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
As High As Wuntang Gets
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dinn-dnn-dnn-ta-dnn
(Come on in)
Dinn-dnn-ta-dnn, dinn dn dah
(Come on, come on, come on in)
Dnn-da-duh-duh-dah, you bitch ass niggas!
Allah allow us pop this shit
Just like black shoe fit
If you can't wear it, well don't fuck with it!
Yo, too many songs, weak rhymes that's mad long
Make it brief Son, half short and twice strong
No doubt, it took time searchin, eventually
It was prime urgent, for you to examine the rhyme merchant
Lace MC's with styles when they rhyme drunk
On a label hunt, until twenty thou, out the trunk
Eight Diagram sword swinga armored tank force
RZA throw in the disc but then change the bank source
You can't flow, must be the speech impediment
You got lost off the snare off Impeach the President
Whether in Amsterdam smokin seven grams of green
Then you pack, a thousand white teens in tight jeans
This Witty Unpredictable shot is critical
To analytical analogy, insurance policies why
Said he know that sounds define the note
Couldn't recognize, blast him the fuck behind the ropes
Too many dope niggas I see starvin'
Catch a single deal, a possible plea bargain
Wu slay regardless to whom or what, five mics five nights
Hang him from the balcony, drop twenty-five flights
A fugitive bass playin rap czar
Smoke the cigars, his prints on the strings of his guitar
As high as Wu-Tang get
Allah allow us pop this shit
Just like black shoe fit
If you can't wear it, well don't fuck with it!
Tical got a hold on ya, doin exactly
What the fuck I mariju-wanta, dis nigga nasty
Deep in the dirty dungeon, buggin, lovin
The ways these rhymes keep comin, at cha splash ya
Get your head piece fractured, with killer cuts
From the Shropshire Slasher, rip shit up
Got this whole thing Tang mastered, sho nuff
An MC too good to be touched, John John
Bring the phenomenon, I cold crush
MC, inferiorities they froze up, ice cold
As we move on, saga unfold
Captivated by a saga that go untold, like Goldfinger
Caught up in a cliffhanger
Yo I-N-S another code red, danger, break out the vest
Now it's tactical warfare, it's all here
Come with your shield and hardware, it be on here
Don't ever roam, in the naked city
Eight million stories none pretty
Bomb em wit the Witty Unpredictable
Conditionin' be critical
Peace to Tang, gettin high on your physical, dis next drink
Is a toast to your memory
When I go how many niggas gon' remember me
As high as Wu-Tang get
Allah allow us pop this shit
Just like black shoe fit
If you can't wear it, well don't fuck with it!
The Wu-Tang Clan's song "As High As Wuntang Gets" is a powerful track that features complex rhymes, clever wordplay and a hard-hitting beat. The song opens with a sound effect that sounds like a door opening, signaling an invitation to come inside. The lyrics are a commentary on the state of hip-hop, with the group criticizing the weak rhymes and long songs that were dominating the scene at the time. The Wu-Tang Clan emphasizes the importance of brevity, urging MCs to make their rhymes short and strong.
The song also features a number of cultural references, such as Amsterdam and the famous James Bond villain Goldfinger. The Wu-Tang Clan pays tribute to their peers in the industry and expresses their frustration with those who try to imitate their style without putting in the work. The chorus of the song, "As high as Wu-Tang get, Allah allow us pop this shit," reinforces the Wu-Tang Clan's confidence in their own abilities and their belief that they are at the top of their game.
Line by Line Meaning
(Come on in)
Welcome to Wu-Tang Clan's song, As High As Wu-Tang Gets.
As high as Wu-Tang get
When Wu-Tang Clan reaches the pinnacle of success.
Allah allow us pop this shit
Thanking the universe for their success.
Just like black shoe fit
Their music fits perfectly with their audience.
If you can't wear it, well don't fuck with it!
If you can't appreciate their music, don't listen to it.
Yo, too many songs, weak rhymes that's mad long
Too many songs have weak rhymes that are too long.
Make it brief Son, half short and twice strong
Their rhymes are short but strong.
No doubt, it took time searchin, eventually
It took time to perfect their craft.
It was prime urgent, for you to examine the rhyme merchant
Listeners need to appreciate their lyrical skills.
Lace MC's with styles when they rhyme drunk
They can out-rap other MC's even when drunk.
On a label hunt, until twenty thou, out the trunk
They started small and worked their way up to a record deal.
Eight Diagram sword swinga armored tank force
They consider themselves as strong as an armored tank force.
RZA throw in the disc but then change the bank source
They are careful with their finances.
You can't flow, must be the speech impediment
Other rappers can't keep up with their lyrical flow.
You got lost off the snare off Impeach the President
Other rappers can't keep up with the beat of Impeach the President.
Whether in Amsterdam smokin seven grams of green
They enjoy smoking marijuana in Amsterdam.
Then you pack, a thousand white teens in tight jeans
Their music transcends boundaries and is enjoyed by all types of people.
This Witty Unpredictable shot is critical
Their music is unique and critically acclaimed.
To analytical analogy, insurance policies why
Their music has a deeper meaning and provides reassurance.
Said he know that sounds define the note
They understand that their music can impact others.
Couldn't recognize, blast him the fuck behind the ropes
Other rappers can't compare to them and will never be on their level.
Too many dope niggas I see starvin'
There are too many talented rappers who aren't getting recognition.
Catch a single deal, a possible plea bargain
Other rappers will do anything for success, even if it means compromising their talent.
Wu slay regardless to whom or what, five mics five nights
They always deliver great performances, no matter the circumstances.
Hang him from the balcony, drop twenty-five flights
Their rhymes are so strong that they can destroy other rappers without even touching them.
A fugitive bass playin rap czar
They are the kings of bass-heavy rap music.
Smoke the cigars, his prints on the strings of his guitar
They are musical geniuses who can play any instrument.
Tical got a hold on ya, doin exactly
Their music has a hypnotic effect on their listeners.
What the fuck I mariju-wanta, dis nigga nasty
They love smoking marijuana and don't care what others think.
Deep in the dirty dungeon, buggin, lovin
They love working in the studio and perfecting their craft.
The ways these rhymes keep comin, at cha splash ya
Their rhymes are so strong that they will surprise and amaze you.
Get your head piece fractured, with killer cuts
Their rhymes are so strong that they can hurt you if you're not ready for it.
From the Shropshire Slasher, rip shit up
Their rhymes are so strong that they can destroy other rappers with ease.
Got this whole thing Tang mastered, sho nuff
They have mastered the art of creating great rap music.
An MC too good to be touched, John John
They are so good that no one can compare to them, not even John John.
Bring the phenomenon, I cold crush
They will deliver a great performance that will leave their audience in awe.
MC, inferiorities they froze up, ice cold
Other rappers become intimidated when they hear Wu-Tang Clan's music.
As we move on, saga unfold
Their story will continue to unfold as they create more music.
Captivated by a saga that go untold, like Goldfinger
Their story is captivating and will continue to be told for generations, much like the James Bond movie, Goldfinger.
Caught up in a cliffhanger
The audience is always looking forward to their next release, like a TV show cliffhanger.
Yo I-N-S another code red, danger, break out the vest
They are always willing to take risks and venture into new territory, aware of the dangers involved.
Now it's tactical warfare, it's all here
They are ready for whatever comes their way, like they're in a war zone.
Come with your shield and hardware, it be on here
They are ready to take on anyone and anything with their superior skills.
Don't ever roam, in the naked city
They caution other rappers to be careful when venturing into the world of rap music.
Eight million stories none pretty
The rap music industry is filled with stories of hardship and struggle.
Bomb em wit the Witty Unpredictable
Their rhymes are unpredictable and will keep you on your toes.
Conditionin' be critical
Their rhymes are so strong that they can condition you to love them.
Peace to Tang, gettin high on your physical, dis next drink
They're giving a shout-out to their fans who enjoy their music and encourage them to get high with the next drink.
Is a toast to your memory
They are dedicating this song to their fans and hope they will always remember them.
When I go how many niggas gon' remember me
They hope to be remembered for their music even after they're gone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, GARY E. GRICE, RUSSELL T. JONES, CLIFFORD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ChunkyLeeChong
Greatest bassline in hip-hop history.
@Glennbda01
one of the most under appreciated hiphop songs ever
@nevencuca1680
Right?
@hatred9427
I dare to say that when people think about hip hop, that's the song they're thinking about, but not many will listen to this one. It's all you need, but still not appreciated enough.
@MAHONEYDRO
@@hatred9427I beg to differ
@Swizzy1531
WU-TANG 4 EVER
@211inprogress
💯 🐝 ✌️
@skids123
Yes wu-tang the best
@416Lasane
👐🏽👐🏽
@NebraskaGangCulture
Check out my YouTube channel for trash ass beats