Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostfac… Read Full Bio ↴Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group. They were formed in (and are associated with) the New York City borough of Staten Island (referred to by members as "Shaolin"), though Masta Killa and GZA are from Brooklyn and Inspectah Deck is from the Bronx. They have gone on to become multi-platinum record producers, Grammy winners, TV and film stars, screenwriters, product spokespersons, business owners and, most recently, major motion picture composers. The Clan featured nine MCs until the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004. One of the most critically and commercially successful hip hop groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan shot to fame through their uncompromising brand of hardcore rap music. Since their debut, they have introduced or launched the careers of numerous other artists and groups, and already in 1994 there were credited to be over 300 Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, known as the Wu-Tang Killa Bees, consisting of rappers, producers, and record label CEOs.

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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Co-Defendant
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics

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[Chorus: Hell Razah]
You got my back, I got your front
From the start to finish
Goin out altogether cause we're co-defendants
Take my back, got your front
From the start to finish
Goin out altogether cause we're co-defendants
Got your back, take my front

From the start to finish
Goin out altogether cause we're co-defendants
Got my back, got your front
From the start to finish
Goin out altogether cause we're co-defendants

[Shyheim]
I'm a N.W.A. with nineteen shot glizzy
I'm all thugged and Krazyie, Layzie, Flesh, Wish and Bizzy
I'm too wild, you don't wanna see my act up
Police gotta call the national guard for back up
My shit don't stink, I never touch my link
Shyheim never sleepin, my eyes just cheat me
And my army moves same, same

[Hell Razah]
Stick him for his mink
Yall niggaz on some frontin shit, amped off a drink
Money like to bring truck, bomb you till you faint
I roll with top rank, soon to judge the angels sing

[Shyheim]
I'm ghetto like ?sun-do?, Wu-Tang Clansman
We banned from the tunnel,

[Hell Razah]
We're scorin touchdowns, well yall wack rappers fumble

[Shyheim]
And talk about the projects, we never see you come through
Catch em at their shows, their hidin in a limo

[Hell Razah]
We claimin Donnie Brasco, black Robert Deniros
We're dirty street heros in the six double zeros

[Shyheim]
Benz, glocks with the infer-red lenses
Money over bitches, like P, I'm infamous

[Hell Razah]
Thoughts is infinte, me and Shy run together
Like the current census

[Shyheim]
We're co-defendants, society's menace
I became a Jon Doe, so I be printed

[Chorus: Shyheim]

[Hell Razah]
Aiyyo, it's war faces, I see outside the court cases
See the first chapter become the bone body fracture
I roll with player haters, down to mat rafters
Out to put the gat to anybody playin after
Climbin up ?Jacken's? latter, the common factor
Red hook, never shake hooks or get you shit took
Black hook indian givers with a sick hook

[Shyheim]
Hit with the book, I was hit with the book
I'm a walkin timebomb, I smoke weed to keep me calm
It's like she said, "I'm a bad mother fucker"
When she read my palms, I did armed fuckin felony
And with my moms tellin me, a twenty-seven D.V.D.
For reals and mad man, in a instant a raider
Is where we stash the grills
It's all about the hundred dollar bills, Nigga what
If shorty pushes you big, I stick it in her butt

[chorus x2: both]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Co-Defendant" by Wu-Tang Clan paint a vivid picture of loyalty and camaraderie between friends who have each other's backs through thick and thin. The chorus, sung by Hell Razah, emphasizes the mutual support and solidarity between the co-defendants, with a promise to stick together from start to finish, facing challenges and obstacles as a united front.

Shyheim's verse introduces a sense of danger and rebellion, referencing a reckless lifestyle and a willingness to cause chaos. The mention of a N.W.A. influence and the association with iconic figures from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony reflects a sense of being part of a movement or a larger collective that defies authority and societal norms.

Hell Razah's verse adds to the aggressive tone, highlighting a disregard for material possessions and a readiness for confrontation. The imagery of sticking someone for their mink coat and the comparison to judging angels hints at a life filled with violence and defiance, where status and power are gained through ruthless actions.

The camaraderie between Shyheim and Hell Razah is evident as they boast about their exploits and defiance towards societal expectations. The references to infamous figures like Donnie Brasco and Robert De Niros suggest a sense of rebellion and a desire to be seen as outlaws, challenging the system and embracing their identities as street heroes.

Overall, "Co-Defendant" captures the essence of loyalty, rebellion, and defiance against societal norms, portraying a bond between individuals who have chosen a path of struggle and resistance. The lyrics convey a sense of unity and brotherhood in the face of adversity, where the co-defendants stand together, unapologetic and unyielding in their pursuit of power and recognition.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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