Wu Music Group is a new label, run by Mitchell "Divine" Diggs and hip-hop artist The RZA (chief architect of Wu-Tan Clan), and they are set to release their second album, Afro Samurai: The Resurrection, on January 27, 2009.
In July of 2008, in a series of almost simultaneous press releases, the two-hour movie sequel to the original Afro Samurai anime was announced, to run on Spike TV in January of 2009, as the first series had done. The sequel demonstrated a massive collaboration among creators, artists, and distributors. The GONZO anime studio was to produce the film, in partnership with parent company GDH K.K. and FUNimation Entertainment. FUNimation, meanwhile, was announced as the master licensing agent for toy, merchandising, and home video rights. In addition, Namco Bandai Games America would be releasing the Afro Samurai game for Microsoft XBox 260, later in 2009.
The RZA had done the soundtrack to the first Afro Samurai series that ran on Spike TV in 2006, a series that turned out to be the best-selling anime DVD release of 2007.
According to FUNimation Entertainment, "RZA’s 2007 soundtrack to season one of the Afro Samurai series introduced the world to a new team/swarm of the Wu disciples and included legendary collaborations with Big Daddy Kane, Q-Tip, Talib Kweli, and more never thought to be captured on tape."
So the producers were very pleased that The RZA planned to return for the soundtrack of the sequel to the series. Now his work on the new anime is bearing fruit. As FUNimation says, "This highly anticipated release demonstrates RZA’s incredible genius and ability to unite some of the finest voices in hip-hop together in one place." Some of those voices include the legendary Sly Stone, members of the Wu-Tang Clan, Kool G Rap, Rah Digga, and many of RZA’s protégés such as Boy Jones, son of the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Wu Music Group recently established a partnership with The Orchard, which will market and distribute the Afro Samurai: Resurrection release. For more details about the album, the artists and distributor, and The RZA’s current tour with Wu-Tang Clan, visit FUNimation’s website.
Source: FUNImation announcement
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