (Rap)RZA (Rap)
8
C.R.E.A.M. #60
Inspectah DeckMethod ManRaekwon Jason HunterClifford Smith Jr.Corey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Inspectah Deck (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)
9
Method Man
Ghostface KillahGZAMethod ManRZA Dennis David ColesGary Eldridge GriceClifford Smith Jr.Robert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)GZA (Rap)Method Man (Rap)RZA (Rap)
10
Protect Ya Neck
Ghostface KillahGZAInspectah DeckMethod ManOl' Dirty BastardRaekwonRZAU-God Dennis David ColesGary Eldridge GriceJason HunterClifford Smith Jr.Russell Tyrone JonesCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald DiggsLamont Jody Hawkins RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)GZA (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Ol' Dirty Bastard (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)RZA (Rap)U-God (Rap)
11
Tearz
Ghostface KillahRZA Dennis David ColesRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)RZA (Rap)
12
Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber - Part II
Ghostface KillahGZAInspectah DeckMethod ManOl' Dirty BastardRaekwonRZA Dennis David ColesGary Eldridge GriceJason HunterClifford Smith Jr.Russell Tyrone JonesCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)GZA (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Ol' Dirty Bastard (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)RZA (Rap)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 18 contributors

RF
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs
Writer
On this album12 written
R
RZA
Writer · Producer · Rap
On this album8 written
MM
Method Man
Writer · Producer · Rap
On this album8 written
CS
Clifford Smith Jr.
Writer
On this album8 written
CW
Corey Woods
Writer
On this album8 written
DD
Dennis David Coles
Writer
On this album8 written
GK
Ghostface Killah
Writer · Rap
On this album8 written
R
Raekwon
Writer · Rap
On this album8 written
ID
Inspectah Deck
Writer · Rap
On this album7 written
JH
Jason Hunter
Writer
On this album7 written
GE
Gary Eldridge Grice
Writer
On this album6 written
G
GZA
Writer · Rap
On this album6 written

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Frequently Asked Questions Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Did Wu-Tang Clan write Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)?
Yes. Each of the nine members wrote and rapped their own verses across the album. RZA produced every track himself at Firehouse Studio in Brooklyn, so the writing was split among the members while the music came from one producer.
Who produced Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)?
RZA produced the entire album by himself. He also handled mixing and arranging, crafting the sound from soul samples and audio clips taken from kung-fu movies. This was before co-producers like 4th Disciple and True Master joined the Clan's production team on later records.
What is the most successful single from Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)?
'C.R.E.A.M.' was the album's biggest hit, peaking at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 8 on the Hot Rap Songs chart. It remains the highest-charting Wu-Tang Clan single on the Hot 100. The title stands for 'Cash Rules Everything Around Me.'
When was Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) released?
The album was released on November 9, 1993, through Loud Records and RCA Records. It was the Wu-Tang Clan's debut studio album.
Is Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) certified Platinum?
Yes. The RIAA has certified the album 4x Platinum, representing four million units in the United States. It sold around 30,000 copies in its first week before building a long-term audience.
Are there any guest rappers on Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)?
No outside guest rappers appear on the album. All vocals come from the nine original members of the Wu-Tang Clan, presenting the group as a self-contained crew.
What does the title 36 Chambers refer to?
The title references the 1978 kung-fu film The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, a key influence on the group's imagery. RZA wove martial-arts film dialogue and themes throughout the album's production and skits.

Sources

Wikipedia: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Wikipedia: C.R.E.A.M. MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan