Turns out 8 Diagrams is not as guitar-driven, orchestra-laden, and hippie-courting as it was cracked up to be. If the 7 tracks I’ve heard so far are anything to go by, then Raekwon has nothing to worry about. Funny enough, Rae is at his grimiest on this album, especially on those same “hippie” joints he publicly railed against.

This is kinda like the reverse of that silly Kelly Clarkson/Clive Davis dispute over the creative direction My December. She liked the album, he hated it. And as you may or may not know, the final product was borderline wack.

In the case of 8 Diagrams, Rae may just end up being the only one who isn’t wowed by the outcome. It’s too soon to tell though.

I’ll leave you with a few cuts from 8 Diagrams

Wu-Tang - “Take It Back”

Wu-Tang - “The Heart Gently Weeps” (No DJ/CDQ)

Loud.com is offering a free download of the 8 Diagrams Mixtape to hold you over until December 11.

Meanwhile, internal squabbles continue to rock the Wu camp. If Rae’s latest rant is anything to go by, the Clan will most likely release another album after 8 Diagrams…without RZA. Interestingly, RZA is yet to respond to any of the allegations from his clansmen. But if he did issue a response, it would probably go like this, “I cannot be bothered about the album’s diwection. I’m too busy playing chess and working on a Beatles wemix.”

Ok, I’ll stop…

Wu-Tang’s 8 Diagrams Mixtape Tracklisting below: (more…)

Behold, the cover art for Ghostface Killah’s new album, The Big Doe Rehab.

“One of the best Ghost verses I’ve heard in 7 years” - RZA

RZA explains the concept and hustle behind the Beatles-sampling Wu-Tang song “The Heart Gently Weeps.” Initially, he wanted to save it for his own album.

Learning about what great artists usually go through to deliver quality music to their fans makes you gain appreciation for them, even if they have speech impediment.

Cue the hype machine. Last night, Loud.com premiered this cut from the 8 Diagrams. It spots an interpolation of the Beatles’ “My Guitar Gently Weeps.” As I mentioned earlier, Ghost had already administered some lyrical justice to this instrumental. After 43 listens, I can tell you that Method Man truly owned this version.

The 8 Diagrams is scheduled to drop on December 4, same day as Saigon’s The Greatest Story Never Told.

[Props: Loud.com]

Some lucky bastards will get to see GZA rip through his 13-track masterpiece, Liquid Swords, on September 15th. Rain or shine, GZA will rock the stage at Brooklyn’s McCarren Park Pool for a benefit show to assist the Open Space Alliance of North Brooklyn. In case you’re wondering, OSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to irrelevant duties like improving existing parks and acquiring new parkland in Brooklyn.

If you’re one of those lucky bastards, head on over to ticketmaster now and spend the best $19 of your life. Be sure to bring back some pics.