Wilson McBee of PopMatters describes the song as "a hard dose of reality," compared to the rest of the album, a "kung-fu–fueled fantasy." Although credited to the entire group, "C.R.E.A.M." only features three of the nine Wu-Tang Clan members: Raekwon, who provides the first verse, Inspectah Deck, who provides the second, longer verse, and Method Man, who provides the song's hook: Cash rules everything around me, C.R.E.A.M./Get the money dollar, dollar bill, y'all. Unlike most tracks on Enter the Wu-Tang, "C.R.E.A.M.", along with " Can It Be All So Simple" and "Tearz", contains a somber and more relaxed style, with lyrics that focus on storytelling. He had all kind of things and he was making beats back then, but we was just picking and that beat happened to always sit around and I would be like, 'I want that beat, so don't give that beat to nobody.' And he kept his word and let me have it. RZA had it that long because he had a bunch of breaks. I remember writing to the beat a long time ago before we actually came out. It has since been sampled by numerous artists and was certified Gold in the United States in 2009. Since its release, the song has been called one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time, with some who even described it as one of the greatest songs of all time. Despite its praise, the song did not perform as well commercially, only peaking at number 60 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1994. "C.R.E.A.M." received universal praise from music critics, many of whom described it as one of the best songs on Enter the Wu-Tang. Its music video, featuring all Wu-Tang Clan members in New York City, was released in 1994.
It features two verses from members Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, who discuss their upbringings while living in New York City, and Method Man, who sings its hook. The song was produced by the group's de facto leader RZA, and contains a sample of the Charmels' 1967 song "As Long As I've Got You" throughout. " C.R.E.A.M." (an acronym of "Cash Rules Everything Around Me") is a song by the American hardcore hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on Januby Loud Records, as the third single from their debut studio album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993). For a full-length interview with Raekwon, check out the MTV News Online feature "Raekwon: Diamond Hard.From the album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) In addition to Raekwon and Power, the movie's cast includes Robert Downey, Jr., Allan Houston, Bijou Phillips, Brooke Shields, Method Man, Mike Tyson, and Sticky Fingaz (see "Raekwon Talks About His Acting Debut In 'Black & White'"). The "Black And White" film, written and directed by James Toback ("Two Girls And A Guy"), is due out on April 5. You get to hear different brothers like myself and Rza on it, and really have their heads set and they're ready to do it." American Cream Team makes second appearance on the album with the song "Middle Finger Attitude." "This is another offspring of the Wu-Tang Clan family. "See, the Cream Team is me and Power's new group that we've assembled together," Raekwon said of American Cream Team. Raekwon himself appears on two songs, including the first single, "It's Not A Game," which also features fellow Wu-Tanger Rza and is performed by a group of newcomers, American Cream Team. In addition to appearing in the upcoming race relations film, "Black And White," Wu-Tang Clan family members Raekwon and Power also oversaw the movie's soundtrack, which features appearances from Xzibit, Mobb Deep, Dead Prez, Queen Pen, the X-ecutioners, Big Pun, Korn's Jonathan Davis, and Everlast.