Soundtrack of My Life

Song: Triumph
Artist: Wu-Tang Clan
Album: Wu-Tang Forever (1997)

If you've ever wanted a shining example of what great hip hop is supposed to sound like, go out and get this track.

Nine talented MCs drop verses on a six minute song with no chorus. Sounds weird, I know, but with super-producer The RZA in control the whole time, this song was a monster that played on mixtape after mixtape during the summer of '97.

What made Wu-Tang so tremendous was the diversity of the lineup and songs like this showcased the varied skills and style of each member.

Under the radar members like Inspectah Deck (verse one), U-God (verse four) and Masta Killa (verse seven) all rip their contributions and force you to pay attention, while the more well-known soldiers like Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface all deliver the goods you've long expected from them.

Particularly Raekwon, what with the "sickenin' / guaranteed made'em jump like Rod Strickland" and all.

It's news that a follow-up to his solo debut Only Built for Cuban Linx is finally set to be released after nearly four years of speculation that thinking about The Wu-Tang Clan again.

Now I'm going to have to make a homemade Classic Masters album of Wu-Tang goodness.

Track One? Yep... this one.