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
Brooklyn Zoo
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the one-man army, Ason
I've never been tooken out, I keep MCs lookin' out
I drop science like girls be droppin' babies
Enough to make a nigga go crazy
And energy buildin', takin' all types of medicines
Your ass thought you were better than Ason
While I be comin' with teeth, bitin' more shit
Enough to make you break and shake yo' ass
'Cause I create rhymes good as a tasty cake mix
This style, I'm mastered in
Niggas catchin' headaches, what, what? You need Aspirin?
This type of pain, you couldn't even kill with Midol
Fuck around, get sprayed with Lysol
In your face like a can of mace, baby
Is it burnin'? Well, fuck it, now you're learnin'
How, I don't even like your motherfuckin' profile
Give me my fuckin' shit, ch-ch bloaw!
Not seen and heard, no one knows
You forget, niggas be quiet as kept
Now you know nothin'
Before you knew a whole fuckin' lot
Your ass don't wanna get shot
A lot of MCs came to my showdown
To watch me put your fuckin' ass low down
As you can go, below zero
Without a doubt I've never been tooken out
By a nigga, who couldn't figure
Yo by a nigga, who couldn't figure
Yo by a nigga, who couldn't figure
How to pull a fuckin' gun trigger
I said, "Get the fuck outta here!"
Nigga wanna get too close, to the utmost
But I got stacks that'll attack any wack host
Introducin', yo fuck that nigga's name
My hip-hop drops on your head like rain
And when it rains it pours
'Cause my rhymes hardcore
That's why I give you more of the raw
Talent that I got will riz-ock the spot
MCs, I'll be burnin', burnin' hot
Whoa-hoa-hoa! Get me like slow-mo with the flow
If I move too quick, oh, you just won't know
I'm homicidal when you enter the target
Nigga get up, act like a pig tryin' to hog shit
So I take yo' ass out, quick, the mics
I've had it my nigga, you can suck my dick
If you wanna step to my motherfuckin' rep'
Ch-ch bloaw! Bloaw! Bloaw! Blown to death
You got shot 'cause you knock, knock, knock
"Who's there?" Another motherfuckin' hardrock
Slackin' on your mackin' 'cause raw's what you lack
You wanna react? Bring it on back
Shame on you, when you step through to
The ol' dirty bastard, Brooklyn Zoo!
Shame on you, when you step through to
The ol' dirty bastard, Brooklyn Zoo!
Shame on you, when you step through to
The ol' dirty bastard, Brooklyn Zoo!
Brooklyn Zoo, Brooklyn Zoo!
The lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan's song "Brooklyn Zoo" describe the rapper's own dominance in the hip-hop game, claiming to be the "one-man army" who drops science on his music in a way that makes other MCs tremble. His lyrics are likened to biting teeth that can break down, spin around and destroy. The rapper boasts about his skill in rhyming and how he can create a style that can give his listeners a taste of a tasty cake mix. He is so powerful that he can keep planets in orbit. He also takes all kinds of medications to build up his energy, and if someone tries to get too close to him, he will take them out quickly.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the one, I'm the one, I'm the one, I'm the one
I am the most important one
I'm the one-man army, Ason
I am a powerful and unstoppable force
I've never been tooken out, I keep MCs lookin' out
I have never been defeated and other MCs are afraid of me
I drop science like girls be droppin' babies
I deliver knowledge and wisdom with ease
Enough to make a nigga go crazy
My lyrics are so powerful that they can drive a person insane
And energy buildin', takin' all types of medicines
I am constantly energized and use various substances to stay that way
Your ass thought you were better than Ason
You underestimated my abilities
I keep planets in orbit
I have incredible control and influence
While I be comin' with teeth, bitin' more shit
I attack my opponents with sharp and powerful lyrics
Enough to make you break and shake yo' ass
My music is so good it can make you dance uncontrollably
'Cause I create rhymes good as a tasty cake mix
My lyrics are so delicious and satisfying, like a perfect cake mix
This style, I'm mastered in
I have perfected my unique style of music
Niggas catchin' headaches, what, what? You need Aspirin?
Other MCs are unable to cope with my skills and are left with headaches
This type of pain, you couldn't even kill with Midol
My dominance and power is so great, it cannot be relieved by any drug
Fuck around, get sprayed with Lysol
I will clean up my opponents with ease
In your face like a can of mace, baby
I am a powerful and direct force
Is it burnin'? Well, fuck it, now you're learnin'
I do not care about the pain I inflict on my enemies, they deserve it
How, I don't even like your motherfuckin' profile
I do not respect or care about you
Give me my fuckin' shit, ch-ch bloaw!
I demand respect and recognition
Not seen and heard, no one knows
I am a mysterious and elusive figure
You forget, niggas be quiet as kept
Others may forget about me, but I still remain strong and powerful
Now you know nothin'
I have left my enemies with nothing
Before you knew a whole fuckin' lot
Before you knew anything, I was already ahead of the game
Your ass don't wanna get shot
You do not want to mess with me
A lot of MCs came to my showdown
Many other musicians have tried to compete with me
To watch me put your fuckin' ass low down
They all came to see me defeat you
As you can go, below zero
You are going to lose badly
By a nigga, who couldn't figure
You were defeated by someone who was not as smart as you thought
How to pull a fuckin' gun trigger
You were beaten by someone who was not a physical threat to you
Nigga wanna get too close, to the utmost
Others should not get too close or they will be hurt
But I got stacks that'll attack any wack host
I have the financial power to take out any opponent
Introducin', yo fuck that nigga's name
I am too important to acknowledge or even care about my opponent
My hip-hop drops on your head like rain
My music is all-consuming and overwhelms my opponents
And when it rains it pours
When I attack, it is with great intensity and power
'Cause my rhymes hardcore
My music is raw and impactful
That's why I give you more of the raw
I give my fans exactly what they want, pure and raw music
Talent that I got will riz-ock the spot
My talent and skill will shake the very foundation of music
MCs, I'll be burnin', burnin' hot
Other musicians will be unable to compete with my immense talent and skill
Whoa-hoa-hoa! Get me like slow-mo with the flow
My music is so powerful, you will feel like you are in slow motion
If I move too quick, oh, you just won't know
I am too fast and powerful for others to keep up with me
I'm homicidal when you enter the target
I will stop at nothing to defeat my opponents
Nigga get up, act like a pig tryin' to hog shit
My opponents will be weak and helpless when I attack them
So I take yo' ass out, quick, the mics
I will defeat my opponents with ease and with great skill
I've had it my nigga, you can suck my dick
I am fed up with you and your incompetence
If you wanna step to my motherfuckin' rep'
If you want to challenge me and my power
Ch-ch bloaw! Bloaw! Bloaw! Blown to death
You will be defeated and destroyed in battle
You got shot 'cause you knock, knock, knock
You were defeated because you were not strong enough
"Who's there?" Another motherfuckin' hardrock
Another competitor who is not strong enough to defeat me
Slackin' on your mackin' 'cause raw's what you lack
You are not tough enough to beat me
You wanna react? Bring it on back
If you want to compete with me, I am ready and waiting
Shame on you, when you step through to
You should be embarrassed to challenge me
The ol' dirty bastard, Brooklyn Zoo!
I am the powerful, dirty, and raw musician in charge of Brooklyn's music scene
Brooklyn Zoo, Brooklyn Zoo!
This is the song in charge of and representing Brooklyn's music scene
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DERRICK HARRIS, RUSSELL JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Habeev07
Big Daddy Kane, A Tribe Called Quest, Del The funkee Homosapien, Rakim, EPMD, Souls of Mischief, Wu-Tang, DMX, Big L, Tupac, Hieroglyphics, Nas, Biggie Smalls, O.D.B, The Pharcyde, Eminem.
93' Til Infinity - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXJc2NYwHjw
Make Your Mind Up - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYGYEn3K-CA
Brooklyn Zoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRblYfKwa88
Midnight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ljie-zx-pXw&list=OLAK5uy_ncxk2dzMeB4E9vgbWeMvM_O_SydgJR2C0
Ain't no half steppin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqPlF5Mn32M&list=PLgpdlaRTTGdIELIg3KH-9ijaUkqFO5uIw&index=1
You Never Knew - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k729U5AMIKI&list=RDOYGYEn3K-CA&index=8
Drop - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqVsfGQ_1SU&list=PLgpdlaRTTGdIELIg3KH-9ijaUkqFO5uIw&index=43
Catch a bad one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CblQx874Eqo&list=PLgpdlaRTTGdIELIg3KH-9ijaUkqFO5uIw&index=3
Mics Of The Round Table - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSCSApoXc3Q
@Trinigals
Who’s here in 2024🔥🔥
@antoniohoward9812
1/20/24
@user-hb6pu7sg6i
👋🤝
@joycejohnson3657
2/3/2024
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Me🎉
@mikereid7125
Yerrr
@LTLyrics.
ODB is like that one cool uncle your dad doesn't want you to hang out with.
@tupachec
hahahahha true
@88katanas
More like you’re clinically insane uncle who your dad absolutely forbids you from hanging with, because he has warrants out
@88katanas
@TheBestFighter I was really just kidding. I love ODB, and from what I can tell he was actually a really kind person, but had issues. None of his trouble with the law was for anything based on violence