Wu Music Group, the new label ran by the administrative mind of Mitchell “Divine” Diggs and the creative force of Wu-Tang Clan’s chief architect, “The RZA”, will release their second album, Afro Samurai: The Resurrection, on January 27th, 2009. The album is the soundtrack to season two of Spike TV’s critically lauded animated television show and DVD featuring the voice of Samuel L Jackson and is musically produced entirely by Wu Tang Clan’s The RZA. The soundtrack features unlikely collaborations and guest spots from legendary recording artists such as Sly Stone, members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Kool G Rap, Rah Digga, and a whole cast of RZA’s protégé’s, including the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s son – Boy Jones. This highly anticipated release demonstrates RZA’s incredible genius and ability to unite some of the finest voices in hip-hop together in one place. The multi-talented producer/actor will also hit the big screen again later in the year as he co-stars in the upcoming comedy from writer/director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) out summer 2009. He will be seen alongside Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in Funny People, the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience.
The Afro Samurai animated series debuted on Spike TV in 2006 and was the best-selling anime DVD release of 2007. In Afro Samurai: Resurrection, Academy Award® -nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson returns as the voice of the solitary warrior Afro Samurai and his sidekick Ninja Ninja as well as executive-producer of the this stylish series. Joining the cast this season is Lucy Liu (Dirty Sexy Money, Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill) as Sio, the seductive and sadistic mastermind plotting to destroy Afro. Also newly cast is Mark Hamill (Star Wars) as Bin, Sio’s servant and protector.
RZA’s 2007 soundtrack to season one of the Afro Samurai series introduced the world to a new team/swarm of the Wu disciples and included legendary collaborations with Big Daddy Kane, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, and more never thought to be captured on tape. The exceptional follow up comes with deluxe packaging and O-Card and features the Wu-Tang mastermind at his architect best, drawing up the blueprint for a new dimension of sound and collaborations with friends old and new.
Afro Samurai: Resurrection marks another milestone for Wu Music Group, which recently announced a comprehensive partnership with The Orchard, to distribute and market the label’s popular catalogue worldwide. The Orchard and Wu Music have digitally released the label’s entire catalogue of unreleased material, including important recordings from RZA and other Wu-Tang Clan members, and will be marketing and distributing future physical and digital releases, beginning with Afro Samurai: Resurrection, from current label acts and new signings. The saga will continue, as the Diggs brothers breathe new life into the legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan. The RZA is also currently on tour with the Wu-Tang Clan – dates below!
12.10.2008 DENVER, CO OGDEN THEATRE
12.11.2008 FORT COLLINS, CO AGGIE THEATER
12.14.2008 CHICAGO, IL HOUSE OF BLUES –
12.15.2008 MINNEAPOLIS, MN FIRST AVENUE
12.17.2008 CLEVELAND, OH HOUSE OF BLUES
12.18.2008 ROCHESTER, NY MAIN STREET ARMORY
12.19.2008 PHILADELPHIA, PA THE TROCADERO THEATRE
12.20.2008 NEW HAVEN, CT TOAD’S PLACE
12.21.2008 SAYREVILLE, NJ STARLAND BALLROOM
12.23.2008 NEW YORK, NY HAMMERSTEIN BALLROOM
12.27.2008 LANCASTER, PA CHAMELEON
12.31.2008 BALTIMORE, MD SONAR
01.01.2009 WASHINGTON, DC 9:30 CLUB
01.02.2009 PROVIDENCE, RI LUPO’S HEARTBREAK HOTEL
01.04.2009 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT HIGHER GROUND
01.07.2009 NORFOLK, VA THE NORVA
01.08.2009 RICHMOND, VA TOAD’S PLACE RICHMOND
01.09.2009 GREENSBORO, NC THE N CLUB AND RED ROOM
01.10.2009 CHARLESTON, SC THE MUSIC FARM
01.11.2009 CHARLOTTE, NC AMOS’ SOUTHEND
01.12.2009 RALEIGH, NC LINCOLN THEATRE
01.13.2009 COLUMBIA, SC LEVEL
“AFRO SAMURAI: RESURRECTION” TRACKLISTING:
1. Combat (Afro Season II Open Theme) – RZA; P. Dot
2. You Already Know – Kool G Rap; Inspectah Deck; Suga Bang
3. Blood Thicker Than Mud “Family Affair” – Reverand William Burke; Sly Stone; Stone Mecca
4. Whar – Kool G Rap; Ghostface Killah; Tash Mahogany; RZA
5. Girl Samurai Lullaby – Rah Digga; Stone Mecca
6. Fight for You – Thea Van Seijen
7. Bitch Gonna Get Ya’ – Rah Digga
8. Bloody Days Bloody Nights – Prodgical Sunn; Thea Van Siejen
9. Kill Kill Kill – Rugged Monk
10. Nappy Afro – Boy Jones
11. Bloody Samurai – Black Knights; Dexter Wiggles; Thea Van Seijen
12. Dead Birds – Killah Priest; Prodgical Sunn; Shavo
13. Arch Nemesis – Ace; Moe Rock
14. Brother’s Keeper – Reverand William Burke; The RZA; Infinite
15. Yellow Jackets – Ace; Moe Rock
16. Take the Sword pt. III – 60 Second Assassin; Leggezin; Crisi; Christ Bearer; Rugged Monk; Tré Irie; Kinetic; Reverand William Burks; Bobby Digital
17. Number One Samurai (Afro Season II Outro) – The RZA ; 9th Prince