*Author’s disclaimer: This ranking is based on data that anyone can freely obtain at . Everyone is subject to their own opinion on who the most successful Wu-Tang member is.

My life changed, as a middle-school kid, when Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) came out. I actually heard a friend recite the skit, before the M.E.T.H.O.D. Man track, and was wondering why he was so enamored with it. So he played the song for me on his Discman (no ipods during this period, kids) and I was immediately blown away! I asked him to play another track and right away he skipped it back to track number 7. “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta Fuck Wit” came at me probably how it was meant to. Raw, gritty, in your face, and new! That song cemented my love for the historic group of talented MCs who changed the hip hop industry forever. The RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Masta Killa are well-known in Wu Tang albums, but how do they fare individually?

Everyone has a favorite Wu Tang member and the preference is usually based on style, delivery, and/or presence. The debate can go on forever on who the best Wu Tang member (mine is Inspectah Deck) is but what if we put real numbers behind the success?

I did my research by going to the RIAA’s searchable database.The database shows artists that have been certified Gold or Platinum. Since the RIAA was more official than Wikipedia, it was a no brainer that I use their data for the following ranks. So, in terms of record sales only, the following is a ranking of the most successful, Wu Tang member.

7. (3 way tie)
U-God, Masta Killa, and Inspectah Deck

U-God has released three albums so for during his solo career. The “bass” of the group released Golden Arms Redemption in 1999. While receiving 3.5 stars from Amazon reviewers, the album still hasn’t reached Gold as of 8/22/2010. He subsequently released Mr Xcitement in 2005, which received mixed reviews. His best album so far, by reviews, was Dopium which was released in 2009. So far though, none of his albums have reached any type of status.

“The high chief Jamel Irief takes the stage” was the line I mostly remember from Wu-Tang’s 1997 single, Triumph. Masta Killa has been the lesser known member of the group. Unfortunately, the talented MC also didn’t have success in selling records. No Said Date, which received terrific reviews, is still looking to reach Gold. Two years later, Made in Brooklyn dropped, but again, another good review/no status combo.

When the group released their first ever single, Protect Ya Neck (1992), my favorite Wu Tang member made history by kicking off the first verse. Inspectah Deck is super talented and has been consistent in all of Wu-Tang’s successful albums. His cameos with artists such as Gangstarr, Kurupt, and Pete Rock successfully showcased his verbal tactics. But like the previous two members, he couldn’t appeal to the masses. The Rebel INS released Uncontrolled Substance in 1999 and per Wikipedia, it reached Gold. I went to the RIAA database and guess what? Wiki lied again. It did not reach Gold, nor did his other two albums The Movement released in 2003, and Resident Patient, released in 2006. He’s been 0-3 in spreading his talents among the cd buying community.

Coming in at number 6 is the man who many considers the Clan’s leader. He has produced multiple movie soundtracks and even appeared in a recent Nike commercial. Even with his busy schedule, he was still able to release four solo albums, with one of them achieving Gold. RZA’s 1998 debut album, Rza As Bobby Digital in Stereo, was the only album to taste Gold. Bobby Digital carried his alter ego to his second album in 2001, Digital Bullet. I remember when he performed Glocko Pop at the Paramount theater in Seattle back in 2002, and how crazy the people went. The song was sort of a chant, and it worked on the people like a cult leader’s propaganda. Birth of a Prince (2003) and Digi Snacks (2008) were released between his busy projects. RZA went 1 for 4 in achieving some kind of industry status.

The busiest Wu-Tang member in terms of album output, Ghostface Killah has released eight albums to date. His debut album, Ironman (1996), not only achieved Gold status, the album was certified Platinum on February 9th, 2004. Ghostface is only one of two Wu-Tang members to ever receive that distinguished honor. Ghostface did not suffer a sophomore slump as his Supreme Clientele (2000) album also obtained Gold. Who could forget the WWF/WWE/WCW/NWA gold championship belt he wore in the Cherchez LaGhost music video. He went on to deliver 6 more solo albums while also busy appearing on tracks for Wu-Tang and other various artists.

Bulletproof Wallets (2001)

Pretty Toney Album (2004)

Fishscale (2006)

More Fish (2006)

The Big Doe Rehab (2007)

Ghostdini the Wizard of Poetry (2009)

After the first two albums, he couldn’t replicate the same success in accomplishing a status.

Taking the fourth spot in the rankings is the RZA’s and ODB’s cousin, GZA (aka Genius). GZA has released five albums during his career so far, with only his first two obtaining Gold status. Released in 1995, Liquid Swords has received the most accolades from industry insiders and hip hop heads alike. Beneath the Surface surfaced in 1999 and tasted Gold for the second time in his career. Legend of the Liquid Sword (2002) and Pro Tools (2008) received great ratings on Amazon. But great ratings do not buy records. It’s safe to say that GZA’s content is consistent and well liked, but his appeal to the masses is still small.

Raekwon

I went out and bought Raekwon’s debut album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995), after seeing the music video for Ice Cream. The beat was fresh and this was the first time I was exposed to Cappadonna. His sophomore album, Immobilarity, had tasted Gold also. He released two more albums: Lex Diamond Story (2003) and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2. The latter, just as good as his first solo album, will definitely hit Gold in the near future.

Ol Dirty Bastard

Officially, ODB received Gold plaques on all of his albums that he authorized to release. A third album was released after his untimely death which still hasn’t obtained a status (and shouldn’t). Ol’ Dirty might have been most recognized by mainstream America, as the rapper who received food stamps while being chauffeured in a limo. The unpredictable Dirt McGirt also had an outburst during the Grammy’s, which Kanye West tried to duplicate years later. “Puffy is good, but Wu-Tang is the best!”

His first solo album, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, was always in my cd changer while I was in middle school. His followup album, Nigga Please, featured the chart-topping commercial single, Baby, I got your money (featuring a young, Kelis). The third album that came out with his name, that he did not authorize, will not be mentioned. RIP ODB.

Method Man

And the number one, “for the sun…step into millennium”, man who has been the most successful Wu-Tang Clan member is Mr Meth himself, Method Man.

The only member to receive two solo platinum albums (he also received another platinum album with Redman) and one gold, Method Man proved that everything he touched was money. He is widely recognized as the charisma of the group. He has acted in movies, starred in his own MTV show, and appeared in a Adidas commercial.

All in all, Method Man has achieved some kind of status in three of his four albums. The following are his albums in order:

Tical (Platinum)

Tical 2000 : Judgement Day (Platinum)

Tical 0: The Prequel (Gold)

4:21: The Day After

This concludes the rankings for “Most successful Wu-Tang Clan member”. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks and go buy those cds!

Topping off the list was Angelina Jolie’s leading man, Brad Pitt. Nerve.com stated that, “He’s a recognized stoner, known to blaze up after a long day of shooting.”

Surprisingly, the list also contained some of Hollywood’s starlets. The apple-bong toking, South African beauty, Charlize Theron, was the top female and ranked third overall, while Harvard graduate, Natalie Portman rounded off the top 5.

With California Proposition 19 showing up on the ballot this November, you may run into these Hollywood A-Listers at the polls. That is, if they remember to show up.

Check out the full list at Nerve.com’s website.