You can tell this version is different by the rhythm of the drums, which feel more laid-back in comparison to the fast pace of the official release. Enjoy a gem of Soul rediscovered for 2025 as Sly & The Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song" encourages you to sing out loud. As one of the most joyful songs recorded and top breakbeats in Hip Hop, this tune remains timeless and cheerful as ever.

This alternate version appears on SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius) Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD, dropping May 7th 2025.

Like the dawn of a new day, this collective of musicians uplift with instrumentals that are bright and pleasant as the sun. Enter the Golden Hour of your life with the sounds of Bryan Watson, Bob James, Remi Cormier, Joel Schnaper & Braxton Cook. "Golden Hour", "Smoke Signals" and "Jenny" each offer a unique expression of music that is sure to warm your heart. Although each band present their own musical identity, the goal is similar of taking your mind far and beyond. The horn leads the way on each song which serves as a soundtrack fit for an awakening and invigoration of the human spirit.

How To Make Money With Music: The Business Acumen Of Wu Tang Clan 

Once I discovered this rare interview from the debut of Wu-Tang, I was inspired to take a deeper look at their journey. As a writer who examines ways of how to make money with music, I believe this group has demonstrated the music business with flying colors. In this interview, their leader The RZA explains the group's approach to music, art and life. When I viewed media during this point of their career, I felt like a cataclysmic effect was about to take place in Hip Hop. Their attitude was as if they not only had determination to succeed, but a vengeance against the industry! 

Join me as I reminisce and examine the business approach and impact of this legendary group. I'll also share on ways you can follow their footsteps by using modern tools and methods.

The Swarm Of The Wu Tang Killa Bees Begins

RZA and GZA got signed to major record labels and released classic Hip Hop but became dissatisfied by the industry experience. As a result, they rebelled against the industry, eventually forming The Wu-Tang Clan. Back in 1993, I remember the circulation of "Protect Ya Neck" b/w "Method Man" on the airwaves of WHCR FM 90.3 radio in Harlem NYC. As a kid living in the ghetto at this time, I was inspired by this group who showed their determination to gain recognition. You could tell from their sound and look that these were a bunch of rebels unlike anything Hip Hop had ever heard. In learning how to make money with music, ask yourself what makes YOU a rebel? Anything that makes you rebellious could be a powerful ingredient to your music.

Protect Ya Neck: A Precedence For Independence

Independently around 1993, Wu-Tang set fire to the underground airwaves with their breakthrough single. During the success of The Wu-Tang Clan post-1997, they maintained a presence in the independent music scene. Although they were on LOUD and other major labels, independent Wu gems were being released steadily on the underground. I can recall buying numerous indie releases from both the crew and individual members on vinyl. This included the instrumentals for GZA's, Ol' Dirty's, Raekwon's and Ghostface's albums, plus LPs and 12"s with bonus material. By walking both sides of the fence, The Wu maintained their underground relevance while gaining new mainstream fans. As a result, they maintain a level of respect and a cult following to this day. Inspectah Deck shares with Bagfuel TV about how to make money with music. Deck explains how he's able to earn a huge bag annually and independently with his group Czarface.

The Major Label Route: More Exposure, But Less Control

After proving themselves independently, Wu-Tang eventually signed major label deals, leading to greater exposure and classic albums like Wu-Tang Forever. However, as time went on, label politics and contract disputes caused tension. The group’s vision didn’t always align with the corporate goals of major labels, leading some members to return to independence.

Pros of Signing to a Major Label:

✅ Bigger Budgets – Labels invest in studio time, producers, marketing, and distribution.

✅ Massive Exposure – Major labels have direct access to mainstream radio, press, and big playlist placements.

✅ Industry Connections – Labels have relationships with festival organizers, streaming platforms, and brand sponsors.

✅ More Time for Creativity – With the business side handled by the label, you can focus more on your music.

Cons of Signing to a Major Label

❌ Less Creative Control – Labels may push for a certain sound or image to fit industry trends.

❌ Smaller Share of Earnings – Labels take a large cut of sales, streams, and merch.

❌ Contract Restrictions – Many artists end up in deals that limit their freedom or ownership over their music.

❌ Risk of Being Shelved – If the label doesn’t see you as a priority, your project might get delayed or under-promoted.

So, What’s the Best Choice?

Wu-Tang Clan’s career proves there’s no single right answer. They leveraged the independence of their early days to build demand, then used major labels to scale their reach, and ultimately returned to an independent model once they had a solid fanbase.

For today’s independent artists, the best approach might be to start independent, build leverage, and only sign a label deal if it truly benefits your long-term goals. Whether you stay indie or go major, the most important thing is understanding your worth, protecting your creative vision, and making sure the deal—if any—is on your terms.

Would Wu-Tang have become legends without their independent hustle? Probably not. But would they have reached worldwide fame without major label backing? Maybe not either. The key takeaway: Use each path to your advantage, just like the Wu-Tang did. 💡

Revolutionizing The Hip Hop Music Business

The Wu Tang Clan's impact upon the music business is revolutionary and is a great case study of how to make money with music. Through their merch, iconic W logo, talent and star power, they've left a legendary stamp on the industry. Any artist can learn from how The Wu solidified their relevance and exposure by following in their footsteps. For instance, their unity, distinct logo and business plan involved selling merch, collaboration and the use of record labels. Swarm the industry and your niche audience with your sound and identity like some killa bees. The crew mentality of bum-rushing the industry would be followed by many others after The Wu. Case in point: Terror Squad, Army Of The Pharoahs, The Roc, Boot Camp Clik, Justus League etc.

Clans, Posses, Crews & Clicks

Although Wu-Tang are one of the most notable crews in Hip Hop, we can thank EPMD for inspiring the formation of them and other crews. Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith formed The Hit Squad in '92, uniting their business mentality with a posse approach. As we look back on their journey, we can see numerous examples of how their collaboration and business skills drove their talent. Even when faced with oppression and lack of resources of the ghetto, The Wu show there's strength in numbers. Wu-Tang Clan, EPMD and others have shown that the consistency of this unified approach of business and music pays off.

Expanding The Wu Empire To E-Commerce

Once their smash sophomore LP "Wu-Tang Forever" hit, the group elevated from being street lyricists to Pop icons. However, their popularity remained as strong in the depths of underground Hip Hop as it did in the height of mainstream media. As record sold and we saw them on MTV, we also heard The Wu appear on underground radio. They achieved this balance between mainstream and underground not only from their continued independence but their online presence. Numerous websites popped up that promoted the crew as a whole, individual Wu generals and their affiliates. If you were lucky enough to be browsing the net between '97 and about 2002, you could catch some cool bonus material from The Wu on one of these websites. This includes the Wu-Tang Corp forum, an example of how to make money with music: unify your fans online.

Why Forums Are a Powerful Tool for Independent Artists

A forum is like your own private fan club, where your biggest supporters can interact, share ideas, and stay updated on your latest releases. Think of it as a modern version of a fan mailing list, but with interactive discussions. The best part? You own the space, meaning no algorithms limit your reach and no third parties control your fanbase.

How a Forum Helps You Grow Your Music Career

• A Dedicated Space for Fans – Your audience can discuss your music, share feedback, and connect with other fans.

• A Central Hub for Announcements – Share new music releases, concert dates, and exclusive content all in one place.

• Organic Word-of-Mouth Marketing – Fans in your forum will naturally share your music, creating a community-driven promotional effect.

• Long-Term Engagement – Unlike social media posts that fade away, forum discussions live forever and keep fans engaged for years.

How to Create and Moderate Your Own Music Forum

Setting up a forum is easier than you might think. Platforms like Discourse, phpBB, or even a private Facebook/Discord group allow you to build an interactive space tailored to your brand.

Steps to Launch Your Own Artist Forum

1. Choose a Platform – Use Discourse, Facebook Groups, Discord, or Reddit to create your forum.

1. Brand Your Forum – Design a custom logo, theme, and sections based on your musical identity.

1. Define Discussion Topics – Have threads for new music updates, fan Q&As, live show discussions, and exclusive content.

1. Encourage Fan Engagement – Start discussions, ask for feedback, and even hold forum-exclusive giveaways.

1. Moderate & Manage – Set guidelines, recruit moderators, and keep discussions positive and on-topic.

How to Monetize Your Forum as an Independent Artist

Once you have an engaged fanbase inside your forum, there are multiple ways to turn it into a revenue-generating platform:

Merch, The W Logo & Wu-Tang's Visual Impact on Hip Hop

The W logo designed by Allah Mathematics in 1992 has become one of the most recognizable musical symbols. This iconic design marks the beginning of Wu-Tang Clan's journey to elevate the visual quality of Hip Hop. From their logos, cinematography, press photos, illustrations and album packaging, The Wu always came correct artistically. The warfare concept and cinematography of GZA's "Shadowboxing" video blew my mind! Even Ghostface's famous gold bracelet is an outstanding artistic and fashion statement. Their deep imagination for rhymes and songwriting paralleled the depth of their visuals, creating imagery that enhanced the storytelling aspect of Hip Hop. As you consider how to make money with music, realize that your logo can be essential to your success.

How Modern Technology Makes Video Creation Accessible

Although Wu-Tang Clan and their labels spent big bucks on their visual identity once their demand increased, you don't necessarily have to. Many tools are now available where you can blow people's mind visually within a modest budget. Here's how you can make impressive videos within your budget:

• Laptop + Video Editing Software: Tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve offer powerful editing capabilities at a reasonable cost. These programs let you edit video footage, add effects, and produce a professional-grade video without the need for a huge studio.
• AI Tools for Video Creation: AI-driven platforms like OpusClip and InVideo allow you to create professional-looking videos quickly and affordably. These platforms can help you edit long-form content into short, attention-grabbing clips perfect for social media, or even generate entirely new videos using pre-existing footage or templates.
• Smartphone Filming: Modern smartphones come equipped with high-resolution cameras, stabilization, and editing apps like FilmoraGo and Adobe Rush. With the right lighting and composition, you can create cinematic-quality videos without a big budget.
• Stock Footage & Effects: Websites like Artgrid and Pexels offer free or affordable stock footage that you can use to enhance your music videos. Combining this with your own original footage allows you to add dynamic visuals to your music videos without breaking the bank.
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Conclusion

I could be here for much longer explaining ways you can gain inspiration from The Wu-Tang, but imma keep it short. Truthfully, it's more fun if you do your own study and discover aspects of their journey which resonate with your personal goals and values. As a result, you can learn more about yourself as I have done by witnessing their journey. Their impact is so deep, people from all different walks of life can find a way to walk in the footsteps of The Clan. So as an independent music artist of any genre, analyze the path of this legendary group. Once you Enter The Wu-Tang, your view of music, art and life will never be the same again.

Godfather Don · Gnosis

As these Hip Hop all-stars cook up in the studio, the results are bound to leave you electrified by the imapact of beats and rhymes. The jazzy sound of "Gnosis" is as exciting as it is calm as Godfather Don rips rhymes over a laid-back Jazz Spastiks groove. Don is sharp as ever on the mic, showing his lyrical dexterity and ability to spark your imagination to degrees above the average MC. 

Showing brotherly love in Hip Hop backstage on tour in '92 is the Gangstarr Posse you see pictured on the back cover. Cooler than wind and harder than cold steel is The Guru and Premier who share what their up to as busy touring artists. You get an early glance of Jeru The Damaja and Group Home before they'd eventually drop their classic albums. Like a sniper, rhymes'll strike you when their rocking as Gangstarr perform live in Italy during the tour of their classic 3rd album. 

"Cinematic Chromatics Vol. III is the final installment of a trilogy series, and has already been praised as an "...an out- of-this-world blend of jazz, jazztronica, beats, and cinematic music". The release completes a journey in which Marks has been steadily taking listeners through his sonic universe, gracefully moving between various aural ‘mood-boards’ and showcasing his musical universe. His music has been written up as a “great fusion of hip-hop, funk, jazz where Weather Report can sit next to Thundercat”, and track Alpha Bete was included in Spotify’s “Best of Fresh Finds Jazz 2024”"

Outstanding songwriting takes us through the ups and downs of love as Tanika Charles & The 7:45s leave an imprint on the Soul. Whether reflecting upon heartbreak or celebrating the joy of love, each band offers good vibes and excellence in the art of Soul music. So press play and take a journey through the heart with music that not only entertains but offers a mirror to the soul.

Like a fat 20 sack, The Wu present and serve up classic Hip Hop music with the mentality of a street pharmacist. The mind of The RZA is deep as you'll discover in this studio interview during the mastering session for "Wu-Tang Forever". The 2nd LP is definitely one of those albums that makes me wonder what the sights, sounds and thoughts behind it. Here is one of the many golden moments that Wu-Tang offer from behind their music. 

DJ JSPR brings out a gem from the cassette archives with the 1990 WBLS interview of Kool G Rap & DJ Polo. The duo introduced their forthcoming classic "Wanted Dead Or Alive" to Chuck Chillout and the crew with a short mix in-between. Taped off the Chuck Chillout show with DJ Funkmaster Flex, WBLS NYC during the Summer of 1990.

Sista Tracia McGregor offers a thought-provoking conversation in a laid-back setting to draw wisdom from Hip Hop greats. Absorb the insight of music and life of The Guru, Freddie Foxxx, Lord Finesse & Jeru The Damaja as they visit this short-lived TV show. From 2000 to 2001, Traci hosted One Nation TV and spoke with numerous legends about current events in Hip Hop.

DJs: get ready to wow the party with these gems by 2 renowned turntablists. DJ Spinna and J Rocc get funky on the very latest edition in their Wrecka Stow Edits series. The dynamic duo continue with two more majestic remixes of classic R&B jams. 

Whether you want to go at an energetic pace, or meditate on life calmly, these musical motivators offer inspiration to make you move. The band known as Brown Penny awaken like the sunlight on a morning with "Hairband". This tune is both calming and lively in it's mood as an instrumental that features attractive transitions between mellow and high energy Fusion. "Move" by Skinny Hightower exudes confidence, rhythm and soul in a song that encourages us to take it step-by-step. Like the two-step of a dancer who is confident in their ability to get down, Skinny's groove flows at a feel-good pace. Both bands play upon the vibraphone as the centerpiece of songwriting that injects energy and life into the human spirit.

In 2025, the joyful sound of flute-driven Jazz Fusion remains strong as two outstanding musicians elevate our mood. Feel the power to rise above the laws with the music Ronald Snijders & Ludivine Issambourg. Each artist conveys feelings of freedom and happiness in their own unique way as they blow away to pleasant compositions. 

  The renowned rhyme moments of WKCR FM that you'd have to scour the internet for (if you didn't already have it on tape like me) are now available at a greater convenience. Take a trip back to a time when back-to-back classic album dropped, and Hip Hop artists visiting The Stretch & Bobbito show was an additional treat.