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Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
by
Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang Image
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

  • Summary: The Wu-Tang member’s latest release is long overdue – the fifth solo album from this hip hop legend clearly demonstrates his unique lyrical style.
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Top Track

Rich and Black
And regardless to how much power you have When God sends prophets and messengers They don't care nothing about your power Because they come from Thee... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. Los Angeles Times
    Mar 8, 2011
    88
    Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang is his successful quest to return to the days when it was simple, blessed with the wisdom to know which philosophies work.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Apr 8, 2011
    83
    On standouts like Rick Ross-assisted "Molasses" and alongside Nas on "rich and Black," slicing the competition to pieces--line by line. [18 Mar 2011, p.75]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. DJ Booth
    Aug 4, 2011
    80
    Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, his fifth solo album, is dope.
  4. Drowned In Sound
    Mar 14, 2011
    70
    It's been nearly two decades at the top for this seminal hip hop group, and on this evidence they show no signs of losing their edge.
  5. BBC Music
    Apr 1, 2011
    70
    A great fifth album from the Wu-Tang rapper, but not quite another catalogue classic.
  6. Rolling Stone
    Mar 21, 2011
    70
    It's a classic Raekwon record; it sounds like no one else because it sounds so stubbornly like 1995 - still behind the times, and still ahead of the competition.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 7, 2011
    20
    So, you're a founding member of the legendary hip-hip combo Wu Tang Clan. And your fans are extremely pissed because you went and done a track with that Justin Bieber.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. more
    Mar 11, 2011
    10
    cant give less than 10, ima fam... ehh... anyway there iz a few pretty good tracks in here, that brings raekwon's vocal cool pace maestro tocant give less than 10, ima fam... ehh... anyway there iz a few pretty good tracks in here, that brings raekwon's vocal cool pace maestro to front, like snake pound, last trip to scotland or the rhythm beautiful Ferry Boat Killaz. check... ;)… Expand
  2. Labarron
    Mar 12, 2011
    10
    What can i say or type, Raekwon did it again. I'm a super fan of his and I'm not disappointed of this album. This is a good album, but not aWhat can i say or type, Raekwon did it again. I'm a super fan of his and I'm not disappointed of this album. This is a good album, but not a good as Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Part 1 and 2. The only bad thing that i have to say about the album is that RZA should have been part of the production, but I give Raekwon credit for giving other producers a chance. The tracks that Raekwon delivered his best was "Dart School" and "Snake Pond". Ghostface, Method Man, & Inspectah Deck was great while Black Thought did a magnificent job on "Masters of Our Fate". Nas went strong on "Rick & Black" while Rick Ross and Lloyd Banks, to me, did horrible. Good Job Raekwon, and I can't wait for OB4CL Part 3.… Collapse
  4. infjaxcritic
    Nov 8, 2022
    10
    This album feels like an audio-only movie, with each song feeling connected to the last.
  5. NicoDaFlagburna
    Mar 9, 2011
    9
    The simplest way to put it is, the album grows on you. Nothing about Raekwon is in your face so why criticize him for not being bold. RaekwonThe simplest way to put it is, the album grows on you. Nothing about Raekwon is in your face so why criticize him for not being bold. Raekwon is a master, short and simple. The artform that built the Wu Dynasty is as much present in this record as it was in 36 Chambers. It's just you have to listen close and over repeat listenings. Its like looking at a huge or exceptionally detailed painting. To really appreciate it you must study it for hours if not days. Study being the key word, not listen. The fact is there are some down points on the album, sometimes one or two tracks feel lazily selected but that is not the point of this record. The fact is this is a man's record, not a people's record, not a pop record, possibly not even a Wu record. Its a Shaolin vs Wu record and Raekwon is just practicing his art. 91/100… Expand
  6. Urbanlistener
    Apr 24, 2015
    8
    Reakwon is returning with force on the mic for his fifth album, with his sharp signature rhymes and back in the days flow, Rae providesReakwon is returning with force on the mic for his fifth album, with his sharp signature rhymes and back in the days flow, Rae provides another dope album worth your money.… Expand
  7. moviemenace
    Mar 9, 2011
    7
    CAN WE GET THE NME REVIEW REMOVED PLEASE?!?!?! Has anyone read that thing?? IT'S NOT A REVIEW. Obviously the reviewer Ailbhe Malone readCAN WE GET THE NME REVIEW REMOVED PLEASE?!?!?! Has anyone read that thing?? IT'S NOT A REVIEW. Obviously the reviewer Ailbhe Malone read through the track list and didn't listen to the album. NME, this person should not be allowed to review anything else and the review should be dropped from the Metacritic score and your site. It ruins both NME and Metacritics credibility.
    That being said, "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang" is a worthy follow-up to the near-perfect "Cuban Linx Pt.2". The album rolls along with at a rousing pace, with only a few missteps and too many guest spots. Although it doesn't reach the high bar Raekwon set for himself on the last outing, it is still a very listenable album. 7.7    … Expand
  8. Robeer
    Aug 12, 2011
    7
    **** **** up there write riprap,bang **** up ,put holes inside,light fires,mess up peoples' faces,cannibalize like Maori,put Mere through**** **** up there write riprap,bang **** up ,put holes inside,light fires,mess up peoples' faces,cannibalize like Maori,put Mere through cowards scalps,learn Japanese karate& Chinese Kung,learn it like Boxing Fu.Knock **** out,don't be forced to review ****,live in the present.Create real knowledge,good album,whadda yo think.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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