True Master took on the bulk of Wu-Element production duties for the year, contributing tracks to U-God's solo debut Golden Arms Redemption and Ol' Dirty Bastard's sophomore effort, Nigga Please Mathematics produced songs for Uncontrolled Substance as well as GZA's second album, Beneath the Surface, Method Man's collaboration with fellow Def Jam Records rapper Redman entitled Blackout!, a Wu-Tang Clan contribution to Ice Cube's Next friday soundtrack, and an underground RZA-executive-produced project called Wu-Syndicate by duo Mayalanski and Joe Mafia. In 1999, Disciple took something of a break, producing only two songs for Inspectah Deck's debut album Uncontrolled Substance. The pure volume of Wu-Tang-affiliated material and side projects began to tire critics, and a lack of focus was commonly attributed to the music.
Several of these albums have become cult classics, but their releases have typically been overshadowed by the fans' steady desire to hear RZA production on Wu-Tang projects. Dirty Weaponry, the Wu-Tang Clan's DJ Allah Mathematics got major placements for his production, previously having produced only B-sides for Ghostface Killah and Cappadonna. In addition, 4th Disciple produced four songs on LA the Darkman's debut Heist of the Century and nearly all of affiliate group Killarmy's debut album, Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars. In 1998 alone, 4th Disciple and True Master produced much of Sunz of Mans' debut album The Last Shall Be First, Cappadonna's debut The Pillage, Method Man's second album Tical 2000: Judgement Day, and Killah Priest's debut Heavy Mental. Disciple and True Master were in higher demand as RZA was increasingly less available to produce. Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate Projects (1998–2002) Īfter 1997, RZA's five-year business plan was up and the members of the Wu-Tang Clan were given their contracts, and they went separate ways to develop their solo careers, during which time many Wu-Tang-affiliated acts began to come out with their own projects. After both of them contributed to The Pick, the Sickle and the Shovel, a release by RZA's sidegroup The Gravediggaz, they were given production spots on Wu-Tang Clan's second solo album, Wu-Tang Forever, in 1997.
Also in 1995, 4th Disciple produced the track "B.I.B.L.E.", a Killah Priest solo song at the end of GZA's 2nd album, Liquid Swords he also produced singles for Wu-Tang affiliates Sunz of Man, "Five Arch Angels" and "Soldiers of Darkness." In 1996, True Master produced "Fish," the only non-RZA produced song on Ghostface Killah's debut album Ironman. True Master also co-produced a song on The Dirty Version, the single "Brooklyn Zoo" with ODB. In 1994, producer 4th Disciple became the first producer outside of RZA to produce on a Wu-Tang Clan release he co-produced "Sub Crazy" for Method Man's debut, Tical, then co-produced the song "Damage" for Ol' Dirty Bastard's solo debut, Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. 3 Bronze Nazareth & Separate Projects (2003–2005).2 Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate Projects (1998–2002).