Wu Tang Clan played their last Columbus concert as a complete group Wednesday night, July 9. Wu’s Nationwide show was part of the Shaolin rappers tour with Run The Jewels. Wu promoted the show as the last tour Wu would tour together..

Wu/RTJ tour’s announcement induced a moment of perspective. Both Wu Tang, and Run The Jewels careers started from the 90’s New York City college radio show, Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito.

Part of the Wu’s legend was Stretch and Bobbie played Wu-Tang’s Protect Yr Neck in December 1992. Protect Yr Neck’s rode the same wave as Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Counterculture unleashed a raw uncompromising sound which was embraced by people who wanted something real. Wu Tang’s buzz negotiated a platinum classic group album Enter The 36 Chambers from Loud which launched solo projects for every Wu member released from major labels Warner, Geffen, Def Jam and Loud.

Wu Tang didn’t play the major label’s game. Wu Tang had leverage where the majors allowed Wu complete creative control.

Protect Your Neck inspired a new generation of Underground Rappers where creative control was an imperative.

Run The Jewels’ El-P rapped in a crew called Company Flow who embraced Wu’s artistic vision of raw Hip Hop without compromise in the late 90s. El-P became know because: Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito.

Stretch and Bobbito’s show reached all of New York City and found love everywhere because Stretch and Bobbito played dope records.

Wu used the major label system for platinum success which dominated mainstream music.

El-P is revered as an artist but wasn’t as famous because El-P didn’t use the major label machine.

Company Flow disbanded then Def Jux was founded by El-P. Def Jux ran its course. El-P then released music from Fat Possum. Fat Possum is a respected label but isn’t as big as Def Jam or RCA.

Run The Jewel’s El-P and Killer Mike found audience from the internet and touring, RTJ still weren’t major label group. Run The Jewels opening for Wu-Tang was an ultimate success for Stretch and Bobbito’s alumni. Wu Tang invited an underground rap crew for an Arena tour.

Lorde took RTJ out but Wu/RTJ is a Hip Hop achievement. Lorde is probably cool people.

I took the 1 from COTA. Yes, Wu/RTJ embody my vision of riding COTA like NYC trains. I looked at the buildings of downtown Columbus. I stepped off the bus. People were selling Wu Tang shirts as exuberant masses surrounded Nationwide Arena.

Run The Jewels took the Nationwide stage backed by DJ TrackStar and two paper floating sculpture fists making Run The Jewel’s hand signs. Run The Jewels rocked for almost an hour playing such bangers as Legend Has It, Ooh La La, and Close Your Eyes and Count to Fuck. Run The Jewels are popular with cool people because of acclaim from Pitchfork. Wednesday found RTJ in pure Rap mode because RTJ were rapping in front of Wu-Tang’s audience.

El-P finished their set by thanking Hip Hop for the privilege of opening for Wu Tang Clan. El-P said RIP Camu. RTJ understood Wu included them in an artist altitude.

RTJ’s peers are MF Doom, Pitchfork and Future. Wu’s peers are Gangstarr, Nas and Mobb Deep.

Run the Jewels were aiming for Run DMC at Nationwide Arena…

Wu Tang are one of the most important music groups ever. I celebrated the idea that Stretch And Bobbito’s most artistical, challenging groups were playing arenas in 2025.

It dawned on me – we were watching Wu-Tang’s last tour. We take for granted Wu Tang Clan exists. Wu’s existed every day in our lives and permeated everywhere with their marketing.

We awaited Wu’s entrance. An instrumental that sounded like 1992 Show + AG played. Or was that Funky Lemonade? The instrumental sounds like NYC in 1992 music until Wu dropped.

Dave Chapelle walked out into Nationwide Arena. Dave yelled, “O-H-“ Nationwide arena replied…I-O. Dave Chapelle said the introduction: “From the Slums of Shaolin….”

Bring Da Ruckus played by an orchestra in the back. RZA yelled, “Bring Da Muthafuckin Rukus.”

Ghostface started rapping. Rukus didn’t feel like a song we’ve played a zillion times. Wu Tang Clan were playing one of the livest rap songs in person backed by Ohio’s favorite comedian, Chapelle.

The first hour of Wu’s set was the entire clan performing the Enter the 36 Chambers album. The classic songs felt raw like Wu’s beginning and as powerful as Run DMC playing My Adidas at Madison Square Garden.

The Wu reminded everyone we were watching rap’s Metallica, complete with larger screens showing everyone the Wu’s iconic logo in Yellow, and Black. The Wu then reminded you that after Enter the 36 Chambers found release every Wu member is in GOAT contention from individual classics.

Ghost and Raekwon rapped their classics. Who you picking Ghost and the Chef, Run DMC or EPMD for duo? I wrote this, then the Clipse released their second album Let God Sort Em Out.

We are reviewing the Wu last show in Columbus…

Capadonna performed which again reminded everyone Wu Tang Forever added ingredients which wasn’t in Enter The 36 Chambers. Inspectah Deck rapped Above The Clouds. The audience didn’t know Above The Clouds. Above the Clouds is from a Gangstarr Album which didn’t sell as many records as Wu Tang Forever.

Wu were double platinum. I saw Above The Clouds live. IDGAF. RZA kicked metaphysical accapella and discussed reproductive freedom. There was something reassuring. RZA is pro-choice.

Method Man played M-E-T-H-O-D Man. Masta Killa and U-God both showed why lyricism makes Wu Wu. GZA rapped classics which turn satanists into positive energy activate constant elevation. Young Dirty Bastard brought in ODB’’s spontaneity.

Wu Tang yelled OH. Nationwide I-O every 15 minutes. RTJ, and Wu said Columbus in banter. The Show was bombastic, and detailed.

Blue Raspberry would sing which either provided Mary J Blige, or Mavis Staples melody.

Wu’s show spotlighted Raekwon. Raekwon’s new album, The Emperor’s New Clothes is dropping 7-18-2025 from Nas’s label Mass Appeal. Run The Jewels released several albums from Mass Appeal. Mass Appeal’s brand identity: Hip Hop.

Wu were giving a Metallica quality show. As far as shows for music, I’ve seen Metallica live. Wu took that legend serious.

Wu’s raps combined Rakim’s knowledge with Busta Rhymes aggression. Wu then rocked songs like Reunited, and Triumph.

Wu thanked Columbus while Chapelle beatboxed the theme from Underdog. Chapelle lives in Ohio. Our last Wu show was special…

Rza’s last words in Wu’s final Columbus show: “After these breaks, “The Chapelle Show returns.” I then rode da COTA.