Fortnite to collaborate with hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan

Over the years, Fortnite has collaborated with artists from all walks of life. Some, like Ariana Grande, have even performed in the game, while others like Juice WRLD may soon be immortalized in the Metaverse.

While hip-hop and rap artists have featured in the game, the upcoming collaboration sets the bar high as Legendary American hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan will soon feature in Fortnite.

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Fortnite x Wu-Tang Clan raises the bar for crossovers

Following the 20.20 Fortnite update, major leakers began getting information about a massive upcoming collaboration. Given how tight-lipped Epic Games has become, taking an educated guess as to who it was would be impossible.

While the rumors had suggested various artists, no one could have expected the collaboration to be with Wu-Tang Clan. Following the hype, the hip-hop group themselves teased an upcoming collaboration that confirmed all speculations.

Epic Games recently revealed the entire Wu-Tang set. The cosmetics willl be added to the item shop on April 23rd, 2022. Following is a highlight of the Wu-Tang collaboration from Epic Games' blog:

● THE WU-TANG ITEMS:

○ Players can choose from two iconic Outfits (Throwback BG and B.R.I.T.E) and matching accessories in the Fortnite Item Shop.

○ Outfits are available individually or together in the Wu Wear Bundle. This bundle additionally includes the Wu-Tang Hands Emoticon, Wu Boom Box Spray, Wu-Tang Style Loading Screen, and a Wu-Tang Banner

■ Fun fact: The Back Bling is reactive to music (aka any music you come across in the game will mean the Back Bling will react and change in appearance), and the Pickaxe is reactive to music and hits (‘hits’ being anything you hit with your Pickaxe

● OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE: The Wu-Tang is Forever Emote, the Shimmy Surfer Glider and Wu Wrap.

● IRL OUTFITS:

○ To commemorate Wu-Tang's arrival in Fortnite, Wu-Tang is creating Wu-Tang x Fortnite collab apparel - including real-world versions of the Wu outfits featured in Fortnite. Merch launches this coming Saturday (April 23) at 8pm ET here.

The Wu-Tang 'wear' bundle costs 1800 vBucks and consists of 5 items that include two skins, two emoticons and a glider. Alternatively, the Wu-Tang 'gear' bundle consists of 7 items, two pickaxes, an emote, weapon wrap, a glider and a banner.

Throwback BG Outfit from the Wu-Tang collab (Image via Epic Games)

B.R.I.T.E. Outfit from the Wu-Tang collab (Image via Epic Games)

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Why is the Fortnite x Wu-Tang Clan crossover so important?

For the past few months, Epic Games has been expanding and broadening its horizons when it comes to Fortnite. Aside from pop culture icons, they've slowly begun to integrate older icons as well into the game.

Collaborations with artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, El Chapulin Colorado, and the 1993 song "I Like to Move It" that was featured as an emote are landmark crossovers in-game.

To an extent, the Metaverse has begun functioning as a time capsule. Cataloging and preserving art from across the world. It's clear that this list of crossovers with artists from the 80s and 90s will only grow in due time.