Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostfac… Read Full Bio ↴Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group. They were formed in (and are associated with) the New York City borough of Staten Island (referred to by members as "Shaolin"), though Masta Killa and GZA are from Brooklyn and Inspectah Deck is from the Bronx. They have gone on to become multi-platinum record producers, Grammy winners, TV and film stars, screenwriters, product spokespersons, business owners and, most recently, major motion picture composers. The Clan featured nine MCs until the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004. One of the most critically and commercially successful hip hop groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan shot to fame through their uncompromising brand of hardcore rap music. Since their debut, they have introduced or launched the careers of numerous other artists and groups, and already in 1994 there were credited to be over 300 Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, known as the Wu-Tang Killa Bees, consisting of rappers, producers, and record label CEOs.

The founders of the Wu-Tang Clan were RZA, GZA, and Ol' Dirty Bastard, who had previously formed the group Force of the Imperial Master (later known as All In Together Now after the release of a popular single by that name). The group attracted the attention of some notable figures in the industry, including Biz Markie, but did not manage to secure a record deal. After the crew dissolved, GZA and RZA (then known as Prince Rakeem) embarked on their solo careers with Cold Chillin' Records and Tommy Boy Records respectively, but to little success. Their frustration with the workings of the hip hop music industry would provide the main inspiration to Wu-Tang Clan's revolutionary business plan. According to The Wu-Tang Manual, at the group's inception, RZA promised the members that if he had total control of the Wu-Tang empire, it would conquer the hip hop world within a dynastic cycle, after which he would relinquish his total control.

Wu-Tang Clan was gradually assembled in late 1992 from friends and accomplices from around Staten Island, New York, with RZA as the de-facto leader and the group's main producer. Two of the cousins, GZA (pronounced Jizza) and RZA (pronounced Rizza), created their new Wu-Tang aliases by mimicking the sound that the words "genius" and "razor" would make when scratched on a turntable.

"Wu-Tang" comes from the name of the Taoist holy mountain Wu Dang in northwest Hubei Province in central China; it was also the site of the Ming Dynasty Purple Imperial City built during the reign of the Yongle Emperor in the early 15th century. RZA and Ol' Dirty Bastard adopted the name for the group after seeing the kung fu film Shaolin and Wu Tang, which features a school of warriors trained in Wu-Tang style. The group's debut album loosely adopted a Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang theme, dividing the album into Shaolin and Wu-Tang sections and using dialogue excerpts as skits.

The group have also developed various backronyms for the name (as hip hop pioneers like KRS-One and Big Daddy Kane did with their names), including "We Usually Take All the Niggas' Garments," "Witty Unpredictable Talent and Natural Game" and "Wisdom, Universe, Truth, Allah, Nation, and God".

Method Man has also mentioned that the "Wu" is the sound a sword makes when cutting through the air, and "Tang" is the sound it makes against a shield.

The Clan first became known to hip hop fans, and to major record labels, in 1993 (see 1993 in music) following the release of the independent single "Protect Ya Neck", which immediately gave the group a sizeable underground following. Though there was some difficulty in finding a record label that would sign Wu-Tang Clan while still allowing each member to record solo albums with other labels, Loud/RCA finally agreed, releasing their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), in late 1993. This album was popular and critically-acclaimed, though it took some time to gain momentum. Though hip hop had long had a gritty texture, the surreal aggression and minimalist production of 36 Chambers nevertheless had a huge impact on the genre, and was to prove massively influential over the next decade. By the beginning of the 21st century, the album had become a regular fixture on "Best Albums of the 90s" lists as well as a frequent choice for "Best Albums of All Time" lists. The success of Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) established the group as a creative and influential force in early 1990s hip hop, allowing GZA, RZA, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa to negotiate solo contracts.

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12
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics

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If everyone’s down
I won’t follow them down
Even there’s a fight around
I won’t hide nor run
(Let’s)

Watching everybody fall downstairs-
With numb limbs down and this looks so fun

This scene awakes me

You see they are naturally submissive in order to survive
Survive
I know it's called loneliness, what else can I do to survive
Survive

Nobody wants to love me
Nobody wants to kiss me
So, I hate my self
So, I hate my self
Because I betrayed the game
I saw the truth of the game
So, they're going to kill me now
And drag me down

You see they are naturally submissive in order to survive
Survive
I know it's called loneliness, what else can I do to survive
Survive

Nobody wants to love me
Nobody wants to kiss me
So, I hate myself
So, I hate myself
Because I betrayed the game
I saw the truth of the game
So, they're going to kill me now
And drag me down

Watching everybody fall downstairs-
With numb limbs down and this looks so fun
This scene awakes me

If everyone’s down
I won’t follow them down
Even there’s a fight around

I won’t hide nor run
(Let’s)

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics from Wu-Tang Clan's song "12," the singer expresses a strong sense of individualism and defiance against conformity. The opening lines suggest a refusal to blindly follow the crowd or engage in conflict just for the sake of fitting in. The repeated line "If everyone’s down, I won’t follow them down" emphasizes the singer's independence and refusal to be swayed by peer pressure or societal expectations.

The imagery of "Watching everybody fall downstairs" with "numb limbs down" conveys a sense of detachment and disconnection from the chaos and turmoil around them. Despite the apparent allure of such scenes, the singer remains unaffected and even finds a sense of awakening in observing the folly of those around them. This detachment serves as a form of self-preservation amidst the chaos and confusion of the world.

The theme of survival and loneliness emerges strongly in the next set of lyrics. The singer reflects on the inherent submissive nature of people in order to survive, acknowledging the harsh reality of the world they inhabit. The repetition of "Survive" underscores the constant struggle to endure and persevere in spite of the hardships and challenges faced. The singer grapples with feelings of rejection and self-loathing, believing that their awareness of the truth of the "game" has led them to be outcast and targeted for destruction.

The repeated refrain of "Nobody wants to love me, Nobody wants to kiss me" highlights the singer's feelings of isolation and abandonment, further intensifying their sense of alienation and despair. The reference to betraying the "game" and facing the consequences for their awareness suggests a deeper commentary on society's harsh treatment of those who refuse to conform or play along with its rules. The final lines of the song echo the defiant stance of the singer, reaffirming their refusal to surrender to the pressures and expectations of others, even in the face of imminent threat.

Overall, these lyrics paint a poignant portrait of individual resistance and resilience in the face of societal norms and pressures. The singer's introspective exploration of loneliness, self-hatred, and the harsh realities of survival is imbued with a sense of defiance and strength, ultimately culminating in a defiant declaration of independence and self-preservation. The imagery and themes in the song evoke a complex emotional landscape, inviting listeners to reflect on the meaning of loyalty, authenticity, and the price of resistance in a world that often demands conformity.

Line by Line Meaning

If everyone’s down
When everyone else is feeling low or defeated

I won’t follow them down
I refuse to follow others into a negative mindset or situation

Even there’s a fight around
Even in the midst of conflict or struggle

I won’t hide nor run
I will not retreat or avoid facing challenges

(Let’s)
(Let’s stay strong and face whatever comes our way)

Watching everybody fall downstairs-
Observing others struggle or face difficulties

With numb limbs down and this looks so fun
They appear to be enjoying their downfall despite the pain

This scene awakes me
This sight motivates or stirs something within me

You see they are naturally submissive in order to survive
They choose to be passive in order to stay alive

I know it's called loneliness, what else can I do to survive
Recognizing the feeling of isolation and finding ways to endure

Nobody wants to love me
Feeling unloved or unwanted by others