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
Cobra Clutch
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aiyyo, motherfucker
Aiyyo, swallow it
Aiyyo we dazzle off this bloody version of 'Glaciers'
Slang shot threw a gem in his mouth, swallowed his razor (wsssht)
Say no more, my back be parked against the wall
Trooper square holding, 'Face don't give a fuck about the law
It's not cool, Veronica slept, plus the decimal
Look at my jumper logo look familiar? It's Power (Where is he?)
Yo every fine snitch knocks an inch off Eddie Bauer
Gucci sneaker rockin just another form of 'Chessboxin'
No cock-blockin, supreme clientele, till I'm droppin
Kangol slanted, Ghost'll ran with it, hippie hung-out
Club bandit never empty-handed when I brand it
Mark callin Austin, Mark callin Austin down in Boston
Both of them dead, cop in the loft and
big chain swingin nigga, Matchbox car drivin
Street whylin, Role' with the four-finger glidin
Watch him, scorchin with spells and top toxin
Amoxins til the stock skyrocket, Bobby Mocassin
Switched from Pert Plus, escrow on the side throw in sun trust
Ghost'll keep shinin til the sun bust
yo word up, born-to-be right behind the curtain with her nose out
Sixty center get the Rover out
Featherhead heathens, teethin on mic dicks
When thy said, "Let the kids die for your bread nigga!"
Yo, promoters don't want us in clubs because we spaz out
'Who is these righteous motherfuckers with they flags out?'
Stapleton Projects, recognize you're lookin at
Allah's best, puttin on the hits is no contest
NOW, who the hypest in New York City?
WU-TANG! Radio stop shittin on me!
"I got fifty men out in the street
Now if they all get bitch troubles I starve
Is that it? Is that what you're tryin to tell me?"
[Superfly]
Aiyyo, the moccasin money, one man behind the plate
Hold it down honey-shallah rock the half man Gumby
Twisted, the mime of the floods, niggaz spell drama
one oh five point six llama
Cosmetic classical, slum is shield, Milagro Beanfield
Watch me inhale half of you, new attributes
Teletronics, DBX, one sixty X
Compression with the A and sharp press
Extract bass in which the gooey dew drips, vanilla suckle
with jasmine bits, five hundred rap battin average
One taste the bowl and blow up magic, Houdini escapes
from the fermenting hell halls of tragic
Speaking to the First of April's, deep in the rap game
Erasial, Excedrin head bredderns catch facials
Side orders, one telephone for take out
Stomp your man half to death rob him then we break it
Get off on the ?Clove? Exit, knees dirty, chick now
with low leverage, watch it how she lick the head of me
Cause it's law, order today, we pay dues
New Tomorrow's, Rubik's Cube money in a tube
Deck the Halls, crush salary dice that's in ? hall
Hey y'all Peppermint Pattie's, slum my Peter Paul
Wrangler, straight laid the track when it's sag
with one banger, interlude loop caused me to hang up
Ticklish, Crunchberry niggaz at the flicks pissed off
Standin in the rain and can't find they whips
Suckers! Motherfucker! Yo
Yo, promoters don't want us in clubs because we spaz out
'Who is these righteous motherfuckers with they flags out?'
Stapleton Projects, recognize you're lookin at
Allah's best, puttin on the hits is no contest
NOW, who the hypest in New York City?
WU-TANG! Radio stop shittin on me!
In the song "Cobra Clutch" by Wu-Tang Clan, the lyrics depict a sense of power, defiance, and confidence. The opening lines set the tone with aggressive language, indicating a rebellious attitude. The phrases "swallow it" and "say no more" imply a disregard for consequences and a refusal to back down.
The following lines reference the group's unique style and influence. The mention of a "bloody version of 'Glaciers'" suggests their ability to captivate and dazzle listeners. The image of swallowing a razor represents their willingness to take risks and push boundaries. They proclaim their indifference to the law and proudly display their loyalty to their crew, as indicated by the phrase "Trooper square holding, 'Face don't give a fuck about the law."
The lyrics continue to boast of their success and fame, mentioning prominent brands like Gucci and Kangol. They embrace their reputation as a unique and unstoppable force in the music industry. The lines also allude to the dangers and risks they face as public figures, with references to a deceased acquaintance and the need to be armed at all times.
The second verse delves into the group's contentious relationship with promoters and the media. They confront the criticisms they face and proudly assert themselves, stating, "WU-TANG! Radio stop shittin' on me!" The lyrics portray a sense of frustration, with references to being misunderstood and marginalized.
The song concludes with a final assertion of their prominence and influence, challenging the notion of who is the "hypest" in New York City. They emphasize their accomplishments and determination to overcome any obstacles. The use of strong language and aggressive wording throughout the song underscores their defiance and refusal to be silenced.
Overall, "Cobra Clutch" captures the bold and unapologetic spirit of the Wu-Tang Clan, reflecting their rise to success, their ongoing struggles, and their unwavering dedication to their craft.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, yeah bitch
Hey, yeah, woman
Aiyyo, motherfucker
Hey, disrespectful person
Aiyyo, swallow it
Hey, ingest it
Aiyyo we dazzle off this bloody version of 'Glaciers'
Hey, we are captivated by this violent interpretation of 'Glaciers'
Slang shot threw a gem in his mouth, swallowed his razor (wsssht)
Used a slingshot to put a gem in his mouth and he swallowed his razor (sound of razor entering mouth)
Say no more, my back be parked against the wall
No need to explain further, I am always prepared for trouble
Trooper square holding, 'Face don't give a fuck about the law
Strong and ready, 'Face does not care about following the law
Take off the bracelets, don't get blinded by the ice Boo
Remove the handcuffs, don't let the expensive jewelry distract you, my dear
It's not cool, Veronica slept, plus the decimal
It's not good, Veronica cheated and added extra money
Look at my jumper logo look familiar? It's Power (Where is he?)
Does the logo on my sweater look familiar? It represents power (Where is the powerful person?)
Yo every fine snitch knocks an inch off Eddie Bauer
Hey, every trustworthy informant reduces the success of Eddie Bauer
Gucci sneaker rockin just another form of 'Chessboxin'
Wearing Gucci sneakers is just another tactic in the game of 'Chessboxin'
No cock-blockin, supreme clientele, till I'm droppin
No hindrance, catering to the highest-paying customers until I retire
Kangol slanted, Ghost'll ran with it, hippie hung-out
Wearing a slanted Kangol hat, Ghost runs with it, enjoying the company of laid-back people
Club bandit never empty-handed when I brand it
Partygoer who always has something to offer when promoting a club
Mark callin Austin, Mark callin Austin down in Boston
Someone named Mark is calling Austin, trying to reach him in Boston
Both of them dead, cop in the loft and
Both of them are deceased, a police officer is in the attic and
big chain swingin nigga, Matchbox car drivin
A person with a large chain swinging is driving a Matchbox car
Street whylin, Role' with the four-finger glidin
Acting crazy on the streets, rolling with a four-finger ring
Watch him, scorchin with spells and top toxin
Watch him, powerful and intoxicating with spells and dangerous substances
Amoxins til the stock skyrocket, Bobby Mocassin
Using drugs until the stock price skyrockets, Bobby is wearing moccasins
Switched from Pert Plus, escrow on the side throw in sun trust
Changed from using Pert Plus shampoo, additional security deposit on the side, include trust in the equation
Ghost'll keep shinin til the sun bust
Ghost will continue to shine until the sun burst
yo word up, born-to-be right behind the curtain with her nose out
Hey, listen carefully, destined to be just behind the curtain, being nosy
Sixty center get the Rover out
Obtain sixty cents and bring out the Rover car
Featherhead heathens, teethin on mic dicks
Idiotic individuals, biting on microphones like penises
When thy said, 'Let the kids die for your bread nigga!'
When they said, 'Let the children sacrifice themselves for your wealth, man!'
Yo, promoters don't want us in clubs because we spaz out
Hey, promoters refuse to let us perform in clubs because we go crazy
'Who is these righteous motherfuckers with they flags out?'
'Who are these morally upright individuals proudly displaying their flags?'
Stapleton Projects, recognize you're lookin at
Stapleton Projects, acknowledge that you are observing
Allah's best, puttin on the hits is no contest
The best proteges of Allah, effortlessly creating successful songs
NOW, who the hypest in New York City?
Now, who is the most exciting in New York City?
WU-TANG! Radio stop shittin on me!
WU-TANG! Radio, stop disrespecting me!
"I got fifty men out in the street
"I have fifty men out in the street
Now if they all get bitch troubles I starve
If they all encounter problems, I will suffer
Is that it? Is that what you're tryin to tell me?"
Is that all? Is that what you are attempting to convey to me?
"[Superfly]"
"[Superfly]"
Aiyyo, the moccasin money, one man behind the plate
Hey, the money from selling drugs, one person in charge
Hold it down honey-shallah rock the half man Gumby
Maintain control, dear, honor the half-sized Gumby
Twisted, the mime of the floods, niggaz spell drama
Distorted, representing the chaos, individuals create conflict
one oh five point six llama
105.6 caliber firearm
Cosmetic classical, slum is shield, Milagro Beanfield
Beautiful but superficial, the ghetto provides protection, an extraordinary miracle
Watch me inhale half of you, new attributes
Observe as I overpower half of you, adopting new characteristics
Teletronics, DBX, one sixty X
Electronic devices, DBX technology, one hundred and sixty times
Compression with the A and sharp press
Combining compression with the letter A and applying focused pressure
Extract bass in which the gooey dew drips, vanilla suckle
Isolate the low-frequency tones, causing sticky dew to fall, indulging in vanilla
with jasmine bits, five hundred rap battin average
Including jasmine elements, achieving an average of five hundred rap battles
One taste the bowl and blow up magic, Houdini escapes
Sampling the substance and experiencing explosive effects, similar to how Houdini would escape
from the fermenting hell halls of tragic
Emerging from the intense and unfortunate realms of suffering
Speaking to the First of April's, deep in the rap game
Communicating with experienced individuals in the rap industry, metaphorically representing April Fool's Day
Erasial, Excedrin head bredderns catch facials
Erasial, individuals with severe headaches being hit in the face
Side orders, one telephone for take out
Additional requests, needing only one telephone to place orders
Stomp your man half to death rob him then we break it
Beat your companion severely, then proceed to rob him and make a quick getaway
Get off on the ?Clove? Exit, knees dirty, chick now
Leave at the ?Clove? Exit, with dirty knees, a woman now
with low leverage, watch it how she lick the head of me
With limited power, observe how she licks my penis
Cause it's law, order today, we pay dues
Because it's necessary, we must follow the rules and pay our debts
New Tomorrow's, Rubik's Cube money in a tube
Future investments, vast amounts of money in the form of a puzzle
Deck the Halls, crush salary dice that's in ? hall
Celebrate the holiday season, defeat those who rely on their regular income
Hey y'all Peppermint Pattie's, slum my Peter Paul
Hey everyone, enjoy Peppermint Pattie's candy, representing my impoverished lifestyle
Wrangler, straight laid the track when it's sag
Wrangler, properly created the track when it's relaxed
with one banger, interlude loop caused me to hang up
Using a powerful song, a break in the music made me pause
Ticklish, Crunchberry niggaz at the flicks pissed off
Easily amused, individuals who are easily offended at the movies
Standin in the rain and can't find they whips
Standing in the rain, unable to locate their cars
Suckers! Motherfucker! Yo
Foolish individuals! Disrespectful person! Hey
Yo, promoters don't want us in clubs because we spaz out
Hey, promoters refuse to let us perform in clubs because we go crazy
'Who is these righteous motherfuckers with they flags out?'
'Who are these morally upright individuals proudly displaying their flags?'
Stapleton Projects, recognize you're lookin at
Stapleton Projects, acknowledge that you are observing
Allah's best, puttin on the hits is no contest
The best proteges of Allah, effortlessly creating successful songs
NOW, who the hypest in New York City?
Now, who is the most exciting in New York City?
WU-TANG! Radio stop shittin on me!
WU-TANG! Radio, stop disrespecting me!
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
djrakman
[Intro: Ghostface Killah]
Yo, yeah, bitch
Ayo, motherfucker
Ayo, swallow it
[Verse 1: Ghostface Killah]
Ayo, we gassed off this bloody version of "Glaciers"
Slang shot threw a gem in his mouth, swallowed his razor (wsssht)
Say no more, my back be parked against the wall
Trooper square holding, 'Face don't give a fuck about the law
Take off the bracelets, don't get blinded by the ice Boo
It's not cool, Veronica slept, plus the decimal
Look at my jumper logo look familiar? It's Power (Where is he?)
Yo every fine stitch knocks an inch off Eddie Bauer
Gucci sneaker rockin' just another form of 'Chessboxin'
No cock-blockin', Supreme Clientele, till I'm droppin'
Kangol slanted, Ghost'll ran with a hippie ho now
Club bandit never empty-handed when I brand it
Mork calling Orson, Mork callin Orson down in Boston
Both of them dead, cop in the loft and
Big chain swingin nigga, Matchbox car drivin
Street whylin, Role' with the four-finger glidin
Watch him, scorchin with spells and top toxin
Amoxicillin stock skyrocket, Bobby Mocassin
Switched from Pert Plus, escrow on the side throw in Sun trust
Ghost'll keep shinin til the sun bust
Yo word up, Born'll be right behind the curtain with the nose out
Sixty Second get the Rover out
Featherhead heathens, teethin' on mic dicks
When thy said, "Let the kids die for your bread nigga!"
[Chorus: Ghostface Killah]
Yo, promoters don't want us in clubs because we spaz out
'Who is these righteous motherfuckers with they flags out?'
Stapleton Projects, recognize you're lookin at
Allah's best, puttin on the hits is no contest
NOW, who the hypest in New York City?
WU-TANG! Radio stop shittin on me!
[Interlude]
"I got fifty men out in the street
Now if they all get bitch troubles I starve
Is that it? Is that what you're tryin to tell me?"
Superfly
[Verse 2: Ghostface Killah]
Ayo, the moccasin money, one man behind the plate
Hold it down honey-shallah rock the half man Gumby
Twisted, the mime of the floods, niggas spell drama
One oh five point six llama
Cosmetic classical, Slomin's shield, Milagro Beanfield
Watch me heal half of you, new attributes
Teletronics, DBX, one sixty X
Compression with the A and sharp press
Extract bass in which the gooey dew drips, vanilla suckle
With jasmine bits, five hundred rap battin average
One taste the bowl and blow up magic, Houdini escapes
From the fermenting hell halls of tragic
Speaking to the First of April's, deep in the rap game
Erase you, Excedrin head bredrens catch facials
Side orders, one telephone for take out
Stomp your man half to death rob him then we break out
Get off on the Clove Exit, knees dirty, chick kneel
With low leverage, watch it how she lick the head of it
Cause it's law, order today, we pay dues
New Tomorrow's, Rubik's Cube money in a tube
Deck the Halls, crush celery dice that's Cinderella ball
Hey y'all Peppermint Pattie's, slum my Peter Paul
Wrangler, straight laid the track when it's sag
With one banger, interlude loop caused me to hang up
Ticklish, Crunchberry niggas at the flicks pissed off
Standin in the rain and can't find they whips
Suckers! Motherfucker!
Psalm 144:1
the beautiful thing about listening to this brother ghost face is at any point he could give you a variable of emotions he can have you crying he can have you wanting to fight he can have you feeling about love or he could just have you bobbing your head with His Marvelous style and flow that's why I love this brother Wu Tang Forever
Kendtchi LeNinjah
Psalm 144:1 Maccabees man hell yea
Bobby K
Well said mate 👍
Dominique Jones
Well said
Choppnmuphukkn Heddzzov
That beat is out of control and too sick. I swear, every time I hear this shit, someone's head gets chopped off somewhere because a portal opens up and a flying guillotine comes flying out because it gets opened up in a new location every time this song get played by me at the least. Ghostface's voice is perfect for this beat. A match made in heaven.
wellDankGod
Choppnmuphukkn Heddzzov Well fuck.
That beat is nasty though. It gets my head noddin and the delivery is what impresses me the most.
abyss104
Allah Mathematics. Looking forward to the Wu album this October
Ellis Baylor
ONE OF RZA’S BEST!!!!
Asiatic Born
Mathematics produced this.
Alafin Xango
True masters of real Hip Hop