Wu Tang Clan have become the first group to get permission from The Beatles to sample one of their tracks, they have revealed.

The hip hop collective return with a new album, "8 Diagrams", later this year, the first since the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004.

As previously reported, the record features a collaboration with Dhani Harrison, the son of George, on a reworking of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

However, a new message posted on Wu Tang's official website suggests the new version will actually feature an authentic, cleared extract of The Fab Four's original.

It reads: "Special thanks to Danny (sic) Harrison & Erykah Badu for helping bring this song to life! Also thanks to The Harrison Estate & The Beatles for helping make this possible!!"

Wu Tang have also confirmed that "8 Diagrams" has been pushed back to December 4.

If Wu Tang are "the first group to get permission," then did the Beastie Boys get away with their sample on Paul's Boutique sans permission?

*UPDATE*

Wu Tang Clan have moved to deny reports they have been granted very rare permission to sample The Beatles.

Earlier this week, it was claimed The Fab Four's estate had cleared their use of a direct lift of an extract of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".

The legendary hip hop collective have now released a statement to say this is not the case, explaining they "did an interpolation" of the original.

In a posting on their MySpace, Wu Tang said: "We didn't sample The Beatles, it was a replay, pardon.

"The statement that we made yesterday was incorrect and we apologise for any confusion it may have caused.

"We DID NOT sample The Beatles...rather we did an INTERPOLATION of the classic George Harrison composition 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'.

"Dhani Harrison, son of George, through his friendship with the RZA, played guitar on the song and he himself helped secure the re-use licence."

The new Wu Tang Clan album, "8 Diagrams", is released on December 4.