Midnight Marauders vs. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Well, if you’re reading this post it’s safe to say you heard both of these classic albums.  Matter fact, you might have memorized them word for word as I have.  Today marks their 30th anniversary and therefore signifies November 9th, 1993 as one of the most important dates in the past 50 years of Hip-Hop history.  So in the spirit of barbershop debate, let’s review A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders versus Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).

I’ll preface this by saying I think these are the two of the top five greatest Hip-Hop albums of all time- regardless of their coincidental release date.  With this listening, I simply evaluated each track for its sonic greatness (beats and rhymes) and to reveal a complete album average song score. This is not a Tribe vs Wu group comparison.

Of course this is close comparison on the strength of the producer geniuses Q-Tip and RZA. Depending on my mood I may swing back and forth but I tend to believe Midnight Marauders is a notch better.  Take another listen to both and see what you feel.

 

Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – !!!! 1/5

1. “Bring Da Ruckus” – !!!1/2
2. “Shame on a Nuh” – !!!!!
3. “Clan in Da Front” – !!!1/2
4. “Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber” – !!!!
5. “Can It Be All So Simple” – !!!!!
6. “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’” – !!!!!
7. “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing To Fu€£ Wit” – !!!!!
8. “C.R.E.A.M.” – !!!!1/2
9. “Method Man” – !!!!!
10. “Protect Ya Neck” – !!!!!
11. “Tearz” – !!!!!
12. “Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber – Pt. II” – !!!!

————————————————————————————————————————————————

A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders – !!!! 7/10 

1. “Midnight Marauders Tour Guide” – intro (n/a)
2. “Steve Biko (Stir It Up)” – !!!! 1/2
3. “Award Tour (feat. Trugoy the Dove)” – !!!!!
4. “8 Million Stories” – !!!!
5. “Sucka Ni$$a” – !!!!!
6. “Midnight (feat. Raphael Saadiq Wiggins)” – !!!!!
7. “We Can Get Down” – !!!!!
8. “Electric Relaxation” – !!!!!
9. “Clap Your Hands” – !!!!1/2
10. “Oh My God” – !!!!1/2
11. “Keep It Rollin” – !!!!
12. “The Chase Pt. II” – !!!!!
13. “Lyrics To Go” – !!!!!
14. “God Lives Through” – !!!!!
15. ”Hot Sex” – !!!!! (import therefore not included in scoring)

 

Legend:

!!!!! – anthem/classic

!!!! – bangin

!!! – cool/solid

!! – aiiight

! – whack