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.
www.wutang-corp.com
40th Street Black / We Will Fight
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We live our lives tonight as one
We live our lives tonight as one, one
I'm a bad mother-, shout your mouth
Insanity, DVD, how I stretch 'em out
What the stress about? INS best out
Fact, you knew that before he left the house
Gaze at my shine like a showroom necklace
Death wish, stepping in, declaration
I'm checking niggas like test questions
Across 110th now, across Belmont and Montauk
Camera hawk hawks the sidewalk
When they get to flexing muscle niggas bust you
Hustlers do you, gave you your first toolie
Cutting out of school to pump your first loosie
Think graduate to wait, take it out of state, duct tape
Anything of pulse and heroin
Emcees frozen, cuban link chains are golden
Everywhere I'm opening it up, they kill it raw
Math here, I got 'em keep coming back for more
Man, I'm so turned up, all the marijuana burned up
Y'all don't want the drama, word up
The Wu first up, the game is the world versus us
Y'all was good 'til the world heard us
Y'all ain't want them Clan birds up
Y'all done want your man served up
That'll get the fans worked up
Homie really wanna play, stir it up
I'mma catch me a wave, surfs up
Gliding on the track like this, make me wanna act like this
Make me wanna smack that trick
Make a killer really wanna yap that kid
If he opens up his yap that's it
We will fight when the night is done
We live our lives tonight as one
Mass of minerals in a glass house
Playing [?] blast out
Letting out verbal thunder bolts
Until the world attract old and younger folks
Charge with the vitality and magnetism
In large reality with massive rhythm
The manual without technical part
From the beginning give off an electrical spark
I respect you if you respect me
Everything's for real, WTC
No fake ass shit, don't front the Remy
Break bread, never have pockets empty
Let's get it, flip it up then we can spend it
The money train, killer bees on your brain
W's everywhere, one on your chain
Homeboys for life, please don't change
You can hide at my house, it ain't no thing
If you see the pigs, don't say jack
Call me original, don't say cap
I'm on the low, might be at the murder
Holding off the place y'all cats never heard of
Yeah, chicks wanna peep me out
Nasty ass, want me to pee in their mouth
But now I'm out, about to link with stinks
We will fight when the night is done
We live our lives tonight as one
Bang a few notes up, top, call it b smoke
Forget the street codes, show you like a deep throat
It gets rougher, you struggle from the heat stroke
Blast barrels, embrace my leaf smoke
[?] radio for back up
Polish your act up, nigga need a back up
Syrup in my cup, no cut, straight up
UG's in the court, never miss a lay up
When the emcees came to live out their names
Some rode the bus, some rode the train
Some motherfuckers wish they never came
When they met the nine swordsmen of Wu-Tang
Nine Maseratis pulls up to this party hard
Body, the party is still, but God body
It's out of shape models coming through with those bottles
End up with these, please, four eyes follow
Pass me a bucket of ice, that's nice
Hit with the rocker, what you say proper
I drink with the copper, show up with a chopper
Stop her, she wanna have a menage a trois
I can tell by the bra [?]
Do you wish or wish upon a star?
Do you wish or wish upon a star?
We will fight when the night is done
We live our lives tonight as one
We will fight when the night is done
We live our lives tonight as one
The song "40th Street Black / We Will Fight" is a collaboration between the members of the Wu-Tang Clan, and features their trademark style of gritty lyrics and hard-hitting beats. The song begins with a declaration of unity and strength in the face of struggle, with the repeated refrain "We will fight when the night is done / We live our lives tonight as one". This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which focuses on the group's experiences and perspectives on life, both within and outside of the rap world.
Throughout the song, the members of the Wu-Tang Clan boast about their skills, their style, and their dominance over their competition. They reference their street smarts, their tough upbringing, and their loyalty to each other. The lyrics are packed with metaphors and wordplay, showcasing the group's cleverness and wit. They also touch on more serious themes, such as the struggles of drug addiction and the dangers of violence.
Overall, "40th Street Black / We Will Fight" is a powerful and intense rap song that captures the energy and attitude of the Wu-Tang Clan. It's a testament to the group's skill and creativity, and a showcase of their unique style that has made them one of the most influential rap groups of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
We will fight when the night is done
We will continue our struggle even after facing darkness and difficulties
We live our lives tonight as one
We are united in living our lives to the fullest tonight
I'm a bad mother-, shout your mouth
I am an intimidating force, so you better watch what you say
Insanity, DVD, how I stretch 'em out
I am so skilled that I can effortlessly prolong and intensify a situation to a point of insanity
What the stress about? INS best out
I am the best and there is no need to stress about anything
Fact, you knew that before he left the house
It is a known fact that I am superior, and you should have known that before even leaving your home
Fresh at the produce section
I am new and fresh and just arrived in the produce section
Gaze at my shine like a showroom necklace
My shine is so bright and impressive - it demands to be admired like a necklace on display in a showroom
Death wish, stepping in, declaration
I am fearless and am making a statement by stepping in with a death wish
I'm checking niggas like test questions
I am thoroughly examining and evaluating these people like a teacher grading a test
Across 110th now, across Belmont and Montauk
I am traveling across the city, from one street to another
Camera hawk hawks the sidewalk
Someone is monitoring the situation closely, like a hawk eyeing its prey
When they get to flexing muscle niggas bust you
When people get overly confident and arrogant, they are likely to end up being harmed
Hustlers do you, gave you your first toolie
Hustlers will take care of themselves and are not afraid to use weapons to protect themselves
Cutting out of school to pump your first loosie
Some will even ditch school in order to make quick cash selling single cigarettes
Think graduate to wait, take it out of state, duct tape
One can progress from selling cigarettes to selling drugs and then move the product out of state, while also using duct tape to seal up packages
Anything of pulse and heroin
Drugs with dangerous effects, including heroin, can be sold and used too
Emcees frozen, cuban link chains are golden
Rappers are intimidated by the Wu-Tang Clan, who themselves wear flashy gold cuban link chains
Everywhere I'm opening it up, they kill it raw
Everywhere the Wu-Tang Clan go, they excite and impress people with their raw talent and skill
Math here, I got 'em keep coming back for more
Mathematics is here to keep people hooked and coming back for more of the Wu-Tang's music
Man, I'm so turned up, all the marijuana burned up
I am so excited and energized, with all the marijuana being consumed
Y'all don't want the drama, word up
You don't really want to start trouble with us
The Wu first up, the game is the world versus us
We are the first line of defense, as the entire world seems to be against us
Homie really wanna play, stir it up
People really want to play and start conflict, so let's get it started
I'mma catch me a wave, surfs up
I am going to ride this wave of hype and excitement all the way to the top
Gliding on the track like this, make me wanna act like this
I am effortlessly gliding on this instrumental track, causing me to feel like acting in a certain way
Make me wanna smack that trick
This track makes me feel violent, like smacking someone
Make a killer really wanna yap that kid
This track inspires a killer to talk back and get aggressive
If he opens up his yap that's it
If someone talks too much, they will quickly regret it
Mass of minerals in a glass house
A lot of valuable things are housed in a very vulnerable space
Playing [?] blast out
Sound is playing so loud and powerful that it fills a room like an explosion
Letting out verbal thunder bolts
Words are being spoken with such force and intensity that it feels like a thunderstorm
Until the world attract old and younger folks
This music is so universal and appealing that it can attract people of all ages and backgrounds
Charge with the vitality and magnetism
We are charged with energy and charisma
In large reality with massive rhythm
Our reality is filled with massive rhythms and beats
The manual without technical part
This is a guide to life that does not require technical expertise
From the beginning give off an electrical spark
From the beginning, this music has had a powerful and electrifying effect on people
I respect you if you respect me
I offer respect to those who respect me
Everything's for real, WTC
We take everything seriously and are for real - this is the Wu-Tang Clan
No fake ass shit, don't front the Remy
We don't tolerate fake things or pretend to like things we don't - don't put on a fake persona while drinking Remy Martin
Break bread, never have pockets empty
We share what we have with each other so that no one's pockets are ever empty
Let's get it, flip it up then we can spend it
Let's make some money and then spend it on whatever we want
The money train, killer bees on your brain
Money is coming in fast, and we are like aggressive bees trying to collect it all
W's everywhere, one on your chain
The Wu-Tang logo is prevalent everywhere, including worn on chains
Homeboys for life, please don't change
We will always remain loyal to our crew and hope they won't change
You can hide at my house, it ain't no thing
You are welcome to hide out at my place and I won't think anything of it
If you see the pigs, don't say jack
If you see police officers, don't say a word
Call me original, don't say cap
Refer to me as original and genuine, not a liar
I'm on the low, might be at the murder
I am keeping a low profile but might be involved in a criminal act
Holding off the place y'all cats never heard of
Holding down a place that others are not aware of or familiar with
Yeah, chicks wanna peep me out
Women are interested in checking me out
Nasty ass, want me to pee in their mouth
Some women have a weird sexual fetish and want me to urinate in their mouth
But now I'm out, about to link with stinks
But now I am leaving, and am going to meet up with friends
Bang a few notes up, top, call it b smoke
I'm going to play some music and refer to it as blazing smoke
Forget the street codes, show you like a deep throat
Ignore the usual code of the streets, and instead show you how things really work
It gets rougher, you struggle from the heat stroke
Things will get even harder and hotter, making it tough to cope
Blast barrels, embrace my leaf smoke
Smoke heavily, puffing until your lungs feel like they might burst
[?] radio for back up
Call for backup and support from an unknown source
Polish your act up, nigga need a back up
Improve your performance and get some support or backup
Syrup in my cup, no cut, straight up
I am drinking a syrup mix with no adulteration or dilution
UG's in the court, never miss a lay up
Unidentified gunmen are in the basketball court, never missing a shot
When the emcees came to live out their names
Rappers came with the intention of living up to their reputations and making a name for themselves
Some rode the bus, some rode the train
Some became famous through hard work and taking public transportation, while others may have hustled to get noticed
Some motherfuckers wish they never came
Some regret ever getting involved in the rap game
When they met the nine swordsmen of Wu-Tang
When they encountered the nine members of the Wu-Tang Clan, they were intimidated and overpowered
Nine Maseratis pulls up to this party hard
Nine members of the Wu-Tang Clan arrive at a party looking flashy and commanding attention
Body, the party is still, but God body
The party may be static, but the presence of the Wu-Tang Clan members makes the whole space electric
It's out of shape models coming through with those bottles
Oddly shaped bottles carried by some models are a popular feature at the party
End up with these, please, four eyes follow
People want to obtain such bottles and are willing to follow whoever can provide them
Pass me a bucket of ice, that's nice
Give me some ice to cool off, that would be great
Hit with the rocker, what you say proper
Hit me with the rhythm, what are your lyrics saying?
I drink with the copper, show up with a chopper
I am willing to drink with the police while carrying a gun
Stop her, she wanna have a menage a trois
Someone wants to have a threesome, and I may be interested
I can tell by the bra [?]
I can tell by their lingerie choice
Do you wish or wish upon a star?
What do you aspire to or dream of?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, DARRYL ROBERT HILL, ELGIN EVANDER TURNER, GARY E. GRICE, JASON S. HUNTER, LAMONT HAWKINS, ROBERT F. DIGGS, RONALD MAURICE BEAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind