United States

Las Vegas

Nevada

SWV (Sisters With Voices) is an American R&B vocal trio from New York City, New York whose members are Cheryl (Coko) Gamble, Tamara (Taj) Johnson and Leanne (Lelee) Lyons. Formed in 1988 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here (Human Nature Remix)", "I'm So into You", and "You're the One". The group disbanded in 1998 to pursue solo projects and reunited in 2005. SWV has sold more than 25 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

ONE Musicfest (OMF) is the Southeast's largest 2 day, urban progressive music festival. Taking place in Atlanta, GA on Saturday and Sunday, October 9th and 10th at Centennial Olympic Park, OMF has become a destination festival attracting over 50,000+ diverse music lovers from all over the nation.

Now in its 11th year, ONE Musicfest has become known for its eclectic mashup of urban artists that have included Pharrell, 2 Chainz, Miguel, Outkast, Gucci Mane, Kendrick Lamar, Usher, Gary Clark Jr, Raphael Saadiq, Lauryn Hill, SZA, Nas, Kelis, Summer Walker, Anderson Paak, Erykah Badu, DVSN, Damian Marley, Ari Lennox, A$AP Rocky, T.I, Santigold, Jill Scott, Teedra Moses, The Roots, 8 Ball & MJG, Jhene Aiko, BJ the Chicago Kid, Janelle Monae, and many more!

Featuring multiple stages of non-stop music, the best Food Trucks from around the globe, arts and craft Merch Village, an interactive Visual Artist Village and sponsor activations, "ONE Musicfest is the not to be missed festival of the year." - Billboard.

ONE Musicfest (OMF) is the Southeast's largest 2 day, urban progressive music festival. Taking place in Atlanta, GA on Saturday and Sunday, October 9th and 10th at Centennial Olympic Park, OMF has become a destination festival attracting over 50,000+ diverse music lovers from all over the nation.

ONE Musicfest

Good lawd, Lovers & Friends comin’ in hot! Real hot! So hot that the throwback festival had to add a second date! Lovers & Friends’ first date on Saturday, May 14 sold-out within one hour! But don’t you worry, 90s r&b and hip hop fans — Lovers & Friends is coming at ya for a second run on Sunday, May 15, 2022. Do not miss the bus on this one!

Lovers and Friends Festival

SOMETHING IN THE WATER is a music festival and cultural experience in Washington D.C.

Something in the Water

Ak-Chin Pavilion is an amphitheater located in Phoenix, Arizona, which seats 8,106 under a pavilion roof and an additional 12,000 on a hillside behind the main stands. It opened on November 11, 1990. The naming rights sponsor is the Ak-Chin Indian Community.

Ak-Chin Pavilion

Glendale

Chase Center is a multi-purpose arena in the Mission Bay neighborhood of San Francisco which has become home to some of the largest events. Chase Center is a newly built arena that serves as a world class venue for entertainment and sports. 

Chase Center

Mission Bay

The North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre is a 20,500-seat amphitheatre located in Chula Vista, California adjacent to Aquatica San Diego. It is one of the larger concert venues in the San Diego area. The venue is currently owned and operated by Live Nation. 

North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

Chula Vista

Prudential Center is just two short blocks away from Newark Penn Station, and is connected to Newark Broad Street Station by frequent, convenient bus service. It serves as the premier live entertainment destination in Newark, New Jersey. 

Prudential Center

Downtown

Located in White River State Park’s picturesque setting nestled along the east banks of the White River in downtown Indianapolis, our venue offers a mix of some of the best music in Indianapolis. Join us this upcoming year for more world-class live entertainment in downtown Indianapolis at White River State Park!

Amphitheater at White River State Park

The Ascend Amphitheater is an open-air event venue located on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. It is set inside the Metro Riverfront Park. The amphitheater seats 2,300 in fixed seating, and 4,500 on the lawn, with a total capacity of 6,800.

Ascend Amphitheater

Barclays Center showcases the world’s most thrilling entertainment and sports events right in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. 

Barclays Center

Prospect Heights

Bojangles Coliseum has played host to entertainment icons, rock legends, sporting greats, political leaders, graduates, convention-goers and even rodeo stars.

The landmark dome opened in 1955 as Charlotte’s first coliseum. At the time, it was the largest unsupported steel dome coliseum in the world and the first free-spanning dome in the U.S.—an architectural marvel and beacon of modern design. The coliseum served as the region’s major sports and entertainment facility for over 30 years.

Bojangles Coliseum has played host to entertainment icons, rock legends, sporting greats, political leaders, graduates, convention-goers and even rodeo stars.The landmark dome opened in 1955 as Charlotte’s first coliseum. At the time, it was the largest unsupported steel dome coliseum in the world and the first free-spanning dome in the U.S.—an architectural marvel and beacon of modern design. The coliseum served as the region’s major sports and entertainment facility for over 30 years.

Bojangles Coliseum

The Cadence Bank Amphitheatre is an outdoor amphitheatre within historic Chastain Park in Atlanta, Georgia. The venue opened in 1944 and is decreed "Atlanta’s Oldest Outdoor Music Venue".

Cadence Bank Amphitheater

Chastain Park

CFG Bank Rena (formerly Royal Farms Arena) is an arena located in Baltimore. The Arena is located about a block away from the Baltimore Convention Center on the corner of Baltimore Street and Hopkins Place; it is also only a short distance from the Inner Harbor. It seats 11,100 and can be expanded up to 14,000, depending upon the event.

CFG Bank Arena

Located on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County stands the new Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. The venue officially opened its doors on Saturday, February 3rd for a sold-out UMBC Men’s Basketball game. The 6,000-seat arena is the home to the Retriever Men’s and Women’s basketball teams and women’s volleyball. The multi-purpose venue hosts a variety of events including commencements, concerts, family shows, trade shows, consumer shows, featured speakers, and banquets.

Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena

The Chicago Theatre, originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre, is a landmark theater located on North State Street in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. Built in 1921, the Chicago Theatre was the flagship for the Balaban and Katz group of theaters run by A. J.

The Chicago Theatre

New Eastside

Concord Pavilion is an amphitheatre located in Concord, California. It is owned by the City of Concord and operated by Live Nation. The Pavilion has a capacity of 12,500 people and opened in 1975 as the Concord Pavilion. It is used for concerts, local community events and local high school graduations.

Concord Pavilion

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, sometimes called The Woodlands Pavilion or simply The Pavilion, is a concert amphitheatre located in The Woodlands, Texas, an outer suburb of Houston, Texas. It caters to both the performing arts and contemporary artists and is also available for rental.

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Woodlands

Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues.
Throughout its history, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest legends in music – from Sir Elton John to Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen to Carlos Santana and many more in between. 

Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues.Throughout its history, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest legends in music – from Sir Elton John to Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen to Carlos Santana and many more in between. 

The Greek Theatre

Griffith Park

H-E-B Center at Cedar Park is an indoor arena located in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin. Originally named the Cedar Park Center, the arena is home to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League and the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League.

H-E-B Center at Cedar Park

Cedar Park

Hard Rock Stadium is a football stadium located in Miami Gardens, Florida, a city north of Miami. It is the home stadium of the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Hard Rock Stadium also plays host to the Miami Hurricanes football team during their regular season. It is host to various live events and concerts throughout the year. 

Hard Rock Stadium

Miami Gardens

The Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater located on the bank of the Long Island Sound in Bridgeport, CT promises to be the live music entertainment destination for Southwest CT and the entire region. The venue is accessible from I-95, the Merritt Parkway, MetroNorth, Amtrak and dedicated Port Jefferson Ferry. 

Attention to detail is the hallmark of the 5,700+ seat boutique amphitheater.  It is designed to wow. Luxurious details greet you as you enter the building, from custom steel gates and stone walls, the iconic tensile roof, marble bathrooms, food stands in stone, granite countertops, twinkle lights reminiscent of the evening sky, four huge video boards, cup holders at every seat, and much, much more.  

The back-of-house was designed to wow the bands. The star suite with an outdoor patio, fireplace, massage room, bedroom and personal chef is truly spectacular. There are also six additional dressing rooms with private baths, a laundry facility, 2 green rooms, and dining room.  

Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater promises to entice all the senses from the state-of-the-art sound system, to the beautiful finishes, to the fabulous local food.  Dinner will be available 3 hours before all concerts at Two Roads at the Amp. Local food will be available from Little Pub, Blue Point, Two Roads, Micalizzi’s Ices, Timothy Ice Cream, Hummel Hot Dogs, Donut Crazy, Tasty Yolk, Bad Sons and so many more. The amphitheater will showcase the best of Connecticut.  

The amphitheater is a joint venture between the City of Bridgeport and Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater in association with Live Nation. 

The Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater located on the bank of the Long Island Sound in Bridgeport, CT promises to be the live music entertainment destination for Southwest CT and the entire region. The venue is accessible from I-95, the Merritt Parkway, MetroNorth, Amtrak and dedicated Port Jefferson Ferry. 

Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater

The Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre is an outdoor concert venue in Maryland Heights, Missouri, near St. Louis.

Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Featuring 43,000 square feet of flexible design space, House of Blues Houston is comprised of four distinctive environments including a luxe VIP club, a rocking Restaurant & Bar featuring contemporary and traditional Southern art and cuisine, a small elegantly designed private event room.

House of Blues

The Indiana Farmers Coliseum is a one-of-a-kind multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, home to more than 150 sporting and entertainment events each year.

Built in 1939 as the Livestock Pavilion, the Coliseum ranked among the largest and grandest structures of its time and type. It has been host to thousands of events, from National Livestock Shows, the ABA Indiana Pacers, and their 3 Championships in 4 years in the early 1970’s, Hockey, and the only Indiana performance of the Beatles in 1964.

With its history intact, the Indiana Farmers Coliseum underwent a $53 million renovation in 2012, modernizing the iconic Indianapolis venue, and paving the way for a new era of sports and entertainment. Indiana Farmers Coliseum is home to the ECHL’s Indy Fuel and the NCAA IUPUI Jaguars. The Indiana Farmers Coliseum hosts over 150 events and over 1 million guests annually with events ranging from professional sports, live music, family shows, Auto Auctions, and special events.

The Indiana Farmers Coliseum is a one-of-a-kind multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center, home to more than 150 sporting and entertainment events each year.

Indiana Farmers Coliseum

The Levitt Pavilion here in Denver is part of a growing family of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites across America. This year, through permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP Music Series, 550+ free Levitt concerts will be presented in 26 towns and cities. Each celebrates its own community and presents high caliber entertainment featuring a rich array of music genres. As coveted anchors of community life, families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together on Levitt lawns through the power of free, live music. Leading the program’s nationwide growth is the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a pioneer in the creative placemaking movement. 

Levitt Pavilion Denver is a non-profit established with the purpose of building community through music. Levitt Pavilion Denver operates on a mission to bridge cultural gaps and to find ways to erase divisions and embrace differences in our community. We believe in embracing the local, including the musicians, staff, artists and sponsors. Levitt Pavilion Denver is more than just another music venue – it is a nexus for local non-profits and arts groups across the Rocky Mountain region. Located in Ruby Hill Park, Levitt Pavilion 

The Levitt Pavilion here in Denver is part of a growing family of outdoor Levitt music venues and concert sites across America. This year, through permanent Levitt venues and the Levitt AMP Music Series, 550+ free Levitt concerts will be presented in 26 towns and cities. Each celebrates its own community and presents high caliber entertainment featuring a rich array of music genres. As coveted anchors of community life, families, friends and neighbors of all ages and backgrounds come together on Levitt lawns through the power of free, live music. Leading the program’s nationwide growth is the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, a pioneer in the creative placemaking movement. 

Levitt Pavilion

Mississippi Coast Coliseum is an 11,500-seat reserved seating, 15,000 festival seating, multi-purpose arena in Biloxi, Mississippi. It was built in 1977. It hosted the WCW Beach Blast in 1993 and the Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball tournament in 1992 and 1993.

Mississippi Coast Coliseum

The Oak Mountain Amphitheatre is the largest outdoor amphitheater in Alabama, and has three tiers of reserved seating with a capacity of 10,500. The Theatre has had some of the biggest artists in the world perform live on stage and will has upcoming artists such as: Jason Aldean, Dave Matthews Band, Zac Brown band, and many more.

Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

The Palace Theatre is a 2,695-seat restored movie palace located at 34 W. Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio. It was designed and built in 1926 by the American architect Thomas W. Lamb as part of the American Insurance Union Citadel. Today the theater functions as a multi-use performing arts venue.

Palace Theatre

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory is the ultimate outdoor live concert venue in Irving, Texas. It offers a wide variety of drinks and an all encompassing view of the stage for party goers to enjoy their night out. 

The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Irving

The Petersen Events Center is a 12,508-seat multi-purpose arena on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland neighborhood. The arena is named for philanthropists John Petersen and his wife Gertrude, who donated $10 million for its construction.  

Petersen Events Center

PNC Music Pavilion is an outdoor amphitheater in Charlotte, North Carolina, that specializes in hosting large concerts. The venue largely replaced the Carowinds Paladium at Carowinds as the premier outdoor venue in the Metrolina region. It was renamed under a new naming-rights deal with PNC Bank.

PNC Music Pavilion

Sizable performance hall at Foxwoods, presenting popular rock, pop & rap shows & other events.

Premier Theater at Foxwoods

Raising Cane's River Center is an entertainment complex in downtown Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Opened in 1977, the complex includes: an arena, ballroom, exhibition center, theatre and library. The venue hosts over 500 events per year.

Raising Cane’s River Center Arena

Named for its location along the Milwaukee River, The Riverside Theater is one of the most opulent of Milwaukee’s theaters, welcoming high caliber artists ranging from Kevin Hart and Neil Young to Norah Jones and Aretha Franklin.

The Riverside Theater

The Stifel Theatre is a civic performing arts building located in St. Louis, Missouri.

Stifel Theatre

The Mann Center for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit performing arts center located in the Centennial District of Philadelphia's West Fairmount Park, built in 1976 as the summer home for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

TD Pavilion at the Mann

Wynnefield

The Theater at MGM National Harbor is the premier entertainment destination in the region. With 3,000 seats, state of the art sound, video and lighting, you’ll experience your favorite artists in an intimate setting unlike any other.

The Theater at MGM National Harbor

National Harbor

Toyota Arena is a multi-purpose arena in Ontario, California. It hosts local sporting events and concerts. Construction officially began on March 7, 2007, and the arena was opened on October 18, 2008.

Toyota Arena

YouTube Theater is an intimate venue, offering seating for up to 6,000 guests. At 227,000 square feet, the theater will act as a new creative oasis for Angelenos. The three-story venue combines state-of-the art technology with luxury guest amenities and features a premium sound system by L-Acoustics. YouTube Theater is not only unique in offerings, but it is also an architectural wonder. Embedded under the same sloping roof canopy as SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza, YouTube Theater was developed by Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke and will host a multitude of events, including concerts, comedy shows, esports tournaments, award shows, community gatherings and more.

YouTube Theater

Inglewood

It's About Time

Weak

Right Here - Human Nature Radio Mix

Release Some Tension

Rain

I'm So Into You

Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971) is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer,dancer and actress. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over 30 million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum for her 2002 album Under Construction. Elliott is known for a series of hits and diverse music videos, including "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)", "Hot Boyz", "Get Ur Freak On", "One Minute Man", "4 My People", "Work It", "Pass That Dutch", and "Lose Control". In addition, she has worked extensively as a songwriter and producer for other artists, both alone and with her fellow producer and childhood friend Timbaland, with whom she received her first production credit on R&B singer Ginuwine's 1996's album Ginuwine...the Bachelor.

Missy Elliott

Can We (feat. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott)

New Beginning

You're the One

You're Always On My Mind

Use Your Heart

Allen Gordon, Jr. aka "ALLSTAR"

Arty Skye

Anything

Anything - Old Skool Radio 7" Version

Emerging in 1993, when Dr. Dre's G-funk had overtaken the hip-hop world, the Staten Island, NY-based Wu-Tang Clan proved to be the most revolutionary rap group of the mid-'90s -- and only partially because of their music. Turning the standard concept of a hip-hop crew inside out, the Wu-Tang Clan were assembled as a loose congregation of nine MCs, almost as a support group. Instead of releasing one album after another, the Clan were designed to overtake the record industry in as profitable a fashion as possible -- the idea was to establish the Wu-Tang as a force with their debut album and then spin off into as many side projects as possible. In the process, the members would all become individual stars as well as receive individual royalty checks.

Surprisingly, the plan worked. All of the various Wu-Tang solo projects elaborated on the theme the group laid out on its 1993 debut, the spare, menacing Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Taking their group name from an powerful, mythical kung fu sword wielded by an invincible congregation of warriors, the crew is a loose collective of nine MCs. All nine members work under a number of pseudonyms, but they are best known as RZA (formerly Prince Rakeem; aka RZArecta, Chief Abbot, and Bobby Steels; born Robert Diggs), GZA (aka the Genius, Justice, and Maxi Million; born Gary Grice), Ol' Dirty Bastard (aka Unique Ason, Joe Bannanas, Dirt McGirt, Dirt Dog, and Osirus; born Russell Jones), Method Man (aka Johnny Blaze, Ticallion Stallion, Shakwon, Methical, and MZA; born Clifford Smith), Raekwon the Chef (aka Shallah Raekwon and Lou Diamonds; born Corey Woods), Ghostface Killah (aka Tony Starks and Sun God; born Dennis Coles), U-God (aka Golden Arms, Lucky Hands, Baby U, and 4-Bar Killer; born Lamont Hawkins), Inspectah Deck (aka Rebel INS and Rollie Fingers; born Jason Hunter), and Masta Killa (aka Noodles; born Elgin Turner).

Although RZA wasn't one of the two founding members -- GZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard were the first -- the vision of the Wu-Tang Clan is undoubtedly due to his musical skills. Under his direction, the group -- through its own efforts and the solo projects, all of which he produced or co-produced -- created a hazy, surreal, and menacing soundscape out of hardcore beats, eerie piano riffs, and minimal samples. Over these surrealistic backing tracks, the MCs rapped hard, updating the old-school attack with vicious violence, martial arts imagery, and a welcome warped humor. By 1995, the sound was one of the most instantly recognizable in hip-hop.

It wasn't always that way. Like most rappers, they began their careers trying to get ahead whatever way they could. For RZA, that meant releasing a silly single, "Ooh, I Love You Rakeem," on Tommy Boy Records in 1991. On the advice of his label and producers, he cut the humorous lover-man single, which went absolutely nowhere. Neither did the follow-up single, "My Deadly Venom." The experience strengthened his resolve to subvert and attack record industry conventions. He found partners in GZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard. GZA had also released a record in 1991, the full-length Words from the Genius on Cold Chillin', which was preceded by the single "Come Do Me." Both records were unsuccessful. After the failure of his album, GZA teamed with an old friend, Ol' Dirty Bastard, to form the crew that would evolve into the Wu-Tang Clan within a year.

RZA quickly became part of the crew, as did several other local MCs, including Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, U-God, Inspectah Deck, and Masta Killa. The nine rappers made a pact to a form an artistic and financial community -- the Wu-Tang Clan wouldn't merely be a group, it would be its own industry. In order to do this, they decided to establish themselves through a group effort and then begin to spread the word through solo projects, picking up additional collaborators along the way and, in the process, becoming stronger and more influential.

The first Wu-Tang Clan single, the hard-hitting "Protect Ya Neck," appeared on their own independent label and became an underground hit. Soon, the record labels were offering them lucrative contracts. The group held out until they landed a deal that would allow each member to record solo albums for whatever label he chose -- in essence, each rapper was a free agent. Loud/RCA agreed to the deal, and the band's debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), appeared in November 1993. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful; although its financial success wasn't immediate, it was the result of a slow build. "C.R.E.A.M.," released in early 1994, was the single that put them over the top and won them a devoted following. The group wasted no time in pursuing other projects, as a total of five of the members -- GZA, RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, and Ol' Dirty Bastard -- landed solo contracts as a result of the success of "C.R.E.A.M." RZA was the first to re-enter the studio, this time as a member of the Gravediggaz, a group he founded; in addition to RZA, who was rechristened RZArecta, the group included De La Soul producer Prince Paul, Stetsasonic's Frukwan, and Brothers Grimm's Poetic. The Gravediggaz's album 6 Feet Deep appeared in August 1994; it eventually would go gold. Labeled "horrorcore" by the group, it was an ultra-violent but comical tour de force that demonstrated RZA's production prowess. Shortly after its release, Raekwon released his first single, "Heaven and Hell," on the Fresh soundtrack; the song was produced by RZA and featured Ghostface Killah.

The first Wu-Tang member to become a major solo star was Method Man. In November 1994, he released Tical, the first official Wu-Tang solo album. Again, RZA produced the album, creating a dense, dirty sonic collage. Tical became a big hit in early 1995, as did Meth's duet with Mary J. Blige, "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By." Ol' Dirty Bastard followed Method Man's breakthrough success with Return to the 36 Chambers, which appeared in March 1995 on Elektra Records. Thanks to the hits "Brooklyn Zoo" and "Shimmy Shimmy Ya," the record became a gold success. Out of all the solo albums, it was the one that sounded the most like Enter the Wu-Tang, although it did have a more pronounced comic bent, due to Ol' Dirty's maniacal vocals. Tales From the Hood, a movie soundtrack featuring Inspectah Deck's first solo track, appeared in May.

Later in 1995, the two most critically acclaimed Wu-Tang records appeared: Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and GZA's Liquid Swords. Raekwon released his album on Loud/RCA in August 1995; the record featured extensive contributions -- a total of 12 songs -- from Ghostface Killah, his greatest exposure yet. GZA's solo album was released by Geffen Records in November 1995. In February 1996, Ghostface Killah's first solo track, "Winter Warz," appeared on the Don't Be a Menace to South Central While You're Drinking Your Juice in the Hood soundtrack. Later that October, he released his own solo debut, the critically acclaimed, '70s soul-flavored Ironman; the record was the first released on RZA's new Epic subsidiary, Razor Sharp Records.

The Wu-Tang Clan finally reconvened and returned with their second album, the double CD Wu-Tang Forever, in June of 1997. Hugely anticipated, the album entered the charts at number one -- selling over 600,000 copies in its first week alone -- and quickly spawned the hit single "Triumph." There were several contributions from guest associate Cappadonna (born Darryl Hill), who'd appeared on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and Ironman, and would later become the tenth member of the Wu-Tang Clan. The group toured extensively in support of the album, getting into a few minor scuffles with the law along the way.

In the meantime, the next phase of the Wu-Tang plan started to take shape: unearthing new associates and spinning the resulting stable of talent into a brand-name franchise. A group of Wu protégés dubbed Killarmy released their debut album, Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars, on Priority Records in August 1997, drawing heavily upon the Clan's martial imagery. 1998, however, was truly the year for Wu-related side projects. In March, Cappadonna released his solo debut, The Pillage, on Columbia. The same month, Killah Priest -- not an official part of the Clan, but a frequent guest and a member of another protégé group, the Sunz of Man -- made his solo debut on Geffen Records with Heavy Mental, an acclaimed album filled with spiritual imagery that established him as one of the more distinctive solo artists in the Wu-Tang orbit. In July the Sunz of Man released their own debut album, The Last Shall Be First, on Red Ant, and yet another group of up-and-comers dubbed the Wu-Tang Killa Bees released their first album, The Swarm, Vol. 1, on Priority, featuring a number of guest appearances by Wu members and associates. In August, Killarmy issued their second album, Dirty Weaponry.

1998 was also the year Ol' Dirty Bastard began a long and bizarre saga of erratic behavior and run-ins with police that found him making headlines with alarming (and ridiculous) regularity. In February he interrupted Shawn Colvin's acceptance speech at the Grammy Awards to protest the Clan's loss in the Best Rap Album category; shortly thereafter, he announced he was changing his name to Big Baby Jesus, an idea that never picked up steam. This was only the beginning -- over the next year and a half, ODB would be arrested for a litany of offenses that included assault, shoplifting, making terrorist threats, wearing body armor after being convicted of a felony, possessing cocaine, and missing countless court dates. Plus, in early 1999, the whole Clan fell under suspicion of masterminding a gun-running operation between Staten Island and Steubenville, OH -- charges that were never proven to have any validity.

In the midst of this legal sideshow, the Clan kicked off a second round of solo projects in late 1998. This time around, RZA curtailed his activities somewhat, making appearances but often leaving the majority of the production duties to his protégés. Still, he released his own solo debut, the soundtrack-styled RZA as Bobby Digital in Stereo, in November 1998 on V2; the same month, Method Man's second album, Tical 2000: Judgement Day, debuted at number two on the charts. June 1999 saw the release of an excellent singles compilation, RZA Hits, which covered the first Wu-Tang album and the first round of solo albums (1994-1995); the very next week, GZA's second album, Beneath the Surface, was released. September brought plenty of new Wu product: Ol' Dirty Bastard's Nigga Please, released while the rapper was in rehab; Method Man's acclaimed duo album with Redman, Blackout!; and the first-ever solo album by Inspectah Deck, Uncontrolled Substance, which appeared on Relativity. Another Wu member made his solo debut in October, when U-God issued Golden Arms Redemption on Priority; Raekwon returned the following month with Immobilarity. Finally, Ghostface Killah issued his well-received sophomore set, Supreme Clientele, in January 2000.

However, this second round of Wu-Tang solo albums didn't attract as much attention, either critically or commercially. True, Method Man remained a popular solo star (and, to a lesser degree, so did ODB), and reviews were highly positive for Ghostface Killah (and, to a lesser degree, GZA). But the Wu franchise was suffering from inconsistency, overexposure (they'd spawned a clothing line, a video game, a comic book, and more), and a flood of musical product that even diehards found difficult to keep up with. Their once-distinctive sound was becoming commonplace and diluted, not just through the collective's own releases but also RZA's many imitators; plus, by this time, Timbaland had taken over the mantle of hip-hop's most cutting-edge producer.

Indie filmmaker Jim Jarmusch commissioned RZA to compose a soundtrack for his acclaimed Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, the results of which were unveiled in early 2000. Other than that, the Clan reconvened for a new album and was mostly quiet during much of 2000 -- aside from Ol' Dirty Bastard, who unfortunately continued to spiral out of control. He spent some time in a California jail for violating the terms of his probation, but appeared to be on the right track when suddenly, in October -- with just two months of rehab to go -- he escaped the California facility and spent a month on the run from the law. Fans were shocked when ODB turned up on-stage at the New York record-release party for the Clan's new album, The W, which was released with considerably less fanfare in November 2000. A leaner, more focused collection, The W featured only one track from ODB and pictured Cappadonna as a full-fledged member of the group (though he remained unnamed on their official contract with Loud).

ODB managed to exit the club after his surprise performance but was soon captured by police in Philadelphia and extradited to New York to face charges of cocaine possession. In April 2001, he cut a deal with prosecutors that resulted in a sentence of two to four years in state prison, bringing his outlaw saga to a sad end. In August 2001, RZA issued his second Bobby Digital album, Digital Bullet; November brought solo albums from Ghostface Killah (Bulletproof Wallets) and Cappadonna (The Yin and the Yang). This time, though, there was no full round of solo projects in between Wu albums; the full group (minus ODB) assembled for their fourth album, Iron Flag, which was released in December 2001, just one year after its predecessor. Despite a lot of activity for the various solo projects, Wu-Tang released only a live album, 2004's Disciples of the 36 Chambers, during the subsequent five years. That document was one of the last places to hear Ol' Dirty Bastard, who died of a heart attack in November 2004. In early 2007, in anticipation for the Clan's upcoming album, 8 Diagrams, Nature Sounds issued the Mathematics-compiled Unreleased, a collection of new remixes and hard-to-find, previously unreleased songs from the group and some of their friends. It wasn't until the end of the year, however -- after a couple of delays and some criticism from Raekwon and Ghostface directed at RZA regarding the overall sound of the record -- that 8 Diagrams came out. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Steve Huey, All Music Guide

Best SWV Songs of All Time - Top 10 Tracks

Best SWV Songs of All Time - Top 10 Tracks

Upcoming Events

1. Weak

2. Right Here - Human Nature Radio Mix

3. Rain

4. I'm So Into You

5. Can We (feat. Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott)

6. You're the One

7. You're Always On My Mind

8. Use Your Heart

9. Anything - Old Skool Radio 7" Version

10. Anything (feat. Wu-Tang Clan) - Old Skool Radio Version

SWV Details