Wu Tang Clan

The Wu Tang Clan is easily my favorite rap group of all time. Hailing from Staten Island, New York a mere hour from my home in Connecticut comes one of the most influential groups in rap history. The Wu-Tang Clan consists of eight original members (nine if you include the late Ol' Dirty Bastard) them being: RZA, GZA, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, U-God, Raekwon the Chef, and Method Man.

Wu Tang is most commonly known for their hardcore lyrics and underground sound. Despite being unknown in rap until the early 90's, the Wu Tang Clan exploded on the music scene with the release of their first album, "Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers". One of my favorite Wu Songs is on this album, it is titled, "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'".








Last January, to show that I was a true fan of the Wu-Tang Clan I attended a concert in New Haven, Connecticut at a small venue called Toads Place. I was very excited to see them live as they do not tour very often with the loss of one of their key members Ol' Dirty Bastard. Despite his absence, an affiliate of the Wu-Tang clan named Cappadonna stood in and did a very good impersonation. At the concert they opened with one of my favorite songs in "Protect Your Neck":

Marleys and Me

Despite my profound adoration toward hip-hop in the 1990's, another love of mine is reggae. But in particular, Bob and Damian Marley are two artists who can truely bring me to my "happy place". the mellow, soothing melodies of reggae music can easily make me happy when I'm feeling unhappy. The pure joy that these artists put forth is tremendous due to their Rastafarian lifestyle, which I totally agree with....

Bob Marley, "Misty Morning":

Misty Morning is my all-time favorite reggae track. I really enjoy the horns in this song, for they are very relaxing. Bob's ability to make people happy through his music is truely incredible for it is almost impossible to feel sadness while listening to a Bob Marley tune. 

Damian Marley, "It Was Written".

Although Damian adds more of a hip-hop sound to his reggae style, he is still indeed the son of the greatest and most influential reggae artist of all time. This song in particular is very mysterious and incorporates a heavy reggae melody with a hip-hop beat. It is very inspiring to see these two very popular and different genre's of music colliding so perfectly.

Blink 182

Since the fourth grade I have listened to and enjoyed the music of Blink 182. Ever since I have called myself a fan of the 90's punk rock group. Last August I actually attended one of their concerts in Hartford, Connecticut.

I have listened to the group for such a long time and grow to love them more every time I listen to them. A few of my favorite songs include: Man Overboard, Anthem Pt. 2, and Everytime I Look For You. The songs of Blink truly encompass what it is to grow up while I myself listened to them as I grew up. 

Man Overboard:

Anthem Pt. 2:

Everytime I Look For You: