ATSIC S02E36 - RETURN TO THE 36
New episode of After the Smoke is Clear is online, and double length. First season I used episode 36 as a dedication to the Wu, who have been hugely influential to me and many others. I start every episode with a Wu or Wu affiliated song, because as the song says,
“After the Smoke is Clear, you’ll find it that Wu Tang’s still here.
After the Smoke is Done, Wu Tang you will find is number one”.
This year I didn’t choose anything classic, nothing from any of the legendary run of 90s albums we all grew up bumping. Wu Tang is forever. This mix is entirely made up of lesser known album cuts, features on other artists songs you might have missed, unexpected collabos, and new releases from the generals or their sons. 2nd Generation Wu and InTell in particular feature pretty heavy throughout. I feel like not many are aware of that movement, but the music has been really good, so I’m happy to help spread the second wave of W representatives music to the world.
This was going to be a one hour mix, but then RZA dropped his first single in years 3 days before the show was going to air, so I asked CKXU if I could double down and do a second hour of Wu. Got the go ahead, and this mix is the end results. Big ups CKXU, Adrianna specifically, for the flexibility to do something like this on a whim.
I say in this episode that RZA is one of a few emcee/producers who can be put into a conversation of "best emcee/producer combo artist ever". There's a few who could be in there, (Dre, Kanye) but I'd say they rely too heavy on ghostwriters to be on the level of RZA who's been telling us his own personal ideas and teachings his whole career. DOOM has entered the convo, but as big as his influence was recently, it wasn't Wu Tang in the 90s, crossover and mainstream influence (don't quote Drake at me), and it hasn't lasted 30 plus years (name the 5 classic albums DOOM solo produced for other emcees please). DJ Quik? Q-Tip? J Cole? Evidence? K.R.I.T.? If we leave influence out of the equation and talk pure talent, maybe, but even then, the catalog of work RZA has behind him is ridiculous.
I don’t pay to advertise this show. It costs money buying the music to play each week. If you want to support the show and help me pay some bills, check the merch section, I have mugs with the show branding, and “10 From 11” shirts coming really soon. Any help spreading the word is huge. Likes, Shares, Reposts, and word of mouth is the only way the show will ever find more listeners. So thanks to those who help out, and artists who share the show and send drops and music!
Spotify Playlist featuring all of the ATSIC Season 2 songs (the ones on Spotify anyway) is under this along with all the links to my social media. Listen there, but keep in mind there’s a lot of work put into mixing the show, and I play a fair amount of music that never makes it to Spotify as well.
Let me know what you think of the mix, I love to hear from people.
Stay up.
