Wu Block
| Company type | Studio album |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | November 27, 2012 |
| Founder | Ghostface Killah, Sheek Louch |
| Products | Hip hop music album |
Wu Block represents a joint studio album created by American rappers Ghostface Killah (member of Wu-Tang Clan) and Sheek Louch (from The Lox). Initially announced by Sheek Louch in 2011, the album was ultimately released on November 27, 2012, through E1 Music. It includes guest contributions from artists such as Raekwon, Jadakiss, Cappadonna, Method Man, Styles P, Masta Killa, GZA, Erykah Badu, and Inspectah Deck.
Background
By February 2011, Sheek Louch revealed that approximately eight tracks had been completed for the project. Ghostface Killah anticipated a release date around February 2012 during an interview conducted in July 2011. The album’s lead single, "Union Square," was released on June 29, 2012. The launch date underwent several changes, initially set for October 9, then postponed to November 13, before settling on the final release date of November 27, 2012.
In a press statement from August 2012, Ghostface characterized the album as "authentic street music for the fans," underlining its unfiltered nature. Sheek Louch described Wu-Block as a blend of Wu-Tang’s signature sound with D-Block’s underground edge, merging intricate lyricism with gritty beats. The official album artwork and tracklist were revealed in October 2012 ahead of the release.
Critical response
Wu Block garnered mostly favorable feedback from critics. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 69 based on thirteen reviews, reflecting "generally favorable reviews." The Company Man from HipHopDX awarded it three and a half stars out of five, recognizing it as a classic hip-hop record that remains faithful to the artists’ established styles. Nick De Molina from XXL rated it an L, commending its loyalty to traditional sounds without sacrificing commercial appeal. Matt Jost of RapReviews gave it a 6.5 out of 10, noting the collaboration’s focus and the continued relevance of the featured artists despite their careers being past their peak.
Dan Caffrey from Consequence of Sound gave three stars out of five, pointing out familiar production that provides comfort and accessibility but also includes moments of hollow bravado on some tracks. Jayson Greene at Pitchfork scored it 6.5 out of 10, emphasizing the predictable yet consistent performance expected from D-Block and Ghostface Killah. Jason Lymangrover from AllMusic rated it three and a half stars, describing it as deeply rooted in gritty ’90s rap with mafia-inspired themes and street storytelling that appeals to fans from both Shaolin and Yonkers.
Al Horner of NME assigned a six out of ten rating, highlighting its nostalgic nod to 1990s New York hip-hop style characterized by hard-hitting beats and ominous samples replacing The RZA’s typical production approach. Overall, Wu Block is praised for its genuine portrayal of East Coast hip-hop culture and the collaboration between two influential rap groups.
Commercial performance
Upon release, the album entered the Billboard 200 chart at position number 73, selling 8,600 copies in its first week within the United States. In its second week, it fell to number 152 on the chart with an additional 4,200 copies sold.
Track listing
- Notes
- Ghostface Killah is absent from the track "Drivin' Round".