Hip-hop Legends Wu-Tang Clan Announce 2024 Vegas Residency
The entertainment trifecta of football, gambling, and hip-hop are set for a thrilling collision next year, with the announcement of a Vegas residency from New York rap godfathers, Wu Tang Clan.
The legendary group announced recently that they have agreed to hold a residency in February 2024, kicking off on Super Bowl LVIII weekend on February 9, ahead of the big game on the 11th, a huge period for casino and sports betting. The lucky venue chosen for this landmark musical venture is The Theater at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas.
Who Are Wu-Tang Clan?
For the initiated, Wu-Tang Clan is a pioneering rap collective who emerged from Staten Island, New York, in the early nineties, taking their darkly comedic and Shaolin-themed hip-hop beats to a mass audience.
Comprising nine MCs, the group quickly became known for their revolutionary style, and unique concept of splintering off into solo careers for each member, including names like RZA, Method Man, and Ghostface Killah. Huge success quickly followed the release of first single, 'Protect Ya Neck', and the seminal 1993 album, 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'.
It was the success of the album and the single, 'C.R.E.A.M', that allowed five members to achieve lucrative solo record deals and release records of their own.
The group reconvened for 1997's, 'Wug-Tang Forever', which sold over half a million copies in its first week and was supported with an extensive tour.
Since then, there have been further solo albums, as well as members branching out into films, TV, video games, clothing and graphical novels.
Wu-Tang Clan and Casino Gambling
Beyond appearing onstage in Vegas, is there anything else that links Wu-Tang Clan and gambling?
Yes is the answer! Wu-Tang member, Ghostface Killah is well known for his interest in poker, and he even released a track, 2006's 'Pokerface' stating his love for the tables. He even launched his own online poker site, GFK Poker although it has since been disbanded.
This forthcoming residency is also not the first time that Wu-Tang Clan have played a casino, and they enjoyed a sellout show at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, alongside another rap legend, Nas, back in October as part of the 30th anniversary tour for 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'.
It's not just poker that Wu-Tang is involved in; they're also planning to move into the online gaming world, with the forthcoming game project, 'Project Shaolin'. A third-person RPG, the game is said to involve Wu-Tang Clan members and a soundtrack that features many of the group's sounds.
Hip-hop and Poker
As those in the know are already aware, there are a multitude of links between poker and some of the biggest hip-hop and rap names in the game. Here's just a few:
Jay Z
It doesn't get much bigger than Jay Z in terms of rap royalty, particularly when you consider that he's one-half of music's biggest power couple with wife, Beyonce.
In terms of gambling, it's well known that Jay Z is a poker and blackjack fan, and is a highly skilled player at high-stakes games. He also likes to place bets on big sports events.
50 Cent
A huge rap star since dropping 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'' in 2003, 50 Cent is an established presence in the hip-hop and movie worlds, and is also known to be a keen gambler.
Casino-watchers will recall an eye-watering $500,000 bet he placed on a Giants vs. 49'ers football game, and he also backed his friend, Floyd Mayweather, to the tune of $1.6m in 2006.
Drake
It's no surprise to see Canadian superstar, Drake pop up on this list, given his net worth tops $150 million. Drake regularly pops up at high-stakes tables and is rumored to favor a game of roulette or two.
As well as casino gaming, Drake has been known to drop some serious dollar on sports betting, including notable wins at the NBA, NHL, as well as boxing and UFC fights.
Gambling at Super Bowl LVIII
As an additional, exciting element to the news of this Wu-Tang residency, is the fact that it starts on Super Bowl weekend!
Super Bowl LVIII is set for Sunday February 11, with Wu-Tang Clan appearing on February 9-10, and following this with two further Vegas shows in March. The musical talent isn't limited to the NY rap crew however, as Rhianna and Usher lined up for the half-time entertainment at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
The regular NFL season is due to finish on January 7, 2024 and although there is still a lot of football to be played, currently, the San Francisco 49'ers and Baltimore Ravens head up the NFC and AFC conferences respectively.
In addition to the championship that's up for grabs, Super Bowl weekend also sees record numbers of bets. In 2023, sportsbook bets on the Chiefs vs. Eagles game increased by 25% from the previous year, totalling over $16bn.1
Top US sports site, FanDuel handled over 50,000 bets a minute at their peak, with MGM Resorts and the BetMGM app breaking their own records for the number of bets taken.2
