April 12, 2025. Manhattan, New York. — DJ Mathematics, long-standing DJ and producer to the legendary Wu Tang Clan, is set to release a new LP, Black Samson, Bastard Swordsman, on April 25th, 2025. The new LP album is a follow up to Saga Continues and precedes the farewell “Wu Tang Forever: The Final Chamber” Tour to take place beginning June 6, 2025 in Baltimore and will cover the likes of 27 dates spanning across the United States, concluding its run on July 18, 2025, in Philadelphia.
DJ Mathematics’ new project features appearances and verses from all 9 original members of the Wu Tang Clan that include: Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, U-God, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, GZA and the founding member of the Wu Tang Clan, RZA.
Similar to its inception piece, Saga Continues, the new LP, Black Samson, Bastard Swordsman is produced and arranged entirely by Allah Mathematics, who stressed in an exclusive interview with The Knockturnal, that there are, “…No samples” on this highly-anticipated collaborative body of work with the legendary clan. Chuckling he adds, “It hurts bad when it [samples] doesn’t clear.” Additional features on the new album include Kurupt, Ralph McDaniels, R.J Payne, 38 Spesh, Crooked I, RocNation’s Nicole Bus, Willie The Kid and Griselda Records very own, Benny The Butcher, hailing from Buffalo, New York.
“Black Samson, Bastard Swordsman” first caught the ears of an exclusive audience and powerhouse lineup of industry insiders like AllHipHop Co-founder Chuck Creekmur, Sirius XM’s Hip-Hop Nation/Shade 45 Program Director, Ron ‘Mills’ Triana, esteemed Hip-Hop historian and journalist Shaheem Reid, Shade 45 host DJ DStroy, and WorldStarHipHop Chief Creative Officer & Content Manager, JR Romantiko to witness the unveiling of this monumental project on March 26th at IMI Studios. The intimate gathering consisted of mingling, cocktails and delicious soulful bites, all of which served as a literal taste of what’s to come on his new album that incorporates elements from both Karate and Blaxploitation films.
“It has a certain feel to it…” Mathematics shares with the attending media outlets between the start and finish of Mandingo, the second track on the project that features Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Method Man and Cappadonna. “It’s a homage to Blaxploitation movies. You know, movies like ‘Black Samson,’… ‘Black Caesar’ … ‘SuperFly.’ I was raised on these ‘70s films. Like, you know, ‘The Bastard Swordsman’, in my album title, is an ode to the old karate flicks because that’s what I grew up on. All of us did, Wu-Tang, and that’s something we have in common. We all loved the old karate flicks. ‘Bastard Swordsman’ is one of my favorites.” Attendees of the listening party were later mailed one of the 5000 copies of the exclusive vinyl release of the album and invited to Mathematics exclusive Record Store Day signing at Rock & Soul Record Store with a guest appearance from Cappadonna; who also signed the 2-disc vinyl record cover and took pictures with fans and media alike.
So what can fans expect from Mathematics’ new album? A 12-track project with two bonus songs as a celebration of hip-hop’s classic lyricism, cinematic production, and the spirited expression in spectacular fashion. As Mathematics shared, his aim is to focus on his passion and love for music on Black Samson, Bastard’s Swordsman, “It’s a passion. I love music. The Wu’s legacy is already set. They’ve got classic songs and classic albums. This album adds on to that, but it’s not a Wu album.” Previewing the featured songs, such as, “Warriors Two, Cooley High” feat. Benny The Butcher and Method Man; Dolemite feat. Cappadonna, U-God & Masta Killa; “Cleopatra Jones” feat. Raekwon and Masta Killa and a heartfelt tribute to his mother on “Claudine,” there’s a reminiscent essence in this album that fans of nostalgic Hip Hop will appreciate and familiarity in its styling. DJ Mathematics displays his ability to incorporate various musical influences and sounds that pair well with the individual stylings of each featured artist. With that level of intentionality in mind, Mathematics is clear to draw a line between himself as a DJ, Producer, as the conceptual artist that created the universal Wu Tang logo the world has come to know and affiliated members of the original 9 members of the Wu,
“When I make music and I create, I want to get it out. I love music. I want people to hear it. Going into this project, it was me expressing how I was feeling and seeing my growth and development for myself as a producer. When people try to make music geared to a certain direction and sound, they miss the mark; but the music and the sound is subjugated by the person that creates the sound. This isn’t a Wu Tang album, it’s a Mathematics album, featuring the 9 members of the Wu Tang clan; with my brothers. For me, I aimed for what feels good to me. I love soul music, I love boom bap. I love music in general. What I’ve learned over the years, I’m applying that, and I am applying what I now know. That’s how I approached this project. I didn’t approach it with a, ya know, ‘ I have to do this a certain way…’ mindset. In the past, like with “Saga Continues,” I initially listened to other sounds for inspiration, but this time around, I did not do that. I said,‘Wait, why am I listening to anyone else when I’m creating something? It’s coming from me.’ This is a piece of me…this is what I’m putting on the table. Even when I sit down and make music, I focus on just the music that I am locked in with, making new music that I feel great about. I want to keep going and going. I love music. I want to keep going and going.”
Fans of DJ Mathematics and the Wu Tang can expect to hear the influence and an undeniable parallel between the popular storylines in Karate flicks that influenced both DJ Mathematics and his affiliation with the Wu Tang Clan. Imagine, the solo warrior, with his own set of skills, indirectly recruited to aid and assist the clan in training; only to discover that though he’s been richly influenced by the techniques, serving at the feet of his brothers; he is equipped with his own set of skills and wields the power of his own sword through his own sound.
Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman, by Mathematic drops on April 25th, on all major music distribution outlets worldwide.