Before Timbaland and T.I. became the reigning stars of hip-hop, the genre’s most prolific (and most talented) artists were those involved in the Wu-Tang Clan.

In 1993, nine MCs decided they wanted to create more than just a musical group—they wanted to build an empire. RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon the Chef, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa united as the Wu-Tang Clan, releasing one of hip-hop’s greatest albums, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and changing the way rap artists worked.

The group’s members recorded together for one label, but were free to sign solo contracts and collaborate with artists for other labels. For the greater part of the 1990s, the Wu-Tang Clan dominated the hip-hop scene, with group albums as well as solo records and collaborations taking up the charts. Wu-Tang’s members became superstars.

As time passed and hip-hop evolved, new rap artists picked up Wu-Tang’s sound and the group faded from the limelight. With musical geniuses RZA and GZA crafting new music, the Wu-Tang Clan re-emerged with 8 Diagrams in 2007, and will hopefully reclaim their throne as hip-hop’s most innovative artists.

Wu-Tang Clan appear at the House of Blues December 6 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $37, $45 and $55.

By Caitlin McGarry