Still rockin’ the bells

THE BIGGEST hip-hop tour of 2007 makes its final stop in Honolulu this weekend, although the lineup is significantly pared down compared to earlier dates on the mainland.

'Rock the Bells' With Wu-Tang Clan, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Redman, and MC Supernatural Place: Blaisdell Arena Time: 7 p.m. Saturday Tickets: $35 to $50 Call: (877) 750-4400

When the 2007 edition of "Rock the Bells" arrives at the Blaisdell on Saturday, there will be no Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy, Nas or Talib Kweli. And forget about multiple stages, a regular feature of the self-described "North American Festival Series."

But before you dismiss the concert altogether, consider this classic phrase: "Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothing to f--- with."

WITH A new album on the way and several solo projects in the works, the Wu-Tang Clan is poised to shake up a stagnant hip-hop scene in a major way.

Now eight men deep after the death of founding member Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004, the Clan has roots in the boroughs of New York that date back more than 15 years. Along with West Coast counterparts N.W.A, they introduced the gritty style of gangsta rap and were the personification of "keeping it real" long before mainstream America had any idea what it meant.

"Enter the Wu-Tang Clan: 36 Chambers" dropped in 1993, with "Protect Ya Neck" and "Method Man" blazing the way. Another track, "C.R.E.A.M." (standing for Cash Rules Everything Around Me) became one of the most celebrated of its generation and continues to enjoy popularity among hip-hop fans of all ages.

Over the next decade, the Clan would release three more albums: "Wu-Tang Forever" in 1997, "The W" in 2000 and "Iron Flag" in 2001. All but "Iron Flag" were certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Their fifth, long-awaited studio album, "8 Diagrams," is expected to be released in November.

"They gonna recognize that we still got talent and that we haven't lost a beat," said Wu-Tang's Raekwon while traveling to Minnesota on the group's tour bus last week. "We still make good records when we want to. ... I don't know how the fans are gonna take it, but the new (stuff) is hot."

THE LAST time Wu-Tang was in Hawaii was 1997, when the group performed at Kualoa Ranch on the North Shore as part of the Big Mele festival, and at the defunct AfterDark nightclub in town.

According to Ghostface Killah, nothing much has changed style-wise with the group -- expect them to bring the ruckus once again when Rock the Bells makes the trip to Honolulu.

"It draws bigger crowds," he said of the decision to headline the festival. "(But) it's just what we do ... I don't care if there are 100 people in the building, we got our fans who expect Wu-Tang.

"Wu-Tang is universal, so it's nothing. We got fans all the way in Poland, know what I'm saying?"

Also making the trip to Honolulu is Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, who already performed on Maui earlier this year. Another Hawaii favorite, Redman, returns as a late addition to the lineup. Some might remember him diving off a second-floor balcony to crowd surf at Pipeline Cafe during what was easily one of the best hip-hop performances of 2005.

The evening will be hosted by MC Supernatural, an old-school icon known for his freestyle raps about anything and everything. Expect to see him solicit the Blaisdell audience for topic suggestions to help pass the time between performances on Saturday.

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Meet the Clan Here's RZA's take on each of the Wu-Tang Clan's original nine members, courtesy the 2005 book "The Wu-Tang Manual," published by the Penguin Group. » Ghostface Killah: First swordsman heard on the Wu-Tang debut and the last one to be seen. He appeared in all early Wu-Tang Clan videos wearing a white ski mask. Known for ferocious mic technique, emotional dramatics and some of the most bizarre, impenetrable language of all Wu-Tang MCs. » GZA: Cousin of RZA and ODB, founding member of Wu-Tang and first Wu MC to record an album, "Words from the Genius," out a few years before the Clan's debut. Known for the invincible dopeness of his rhyme style. » Inspectah Deck: Primarily an MC, who also produces beats for many Clan affiliates. Often considered the group's unsung hero, kicked off the legendary single "Protect Ya Neck." Known for sharp observation skills, detailed storytelling and vicious first-verse kickoffs. » Masta Killa: The Wu-Tang general who keeps the lowest profile. Originally considered the honorary ninth member and last of the original nine to join. Now carrying the torch of the original Wu-Tang family with a solo album, "No Said Date." An old-school true believer and serious verbal assassin. » Method Man: First breakout star of the Wu-Tang Clan. Solo career jump-started by the self-titled single on the Wu debut. Star of the TV sitcom "Method and Red" with Redman. Known for supreme versatility in battle -- a rap chameleon, able to switch up every bar. » Raekwon: The most fashion-forward member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Single-handedly ignited the old-school mafioso renaissance of mid-to-late '90s rap with his debut, "Only Built for Cuban Linx." Asked everyone on the album to take a new nickname, in honor of the Wu Gambinos crime-family offshoot. Known for the freshest slang in the entire Wu-Tang family. » RZA: Organizer, producer and mastermind of the Wu-Tang Clan. Creator of one of the most influential sounds and styles in hip-hop history. Favors scientific rhyme attack and verbal chi gong. » U-God: Missing for most of the making of "Enter the Wu-Tang Clan: 36 Chambers," but returned from jail just in time to get on two tracks. Known for booming voice, compressed rhymes, tight lyrics and beat-box skills. And temper. » Ol' Dirty Bastard (deceased): Cousin of RZA and GZA, member of the rap group D.R.U.G., freelance rhyme terrorist. The most wild, unorthodox mic style in the Wu-Tang Clan and possibly hip-hop history. Also had the longest and most flavorful arrest sheet.

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