Homeroom presents the music, history, and mythology of the Wu-Tang Clan.

Join hosts Fred Sasaki and Seth Vanek, comedian Emerson Dameron, and hip-hop writer Sherron Shabazz for a look at the many hearts of hip-hop royalty. The leader of the group, RZA, named the band after a kung-fu movie he watched as a child and developed the Wu-Tang philosophy around topics of spirituality, martial arts, capitalism, comic books, chess, organized crime, cinema, and chemistry. Only after the band’s multi-platinum success RZA discovered that the Chinese word “Wu-Tang” means “man who deserves God.” The Wu went from Staten Island rappers to international entrepreneurs to spiritual gurus while creating a lasting, influential universe starring RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, U-God, Inspectah Deck, and Masta Killa—36 chambers of one heart. The whole brought people together of all colors and creeds under one roof, under the W, and this 101 will explore how and why.

The night features clips, DJ sets of hits and deep cuts, plus laughs and deadly venom. Stick around for a screening of the original kung-fu movie that set it off: Shaolin and Wu-Tang by Gordon Liu.

$5 suggested, 21+
 
BIOS

Emerson Dameron is a writer and comedian based in Chicago and Los Angeles. He has written about hip hop and outsider music for Dusted Magazine. Find him at emersondameron.com

Sherron Shabazz is a freelance writer born and raised in Chicago, IL. A diehard fan of NBA basketball and Hip Hop music, Sherron shares his opinions and expertise on Examiner.com and HipHopDX.com among other outlets. Sherron has interviewed some of the biggest names in Hip Hop and sports such as Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, ESPN analyst Scoop Jackson, the highest man in Hip Hop Redman, and rap music’s next big thing, J Cole. A self-admitted Wu-Tang fanatic, Sherron attended his first Wu-Tang Clan concert in April of 1996 and since then has attended over 50 Wu-Tang concerts. Follow him on twitter @SherronShabazz.
 
101 is an informal lecture and discussion series in which enthusiasts explore sub-culture and pop in front of a drinking crowd. It takes place on occasional Tuesdays at the Hungry Brain in Roscoe Village. Brought to you by Homeroom: homeroomchicago.org.