Wu-Tang Clan opens Las Vegas residency with vigor to spread ‘hip-hop culture worldwide’

LAS VEGAS – “Hip-hop culture is spreading worldwide!”Or so proclaimed RZA from behind a white mask as the first sounds of Wu-Tang Clan landed.Opening night of “Wu-Tang Clan: The Saga Continues … The Las Vegas Residency” Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels found the group looking loose and sounding taut – at least once some vocal mix issues were quickly fixed after liftoff.It’s only four dates to start, so technically the shows are more of a special engagement than a residency. But the New York-bred Wu-Tang Clan is still making history as the first hip-hop act to claim a regular theater gig in Las Vegas.The nine-piece collective hit the stage just past 9:30, first with RZA followed by the rest of the group for “Bring da Ruckus.”RZA and the guys – GZA, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Raekwon, Masta Killa and Cappadonna – weaved among each other with ease on the lowest level of a three-tiered stage, with a pair of DJs tucked into their own altars behind them.Above them, six dancers intermittently appeared while a nine-piece band featuring a drummer and percussionist played from atop the sleek set.The group paced and swapped places onstage during the...