Wu- Tang Clan
photographer Tatiana Mason
stylist Zach Hausbeck
journalist Jasmine Nolan
director Mariah Thompson
graphic designer Jaiden Cregger
models Nick Clements, Edward Conoran, Jude Eragbai,
Jaylen Fields, Jude Flowers, Byron Hilson, Lance Lazarre
and Deshon Smith
director assist Sofia Serratos
Wu Tang The Wu-Tang Clan shoot was perceived through the Michigan lens. Wu-Tang leaves its mark on Michigan by influencing Detroit-born rappers and musicians with their real, raw music and streetwear fashion. We incorporated the Detroit-based line Carhartt due to their collaboration with Wu-Tang connecting to their signature style. Verge appreciates and credits the studio For Arts Sake Located at 117 S. Main St, Mt Pleasant. Thank you! The Wu-Tang Clan was born from the creative vision of Robert Diggs, better known as RZA, an American rapper and producer (Rauch, 2025). In 1992, RZA, along with his two cousins and a group of friends from New York, formed the iconic rap group. Their name was inspired by one of Diggs’s favorite movies: “Shaolin” and “Wu-Tang” (Rauch,2025).
Produced by Ronald Bean the graffiti painter in 1993 (Logos-world, 2024), Wu-Tang's “W” logo resembles a bird and draws inspiration from Eastern culture. It features "Wu-Tang" written horizontally in Chinese, alluding to kung fu films while symbolizing the group’s connection to martial arts. It showcases their creativity and personal clothing brand, Wu-Wear. They used multiple forms of art, from movies, music and paintings, to create worldwide fashion. The Wu-Tang Clan is an African American group that produces art they cherish— through music and fashion— to spread their love for culture and creativity to fans worldwide.
The Wu-Tang Clan evolved Black fashion in the ‘90s through hip-hop culture and music production. The group consisted of nine African American members led by colleague RZA (Colin Mahar, pg.1). The core members included RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ol Dirty Bastard and Masta Killa. They originated in Staten Island, New York, in the early ‘90s. A television show named “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” premiered on Hulu and was created to share their upcoming story. These men made the group based on their interests in comic books, kung fu or crime films and Eastern religion. Their shared interests led them to work on records and albums in New York City, causing their successful career to grow.
Wu-Tang Clan took off, and their fashion business was on the rise right behind their music. Their fashion of African American and Asian culture led to an album that became a global sensation and changed the landscape of the music industry. Wu Wear was the name of their hip-hop clothing line, but it wasn’t the first hip-hop line out. Their executive producer, Oliver Grant, was in charge of making the clothes in the early 1990s (Niall Smith, pg.3). There were other brands out like Sean John, Pelle Pelle and Baby Phat. These brands, counting Wu Wear, are still being worn and showcased, especially in Black fields. It represents a community of hip-hop culture through selling fashion. Wu Wear stores are in big cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Virginia, Atlanta and Los Angeles. It officially became sold in stores like Macy’s, Rich’s and others, making over $10 million in 1998 (Jian Deleon, 2011, pg.2).
Wu-Tang used music and fashion to promote their group and ultimately became one of the most popular hip-hop groups of all time. The men were proficient in streetwear, which shaped trends and inspired younger generations to follow. Not only their music, but their clothing, left a mark on the world of fashion. The group used their upbringing to invent this raw and genuine style. It made their supporters and fans connect to these gentlemen extremely because the fashion was relatable. As of today, men and women are embracing baggy clothes, oversized hoodies, sweatshirts, sneakers, timberland boots and hats. This originated from the Wu-Tang Clan for being a big influence on African American history, fashion trends and hip-hop itself. Streetwear is the new attire most teenagers and young adults are rocking, all thanks to Wu-Tang.
Sources
DeLeon, J. (2011, October 12). Wu-Tang Forever: The history of Wu Wear. Complex. https://www.complex.com/style/a/jian-deleon/wu-tang-forever-the-history-of-wu-wear.
Mahar, C., & Colin MaharColin is a content creator based out of New York City. Colin loves rap music because it brings together various things that he enjoys. (2023, October 16). Wu-Tang Clan Group history. The Hip Hop Insider. https://thehiphopinsider.com/bios/wu-tang-clan-group-history/.
Rauch, A. (2025, January 19). Wu-Tang Clan. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wu-Tang-Clan
Smith, N. (2022a, November 30). A look back at Wu-Tang Clan’s “Wu wear” clothing line. The Culture Crypt. https://www.theculturecrypt.com/posts/wu-wear-wu-tang-clan.
Wu Tang logo. , symbol, meaning, history, PNG, brand. (2024). https://logos-world.net/wu-tang-logo/