RZA Says Hot 97 Ban Of Wu-Tang Clan’s Music Hurt Their Record Sales

RZA has opened up about the impact that Hot 97‘s ban of the Wu-Tang Clan and their music had on their success as a group, as well as the direction of Hip-Hop culture.

In 1997, Wu-Tang was effectively booted from Hot 97’s station and airwaves after Ghostface Killah led a chant berating and cursing the station during their performance at its annual Summer Jam concert.

During an appearance on New York Times‘ Popcast, The Abbot was asked how the lack of support from New York City’s chief Hip-Hop radio station affected the crew, as the ban occurred at the peak of their popularity.

According to RZA, the group’s sophomore album, Wu-Tang Forever, which was certified multiplatinum, would’ve potentially sold 10 million records if given the appropriate amount of radio airplay and promotion it deserved.

“If we didn’t get banned from Hot 97 and their sister stations and even a few other stations that were following their trend, I think Wu-Tang Forever could’ve been diamond,” the Wu founder said, adding that the radio station was a dominant power in Hip-Hop at the time.

The Staten Island, N.Y. rep also says Hot 97’s ban effectively contributed to diminished returns on the Clan’s second wave of albums, including releases by Cappadonna, GZA, Raekwon, and himself.

However, RZA recalls Ghostface Killah receiving a “miniscule” amount of spins upon the release of Supreme Clientle, his 2000 sophomore solo effort.

While RZA credits the station, particularly longtime Hot 97 DJ, Funk Flex, with apologizing to him for the ban, he recalls the period, and the move itself, as a lowpoint for Hip-Hop.

“That was a kick in the nuts and, in hindsight now, it was a kick in the nuts to the culture,” he said.

See a clip of RZA’s interview with Popcast below.