Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nothing To...

Forget about! While we're on a roll with reunions and comebacks, why not add the original Shaolin monks of hip-hop to the fold? The Wu is storming back:

After years of false starts and delays, the Wu-Tang Clan will release a new studio album, "8 Diagram," this summer via SRC Records. According to principal member RZA, the album will include an unreleased performance from the late Ol' Dirty Bastard and a long-in-the-works tribute to the artist dubbed "Life Changes."

So what took so long? Economics, it appears, played a fairly large role. Then again, for the Clan, cash rules everything around (them). And just in case you're wondering, I can go all day on the W puns. But really, I wasn't kidding about the money:

"I know everybody has a lifestyle they have to maintain," he told Billboard.com in February 2005. "Let's just say a Wu-Tang Clan album is worth a couple million dollars. Once 10 guys get on it, it's still worth a couple hundred grand. Some guys' lifestyles require them to make five or six hundred thousand dollars a year regardless. Maybe doing Wu-Tang will make you that much money, but doing it by yourself could you make you a million, because there aren't so many hands involved. But for the legacy, I think we should be willing to make that sacrifice and get it cracking."

Isn't that big of them? Sacrificing a few million down to a few hundred thousand, all for the sake of art. It almost brings a tear to my eye, almost, but not quite. But as for what to expect, RZA gives us the lowdown on the showdown (ya know, since there are all those martial arts references):

People want something that gives them an adrenaline rush," RZA said in a statement. "We're here to supply that fix. How could hip-hop be dead if Wu-Tang is forever? We're here to revive the spirit and the economics and bring in a wave of energy that has lately dissipated."

Ain't that the truth? Wu-Tang is forever and you really can't disagree with that statement...so far. After all, their debut LP "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" is easily in the top 3 definitive rap albums of the 90's (I'd say it fights out with the "Chronic" by Dre for #1, with Snoop's "Doggystyle" at #3). And as their official site is reporting, there's even some hope for future projects. And naturally a new album also means a big ass tour. And I mean literally big, as Wu-Tang has eight members. For the money (and by money we mean pride here) can you name all of them? No cheating now. Go have fun in the comments and see how much love you have for Wu.