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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America
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
continuous
Yeah, youknowhatI'msayin?
Wu-Tang
Aiyyo aiyyo, come on yo yo yo I'ma shoot over here
On that AIDS thing
YouknowhatI'msayin? I'm gonna just slide in the studio quick
Yo, yo
Verse One: Killah Priest
When you're sexually frustrated, plus waiting for a long time
You both had strong minds
Combined with feelings, she seems appealing
for each other, discreet lover, no longer keeps brothers
Smothered under deep covers
Erotic programs, Moet and slow jams
Enough to make you hold hands
And plus you a bold man
You fall in a manhole, where the forbidden tree grow
And bullshit ego, of fly negro
Whole garden sour, polluted with a dead flower
Months later, he's layin on a respirator
Depending on a generator, to keep his heart moving
And start losing sight in his right eye
In weeks he might die
Verse Two: Raekwon
Yeah, uh-huh
I know this dope-fiend cat, word up, his name is Javier
Part-time shooter sharing needles in the stairs
Wise guys disguised as a fly guy
you gettin high right? Weeded up with red shit in your right eye
Youse a menace, your brain cells finished
Begging forgiveness, calling that up top shit syphillis
You know what you was gettin into
Try to guess on what I've been through
Fuck shorty raw then she scared you
Chorus: Raekwon
AIDS kills, word up respect this, yo
Coming from the Wu, it's real
AIDS kills, word up respect this, yo
Coming from my crew, it's real
Verse Three: RZA
My nigga Chuck, he loved to fuck
Everything exotic bitches down to ugly ducks
Like Nancy, who liked the fancy tickles
so he put popsicles on her nipples to make her sex passion
triple quadriple, until she bust
Overcome with passion, big ass want lust upon him
But nigga he forsake to grab the condom
Fuck it, he said AIDS, was government made
to keep niggaz afraid so they won't get laid no babies be made
And the black population will decrease within a decade
German warfare product against the dark shade
Chorus:
AIDS kills, word up respect this, yo
Coming from my crew, it's real
AIDS kills, word up respect this, yo
Coming from the Wu, it's real
Verse Four: Master Killer, Inspector Deck
Caught by the gravitation earth rotation
Six in the sex is deep, when you can't see clear
through the sheer brassiere, toke back
Smoking a spliff, sippin cognac, God
you know my two love songs, Bobby Womack tracks
Got her fat ass layin flat on her back
Yo, as she lay, she wore a silk gray neglige
Alehze pours, the radio play, Marvin Gaye
What's Going On? As she screams Sexual Healing
Couldn't fight the feeling her legs hit the ceiling
Hittin all positions dipped in for quick love
She's professional she does this shit in strip clubs
Flied in June until she Acquired Immune Deficiency
Now misery is the Syndrome
Outro: Raekwon and others
Oh shit, God that's wild
Damn, that's some cherry flavor shit going on though kid
For real, knowhatI'msayin?
What about the exotic type
Caskets is waitin for brothers
Word up slide on the joints baby
Before you go to sex take protection
Word up
AIDS kills, word up respect this
America Is Dying Slowly (4x)
Yeah, word yo, sliding up in this store right here
I ain't even playing that man, for real
Dig it
Respect how I'm living kid
Here forever, word up
Lubricated joints, ribbed joints is bangin
But they still playing the hotel door man
Word, you know how that be though, you know how that be
Yo, just gettin to be too old
Chick over there lookin like Sonny and Cher
Over there
Yeah
America Is Dying Slowly
Surely
America Is Dying Slowly
America Is Dying Slowly
remember that! Syndrome, be the resident
America Is Dying Slowly
Wu-Tang, Syndrome, be the resident
Noodles, Bobby Steels, Lou Diamonds, Killer Priest
Rolly Rollie Fingers, Johnathan Blaze, Maximillion
Prodigal Sons, Anthony Starks, Hellrazor
Prodigal Son, and in the place, Sixty Second
Sunz of Man, Gambinos, forever...
Keep it safe!
Ol Dirt Schultz, word up baby
Protect yourself!
Keep it safe
The lyrics of Wu-Tang Clan's song America provide an insight into the dangers of AIDS, particularly among urban communities in America. The song features rappers Killah Priest, Raekwon, RZA, Master Killer, and Inspector Deck, who describe the devastating effects of the disease on their friends and acquaintances. The verses explore the themes of unprotected sex, drug addiction, and the belief that AIDS was a government conspiracy to control the African American population. The lyrics emphasize the importance of safe sex and taking preventative measures to protect oneself from the disease.
The first verse of the song, performed by Killah Priest, discusses the dangers of unprotected sex and how it can lead to deep covers within urban African American communities. Raekwon performs the chorus, reminding the listener of the severity of AIDS and the need to respect the disease. The second verse is performed by Raekwon, who describes a dope-fiend he knows who has been affected by the disease due to shooting up and being promiscuous. RZA raps the third verse, reflecting on a character named Chuck, a womanizer who believes that AIDS was created by the government. The final verse is performed by Master Killer and Inspector Deck, and discusses the gravity of the AIDS epidemic and how it has affected their community.
Overall, America is a song that reflects on the severity of the AIDS epidemic and the impact it had on urban African American communities in America. The lyrics highlight the consequences of risky behavior and the importance of taking preventative measures to protect oneself from the disease.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're sexually frustrated, plus waiting for a long time
When you haven't had sex in a while and are feeling frustrated
You both had strong minds
You and your partner are both intelligent
Combined with feelings, she seems appealing
You have an emotional connection and are attracted to each other
for each other, discreet lover, no longer keeps brothers
You are having an affair with someone and trying to keep it quiet from others
Smothered under deep covers
You are keeping your affair hidden
Erotic programs, Moet and slow jams
You set the mood with romantic music and champagne
Enough to make you hold hands
Your romantic set up is working and you are connecting physically
And plus you a bold man
You are bold for having an affair, but still feel confident
You fall in a manhole, where the forbidden tree grow
You fall into temptation and engage in risky behavior
And bullshit ego, of fly negro
You have a big ego and think you're above the rules
Whole garden sour, polluted with a dead flower
You realize the affair is toxic and damaging to your relationship
Months later, he's layin on a respirator
You or your partner are dying in a hospital after contracting AIDS
Depending on a generator, to keep his heart moving
You or your partner are relying on a machine to keep your heart beating
And start losing sight in his right eye
You or your partner are experiencing symptoms of AIDS and losing vision
In weeks he might die
The prognosis is grim and death may be imminent
I know this dope-fiend cat, word up, his name is Javier
A friend of the artist named Javier is a drug addict
Part-time shooter sharing needles in the stairs
Javier shares needles with other drug users in a dangerous manner
Wise guys disguised as a fly guy
Drug dealers pretend to be cool to sell their product to Javier
you gettin high right? Weeded up with red shit in your right eye
Javier is high on drugs and his injected eye is bleeding
Youse a menace, your brain cells finished
Javier is a danger to himself and his drug use has severely damaged his brain
Begging forgiveness, calling that up top shit syphillis
Javier has contracted a sexually transmitted disease and is begging for forgiveness
Fuck shorty raw then she scared you
Javier had unprotected sex and is worried he may have contracted HIV
AIDS kills, word up respect this, yo
AIDS is a serious and deadly disease that should be taken seriously
My nigga Chuck, he loved to fuck
Another friend of the artist named Chuck loves sex
Everything exotic bitches down to ugly ducks
Chuck is attracted to all types of women
so he put popsicles on her nipples to make her sex passion triple quadriple
Chuck uses unconventional methods to increase sexual pleasure
until she bust, Overcome with passion, big ass want lust upon him
His partner has an orgasm and is craving more sex
But nigga he forsake to grab the condom
Chuck chooses to have unprotected sex
Fuck it, he said AIDS, was government made
Chuck is choosing to not use protection because he believes AIDS is a government conspiracy
to keep niggaz afraid so they won't get laid no babies be made
Chuck believes the government is using AIDS to control the black population
And the black population will decrease within a decade
Chuck believes AIDS will wipe out a large portion of the black population
German warfare product against the dark shade
Chuck believes AIDS is a biological weapon created by Germany to target black people
Caught by the gravitation earth rotation
Sex is a powerful and natural force that can be hard to resist
Six in the sex is deep, when you can't see clear
Sex can become intense and emotional when you're not thinking clearly
through the sheer brassiere, toke back
You're smoking weed and taking a hit
Smoking a spliff, sippin cognac, God
You're smoking marijuana and drinking cognac
you know my two love songs, Bobby Womack tracks
The singer likes to listen to Bobby Womack when he's in the mood for love
Got her fat ass layin flat on her back
The singer is having sex with his partner on her back
As she lay, she wore a silk gray neglige
The singer's partner is wearing sexy lingerie
Alehze pours, the radio play, Marvin Gaye
The artist is drinking Alehze and listening to Marvin Gaye on the radio
What's Going On? As she screams Sexual Healing
Marvin Gaye's song Sexual Healing is playing and the artist's partner is enjoying herself
Couldn't fight the feeling her legs hit the ceiling
The singer's partner is having an orgasm and getting very excited
Hittin all positions dipped in for quick love
The singer is trying different sexual positions for a quick and intense experience
She's professional she does this shit in strip clubs
The artist's partner is experienced and very good at sex, maybe even a stripper
Flied in June until she Acquired Immune Deficiency
The artist's partner was healthy until she contracted AIDS in June
Now misery is the Syndrome
AIDS is a miserable and deadly disease
Caskets is waitin for brothers
Many people are dying from AIDS and there are too many funerals
Before you go to sex take protection
Always use protection to prevent contracting and spreading AIDS
Word up slide on the joints baby
Be safe while having sex
America Is Dying Slowly
AIDS is slowly killing America
Syndrome, be the resident
AIDS is a resident disease in America
Noodles, Bobby Steels, Lou Diamonds, Killer Priest
Wu-Tang Clan members listed for credit
Rolly Rollie Fingers, Johnathan Blaze, Maximillion
More Wu-Tang Clan members listed for credit
Prodigal Sons, Anthony Starks, Hellrazor
More Wu-Tang Clan members listed for credit
Prodigal Son, and in the place, Sixty Second
More Wu-Tang Clan members listed for credit
Sunz of Man, Gambinos, forever...
More Wu-Tang Clan members listed for credit
Ol Dirt Schultz, word up baby
A shoutout to Old Dirty Bastard
Keep it safe!
Always use protection to prevent contracting and spreading AIDS
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ESHRAQUE MUGHAL, ERIC TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JMURPH79
One of the best groups in history. Dope way to spread positivity
Official Joe7
What a beat. One of their best songs and beats
M4rr4 C4Sh
That live performance of that track at MTV was legendary
Langston Ousley
Yes! Ppl don't remember that shit!...1st time I heard this...I have that performance recorded on vhs somewhere
Brian Tucker
One of their best beats, period!
Ness Lee
It's literally just a loop of an old school sample. Nothing added. No kick. No hi hat. No snare. No bassline. I'd hardly call it a beat. No one produced this but O.V. Wright's band. Fire song though
Brett Rainville
@Ness Lee tru
All wight all wong
@Ness Lee Say what you want the beat is still tight.
Ness Lee
@All wight all wong It's not a bea...nvm
killabee4realg
@Ness Lee almost nothing changed except for the spooky gravediggaz 1800 suicide poisonous remix type sound on the hook part