U-God

Lamont Hawkins, who records as U-God, stands among the lesser-recognized rappers inside the nine-member Wu-Tang Clan and has also released material under the names Golden Arms, Lucky Hands, Baby U, and 4-Bar Killer. The first wave of Wu-Tang solo albums, appearing after Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers yet before Wu-Tang Forever, left him without a project. His turn arrived with the next round of releases. Golden Arms Redemption, issued in 1999, positioned him as the eighth member to deliver a solo album. He left Priority for Free Agency on the noticeably weaker Mr. Xcitement, yet Dopium, a 2009 Babygrande release, represented a clear step forward and contained guest verses from Mike Ladd and several Wu-Tang members.