For the Children: Enter G-SHOCK & Wu-Tang Clan’s Cool Crossover, the GM6900WTC22

In 2012, Wu-Tang and G-SHOCK teamed up to create a special DW6900FS for the hip-hop group’s 20th anniversary.
 

For their 30th anniversary, the brand upgraded the 2012 version with a new GM6900 module to represent the evolution of the hip-hop group and G-SHOCK’s canonical 6900 case design.

Speaking of evolution, when Wu-Tang Clan first formed, the idea of structuring it as a hip hop collective (as opposed to a conventional group) was revolutionary. At the time, hip hop collectives had only been around since the early 1980s and were, by their very nature, more collaborative than traditional bands or groups. And they created some powerful stuff, with one critic even describing the aural impact of the Wu-Tang as “coming together like Voltron.” The collective approach also blazed a path for other large crews, such as the Dungeon Family, Odd Future, and A$AP Mob, to follow in their footsteps.
 

Collaboration is the backbone of Wu-Tang Clan. The members have appeared on pop tracks by Mariah Carey (“Fantasy”) and comic books (The Nine Rings of Wu-Tang). Then in April 2022, they entered the world of online gaming with a Wu-Tang Clan x Fortnite crossover. And on top of this new timepiece, they have just announced that they are teaming up with Nas for the “N.Y. State of Mind” Tour in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
 

What they haven’t done a lot is partnerships with brands. They have their own Wu Wear line of merch, and that’s why this collaboration is so meaningful to hip-hop and watch heads.

As previously mentioned, Wu-Tang is not a group but a collective of rappers – RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (R.I.P.), Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and later, Cappadonna. Together (as well as separately), they have built an influential legacy that extends beyond music and into fashion.

One of the things that bind this band of brothers is a shared lexicon (there’s a reason RZA’s book, The Wu-Tang Manual, contains a glossary of terms). They invited the world into their universe by inventing a language that weaved influences from Five-Percent Nation, Asian cinema, and food.
 

Likewise, G-SHOCK is not just one watch but a collection of timepieces with varied shapes and materials united in a mission to provide unparalleled precision and toughness.

The design language of the GM6900WTC22 combines a stainless steel bezel finished with a black IP coating that provides a durable but elevated aesthetic. In addition to a “W” logo on the black mirror dial, one of Wu-Tang Clan’s most memorable lyrics – “Cash Rules Everything Around Me C.R.E.A.M.” – is printed around the border.
 

At night, the time display illuminates via an electroluminescent backlight and reveals special “Wu-Tang” badging across the digital time display. Also, the caseback is engraved with the iconic “Big W” tag.
 

Sadly, the limited edition GM6900WTC22-9 ($280) is already sold out. So unless you want to wait another ten years for the 40th anniversary, you can try your luck on the secondary market. For more information about the brand’s collaborations, visit G-SHOCK’s website.
 

(Images © G-SHOCK)