Wu-Tang Clan and producer Mathematics are back with a new raw, classic Wu sound, featuring fresh production that hits like a throwback but still feels modern and innovative. The beats are hard-hitting, and the verses are raw, intense, and incisive, delivering exactly what fans want and need. The album, Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman, features performances by Method Man, The RZA, Cappadonna, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, The GZA, U-God, Kool G Rap, Nicole Bus, Kameron Corvet, Crooked I, Masta Killa, 38 Spesh, Willie the Kid, Benny the Butcher, Kurupt, Ralph McDaniels, and R.J. Payne, with additional production by The RZA. The result is a hard-hitting album with 12 new tracks that take us back to the golden age of hip-hop while making history in the process.

This album is not just about the music—it’s also a collector’s dream. Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman is being released as a limited 5,000-piece vinyl run, with each copy featuring unique one-of-one album art created by Bennett Phillips at Macroverse. This groundbreaking concept has never been done before, making these vinyl records instant collector’s items. Mathematics designed the album artwork, while Bennett Phillips created the individual covers for the vinyl release.

Speaking to Variety, Mathematics explained the inspiration behind the album’s title: “Well, the album has a certain feel to it. It’s an homage to Blaxploitation movies. You have movies like Black Samson, Black Caesar, and Super Fly. Those are the type of movies that I was raised on in the 1970s.” He added, “The Bastard Swordsman part of [the title] is an ode to the old karate flicks because that’s what I grew up on as well. With me, as well as all of Wu-Tang, that’s something we had in common. We all loved the old karate flicks. Bastard Swordsman is one of my favorites.”

The album opens with the “Sucker Free City” intro featuring Kurupt, Ralph McDaniels, and Brady Watt, which leads into the classic boom-bap hit “Mandingo,” featuring Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, and Cappadonna. These four of the nine original swordsmen deliver verses that hit perfectly, blending nostalgia with maturity in their flows. Mathematics instantly pulls listeners in with a forceful and nostalgic beat.

“Roar of the Lion (The Lion’s Pit)” featuring U-God, Kool G Rap, and RZA slows things down with a groove that’s all about giving the middle finger to their enemies. The trio delivers dope lyrical flows over a hypnotic beat. The most soulful track on the album, “Claudine,” features Nicole Bus, whose voice floats beautifully over the mystic production. Method Man and Ghostface Killah also shine on this track, with Ghostface delivering a heartfelt tribute to his late mother and Method Man rapping about building a future with his special someone.

“Shaolin Vs Lama” brings back Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, delivering a definitive Wu-Tang ninja warrior beat and flow. This track feels like a time machine to early Wu-Tang and Mathematics productions, with a strong beat and message. “Executioners from Shaolin” features Inspectah Deck, GZA, and Cappadonna, who menacingly warn that no crew can take them on. This track is another classic Mathematics production, filled with sharp beats and lyrical dominance.

“Cleopatra Jones” featuring Raekwon and Masta Killa follows with a sweet piano groove. The duo raps about their affection for the same woman over a simpler production, letting their flows take center stage. “Warriors Two, Cooley High” features Method Man and Benny the Butcher, delivering raw bars over a hard-hitting beat. Benny raps about staying calm in the streets while working the drug game, and Method Man follows with piercing bars that showcase his lyrical domination—arguably the best verse on the album.

“Let’s Do It Again” featuring R.J. Payne, 38 Spesh, Willie The Kid, and RZA might have the best overall lyrical flow on the album. Each artist delivers gritty, sharp, and clever verses over a rough and tough boom-bap beat crafted by Mathematics and RZA. Heads will be bobbing to this one!

“Dolemite” featuring Cappadonna, U-God, and Masta Killa brings back the dynamic and thrilling Wu sound we grew up on. It’s a rough, gangsta vibe with an upbeat groove that’s fun to listen to. The outro, “Trouble Man,” features Kameron Corvet, whose smooth vocals shine. While it would’ve been great to hear Method Man and Ghostface Killah on this track, it still delivers a great vibe.

The album closes with “Charleston Blue, Legend of a Fighter,” featuring Nicole Bus, KXNG, and Cappadonna. With a slow groove, Nicole Bus once again steals the spotlight with her stunning vocals. KXNG delivers a heartfelt verse about fatherhood, while Cappadonna shares an open letter to his mother. It’s a chill and reflective way to end this Wu-Tang journey.

This album pays tribute to Wu-Tang’s love of Blaxploitation and martial arts films that shaped them five decades ago. It also brings us classic Mathematics productions with karate sound effects and soundbites, but with a fresh twist. Featuring all nine members, the album showcases their ability to push each other to deliver their best, with experimental lyrics and soulful storytelling.

Additionally, the inclusion of some of the best underground artists feels like a passing of the torch. While the Wu-Tang Clan is far from done, they’re clearly helping to set up the next generation of lyrical swordsmen. With hard-hitting beats and cinematic production, Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman is a musical rap odyssey. From the very first track, it’s clear this is classic Wu-Tang Clan, with Mathematics delivering pure, stark, and cinematic production for the Clan to deliver lyrically intelligent, conceptually loaded, and acoustically sharp verses.

One Love – Todd M. Judd