Studio Album · No. 3

The W Songwriting Credits by Wu-Tang Clan

2000 Loud Records / Columbia Records 13 tracks 59 min
Loud Records / Columbia Records Hardcore Hip HopEast Coast Hip Hop
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 13 of 13 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 13 / 13 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 13 tracks with documented writers, by whether Wu-Tang Clan carries a lyricist or composer credit.

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

Share of the 13 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer92%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

13
Tracks
17
Lyricists
2
Producers
1.1 million
US Copies Sold
2000
Released
Data Insight

The members again wrote and rapped their own verses, recorded during a period when Ol' Dirty Bastard was largely incarcerated, so his presence is limited. RZA produced the bulk of the album alongside fellow Clan producer Mathematics, keeping the kung-fu-sampling aesthetic while bringing in outside voices. Notable guests include Nas, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Redman, reggae artist Junior Reid, and a vocal sample from soul legend Isaac Hayes. Dylan Dresdow and Jose Reynoso engineered the sessions and James Cruz mastered it.

The third Wu-Tang Clan album, released November 21, 2000 on Wu-Tang Records and Columbia after another round of member solo records. RZA produced all thirteen tracks except 'Do You Really (Thang, Thang),' which went to Mathematics, and the writing is credited to the group with the guests added by name: Redman, Junior Reid, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Isaac Hayes, Busta Rhymes and Paulissa Moorman, who sings and co-wrote the single 'Gravel Pit.' It is the last Wu-Tang album Ol' Dirty Bastard appears on before his death in 2004. It entered the Billboard 200 at number five on 301,000 first-week copies, topped the R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and had sold 1.1 million US copies by 2014.

Track Listing & Credits 13 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Intro (Shaolin Finger Jab) / Chamber Music
GZAMasta KillaMethod ManRaekwon Gary Eldridge GriceJamel IriefClifford Smith Jr.Corey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA GZA (Rap)Masta Killa (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)
2
Careful (Click, Click)
CappadonnaGhostface KillahInspectah DeckMasta KillaRZAU-God Darryl HillDennis David ColesJason HunterJamel IriefRobert Fitzgerald DiggsLamont Jody Hawkins RZA Cappadonna (Rap)Ghostface Killah (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Masta Killa (Rap)RZA (Rap)U-God (Rap)
3
Hollow Bones
Ghostface KillahInspectah DeckRaekwon Dennis David ColesJason HunterCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)
4
Redbull
Inspectah DeckMethod ManRedman Jason HunterClifford Smith Jr.Reggie NobleRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Inspectah Deck (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Redman (Vocals)
5
One Blood Under W
Masta KillaJunior Reid Jamel IriefJunior ReidRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Masta Killa (Rap)Junior Reid (Vocals)
6
Conditioner
GZAInspectah DeckOl' Dirty BastardSnoop Dogg Gary Eldridge GriceJason HunterRussell Tyrone JonesCalvin Cordozar Broadus Jr.Robert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA GZA (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Ol' Dirty Bastard (Rap)Snoop Dogg (Vocals)
7
Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)
CappadonnaGhostface KillahGZAInspectah DeckMasta KillaMethod ManRaekwonRZAU-God Darryl HillDennis David ColesGary Eldridge GriceJason HunterJamel IriefClifford Smith Jr.Corey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald DiggsLamont Jody Hawkins RZA Cappadonna (Rap)Ghostface Killah (Rap)GZA (Rap)Inspectah Deck (Rap)Masta Killa (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)RZA (Rap)U-God (Rap)
8
Let My Niggas Live
Inspectah DeckNasRaekwon Jason HunterNasir JonesCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Inspectah Deck (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)Nas (Vocals)
9
I Can't Go to Sleep
Ghostface KillahIsaac HayesRZA Dennis David ColesIsaac Lee Hayes Jr.Robert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)RZA (Rap)Isaac Hayes (Vocals)
10
Do You Really (Thang, Thang)
Inspectah DeckMasta KillaMethod ManStreetlife Jason HunterJamel IriefClifford Smith Jr.StreetlifeRonald Maurice Bean Mathematics Inspectah Deck (Rap)Masta Killa (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Streetlife (Vocals)
11
The Monument
Busta RhymesGZARaekwon Trevor George Smith Jr.Gary Eldridge GriceCorey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA GZA (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)Busta Rhymes (Vocals)
12
Gravel Pit #20
Ghostface KillahMethod ManRaekwonRZAU-God Dennis David ColesClifford Smith Jr.Corey WoodsRobert Fitzgerald DiggsLamont Jody HawkinsPaulissa Moorman RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)Method Man (Rap)Raekwon (Rap)RZA (Rap)U-God (Rap)
13
Jah World
Ghostface KillahJunior ReidRZA Dennis David ColesJunior ReidRobert Fitzgerald Diggs RZA Ghostface Killah (Rap)RZA (Rap)Junior Reid (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 35 contributors

RF
Robert Fitzgerald Diggs
Writer
On this album12 written
ID
Inspectah Deck
Writer · Rap
On this album7 written
JH
Jason Hunter
Writer
On this album7 written
CW
Corey Woods
Writer
On this album6 written
DD
Dennis David Coles
Writer
On this album6 written
GK
Ghostface Killah
Writer · Rap
On this album6 written
R
Raekwon
Writer · Rap
On this album6 written
R
RZA
Writer · Producer · Rap
On this album5 written
CS
Clifford Smith Jr.
Writer
On this album5 written
JI
Jamel Irief
Writer
On this album5 written
MK
Masta Killa
Writer · Rap
On this album5 written
MM
Method Man
Writer · Rap
On this album5 written

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Frequently Asked Questions The W

Did Wu-Tang Clan write The W?
Yes. Each member wrote and performed his own verses, as on every Wu-Tang Clan album. RZA produced most of the record with fellow Clan producer Mathematics handling several tracks.
Who produced The W?
RZA was the primary producer, sharing the work with Mathematics, a longtime Wu-Tang affiliate. The two kept the group's signature sound built on soul samples and kung-fu film references while inviting outside guests onto the album.
Who are the guest features on The W?
The W features Nas, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, Redman, and reggae artist Junior Reid, plus a vocal sample of soul legend Isaac Hayes. These guests made the album the Clan's most collaboration-heavy record up to that point.
Did Gravel Pit by Wu-Tang Clan chart on the Billboard Hot 100?
No. 'Gravel Pit' did not enter the Billboard Hot 100, though it reached number 20 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and number 70 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It performed better internationally, peaking at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Why is Ol' Dirty Bastard barely on The W?
Ol' Dirty Bastard was largely incarcerated during the recording of The W, which limited his contributions. His appearances on the album are minimal as a result, with the bulk of the verses coming from the other members.
How did The W perform commercially?
The W debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 301,000 copies in its first week. It was later certified Platinum by the RIAA, with about 1.1 million copies sold in the United States.
When was The W released?
The W was released on November 21, 2000, through Wu-Tang, Loud, and Columbia Records. It was the Wu-Tang Clan's third studio album.

Sources

Wikipedia: The W Wikipedia: Gravel Pit MusicBrainz release group Cover Art Archive front cover Cover Art Archive: The W by Wu-Tang Clan