Wu-Tang and StockX Launch the CREAM Charity IPO (Updated w/ Winners)

The history of the Wu-Tang Clan is without equal in the fields of music and fashion, so when they announced their Wu-Tang Foundation was coming back, it only made sense for StockX and the Wu to form like Voltron and set up the Wu-Tang Foundation + StockX CREAM Campaign. For the CREAM  Campaign, members of the Wu-Tang Clan curated 9 one-of-a-kind prizes tracing the past, present, and future of the world’s greatest hip-hop group.

Let’s take a closer look at the connection between Wu-Tang Clan history and the dope, one-of-a-kind items making up the Wu-Tang Foundation + StockX CREAM Campaign IPO.

Wu-Tang Clan and Music

After the 1993 release of their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the Wu-Tang Clan achieved immediate cultural impact with their music and style. From jump, the Wu was moving music and culture forward.

From their first album, to their solo joints and current projects, music continues to be at the heart of the collective. It is the music that informs the fashion and the culture of the Wu-Tang Clan.

The Traktor Z2 Mixer donated by DJ Mathematics represents the group’s work creating groundbreaking music.  Mathematics has been a decades-long member of the Wu, designing the original, emblematic ‘W’ logo, and most recently serving as executive producer for the Wu-Tang Clan’s 2017 album, The Saga Continues.

In 1994, the Wu-Tang Clan released their video for the song, “Can It Be All So Simple,” transforming the relationship between Polo Ralph Lauren and hip-hop by bringing New York’s ‘Lo Life streetwear scene into mainstream consciousness.  

When Raekwon enters his first scene in the video wearing a Polo Ralph Lauren Snow Beach pullover, he made the Snow Beach line the epitome of streetwear cool.  The enduring popularity of Snow Beach led Polo to re-release the line earlier this year. All thanks to Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan.

(Wu-Tang, Raekwon, and Polo Ralph Lauren Snow Beach Started off on the Island, AKA Shaolin)

In 1997, Wu-Tang Clan smashed the pop-cultural stratosphere when they linked up with Rage Against The Machine for a world-stomping, co-headlining tour. It was a musical event for the history books, and group member U-God has donated his signed and tour-worn Ecko camo pullover for the Wu-Tang Foundation + StockX CREAM Campaign in commemoration of this tour.  

Wu-Tang Clan and Fashion

As a musical collective, the Wu can do no wrong, but they have never limited themselves only to music. In 1995, Wu-Wear, the first hip-hop artist inspired streetwear line, was launched.  

Wu-Wear was introduced to the world through an insert in the album art of Raekwon’s debut album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx . . .” The insert provided a mini-catalog and group product photo of Wu-Wear’s initial offerings. All of this was available for purchase through an order form and directions for sending money orders to a “Wu-Wear” P.O. Box in Staten Island.

From 1995 to 2008, the Wu-Wear line developed from CD insert mini-catalog to being sold in Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. Inspectah Deck’s Wu-Wear baseball jersey, U-God’s Wu-Wear football jersey, and the Wu-Tang matching black basketball jersey and shorts represents this era of Wu-Tang’s sustained, cultural ascendence.   

(L to R: Wu-Tang Black Basketball Shirt and Matching Shorts; Inspectah Deck Wu-Wear Baseball Jersey, Signed; U-God Wu-Wear Football Jersey, Signed)

Wu-Tang Clan and Sneakers

In addition to streetwear, Wu-Tang Clan has had a strong presence in the sneaker world. Beginning with the fabled, $20,000-a-pair Nike Wu-Tang Dunks, the Wu has collaborated with many different brands, including Fila, adidas, Alife, Asics, DC, New Balance, and Diadora, to name a few.

Given the group’s long history in the sneaker world, it only seems right that Method Man would donate an autographed pair of his adidas Forum Mid x Def Jam 25 sneakers. These shoes were designed by Method Man in honor of Def Jam Records’ 25th anniversary, in 2009.

(Although Wu-Tang Clan recorded for LOUD Records, Wu-Tang’s record deal allowed for solo members to sign with the record label of their choosing. As a solo artist, Method Man recorded for Def Jam records for the bulk of his career.)

After instructing the world on how best to wear blue and cream Clarks, Ghostface Killah will forever be known as “The Wallabee Champ.” But he’s not the only member to rock a fresh pair of Clarks Wallabees. Masta Killa donated his pair of tan Clarks Wallabees that he wore at an Art Basel 2017 performance. Additionally, Masta Killa added an autographed shoe box, making these items “Wu-official.”

Wu-Tang Clan History

The Wu-Tang Clan, as a collective and as solo artists, has reinvented hip-hop music and fashion. Ghostface Killah, one of hip-hop’s most beloved MCs, offers two rare hoodies tracing the history of his pathbreaking group.

Acknowledging the group’s rise to international fame, from their debut album to the turn of the 21st century, Ghostface provides a worn and signed Wu-Wear hoodie; Ghostface’s signed “Cherchez La Ghost” hoodie alludes to his classic 2000 album, Supreme Clientele, the Wu-Tang Clan’s revolutionary body of work, and the 2017 start of his own fashion line.

Also reflecting the global, cultural phenomenon that is Wu-Tang Clan history, the GZA autographed and donated his Nike 2012 Brazil National Team home soccer jersey, complete with number 36 on the back, that he wore during his first-ever concert in the country.   

(L to R: Ghostface’s hoodies; the GZA’s Nike 2012 Brazil National Team Soccer Jersey)

The Wu-Tang Clan has represented the cutting edge of music and culture over the last 25 years. With the re-launch of the Wu-Tang Foundation and the Wu-Tang Foundation + StockX CREAM Campaign, the collective is also showing how important community-building has been, and continues to be, to their history. The inclusion of U-God’s memoir, RAW: My Journey Into the Wu-Tang Clan, provides content and context for the first 25 years of the Wu-Tang Clan, and points to where the group might be headed during the next quarter century.

From March 13 through March 16, simply go to THIS PAGE and make a $10 donation(s) to the Wu-Tang Foundation + StockX CREAM Campaign IPO for your chance to take home one of nine pieces of the Wu-Tang Clan legacy.

The Wu-Tang Foundation + StockX CREAM Campaign kicks off the StockX Charity IPO initiative.  Check out THIS PAGE for full campaign details.

*100% of all net proceeds raised from the Wu-Tang Foundation + StockX CREAM Campaign will directly benefit the Wu-Tang Foundation.