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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Clap
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Select sweet nine, face this
Watch his whole face lift
Bracelets, murder niggas, luxurious
Banks I was draped
Caked out, half a million dollars in coats
Flows is genetic
The Corleone connection in all
Make coke suggestions, all twin glizzies
Fireman, Gucci boots on, sideways action
Murder niggas fear me yo
Cash that he did Clinton
Rentin' his mother crib out
We send organize the Bill of Rights get lid
Drugs that Hendrix was on
Conversatin' like the Dutch
Richie Conaway, Goodfellas who honor Rae
Flows that blow thru your roll and Holland
Everybody now, trip up niggas
In clicks we posin' rhyme black
Half the year
Half my niggas sittin' upstairs
Takin' pictures of ya niggas wack gear
Listen to the (Clap) real niggas (Clap)
Rich niggas (Clap) my bitches (Clap)
If you love pussy then y'all niggas (Clap)
If you love to get ate, then ya ladies (Clap)
If you real fucked up, then ya'll niggas
(Clap)
If you bare witness to Allah y'all (Clap)
Aiyo you see me on the
Big screen y'all niggas Clap
(Jeans with a gangster lean, y'all Clap)
Good hats, sloppy automatics that Clap
(Big shit, thunder) Get around that
Porcelain floors with a dog named Ginger
Bottle cap niggas that rhyme, we the winners
Then slide thru your hood in hoods
Me, Cliff, Patrick
Gary Grice and my man C woods
Holdin' up gorilla
Two niggas got a hold that shit
One shot and ya mans on it
The little kids watch from down the block
Jury box, murder hop, six stash botch
Fit hit the ran spots
Spit at the statue with cash
And throw dough at it
Fuck bitches raw, why? Cuz I'm a pro at it
Big birds danglin', cameras snatch
Flash and pop from every angle and
2000 Mark Damon'in
Clap ya hands now, Clap, Clap
Ya hands now, Clap, clap
Clap, Clap ya hands now, Clap, Clap
Clap ya hands now people Clap ya hands
I drink till I'm drunk
Smoke skunk, with my stinkin' ass
Smell the funk
Eekin' out the pores, cum stain
Shitty drawers
Pissin' down ya elevators shaft, no class
Writin' graf' on ya walls
It be us, fuck ya law
Niggas my cause is "because"
No yin to my yang, it's a black thing
Used to be in chains, now we snatch chains
Took the crack game applied it
To the rap game, y'all
Pop quiz, now, what artist hit's the hardest?
Get down with the syndrome: retarded
I think it was them swordsmen
Place them chess pieces on the boards and
Take it to the square
This ain't no Yakool affair
Or a New World Disorder, got us
Fuckin' the coal miner's daughter
That y'all, but not us
Listen to the (Clap) real niggas (Clap)
Rich niggas (Clap) my bitches (Clap)
If you love pussy then y'all niggas (Clap)
If you love to get ate, then ya ladies (Clap)
If you real fucked up, then ya'll niggas
(Clap)
If you bare witness to Allah y'all (Clap)
Aiyo you see me on the
Big screen y'all niggas Clap
(Jeans with a gangster lean, y'all Clap)
Good hats, sloppy automatics that Clap
(Big shit, thunder) Get around that
During this time
I intend to teach you the Shaolin poem
The rules and commandments, that void, deceit
Cruelty and unkindness, always help the weak
Never despise the poor
Always respect yourself
The lyrics of Wu-Tang Clan's song "Clap" contain vivid imagery and references to street life, power, and success. The opening line, "Call it the Hollow Bone syndrome line," suggests a mindset where one is focused and ready for action. The lyrics then talk about the singer's lavish lifestyle, portraying a sense of wealth and opulence with mentions of luxury items like bracelets and expensive coats. The lines "Flows is genetic, The Corleone connection in all" refer to their exceptional rapping abilities and the influence they have in the rap game, comparing themselves to the powerful Corleone family from "The Godfather."
The lyrics also touch upon themes of crime and violence, with mentions of murders, drug deals, and following in the footsteps of notorious criminals like Goodfellas. The line "Half my niggas sitting upstairs, taking pictures of your niggas wack gear" is a bold statement, suggesting that they are superior in style and status, mocking those who don't measure up. The chorus, "Clap ya hands now, Clap, Clap," signifies a call to action or celebration, urging listeners to acknowledge and appreciate the talent and success of Wu-Tang Clan.
Overall, the lyrics paint a picture of the Wu-Tang Clan as powerful, influential figures in the rap game, living a life of luxury while also engaging in street activities and asserting their dominance.
Line by Line Meaning
Call it the Hollow Bone syndrome line
Referring to the complex and intricate nature of the lyrics, as it delves into deeper issues and themes.
Select sweet nine, face this
Choosing the finest weapons and confronting adversaries fearlessly.
Watch his whole face lift
Observing the impact and transformation that occurs when facing their powerful presence and skill.
Bracelets, murder niggas, luxurious
Demonstrating their wealth and opulent lifestyle, while also emphasizing their ability to cause harm and eliminate their enemies.
Banks I was draped
They were adorned with riches and surrounded by financial success.
Caked out, half a million dollars in coats
Displaying their extreme wealth by wearing expensive coats worth millions of dollars.
Flows is genetic
Their exceptional rap skills are passed down through generations.
The Corleone connection in all
Drawing a parallel between the Wu-Tang Clan and the powerful Corleone family from 'The Godfather' as both possess a strong network and influence.
Selection, stock brokers with coats on
Referring to their ability to carefully choose their associates, comparing them to successful stockbrokers who also wear expensive coats.
Make coke suggestions, all twin glizzies
Implying their involvement in the drug trade and their possession of firearms, specifically referring to twin pistols.
Fireman, Gucci boots on, sideways action
Presenting themselves as powerful and unstoppable figures, ready to take on any confrontations with their distinctive Gucci boots.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BRIAN CARENARD, JUSTIN SMITH, THEALODIUS REDDICK, MCKINLEY JACKSON, LAMONT DOZIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@legitlee8359
I've come back to listen to this after forgetting about it for about 10 years and only just really appreciated how fucking sick meths verse is
@dominiquejones3805
Used 2 b n chains now we snatch chains
@GeraldBatty6
The Shaolin speech at the end gave me cold chills!! Wu Tang Forever!
@ihategoogle6066
Always, help the weak, never despise the poor. Always respect yourself
@markmccoy9302
Yeeeesss Lord. I feel the same.
@mr_nobody_000
Hands down my favorite wu-tang track
@gpgsingh12
The words at the end of the song are meant to be kept in your heart for World Order
@Jayvization
I remember driving and thinking the cd was over tans then this Gem dropped 🔥🔥🔥
@gpgsingh12
The ending got me in tears
😭😭😭🔥🔥🔥🤞
WU TANG FOEVA
@Heszus
Method killed it!!