Wu-Tang Clan is one of the most iconic hip-hop groups in history, but are they still on students’ radar today? To find out, I interviewed students and teachers at my school, asking if they knew the group, could name a song, and how they would rate Wu-Tang.

Most students and staff were familiar with Wu-Tang, with one staff member on campus Mr. Otter showing a lot of enthusiasm, saying, “Wu-Tang? Yeah, I’ve heard ‘Protect Ya Neck’.” Some students, however, struggled to name a song, and others didn’t recognize any of the members by name. One student named Franklain Tartaglio managed to name three: “I know Method Man, RZA, and Raekwon.”

The teachers were just as familiar, if not more so. Mr. Trueblood said, “Of course I know Wu-Tang! ‘C.R.E.A.M.’ is a classic.” However, when asked to rate them, opinions varied. Mr Otter gave them a 4, explaining, “I don’t really like that kind of music.” Mr. Trueblood was more generous, rating them a 7, saying, “I like what they rap about, but it’s not my usual playlist.”

Student ratings were generally higher, with one student Franklain Tartaglio giving them a 8.5. 

Overall, while today’s students may not know every detail about Wu-Tang Clan, their impact on hip-hop is still undeniable. They’re a big part of music history, even if the younger generation isn’t as familiar with them.