U-God by Bobby Reys

Photography by Geoff Henao

Like most anyone involved with hip-hop music or pop culture in general, I grew up listening to Wu-Tang Clan and vividly remember ODB crooning through the speakers of my Mom’s Ford Explorer when I was a kid hijacking the radio. So, waiting on the elevator with two photographers to meet and interview U-God during North Coast was one of the crazier moments I’ve had in my life.  The two of us said hello, settled in and enjoyed the view from the 29th floor of the Hard Rock Hotel, check out the conversation below.

Jake: Tell me a bit about coming to Chicago after being overseas for a minute.

U-God: Well man you know, Chicago’s one of the hometowns that gave us our first little bit of love out here as Wu-Tang and shit so it’s a good market for us you know what I’m saying? We had to do a lot to get in this market and it’s a hard market to crack so back in the days we put our work in out here and it paid off man, people out here, they like us man.

Jake: What’s the ride been like coming up with Wu-Tang?

U-God: Its been a roller coaster man. It’s always been a roller coaster to me because I always feel like someone is trying to be our demise. I always feel like there’s someone out there trying to stop us, some force or a hidden hand that’s always trying to stop us or pull us apart or just some shit like that. But it feels awesome, after all this time we’re still putting out good music-I put out a dope record this year, you know what I’m sayin’? I’m just happy to still be here you know? Still being able to tour, run around and still see people like y’all coming through to check me out.