At London’s O2 Arena, the Wu-Tang Clan demonstrated that even on their supposed farewell tour, their legendary status remains intact. While their performance exuded a polished professionalism absent from their earlier, more anarchic shows, the veteran New York hip-hop collective’s lyrical delivery retains its raw, untamed energy after three decades.
RZA, observing the audience through ornate, jeweled sunglasses, humorously probed, “How many in this crowd were born in the 70s?” This question followed a lukewarm attempt to ignite the crowd into jumping. The resounding cheer that followed confirmed that most attendees at this farewell event were indeed old enough to vividly recall the Staten Island group’s groundbreaking emergence in the early 90s hip-hop landscape. RZA empathetically acknowledged this, quipping, “Your legs, right?” as he massaged his own thigh, seemingly familiar with age-related aches.
Indeed, organizing the Wu-Tang Clan for a final global tour presents unique challenges. Beyond reuniting its diverse members after years of internal disagreements, it also means accommodating the “hip-hop dads” who might appreciate a more measured pace. Despite these considerations, the tour landed in the UK on the heels of glowing reviews from its 2025 American leg.
The European version of the tour, however, saw some necessary adjustments. The setlist was slightly trimmed, and the extensive roster of guest performers featured in the US (ranging from Slick Rick to Lauryn Hill) was reduced to just one: Havoc from Mobb Deep. Even so, the rendition of “Shook Ones, Part II” delivered by Havoc alongside Raekwon and Ghostface Killah was exceptionally powerful. Ultimately, the Wu-Tang Clan’s inherent strength means they hardly require external support to electrify a crowd.