Legendary rap group, Wu-Tang Clan, fans, enjoy final show in New Jersey

By Isiah Christie

Hip-hop has existed for over fifty years. And its originators will never let that party end. Even if retirement is on the horizon.

The Wu-Tang Clan, one of hip-hop’s greatest acts, embodies that very principle. They have now concluded their retirement tour, dubbed “The Final Chamber,” a fitting finish to what has been an illustrious group career. Running through twenty-seven cities and two countries, the ceremonial run was regarded as one of hip-hop’s most significant concert tours and the closure to a cultural chapter that will never be replaced. It began on June 6th, 2025 in Baltimore, and finished on July 18th, 2025 in Philadelphia.

The tour was alongside hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, another acclaimed act for their experimentalism and political stances in hip-hop music. The combination of both groups was seen as an immaculate creative choice considering their similarly high-energy, hardcore approach to the art form that possessed seamless synergy. Run the Jewels served as the opening act before the concert segwayed to the Wu-Tang Clan’s portion.

The Clan’s set was certainly eclectic, featuring a proper mix of hit songs, deep cuts, and solo performances from each member that adequately celebrated their legacies as both a group and individual acts. All tracks were performed by a live band. The set list featured every track from their critically acclaimed debut album – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) – except for one track (Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber). This gave each member a proper opportunity to shine with standout verses from the universal classic, and cheers of applause were scattered across the arena in support of each member’s eccentric characteristics. This includes RZA’s leadership and wise words; GZA’s immaculate lyricism; Ghostface Killah’s energetic demeanor; Raekwon’s smooth delivery; Inspectah Deck’s iconic verses; Young Dirty Bastard, the son of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and his excellent performances of his father’s work; and the charisma of Method Man, the group’s commercial superstar.

The New Jersey show also included guest appearances from R&B sensations Ms. Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige, who arrived as a stellar surprise and complement to the show. Ms. Hill performed songs of her own and also brought out her son Zion David Marley to perform her hit song “To Zion”, which is about him. Blige performed alongside Method Man to deliver the classic track “I’ll Be There for You / You’re All I Need to Get By”, which is a remix track from Method Man’s debut album Tical. It interpolates “You’re All I Need to Get By” by soul singing duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

The group’s leader, RZA, also provided tributes to hip-hop legends that had passed away with shoutouts and track interpolations. Among the mentioned artists were The Notorious B.I.G., Nipsey Hussle, Tupac Shakur, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest, Biz Markie, Big Pun, and DMX. RZA encouraged the release of negative energy and embracing of positivity as a major part of his set, which included poetry, unique visuals and the announcement of his upcoming feature film “One Spoon of Chocolate.”

Wu-Tang Clan finished the set with an array of celebratory tracks, including “Reunited” and “Triumph”, from their sophomore album Wu-Tang Forever. These songs are notable for their communal nature and feature every member, aiming to celebrate the legacy they have cemented in over thirty years of operation. Their iconic track “C.R.E.A.M.” was also among the set’s final performances, ushering in a full sing-a-long from the crowd and beautiful live rendition from their band. It was the cherry on top of what was an unforgettable performance, leaving Newark residents satisfied with an epic conclusion to one of the most beloved acts in rap history.

There’s no doubt about it – the city will be screaming “Wu-Tang,” forever.