Duel of the Iron Mic
Wu‐Tang Clan Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Picture bloodbaths and elevator shafts
Like these murderous rhymes tight from genuine craft
Check the print, it's where veterans spark the letterings
Slow moving MC's is waitin for the editin
The liquid soluble that made up the chemistry
A gaseous element, that burned down your ministry
Herbal vapors, and biblical papers
Smokin Exodus, every square yard is plush
Fuck the screw-faced photo sessions facial expression
leaves impressions, try to keep a shark nigga guessin
Give crazy shouts Son here's the outcome
Cut across the semi-gloss rhymes you floss
Shit is outdated, just like neckloads of Sterlings
Suede-fronts, bell-bottoms, and tri-colored Shearlings
I ain't particular, I bang like vehicular homicides
on July 4th in Bed-Stuy
Where money don't grown on trees and there's thievin MC's
Who cut-throat to rake leaves
They can't breathe, blood splash, rushin fast
like runnin rivers, I be that whiskey in your liver

Duel of the Iron Mic, it's the fifty-two fatal strikes!

This is not a eighty-five affair, made clear
when the Gods get on to perform storms blew up
Wu's up, causin the crowd to self-destruct
Killer bees are stingin somethin while I reveal
Science, that's heavily guarded by the culprit
Bombin your barracks, with aerodynamic
swordplay, poison darts by the doorway
Minds that's laced with explosive doses
Damagin lyrical launcher
Lunge at the youthful offender then injure
any contender, testin the murderous Master
could lead to disaster, dynamite thoughts
explode through your barrier, rips the retina
Who can withstand the astonishing punishing
Stings to the sternum, shocked in the hip-hop livestock
Seekin for a serum, to cure em

Adults kill for drugs plus the young bucks bust
Duckin handcuffs, throats get cut when dough rush
Out of town foes look shook but still pose
We move lioke real pros through the streets we stroll
Bullet holes lace the windows in one-six oh
So control the avenues that's the dream that's sold
Bulding lobbies are graveyards for small-timers
Bitches caught in airports, keys in they vaginas
No peace, yo the police mad corrupt
You get bagged up, dependin if you're passin the cut
Plus shorty's not a shorty no more, he's livin heartless
Regardless of the charges, claims to be the hardest
individual, critical thoughts, criminal minded
Blinded by illusion, findin it confusin

Duel of the iron mics
It's that fifty-two fatal strikes
Duel of the iron mics
It's that fifty-two fatal strikes, nuh

At the height of their fame and glory, they turned on one another
Each struggling in vain for ultimate supremacy
In the passion and depth of their struggle




They very art, that had raised them through such rapiant heights was lost
Their techniques, vanished

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Wu‐Tang Clan's song Duel Of The Iron Mic depict a violent scene where brutal murders take place, and MCs wait for edits while the veteran sparks letterings. The song describes the chemistry made up of liquid solubles and gases that could burn down your ministry. The usage of herbal vapors and biblical papers adds to the authenticity of the song, making it sound more powerful. The artist takes a dig at outdated fashion trends such as suede-fronts, bell-bottoms, and tri-colored Shearlings, and rhymes about his ability to bang like vehicular homicides on July 4th in Bed-Stuy. Money is not easy to come by, and for those who resort to cut-throat practices, the outcomes are not good. The lyrics depict a world with corrupt cops and no peace, where building lobbies are graveyards for small-time criminals.


One of the interesting facts about Wu‐Tang Clan's song Duel Of The Iron Mic is that it is the ninth track on their second album, "Wu‐Tang Forever," which won a GRAMMY for Best Rap Album in 1998. Another fact about the song is that it features a sample of the theme from the Bruce Lee movie "Enter the Dragon." Additionally, it features verses from four different members of the group, including GZA, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, and U‐God. Another exciting aspect of the song is that it is inspired by the Shaw Brothers' kung-fu films, which the group regularly watched. Furthermore, the title of the song is derived from the final fight scene in the film "The 36th Chamber of Shaolin," in which the singer fights 52 opponents. The poetic nature of the song is also noteworthy, with its use of metaphorical and descriptive language. The song resonates with fans and is a favorite among many who appreciate the intricacy of its lyrics.


Unfortunately, the chords for Wu‐Tang Clan's song Duel Of The Iron Mic are not known.


Line by Line Meaning

Picture bloodbaths and elevator shafts
Imagery of violence and danger


Like these murderous rhymes tight from genuine craft
Unique and skillful lyrics that portray violence


Check the print, it's where veterans spark the letterings
Experienced artists create the rhymes


Slow moving MC's is waitin for the editin
Inferior rappers must rely on editing to sound good


The liquid soluble that made up the chemistry
The combination of elements that make up the rhyme


A gaseous element, that burned down your ministry
The rhymes are volatile and destructive


Herbal vapors, and biblical papers
Marijuana and holy books are both inspiration for the artist


Smokin Exodus, every square yard is plush
Smoking weed makes everything enjoyable


Fuck the screw-faced photo sessions facial expression
The artist dislikes forced expressions in photoshoots


leaves impressions, try to keep a shark nigga guessin
The artist wants to impress and intimidate other rappers


Give crazy shouts Son here's the outcome
The artist is confident in their abilities


Cut across the semi-gloss rhymes you floss
The artist is better than other rappers who flaunt their rhymes


Shit is outdated, just like neckloads of Sterlings
Some styles and trends are no longer relevant


Suede-fronts, bell-bottoms, and tri-colored Shearlings
Fashion trends of the past


I ain't particular, I bang like vehicular homicides
The artist is willing to use violence to prove their skill


on July 4th in Bed-Stuy
A specific location and time associated with violence


Where money don't grown on trees and there's thievin MC's
Money is hard to come by and some rappers are thieves


Who cut-throat to rake leaves
They will do whatever it takes to make money


They can't breathe, blood splash, rushin fast like runnin rivers
Violent imagery of attacking other rappers


I be that whiskey in your liver
The artist is addictive and enjoyable


Duel of the Iron Mic, it's the fifty-two fatal strikes!
The artist is superior and deadly


This is not a eighty-five affair, made clear when the Gods get on to perform storms blew up
This is not the style of music from 1985, the artists are more impressive


Wu's up, causin the crowd to self-destruct
The Wu-Tang Clan performance is energetic and wild


Killer bees are stingin somethin while I reveal
The artist is revealing important information while the Wu-Tang buzzes like bees


Science, that's heavily guarded by the culprit
The Wu-Tang Clan has valuable and unique knowledge


Bombin your barracks, with aerodynamic swordplay
The Wu-Tang Clan will attack their rivals with precision and speed


poison darts by the doorway
The artist will use any means necessary to defeat their opponents


Minds that's laced with explosive doses Damagin lyrical launcher
The artist has a powerful and dangerous mind


Lunge at the youthful offender then injure
The artist is not afraid to attack younger competitors


any contender, testin the murderous Master could lead to disaster
Challenging the artist is dangerous


dynamite thoughts explode through your barrier, rips the retina
The artist's thoughts are powerful enough to penetrate and damage the listener's mind


Who can withstand the astonishing punishing
The artist's style is too powerful for most people to withstand


Stings to the sternum, shocked in the hip-hop livestock
The artist's rhymes are painful and shocking, especially in the hip-hop community


Seekin for a serum, to cure em
The listeners need something to cure the damage done by the artist's rhymes


Adults kill for drugs plus the young bucks bust
Drug addiction and violence are common in the community


Duckin handcuffs, throats get cut when dough rush
The danger of criminal activity


Out of town foes look shook but still pose
Rivals from other locations may appear intimidated, but still act tough


We move lioke real pros through the streets we stroll
The Wu-Tang Clan is skilled and confident in their movements


Bullet holes lace the windows in one-six oh
The violence and danger in their community is evident


So control the avenues that's the dream that's sold
Power and control are important in their environment


Bulding lobbies are graveyards for small-timers
Lower-level criminals often meet their end in public places


Bitches caught in airports, keys in they vaginas
Women involved in illegal activity may hide drugs in intimate places


No peace, yo the police mad corrupt
The police are corrupt and dangerous


You get bagged up, dependin if you're passin the cut
Getting caught depends on whether or not you make a mistake


Plus shorty's not a shorty no more, he's livin heartless
Children grow up too fast in dangerous environments


Regardless of the charges, claims to be the hardest individual
Being tough and feared is important in their environment


critical thoughts, criminal minded
The artist has both deep thoughts and criminal tendencies


Blinded by illusion, findin it confusin
The community is confusing and unclear


Duel of the iron mics
A battle between skilled rappers with powerful rhymes


It's that fifty-two fatal strikes
The power and danger of the artist's rhymes


nuh
An emphasized ending to the song




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HERBERT MAGIDSON, ALLIE WRUBEL, GARY GRICE, ROBERT DIGGS, RUSSELL JONES, AUTHOR UNKNOWN COMPOSER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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