U-God

One of the lesser-known MCs in the nine-member Wu-Tang Clan, U-God was born Lamont Hawkins, and also raps under the aliases Golden Arms, Lucky Hands, Baby U, and 4-Bar Killer. U-God missed out on the first round of Wu-Tang solo projects, which occurred in between the releases of the Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers and Wu-Tang Forever albums; however, he got his chance during the second go-round that followed. 1999's Golden Arms Redemption made him the eighth member of the group to record a solo album. He switched from Priority to Free Agency for Mr. Xcitement, a considerably weaker effort, but 2009's Dopium -- a Babygrande release -- was a solid improvement, and it featured guest verses from the likes of Mike Ladd and several Wu-Tang members. ~ Steve Huey