‘A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre’ Review
Featuring: RZA, Method Man, Cappadonna, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, Raekwon, YDB | Written by RZA | Directed by RZA, Gerald K. Barclay
August 13th, 2021 saw the Wu-Tang Clan, one of hip-hop’s most iconic and influential collectives, take the stage at Colorado’s legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a performance that defied convention and cemented their legacy as musical innovators. Backed by the 60-piece Colorado Symphony Orchestra, the group delivered a set that blended their raw, gritty Staten Island sound with the lush, expansive tones of classical instrumentation. This wasn’t just a concert, it was a bold experiment, a fusion of genres, and a live scoring of the 1978 martial arts classic The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, the film that inspired their historical debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Directed by RZA (the group’s visionary leader) and Gerald K. Barclay (aka Gee-Bee), A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a documentary that chronicles the night, weaving together electrifying performance footage, intimate interviews, and thoughtful reflections on the intersection of hip-hop and classical music.
At its core, A Wu-Tang Experience is a testament to the Wu-Tang Clan’s fearless creativity. Don’t get me wrong the idea of pairing hip-hop with a symphony orchestra isn’t entirely new, artists like Nas and Jay-Z have performed with orchestras before, but the scale and ambition of this event set it apart. RZA, who has long been fascinated with cinematic storytelling and musical experimentation (just look at his work scoring films like Kill Bill), envisioned this as more than a gimmick. By syncing the Clan’s performance to The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, projected on a screen behind the stage, he transformed the concert into a multimedia experience that honoured the group’s kung-fu-inspired roots while pushing their sound into uncharted territory.
The documentary captures this fusion beautifully. Tracks like “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck,” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” take on new dimensions with orchestral backing, strings swell beneath Ghostface Killah’s vivid storytelling, horns punctuate Raekwon’s streetwise bars, and the symphony’s gravitas amplifies the urgency of Method Man’s delivery. The Colorado Symphony, led by conductor Christopher Dragon, doesn’t just play a supporting role; it becomes an equal partner, reinterpreting Wu-Tang’s gritty beats with a sophistication that challenges the notion that hip-hop lacks the depth of “prestigious” genres. The film poses a subtle but powerful question: Why hasn’t hip-hop been fully embraced as a legitimate art form by the classical world? Through this performance, it provides a resounding statement of… it should be.
The film’s strength lies in its ability to balance the raw energy of a Wu-Tang show with the polished craftsmanship of a symphony. The roughly 10,000 fans in attendance, many of whom are interviewed in the documentary, bring an infectious enthusiasm that underscores the group’s enduring appeal. The crowd’s chants of “Wu-Tang! Wu-Tang!” reverberate through the natural amphitheatre, a stunning venue carved into the Colorado rockscape, adding a primal intensity to the night. Yet, the orchestra’s presence elevates the proceedings, lending a cinematic weight that complements the martial arts visuals unfolding onscreen.
The editing, while occasionally rough around the edges, mirrors the Wu-Tang ethos, unpolished, authentic, and unapologetic. Directors RZA and Barclay intersperse concert footage with behind-the-scenes moments and interviews, offering a multi-dimensional view of the event. We see RZA reflecting on his journey from scoring The 36th Chamber of Shaolin at Fantastic Fest in 2016 to orchestrating this massive production. We hear from Wu-Tang members like Method Man, GZA, and Inspectah Deck, who share their pride in seeing their music reimagined on such a grand scale. And we get insights from symphony members, including Dragon, who express genuine admiration for hip-hop’s cultural impact, a refreshing break from the elitism that often pervades classical circles.
One standout moment is the appearance of Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB), who died in 2004. His performance of “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” is a poignant tribute, channelling his father’s wild charisma while adding his own youthful flair. The crowd’s reaction, near pandemonium, highlights the emotional weight of this generational torch-passing, and the film wisely lingers on it, letting the moment breathe.
A Wu-Tang Experience arrives at a pivotal time for hip-hop, after the genre celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023. The Wu-Tang Clan, now over 30 years into their career, have evolved from Staten Island upstarts to global icons, and this documentary captures them at a crossroads, still boundary-pushing, still relevant, and still willing to take risks. The Red Rocks performance isn’t just a flex of their longevity; it’s a statement about hip-hop’s growth as an art form capable of standing toe-to-toe with any musical tradition.
The film subtly critiques the lingering scepticism about hip-hop’s legitimacy. Interviews with concertgoers and orchestra members alike dismantle the outdated perception that rap is “lesser” music. One young fan remarks that hip-hop has always been a part of their generation’s life, no different from rock or jazz, while a symphony musician notes that music’s universal purpose transcends genre. RZA himself ties it back to the Clan’s origins, recalling how they once plugged into a light pole in the projects to make music, a stark contrast to the grandeur of Red Rocks. This narrative arc, from humble beginnings to orchestral collaboration, is the documentary’s emotional backbone.
That said, A Wu-Tang Experience isn’t flawless. The documentary follows a fairly standard concert film formula, performance clips, talking heads, and repeat… which can feel predictable at times. The editing, while energetic, occasionally stumbles with abrupt cuts that disrupt the flow, particularly during transitions between the stage and backstage. And while the film explores the hip-hop/classical divide, it doesn’t dig as deeply as it could. A more thorough examination of the logistical challenges, how did RZA and the symphony align their tempos? What was the rehearsal process like? might have added another layer of intrigue.
Additionally, some Wu-Tang members get less screen time than others. While RZA, Method Man, and Young Dirty Bastard shine, voices like U-God and Masta Killa feel underrepresented, which might disappoint diehard fans hoping for a fuller group portrait. The focus on RZA as the creative mastermind is justified, he’s the driving force behind this project, but a bit more balance could have enriched the story.
Despite its imperfections, A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is a captivating document of a singular event. It’s a love letter to Wu-Tang’s legacy, a celebration of hip-hop’s versatility, and a middle finger to anyone who doubts the genre’s artistic merit. The film succeeds in capturing the magic of that August night, the roar of the crowd, the synergy of the orchestra, the larger-than-life presence of the Clan, and bottles it for posterity.
For Wu-Tang fans, it’s a must-watch, offering a fresh perspective on their favourite tracks and a glimpse into the group’s evolution. For music lovers in general, it’s a compelling case study in genre fusion, proving that innovation knows no boundaries. Is it the greatest concert documentary ever made? No, it lacks the polish of, say, Stop Making Sense or the narrative depth of The Last Waltz. But it doesn’t need to be. It’s Wu-Tang doing what they’ve always done: defying expectations, breaking rules, and leaving an indelible mark.
In the end, A Wu-Tang Experience is more than a film, it’s a victory lap for a group that’s spent three decades proving hip-hop’s power. As RZA says in the documentary, “Life should inspire creativity.” This performance, and the film that preserves it, are living proof of that philosophy.
A Wu-Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre debuted on PBS last year. The film gets a worldwide digital release on May 6th.
