Theodore Unit is a collective of

Staten Island Staten Island ( ) is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Richmond County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located in the city's southwest portion, the borough is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull an ...

rappers associated with

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close affili ...

rapper

Ghostface Killah Dennis Coles (born May 9, 1970), better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and a member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of ''Enter the Wu-Tang (36 C ...

. The name "Theodore" is derived from "The Open Door", meaning the group acts as an open door to rappers who can prove themselves. It has also been stated it stands for "The Doers", as in those with initiative and will.

History

The group's origins begin with Ghostface's 2001 album, ''

Bulletproof Wallets ''Bulletproof Wallets'' is the third studio album by Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah. The album was released on November 13, 2001, by Epic Records and SME Records. The album featured the single, "Never Be the Same Again", featuring Carl Thoma ...

'', on the track "Theodore", which featured rappers

Trife da God Trife Diesel or Trife Da God (born Theo Bailey on July 11, 1980, in Stapleton, Staten Island, New York) is an affiliate of the Wu-Tang Clan. He is a protégé and close associate of Ghostface Killah and is part of both of his protégé groups T. ...

and Twiz, both of whom would become members of Ghost's posse. (Though Twiz was also formerly of

Raekwon Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by his stage name Raekwon The Chef, or simply Raekwon (), is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which achieved mainstream success ...

's crew American Cream Team) Trife, along with Kryme Life, would leave their trio T.M.F. to join the newly named "Theodore Unit", as would Shawn Wigs and Du-Lilz of Othorized F.A.M. The crew was initially supposed to include

and Polite, but they then chose to form on their own, as Cream Team had been dissolved and they were launching Ice Water. Instead, the line-up held together with Solomon Childs and long-standing Wu-affiliate

Cappadonna Darryl Hill, better known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip-hop collective the Wu-Tang Clan and is a member of the rap group Theodore Unit together with Ghostface Killah. Career Cappadonna (also know ...

, as features on Theodore Unit's debut album, ''

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'' (named after the Stapleton, Staten Island area code in which they all reside). However, the album would largely feature Trife da God and - naturally - Ghostface Killah, with only solitary appearances from Kryme Life and Du-Lilz; Twiz was not featured. (Indeed, he was to not be part of neither Cream Team nor Theodore for too long). Solomon Childs, while having the third-largest presence on the album, left the group for unknown reasons in 2005. The following month, Ghostface Killah and Trife da God's '' Put It on the Line'' was released, which featured Kryme Life, Shawn Wigs, and Theodore Unit newcomer

Sun God A solar deity or sun deity is a deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it. Such deities are usually associated with power and strength. Solar deities and Sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms. The ...

, who is also Ghostface's son. The album also had the notable presence of Trife's former T.M.F. bandmate Tommy Whispers. A mixtape was released the next year, featuring mostly Ghost and Trife called ''NY's Backbone''. In recent years, the group has made guest appearances on Ghostface's 2006 albums ''

Fishscale ''Fishscale'' is the fifth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released March 28, 2006, on Def Jam in the United States. The album features guest appearances from every member of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as ...

'',Partridge, Kenneth (2016)
Ghostface Killah's 'Fishscale' at 10: Classic Track-by-Track Album Flashback
, ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'', March 29, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016 ''

More Fish ''More Fish'' is the sixth studio album by rapper Ghostface Killah, released on December 12, 2006 through the Def Jam label. The album's name derives from Ghostface's earlier 2006 release, '' Fishscale''. The track "Good", featuring Ghostface's fe ...

'' (the Theodore logo even appears on the cover), ''

The Big Doe Rehab ''The Big Doe Rehab'' is the seventh studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, released on December 4, 2007 on Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest appearances from fellow Wu-Tang members Raekwon, Method Man ...

'' and the album '' Apollo Kids''.

Discography

Studio albums

*''

'' (2004)

Mixtapes

*''NY's Backbone'' (hosted by J-Love) (2006)

Singles

*'' Paychecks/Wicked with Lead (SSR 1014 12") Sure Shot Records

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Theodore Unit African-American musical groups Hip hop collectives Hip hop groups from New York City Musical groups established in 2001 Wu-Tang Clan affiliates