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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Conclusion
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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(M) Protect Ya Neck baby
(G) Respect due pa
(I) Peace
(G) Peace
(I) Word up Wu-Tang in the house though
I guess alot of people in ya,
I guess they can feel the realness you
And I think hip hop, that's what I be tellin a lot of people
Alot of record promoters and alot of artists
I mean it's like, it's music that you gotta touch and feel
You know what I'm sayin '
And I think that comes across well in the video
I haven't seen you live yet, I'm waitin for the chance
But I'm pretty sure that's probaly what's it like
You know you probaly really get into it
I guess I hear it in your voices when you sayin the rhymes
Um, what ya say ya style is?
(Kung Fu sample)
It's a secret! Never teach the Wu-Tang
*sounds of fighting*
(RZA) You best protect ya neck (x4)
The lyrics in Wu-Tang Clan's song "Conclusion" begin with a group member being addressed as "Butter Butter," and then followed by an exchange of mutual respect among the artists. The singer expresses that people can feel the realness and vibe of hip hop, and that it's a genre that can be touched and felt. The singer continues by stating that they haven't witnessed Wu-Tang Clan perform live but can imagine it's an immersive experience based on the passion that comes across in their recorded music. The exchange ends with a sample of a Kung Fu master declaring the Wu-Tang Clan's style a secret, followed by the repeated warning to "protect ya neck."
"Conclusion" is a brief interlude that showcases the camaraderie and respect within the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as the group's reverence for the Kung Fu aesthetic they incorporate into their music. The song also highlights the group's commitment to authenticity and integrity in their approach to hip hop, emphasizing the importance of feeling the music rather than just hearing it.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo butter butter
Greetings, people.
Protect Ya Neck baby
Be careful and cautious.
Respect due pa
Greetings with respect.
Peace
Peace be upon you.
Word up Wu-Tang in the house though
Wu-Tang is present and accounted for.
I guess alot of people in ya,
There are many people around you.
I guess they can feel the realness you
They can sense the genuineness of your character.
They could feel the vibe
They can sense the energy and atmosphere.
And I think hip hop, that's what I be tellin a lot of people
Hip hop music encapsulates this feeling.
Alot of record promoters and alot of artists
Music industry professionals understand this.
I mean it's like, it's music that you gotta touch and feel
It's a sensory experience.
You know what I'm sayin
Do you understand what I am talking about?
And I think that comes across well in the video
It is apparent in the music videos.
I haven't seen you live yet, I'm waitin for the chance
I am looking forward to hearing it in person.
But I'm pretty sure that's probaly what's it like
I assume the experience is similar.
You know you probaly really get into it
You probably immerse yourself in it.
I guess I hear it in your voices when you sayin the rhymes
I can hear the emotions conveyed in the lyrics.
Um, what ya say ya style is?
What type of music do you create?
It's a secret! Never teach the Wu-Tang
The Wu-Tang style is unique and must not be taught.
*sounds of fighting*
Sounds of martial arts fighting.
You best protect ya neck (x4)
Be vigilant and protect yourself.
Contributed by Olivia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.