With their second album, Dirty Weaponry, Killarmy makes great strides toward distinguishing themselves as an individual crew, not just a third-generation Wu-Tang relative. There’s still traces of RZA and the Wu, to be sure, but the 4th Disciple’s production has begun to develop its own identity, particularly in that his beats are fleshier and funkier. None of the six rappers have developed a lyrical style as distinctive as Ol’ Dirty Bastard or Raekwon, but they’re coming close, with the 9th Prince and Killa Sin standing out from the pack. That combination of better music and lyrical flow makes it more compelling than the debut, and its best moments qualify as some of the best Wu-family music of 1998. – Leo Stanley