Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige join Wu-Tang Clan at Prudential Center in Newark: Review

Wu-Tang Clan delivered a big Jersey surprise July 17 at the Prudential Center in Newark: Lauryn Hill joined the group for several songs at the arena.

“What's up Jersey?" said Hill as she walked on stage to startled faces and applause. "I'm just here to serenade the gods."

Hill performed “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “To Zion,” with her son Zion Marley, and “X-Factor.”

“This is a nostalgic moment for me,” said Hill, a Maplewood native. “Fugees, the Wu came out the same time.”

Hill, who wore a Wu-Tang Clan jacket and regal neck rings, also thanked the group for use of a sample on “Ex-Factor,” a single from her hit album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”

“I love you, I love you,” said Wu member Ghostface to Hill. “God damn, this is like a (blanking) dream right now.”

The Wu-Tang Clan, formed 1992 in Staten Island, are on Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber tour, billed as the group's farewell.

Hill wasn't the only R&B icon to join them. Mary J. Blige came out to perform “I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By,” which was the song of the Summer of '95, with Method Man.

The night was an evening of highlights delivered by the members of the Wu-Tang Clan. All the Shaolin warriors were present, including RZA, GZA, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, U-God, Cappadonna, and Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Lauryn Hill joins the Wu-Tang Clan at the group's July 17 show at the Prudential Center in Newark.

They were firing on all chambers, from Method Man's stellar cadence and stage authority on his “Bring the Pain” to the sublime R&B flow by U-God, Ghostface and Method Man on “Gravel Pit” to the audience taking verses on the classic “C.R.E.A.M.”

The group was backed by an eight-member live band, which blended seamlessly with the original beats. The instruments enhanced the live experience and brought the songs to new heights. Vocally, the Wu members did not appear to use backing tracks, which added to the vibrancy of the show.

Run the Jewels, with El-P and Killer Mike, opened the night with an energetic set.

“It's crazy, we're just (blanking) fans,” El-P said. “Wu-Tang Clan is the greatest hip-hop group ever.”

Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber tour concludes Friday, July 18, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige join Wu-Tang Clan at Prudential Center in Newark: Review