Enter the Wu-Tang Affiliates: 107 Chambers

If you ever need to know just how influential and monumental a group like the Wu-Tang Clan are, just look at how many artists there are that fall under the definition of Wu-Tang affiliates. It’s a rabbit hole the likes of Ancestry.com would acknowledge is complex. Artists that have created spin-off crews, been signed to some of the Wu-Tang record labels over the years, or may simply be related to Clan members. These are the Killa Bees.

Rapper and podcaster Noreaga made the recent mistake of referring to these associates of the Wu as flunkies on the Mickey Factz episode of Drink Champs. Specifically naming Shyheim and Killarmy in a dismissive manner that everyone in the room seemingly passed off as a throwaway comment. Something that they deemed was the general consensus. This was a big mistake, however, as Shyheim posted a video response to this via Instagram calling out Noreaga and requesting an apology. Then Killah Priest assembled a number of affiliates on his own podcast to discuss this one dismissive remark for over three hours.

On the one hand, Noreaga being half-cut on a show that encourages guests to get drunk was bound to put himself in hot water at some point. He was disrespectful, but then he often talks over his guests and is generally irritating as far as interviewers go. You half expect him to say some wild shit.

On the other hand, only the hardest of hardcore Wu-Tang fans is still checking for music from the likes of Shyheim. This is a shame because he’s a part of hip-hop history that often gets overlooked. Noreaga’s ignorance has inadvertently shone the spotlight on the Wu-Tang affiliates so while he may have embarrassed himself, Noreaga has reminded many people that the affiliates were more than some supposed “flunkies”. They were an extension of the Wu-Tang Clan in spirit, ideals, and aesthetics. When the likes of Method Man and Raekwon were putting out poor albums, you could turn to a Sunz of Man record for that true Wu-Tang style. If you weren’t feeling RZA’s change in production, there was Bronze Nazareth as an alternative. If you needed something more lyrical there was Killa Sin or Killah Priest. The Wu-Tang umbrella served its purpose on countless occasions.

On a personal note, this whole reminder of the affiliates made me unearth a fan wiki I’d set up a few years ago that aimed to document and provide more clarity on everyone associated with the yellow W. The Harlem 6 even updated their entry with some of the best promo writing you’ll ever read. So below isn’t quite the definitive list as I’m sure it will change over time, but it’s as accurate a list as possible. If any readers wish to correct, add or contribute further to this project, don’t hesitate to jump on the wiki.

Sources: Discogs.com, Wu-Tang Corp, this list from RateYourMusic

A list of all Wu-Tang Clan affiliate groups

Affiliate individuals is another thing entirely, which we can revisit.