'Wu-Tang: An American Saga' Season 2 Episode 6 Review: Clan records debut single
“It’s gotta be rugged. It should be grimy as s**t and it should be played in clubs” is how Bobby Diggs aka RZA (Ashton Sanders) explains how Wu-Tang music is got to be as all the team members now gear up to kickstart their debut project on episode six of 'Wu-Tang: An American Saga'. Season 2 of the Hulu original is already five episodes down where we saw how the clan members are willing to walk on the road of passion leaving behind the world of crime and drugs.
In previous episodes, we saw how all members come together despite their personal issues and set up a studio in a rented apartment that belongs to Dennis “D-Love” Coles aka Ghostface Killah (Siddiq Saunderson). RZA also works with Divine (Julian Elijah Martinez) to get the contracts of all the members as they learn new things about sampling and mixing and mastering the songs. The latest episode in the series is titled ‘Protect Ya Neck’ which originally refers to the debut single of the clan that was released in 1992. The song was featured on Wu-Tang's debut studio album ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’ and was produced by RZA. It featured eight of the original nine Wu-Tang members.
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Plot
Season 2 Episode 6 of the hip-hop-based show focuses on how the group is willing to take the next step of recording their tracks as they combat the finances and personal tragedies. Bobby aka RZA is adamant about bringing all the members on the track as Power (Marcus Callender) makes him aware of the time constraint. However, RZA adds that they need an energetic track with high BPM. We finally get to see a montage where RZA is sitting alone in the studio chopping and cutting samples as the background score peps up the mood.
RZA then heads to different record stores in the hunt for the perfect sample – a process that is very common in hip-hop. The episode then takes the viewers on a journey of RZA sitting in the studio for hours while listening to different samples as he also interacts with his late grandfather in his imagination. We get to see him sampling R&B songs to disco tracks as he goes through the trial & error phase. The second half of the episode sees all the members coming together to record their first track. Rebel aka Inspectah Deck (Uyoata Udi) is the very first one to hit the booth as he spits his hardcore bars. He is shown writing the verse as if he is doing graffiti on the wall. A pure visual treat for the viewers. Similarly, the rest of the members hit the booth as they record their respective verses.
Script
We are glad to finally see an entire episode solely focusing on recording a track and the struggle that goes behind it. Viewers, especially the hip-hop fans will love episode six ‘Protect Ya Neck’ as it takes sampling, chopping, writing, and recording into the spotlight. The makers made sure the audience gets to enjoy the visuals as they take them on the imaginary road when the clan members record their respective verses.
We loved how the makers show Dennis “D-Love” Coles aka Ghostface Killah (Siddiq Saunderson) getting butterflies in his stomach before recording his verse for the song. He storms off from the studio as he imagines himself getting surrounded by other members who are trying to scare him off. RZA later makes a few changes in the beat which does not go down well with Coles. One of the final scenes on the episode sees RZA finishing the production on the beat which is high BPM, energetic number which he compares it to kung-fu fighters in his imagination. Coles aka Ghostface Killah, who has been running away all along from the studio, finally hits the booth to record his fierce verse showing the viewers how he battles his fears.
Acting
A major portion of Episode 6 titled ‘Protect Ya Neck’ takes Bobby’s struggle to find the right sample for the beat into the spotlight. We see him getting in the zone as he hops different record stores for the perfect sample. Bobby also goes angry and impatient at places which does happen in real life while recording a track. Despite other members getting less screen space they shine as they finally get to do what they are meant to i.e. rap. Their shots from the studio look very real as they aptly put the energy, the expressions, and the body language all in one place. In a nutshell, the episode was surely one of the best till now from Season 2.
‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ airs every Wednesday on Hulu.