The Worst (Onyx and Wu-Tang Clan song)
"The Worst" is a song by American hip hop groups Onyx and Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on December 23, 1997 by Tommy Boy as a single from Tommy Boy Records's Ride and as the first single from Onyx's third album, Shut 'Em Down.
"The Worst" | ||||
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Single by Onyx and Wu-Tang Clan | ||||
from the album Ride and Shut 'Em Down | ||||
Released | December 23, 1997 | |||
Recorded | 1997 | |||
Studio | Streetlight Studios, New York City | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 5:34 | |||
Label | Tommy Boy | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Latief | |||
Onyx singles chronology | ||||
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Wu-Tang Clan singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"The Worst" on YouTube |
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Rate Your Music |
Onyx is represented by Fredro Starr, Sonny Seeza and Sticky Fingaz, as well as affiliate X1. Wu-Tang Clan is represented by Method Man, Raekwon, as well as affiliate Killa Sin.
"The Worst" was a minor hit, making it to three different Billboard charts.
Background
editThe song appeared on the Ride soundtrack. Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz and Sonny Seeza also starred in this movie "Ride", which was originally called "I-95". In February 1998, in an interview for MTV, Sticky Fingaz told about collaborating with Wu-Tang:[2]
"...It was a collaboration. It's about the worst of the worst, meaning the best. We're the worst nightmare for everyone in hip-hop. When we recording this song in the studio all night, Meth said that he wouldn't leave the studio until this track will be done".
In February 1998, song was also included in a Def Jam's promo release Shut 'Em Down (Exclusive Advance) under the name "Onyx vs. Wu-Tang".
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Diane Martel and depicts a post-apocalyptic world where rap is banned. The video was filmed in Chinatown, Manhattan, New York City, including shooting in a restaurant Ipoh Garden Malaysian Chinese, and was released on "The BOX" on March 14, 1998.[3]
The video can be found on the 2008's DVD Onyx: 15 Years Of Videos, History And Violence.[4]
Track listing
editA-Side:
- "The Worst" (radio edit) – 4:55
- "The Worst" (instrumental) – 5:37
B-Side:
- "The Worst" (album version) – 5:34
- "The Worst" (instrumental) – 5:37
Samples
edit- "Up Against the Wall" by Quincy Jones
- "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke
- "Protect Ya Neck" by Wu-Tang Clan
- "Step to the Rear" by Brand Nubian
- "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" by Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes
Personnel
edit- Onyx - performer, vocals
- Fredro Starr - performer, vocals
- Sticky Fingaz - performer, vocals
- Sonny Seeza - performer, vocals
- X1 - performer, vocals
- Method Man - performer, vocals
- Raekwon - performer, vocals
- Killa Sin - performer, vocals
- Latief - producer
- Don Elliott - engineer, mixing
- DJ LS One - additional mix engineer, scratches
Charts
editChart | Position |
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US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard)[5] | 64 |
US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard)[6] | 22 |
US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)[7] | 6 |
References
edit- ^ Rate Your Music Review
- ^ "SNOOP, WU-TANG, ONYX, NAS ON RIDE SOUNDTRACK (by Colin Devenish) (February 11, 1998)". mtv.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- ^ "Billboard Magazine (March 14, 1998)". 14 March 1998. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- ^ "Onyx: 15 Years of Videos, History & Violence (2008)". imdb.com. Retrieved 2018-10-06.
- ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) January 31, 1998". billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- ^ "Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) January 31, 1998". billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- ^ "Hot Dance Music (Billboard) January 31, 1998". 31 January 1998. Retrieved 2018-08-31.