<P> In 1996, the group appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, America Is Dying Slowly, alongside Biz Markie, Coolio, and Fat Joe, among many other prominent hip hop artists . The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine . </P> <P> With their solo careers firmly established, the Wu - Tang Clan reassembled to release the highly anticipated Grammy - nominated multiplatinum double album Wu - Tang Forever in June 1997, debuting at number one on the Billboard Charts . This event was featured in a CNN roundup for the extraordinary sales the group achieved without a mainstream sound or commercial appeal . The album's first single, "Triumph", was over five minutes long, featured nine verses (one from each member plus Cappadonna and excluding ODB who appeared on the intro and bridge), and no hook or a repeated phrase . The sound of the album built significantly on the previous three solo albums, with RZA using more keyboards and string samples, as well as, for the first time, assigning some of the album's production to his protégés True Master and 4th Disciple . The group's lyrics differed significantly from those of 36 Chambers, with many verses written in a dense stream of consciousness form heavily influenced by the teachings of the Five Percent Nation . According to Nielsen SoundScan, the album has sold over 8.3 million copies to date worldwide . </P> <P> Wu - Tang Forever also marked the end of RZA's "five - year plan". After...Forever's success, RZA ceased to oversee all aspects of Wu - Tang product as he had done previously, delegating much of his existing role to associates such as Oliver "Power" Grant and his brother Mitchell "Divine" Diggs . This move was designed to expand Wu - Tang's reach in the industry and take advantage of financial opportunities for the group . In keeping with this move, an array of Wu - Tang products (both musical and otherwise) were to be released over the next two years . </P> <P> Following Wu - Tang Forever, the focus of the Wu - Tang empire largely shifted to the promoting of emerging affiliated artists . The group's close associate Cappadonna followed the group project with March 1998's The Pillage . Soon after, Killah Priest, another close associate of the Clan, released Heavy Mental to great critical acclaim . Affiliated groups Sunz of Man and Killarmy also released well - received albums, followed by Wu - Tang Killa Bees: The Swarm--a compilation album showcasing these and more Wu - affiliated artists, and including new solo tracks from the group members themselves . The Swarm sold well and was certified gold . </P>

Famous r & b / rap collaboration featuring a member of the wu tang clan