By the time Cappadonna released his solo debut album, The Pillage, in the spring of 1998, the Wu-Tang sound as masterminded by the RZA had become familiar. That’s not to say that it was played out, however. The RZA’s skeletal, menacing production is bracing even after it’s become familiar, which is to Cappadonna’s benefit, since The Pillage doesn’t really expand the Wu sound any further. With producer cohorts Goldfinghaz and Tru Master, the RZA has re-created his signature sound; while it sounds terrific, it nevertheless will be a little frustrating, since not only does it lack the thrill of the new, but the album isn’t as focused as such previous RZA/Wu masterpieces as Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and the Genius’ Liquid Swords, which both found individual voices within RZA’s sound. Cappadonna, in contrast, is a foot soldier, capable of turning out great songs (“The Pillage,” “Splish Splash,” “Dart Throwing”), but also capable of just going through the motions. Consequently, The Pillage packs more punch than the average late-’90s hip-hop record, but it doesn’t reach the dazzling standards of past Wu classics. – Stephen Thomas Erlewine
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