The struggle is real, and so is the hustle. That’s arguably the very story of Wu-Tang Clan, an unpredictable, combustible, and disparate group of Staten Island rappers put together by the RZA, the producer and visionary of the group. And against the odds, while living in the projects, he kept the massive group of talent together and steered them to hip hop greatness. That’s essentially the story of Hulu’s “Wu-Tang: An American Saga,” an against-the-odds tale of talent and perseverance and trying to make it in the music business in the ’90s, amongst tons of obstacles.
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Executive produced by members of the Wu-Tang Clan, the RZA, Method Man, plus Alex Tse, T, Brian Grazer, and Samie Kim Falvey, the Clan clearly knew their story was worth telling, and the series is in its second season now. Not only that, the show boasts quite the cast of Black talent. Ashton Sanders of “Moonlight” fame plays Bobby aka the RZA and Shameik Moore known for “The Get Down,” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” plays Sha, aka rapper Raekwon.
“Wu-Tang: An American Saga” is set in New York City during the height of the crack cocaine epidemic in the early 1990s. It follows the Wu-Tang Clan’s formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs, aka The RZA, and rise amid the dangers and excesses that came with the epidemic. Here’s the season two synopsis as the group starts to rise in fame but still faces so many challenges to “make it.”
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The Clan is disillusioned with life in the projects, and Bobby knows that success in the music industry could be their ticket to better lives. But getting the Clan members to drop everything for music isn’t easy. The resentment between Dennis, Sha, Power, and Divine still runs deep, while the other Clan members struggle dealing with intercity life. This time around, Bobby is dedicated to authenticity, and though he knows he can lead his crew through the challenges of the music business, the Clan’s fractures may prove too much to overcome.
The complete “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” cast is thus: Ashton Sanders (Bobby/RZA), Shameik Moore (Sha), Siddiq Saunderson (Dennis), Julian Elijah Martinez (Divine), Marcus Callender (Power), Zolee Griggs (Shurrie), TJ Atoms (Ason), Dave East (Shotgun), Johnell Young (Gary), Erika Alexander (Linda Diggs), Uyoata Udi (Rebel), and Damani Sease (U-God)
The guest cast includes Jaqwan Kelly (Jamel/Masta Killa), Gbenga Akinnagbe (Mook), Ayanna Bria Bakari (Mecca), Deshawn White (Tesia), Andrew Manning (Tesia’s ex), Jerry Clicquot (Dell), Curtiss Cook Jr. (Mathematics), Jacob Ming Trent (Clifton), Mandela Van Peebles (Shank), and Lala Anthony (Tracey Waples)
Tonight, Hulu airs Episode 7 from Season 2, directed by Mario Van Peebles, and we’ve got an exclusive look before it airs. Titled, “Airwaves” the official synopsis of the episode is “With ‘Protect Ya Neck’ in hand, the Clan hustles to get it on airwaves and in stores by any means necessary.” “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” airts every Wednesday until the finale on October 27. Check out an early look at “Airwaves” below.
