`We're not day -to -day in tune. But when Wu -Tang comes together, we put our lives on hold.' -RZA 01' DIRTY BASTARD "Return to the RZA INSPECTAH DECK U-GOD MASTA KU LA 36 Chambers" "RZA as Bobby Digital in Stereo" "Uncontrolled Substance" "No Said Date" 892,000 521,000 241,000 60,000 Peak: No. i Peak: No.16 Peak: No. 19 Pea Peak: No.116 4/15/1995 11/12/1998 10/I5/1999 11/6/1999 6/19/2004 just on his own mission, but to know that he definitely won't Dec. 10 in the United Kingdom, will include a bonus DVD and Surveying the present and looking to the future, RZA stresses be around -it's just not a good feeling. Wu -Tang came together two alternate covers. that the yin and yang of the members' interpersonal dynamic like Voltron and he was a major part of the body. Now, we're In addition, there will be a 25,000 -copy run ofa stainless steel has been there since day one, and that the tension often results walking around with crutches." boxed set engraved with the Wu -Tang logo, according to the in great music. group's international publicist, Eva Ries, who adds that Wu- "We all bring a unique aspect to the group, whether we're MOVE THE CROWD Tang will tour internationally beginning in March. known or not," he says. "Some of us have more success than RZA is putting on a brave face as the pressure builds to spread Wu -Wear is also back in action, having teamed with the Alife others, but that's why Wu -Tang is stronger than Raekwon as the word about "8 Diagrams." Observers say a solid foundation NYC clothing group for a line of sneakers, shirts and acces- himself or Ghost as himself. Inspectah is one of the best lyri- was laid during the band's stint on the Rock the Bells tour this sories branded "A Wu -Tang Life." cists, Meth is the most handsome, and Raekwon is the most summer, during which Method Man made a point of plugging In tandem, Loud created customized shirts that say "I W New hood. But collectively, we bring that whole appeal." the album at each show. York" with the Wu -Tang logo, which will be sold in New York, But controversy ensued when Ghostface slotted his next Def Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston and Chicago. Additional reporting by Jonathan Cohen. Jam solo album, "The Big Doe Rehab," for release on Dec. 4, also the original date for "8 Diagrams." "We weren't aware Ghost was dropping an album the same day," RZA says. "When he was first brought in, he was told the Wu album had a September release date. But the album took so long to make that it was pushed back from September to No- vember and finally Dec. 4. We asked him to step back and let Wu come, but, at the end of the day, he has his own career. So A SALES SAGA we moved our date." The Wu -Tang Clan burst forth from Staten Island in 1993 with "Enter the Street -level marketing is underway with a Mathematics - Wu -Tang (36 Chambers)," the first of three consecutive platinum -plus helmed mixtape; a widget is also available to embed music from albums. Since then, the group's sales fortunes have slid, although its the tape on such social networking sites as MySpace. members' solo projects still do solid business (see graphic, above). According to Loud marketing director Daniel Pappas, addi- tional visibility will come via a Times Square billboard that will be up until New Year's Eve, along with a partnership with skate- board distributors to sell Wu -Tang posters and stickers as well as the mixtape. In a nod to the group's early branding initiatives, select urban retailers will give away a can of Rifkind's new Loud Energy drink with purchase of Diagrams." tracks will be featured via iTunes during Online, several U.S. Sales: 2,019,000 2,003,000 1,105,000 463,000 112,000 160,000 street week, and a viral campaign is being conceived to create Debut: 41 1 5 32 82 72 eight exclusive videos delving further into the "8 Diagrams" 12/9/2000 10/16/2004 11/13/2004 concept. "The plan is to give these to eight different partners, Debut Date: 11/27/1993 6/21/1991 The Billboard whether they are Yahoo or AOL," says Pappas, who says details 82 12 200 Peak: 41 1 5 are still coming together. The Billboard The Clan will return to the road in mid -January in the United 200 Peak Date: 11/21/1993 6/21/1997 12/9/2000 1/5/2002 10/16/2004 States to promote the project, and a recently inked deal with Weeks 13 BODOG will facilitate distribution and promotion of the album on Chart: 42 41 17 in Europe. SRC and BODOG will split the promotional costs. "Enter the Wu -Tang "Wu -Tang Forever" "The W" "Iron Flag" "Disciples of the 36 Chambers: "Legend of the Wu -Tang: (36 Chambers)" Loud /RCA Wu- Tang /Loud/ Wu- Tang /Loud/ Chapter 1" Wu -Tang (Ian's BODOG conceived a major marketing campaign abroad, led SOURCE: Columbia/ Columbia/ Wu -Tang; Greatest Hits" The Dilboard 200 Loud /RCA BMG Strategic by Europe -wide billboards in major cities featuring the slogan, through the Dec. 1 Sony Musk Sony Music Sanctuary Urban/ chart Sales Marketing Group /Sony BMG through the week Sanctuary "How Can Hip -Hop Be Dead If Wu -Tang Is Forever ?" The ending Nov. 11 Strategic Marketing Group according to óN album, which will be released Dec. 7 in continental Europe and Nielsen SoundScan 1993 1997 2000 2002 2004 2004 DECEMBER 1, 2007 www.billboard.biz I 29 www.americanradiohistory.com.