"The Worst" is a song by American hip hop groups Onyx and Wu-Tang Clan. It was released on December 23, 1997 by Tommy Boy as a single from Tommy Boy Records's Ride and as the first single from Onyx's third album, Shut 'Em Down.
Onyx is represented by Fredro Starr, Sonny Seeza and Sticky Fingaz, as well as affiliate X1. Wu-Tang Clan is represented by Method Man, Raekwon, as well as affiliate Killa Sin.
"The Worst" was a minor hit, making it to three different Billboard charts.
Background The song appeared on the Ride soundtrack. Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz and Sonny Seeza also starred in this movie "Ride", which was originally called "I-95". In February 1998, in an interview for MTV, Sticky Fingaz told about collaborating with Wu-Tang:"...It was a collaboration. It's about the worst of the worst, meaning the best. We're the worst nightmare for everyone in hip-hop. When we recording this song in the studio all night, Meth said that he wouldn't leave the studio until this track will be done".
In February 1998, the song was also included in a Def Jam's promo release Shut 'Em Down (Exclusive Advance) under the name "Onyx vs. Wu-Tang".
Music video The music video was directed by Diane Martel and depicts a post-apocalyptic world where rap is banned. The video was filmed in Chinatown, Manhattan, New York City, including shooting in a restaurant Ipoh Garden Malaysian Chinese, and was released on "The BOX" on March 14, 1998.
The video can be found on the 2008's DVD Onyx: 15 Years Of Videos, History And Violence.
Track listing A-Side: "The Worst" (radio edit) – 4:55 "The Worst" (instrumental) – 5:37 B-Side: "The Worst" (album version) – 5:34 "The Worst" (instrumental) – 5:37
Samples "Up Against the Wall" by Quincy Jones "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke "Protect Ya Neck" by Wu-Tang Clan "Step to the Rear" by Brand Nubian "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" by Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes
Personnel Onyx - performer, vocals Fredro Starr - performer, vocals Sticky Fingaz - performer, vocals Sonny Seeza - performer, vocals X1 - performer, vocals Method Man - performer, vocals Raekwon - performer, vocals Killa Sin - performer, vocals Latief - producer Don Elliott - engineer, mixing DJ LS One - additional mix engineer, scratches
Charts ChartPositionUS Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks (Billboard) 64US Hot Rap Singles (Billboard) 22US Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard) 6
References
External links The Worst at RapGenius The Worst at Discogs