what it is
Wu‐Tang Clan feat. RZA Streetlife Buddah Bless Lyrics


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Shaolin shadowboxing, in the Wu-tang sword style
If what you say is true, if what you say is true

The clouds was gray, the sky was black
Two undercover pigs jumped out the Pontiac
Trying to extort us, they wanna know where the money at
We countin' the cream, my team get money stacks
Let the gods build wherever we at
We attackin' the mind state
We civilized niggas we don't think of the crime rate
The mind's infinite now, we can't waste time
Take the ones that know the last, leave the rest behind
Salute, fall back in line
Here come the first nine out of the booth
Sparks of energy, create more life and more synergy
Forever is Wu, you can never set for the glue
Homie is Mathematical, beats is bangin'
All my lords get radical
Don't blast the past homie, that's equilateral
JJY, Killa Beez is splattering you
And everybody love us in here
It don't matter who

Shoulder rolling off the beat
Catch a jab kiss it and throw it back
Science is sweet and questional
This is Irief Jamal, unique professional
Blessin' you a hundred mill flow
Steel tip arrow and bow, I pull and let it go
Look how the crowd go wild for this mic style
Wu World Clan united this how the reptile
Keepin' us apart between some darts from the heart
Forever stayin' mentally sharp, spark the brain
Physically equipped to tear you out the frame
I don't play with this mic thing
But brings all of the above, I reign

If what you say is true

This is target practice, watch me get my darts off
Leave 'em bleedin' out with they shoes and they socks off
Fit it on the sidewalk, this is real talk
Anybody could get it, I pop a couple shots off
Home of this smash and grab, I'm taking minds off the top
Doin' stick up, no mask, I got the drop
Run up on you, in front of your buildin'
Now you speak a bazillion
Gun you down right in front of your children
We bang out on a regular basis, erase half your face
Leave no shell, these open cases
My description, big black bodacious
All black, Wu, hoodie on with the go fat laces

If what you say is true

A rhyme is a struggle from conception
Series of complex maps in all directions
Totally dependent on an act of breathing
Learning, depending on an act of reading
The MC draws in a long, deep breath
Holding it until makin' it right before it left
Extracted it from it is life-giving properties
We acting from it, and controlled it properly

If what you say is true
The Shaolin and the Wu-Tang

Now, do you understand?
The only way we can stay strong is we stick together
'Cause they gon' try, they gon' try
Let me tell you what they gon' try to do
And y'all remember the shit, y'all gon' tell them fuck the world
Teach all the babies and shit
They gon' try to make black and white go against each other
Which they can't because we already having a good time
WU!





That was great! Wonderful!
Terrific deal! The best that I've ever seen

Overall Meaning

The Wu-Tang Clan feat. RZA, Streetlife, Buddah Bless's song "What It Is" is about the rap group's struggle to stay strong and united against external threats and division within the community. The lyrics reference the Wu-Tang sword style and Shaolin shadowboxing as symbols of strength and resilience. The song describes an encounter with corrupt police officers attempting to extort them for money, but the group outwits them with their wealth and sharp minds. They contrast themselves with those who engage in criminal activity, stating that they are "civilized niggas" who don't "think of the crime rate." The song also discusses the power of words and rhymes ("A rhyme is a struggle from conception/ Series of complex maps in all directions"), and emphasizes the importance of sticking together as a community ("The only way we can stay strong is we stick together/ 'Cause they gon' try, they gon' try").


Line by Line Meaning

Shaolin shadowboxing, in the Wu-tang sword style
We are warriors from Shaolin, practicing the ancient art of shadowboxing in the deadly Wu-Tang sword style.


If what you say is true, if what you say is true
We demand honesty and integrity. If you speak truth, we will listen to you with respect.


The clouds was gray, the sky was black
The weather was bleak and ominous, suggesting impending danger.


Two undercover pigs jumped out the Pontiac
Two police officers in plain clothes emerge suddenly from their car, hoping to catch us in a compromising situation.


Trying to extort us, they wanna know where the money at
The officers are threatening us, attempting to blackmail us for money, and demanding to know our location.


We countin' the cream, my team get money stacks
We are focused on our business pursuits and count the money we have accumulated from our efforts.


Let the gods build wherever we at
We believe in a higher power and let them guide us in our actions no matter where we are.


We attackin' the mind state
Our strategy is to change people's thinking and beliefs, not to commit crimes.


We civilized niggas we don't think of the crime rate
Despite our background, as members of Wu-Tang, we are educated and civilized individuals who do not resort to criminal activity.


The mind's infinite now, we can't waste time
We view our minds as infinite resources and know we must spend our time wisely to achieve our goals.


Take the ones that know the last, leave the rest behind
We seek knowledge from those who have experience and leave behind those who don't.


Salute, fall back in line
We give respect to those in charge and follow orders.


Here come the first nine out of the booth
The first nine members of the Wu-Tang Clan are coming out of the recording booth to make music.


Sparks of energy, create more life and more synergy
Our music generates vibrant and positive energy, which inspires others to create and work together in a synchronized way.


Forever is Wu, you can never set for the glue
Wu-Tang Clan will always be together, bonded by a strong glue that cannot be separated.


Homie is Mathematical, beats is bangin'
Our rhymes are clever and have a sophisticated complexity, while our music beats are strong and captivating.


All my lords get radical
We take bold and extreme actions to achieve our goals, and all members of the Wu-Tang Clan agree to it.


Don't blast the past homie, that's equilateral
We should not forget our past, as it is an essential part of who we are and where we came from.


JJY, Killa Beez is splattering you
Our enemies will be defeated by Wu-Tang Clan and associated Wu-Tang groups, as we have power and strength in numbers.


And everybody love us in here
People enjoy our music and the positive vibes that we bring to the community.


Shoulder rolling off the beat
Our movement seamlessly transitions with the music beat, creating a fluid and dynamic performance.


Catch a jab kiss it and throw it back
We respond quickly and decisively to insults or setbacks, using our wit and charm to turn the situation around.


Science is sweet and questional
Our music is rooted in intelligent analysis and examination of complex topics.


This is Irief Jamal, unique professional
I am Irief Jamal, a distinctive and accomplished artist with my own style and approach.


Blessin' you a hundred mill flow
My rap is like a gift from above, flowing freely and effortlessly.


Steel tip arrow and bow, I pull and let it go
My words are sharp and precise, aimed at a specific target and sent out with full force.


Look how the crowd go wild for this mic style
The audience is ecstatic and enthusiastic about my rap style, showing their appreciation with loud cheers and applause.


Wu World Clan united this how the reptile
Wu-Tang Clan has come together as one, like a powerful and dangerous reptile.


Keepin' us apart between some darts from the heart
Despite our differences or distance from each other, we remain connected and committed to each other through our shared love and loyalty.


Forever stayin' mentally sharp, spark the brain
Our minds are always active and alert, continually finding new ways to inspire and stimulate the brain.


Physically equipped to tear you out the frame
We are physically strong and hardworking, capable of overcoming any obstacle or adversary.


I don't play with this mic thing
I take my rap career very seriously, and I don't just play around with it like a hobby.


But brings all of the above, I reign
My rap is multifaceted and brings a wide range of skills and experience, making me a dominant figure in the rap scene.


This is target practice, watch me get my darts off
I am skilled and confident in my abilities to take out my opponents, and they are like targets for me to practice on.


Leave 'em bleedin' out with they shoes and they socks off
My attack is brutal and unrelenting, leaving my opponents helpless and wounded on the ground.


Fit it on the sidewalk, this is real talk
My attack is happening right there on the street, with no pretense or fancy tricks. This is a very serious situation.


Anybody could get it, I pop a couple shots off
I am not afraid to engage anyone who tries to interfere with me, even if it means using deadly force.


Home of this smash and grab, I'm taking minds off the top
We attract attention and recognition for our unique style, taking over the rap scene by storm.


Doin' stick up, no mask, I got the drop
Our approach is aggressive and ruthless, and we do not try to hide or conceal our identity as we pursue our goals.


Run up on you, in front of your buildin'
We will not hesitate to confront our enemies in their own territory, even if it is near their homes or bases of operations.


Now you speak a bazillion
Our rap is so potent and powerful that it leaves our enemies speechless and disoriented.


Gun you down right in front of your children
We are willing to use violence against our enemies, even if it means harming their loved ones and families.


We bang out on a regular basis, erase half your face
We are always engaged in conflict with our enemies, willing to use violent means to defeat them and remove them from our path.


Leave no shell, these open cases
We leave no evidence or trace of our activities, closing open cases and evading justice.


My description, big black bodacious
I am an imposing and intimidating figure, with a big and bold personality that commands respect.


All black, Wu, hoodie on with the go fat laces
I dress in all black, representing Wu-Tang Clan, and wear a hoodie with thick shoelaces for style and comfort.


A rhyme is a struggle from conception
Producing a rhyming verse is a challenging process, requiring creativity, skill, and determination from the start.


Series of complex maps in all directions
The process of making a rap song involves complicated and intricate steps, exploring various ideas and directions.


Totally dependent on an act of breathing
Our rap depends on our ability to breathe and speak, using our lungs as a powerful tool for communication.


Learning, depending on an act of reading
We are constantly learning and absorbing new information, relying on reading and research to expand our knowledge base.


The MC draws in a long, deep breath
As a rapper, I take a deep and sustained breath to prepare myself mentally and physically for the demands of the rap verse.


Holding it until makin' it right before it left
I control my breathing and pause briefly before starting my rap, ensuring that I am ready and focused on delivering a great performance.


Extracted it from it is life-giving properties
I draw my breath and life force from the air around me, using it to create a powerful and dynamic rap performance.


We acting from it, and controlled it properly
We channel our breath and energy into our raps, using it to create a cohesive and well-crafted work of art.


The Shaolin and the Wu-Tang
We are proud members of both Shaolin and Wu-Tang, and carry with us the traditions and values of both.


Now, do you understand?
We have explained our philosophy and approach to rap music, and are asking if you comprehend and appreciate it.


The only way we can stay strong is we stick together
Our unity and cooperation are the key to our longevity and success.


'Cause they gon' try, they gon' try
Our enemies will try to divide and conquer us, but we will remain strong.


Let me tell you what they gon' try to do
We are predicting the actions of our adversaries, and are preparing to respond accordingly.


And y'all remember the shit, y'all gon' tell them fuck the world
We are reminding our supporters to remember our message and values, and to continue to resist conformity and injustice.


Teach all the babies and shit
We are urging everyone to educate and inform the younger generation about our beliefs and values.


They gon' try to make black and white go against each other
Our enemies will attempt to cause conflict and separation between different racial groups.


Which they can't because we already having a good time
We are not going to be divided by such tactics, as we are too busy enjoying our lives and making music together.


WU!
A rallying cry, calling upon the members of Wu-Tang Clan to stand together and fight for their values and beliefs.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Darryl R Hill, Elgin Evander Turner, Gary E Grice, Patrick Charles, Ronald Maurice Bean

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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