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
Do U Really Thang Thang
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Off the hook guerilla anthem
This is dj kay slay, from around the way
And I'll smack the shit outta any of you DJ's
That front on this shit, think I'm playin'?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I never play a fan of the fame, I got love for the game
Never lust for the dames, I got dust in my veins
Little off in the brain, kid talks butter slang
Sniffed a little blow with the rap eddie kane
Spent a lot of dough, it's so hard to explain
And I fucked a lot of hoes off the strength of the name
WuTtang, see me at the next, x winter games
Snowboardin down a ski range, it's a blue and grey frame
Keep, pointin the finger, I'm that nigga to blame
The main reason why you tuck the chain
Self proclaimed, got a lotta profit to gain
And I'm leavin the rap game the same way I came
Now creep with me, as I roll through the stat
Little Meth got my back, so do pinky fat-fat
Let me hit that contact, learn how to act
Before you bring that drama the end, now fade to black
Positive, hate kids who tell me lies
Despise guys that wanna get high but never buy
Got nine lives, nine wives that don't listen
Bitchin their biological clocks is tickin
Wu limited edition hot off the presses
I guess it's, curtains for competition
Method, runnin 'em out, gun in my mouth
The kid your momma warned you about, tear down the house
After midnight, eatin MC's, change to a gremlin
You're tremblin', behind the kremlin wall, surrenderin'
That's what you get for russian/rushin', in the direction I was bustin'
Polish your sword, your shit is rustin'
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
One-two, testin', testin', mic check wreckin'
Steps into the session
Automatic weapon off safety, don't play me
But brings all them things with silencers
My clan is liver than your average '85er
Strive to stay alive
I play for keeps in the streets
'Cause it's real on the battlefield
Shells hit the ground from the steel
Bullets travel, sun set fire to your mind
Words combine when I rhyme to free the blind
Prepare my queen for battle and walk down
I drink from the wine of violence, no tolerance
Gave word bond, sword silence
Me in military fatigues, bulletproof underneath
Buy enough ammunition to round and sweep the streets
Of brooklyn, central, sugar-whipped the rental
While I'm lickin' out the window at y'all, fuck y'all
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
Yo, we thrive on street life, we strive to eat right
They blind and need sight, we tried to be nice
They talk the small talk, we walk the long walk
We lost, they all thought, they forced to fall short
We rock for hard rocks, rocked the hot blocks
Shop and cop rocks, watch the top notch in action
Begin to make your head spin
Wu-tang my brethren, we bang like veterans
They paid for record spins, taste the medicine
Or face the double m, we came to trouble them
Hustle them for they 20 mill' then buckle them
'Nuff to spin out the blue, bitches lovin' them
Dozen men with force of a hundred-ten
Stumblin' thug passions, it must've been
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
The lyrics of Wu-Tang Clan's "Do You Really" feat. Streetlife are packed with the raw energy and aggressive delivery that the group is known for. The song is introduced by DJ Kay Slay, a self-proclaimed "off the hook guerilla," who warns other DJs not to underestimate the power of this Wu banger. The lyrics themselves touch on a range of topics, from drug use and sexual conquests to the group's prowess in the rap game and their willingness to defend themselves on the streets.
The phrase "thang-thangs" is used throughout the song to refer to the female anatomy, while "bang-bang" refers to violence, perhaps as a nod to the group's roots in Staten Island, which was at the time known for its organized crime and gang activity. The line "Little Meth got my back" is a reference to Method Man, one of the group's most recognizable and respected members. The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, serving almost as a mantra that reinforces the group's status as one of the most powerful forces in rap.
Overall, "Do You Really" is a hard-hitting, no-holds-barred track that showcases Wu-Tang Clan's talents and highlights the issues that mattered to them during this time period. From their politics to their lifestyle choices, they spare no detail, and the result is a song that remains as relevant and impactful today as it did when it was first released.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, this is a Wu banger, two thousand and one noise maker
This is a song by Wu-Tang Clan released in 2001
Off the hook guerilla anthem
This is a powerful and bold song
This is dj kay slay, from around the way
This is a shout-out to the DJ of the song
And I'll smack the shit outta any of you DJ's
Don't mess with this DJ, he'll beat you up
That front on this shit, think I'm playin'?
Don't take this song lightly, it's serious business
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I've heard rumors about you ladies, are they true?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I've heard rumors about you guys, are they true?
I never play a fan of the fame, I got love for the game
I don't do this for the fame, I love the music
Never lust for the dames, I got dust in my veins
I don't chase women, music is in my blood
Little off in the brain, kid talks butter slang
I may be a little crazy, but I speak the truth and use bold language
Sniffed a little blow with the rap eddie kane
I've tried drugs before and partied with other rappers
Spent a lot of dough, it's so hard to explain
I've spent a lot of money, but it's hard to justify it
And I fucked a lot of hoes off the strength of the name
I've slept with many women because I'm famous
WuTang, see me at the next, x winter games
I'm so famous that I'll be at the Winter Olympics
Snowboardin down a ski range, it's a blue and grey frame
I'm cool and confident as I snowboard down the mountain
Keep, pointin the finger, I'm that nigga to blame
I'm not afraid to take the blame for my actions
The main reason why you tuck the chain
I'm so intimidating that you have to hide your jewelry around me
Self proclaimed, got a lotta profit to gain
I consider myself successful and I still have more to gain
And I'm leaving the rap game the same way I came
I'll leave the music industry the way I entered it
Now creep with me, as I roll through the stat
Join me as I travel around the state
Little Meth got my back, so do pinky fat-fat
Method Man and my big friend are supporting me
Let me hit that contact, learn how to act
Let me smoke and get into a creative mindset
Before you bring that drama the end, now fade to black
If you start trouble, the song will end and you'll lose
Positive, hate kids who tell me lies
I'm all about honesty and dislike liars
Despise guys that wanna get high but never buy
I dislike people who want drugs but never pay for them
Got nine lives, nine wives that don't listen
I have a lot of opportunities and women but they don't listen to me
Bitchin their biological clocks is tickin
They complain and remind me of their limited time to have children
Wu limited edition hot off the presses
Our music is in high demand and exclusive to Wu-Tang Clan
I guess it's, curtains for competition
We're so good that we'll end the competition
Method, runnin 'em out, gun in my mouth
Method Man is taking over and I'm ready to fight
The kid your momma warned you about, tear down the house
I'm the kind of guy your mother warned you about because I'm wild and destructive
After midnight, eatin MC's, change to a gremlin
Late at night I transform into a monster that devours other rappers
You're tremblin', behind the kremlin wall, surrenderin'
I'm so powerful that even foreign enemies are scared of me
That's what you get for russian/rushin', in the direction I was bustin'
If you come at me too quickly, I'll strike back quickly
Polish your sword, your shit is rustin'
You need to practice and sharpen your skills to keep up with me
One-two, testin', testin', mic check wreckin'
We're testing the microphone and getting ready to rock the crowd
Steps into the session
We're starting the music session
Automatic weapon off safety, don't play me
Don't mess with me or I'll use my power and force against you
But brings all them things with silencers
I come prepared and discreet
My clan is liver than your average '85er
Wu-Tang is more alive and real than any other rapper from 1985
Strive to stay alive
We work hard to stay relevant and successful
I play for keeps in the streets
I take the streets seriously and fight to keep my reputation
'Cause it's real on the battlefield
The streets are like a warzone and we have to stay strong in them
Shells hit the ground from the steel
We use weapons and the ground shakes from their impact
Bullets travel, sun set fire to your mind
When we shoot, the bullets are fast and powerful, burning your mind with their force
Words combine when I rhyme to free the blind
My lyrics are powerful and can inspire others to break free from oppression
Prepare my queen for battle and walk down
I'm getting my woman ready for a fight and we're both walking into the danger
I drink from the wine of violence, no tolerance
I accept the violent nature of the streets and have no patience for weakness
Gave word bond, sword silence
I promised to keep people safe and will uphold my promise
Me in military fatigues, bulletproof underneath
I'm always ready for battle and wear protective gear
Buy enough ammunition to round and sweep the streets
I buy enough weapons and ammo to keep the streets under control
Of Brooklyn, central, sugar-whipped the rental
I'm riding around in a fancy car and taking control of Brooklyn
While I'm lickin' out the window at y'all, fuck y'all
I'm showing off my powerful presence by sticking my tongue out and throwing people off
Yo, we thrive on street life, we strive to eat right
We take pride in living in the streets and try to improve our living situation
They blind and need sight, we tried to be nice
Other people are ignorant and need our help, we try to be kind
They talk the small talk, we walk the long walk
Others talk about being successful, but we actually work hard to achieve success
We lost, they all thought, they forced to fall short
People thought we would fail, but we proved them wrong
We rock for hard rocks, rocked the hot blocks
We make music for the tough and strong, and perform in dangerous neighborhoods
Shop and cop rocks, watch the top notch in action
We buy and sell drugs, while performing with the best of the best
Begin to make your head spin
Our music is so good it will make you dizzy
Wu-tang my brethren, we bang like veterans
We're like family and we're experienced and skilled in what we do
They paid for record spins, taste the medicine
Other people pay for their songs to be heard, but our music speaks for itself
Or face the double m, we came to trouble them
If you mess with us, you'll get double the trouble back
Hustle them for they 20 mill' then buckle them
We'll take people's money and then defeat them, leaving them weak
'Nuff to spin out the blue, bitches lovin' them
Our success is exciting and attracts many women
Dozen men with force of a hundred-ten
There are only a few of us, but we have the power and strength of many
Stumblin' thug passions, it must've been
We're passionate about our music and willing to fight for it, even if it leads to stumbling
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: JASON HUNTER, CLIFFORD SMITH, RONALD MAURICE BEAN, ELGIN EVANDER TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bobbybeard1497
[DJ Kay Slay:]
Yo, this is a Wu-Banger, two thousand and one noise maker
Off the hook guerilla anthem
This is DJ Kay Slay, from around the way
And I'll smack the shit outta ANY OF YOU DJ's
That front on this shit.. think I'm playin?
[Method Man:]
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
[StreetLife:]
I never been a fan of the fame, I got love for the game
Never lust for the dames, I got dust in my veins
Little off in the brain, kid talks butter slang
Sniffed a little blow with the rap Eddie Kane
Spent a lot of dough, it's so hard to explain
And I fucked a lot of hoes off the strength of the name
Wu-Tang, see me at the next, X Winter Games
Snowboardin down a ski range, it's a blue and grey frame
Keep, pointin the finger, I'm that nigga to blame
The main reason why you tuck the chain
Self proclaimed, got a lotta profit to gain
And I'm leavin the rap game the same way I came
[Method Man:]
Now creep with me, as I roll through the Stat
Little Meth got my back, so do Pinky Fat-Fat
Let me hit that contact, learn how to act
Before you bring that drama the end; now fade to black
Positive, hate kids who tell me lies
Despise guys that wanna get high but never buy
Got nine lives, nine wives that don't listen
Bitchin their biological clocks is tickin
Wu limited edition - hot off the presses
I guess it's, curtains for competition
Method, runnin 'em out, gun in my mouth
The kid your momma warned you about, tear down the house
After midnight, eatin MC's, change to a gremlin
You're tremblin, behind the Kremlin wall, surrenderin
That's what you get for Russian/rushin, in the direction I was bustin
Polish your sword, your shit is rustin
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
[Masta Killa:]
One-two, testin, testin, mic check wreckin
Steps into the session
Automatic weapon off safety, don't play me
But brings all them things with silencers
My clan is liver than your average '85er
Strive to stay alive
I play for keeps in the streets
Cause it's real on the battlefield
Shells hit the ground from the steel
Bullets travel, sun set fire to your mind
Words combine when I rhyme to free the blind
Prepare my queen for battle and walk down
I drink from the wine of violence, no tolerance
Gave word bond, sword silence
Me in military fatigues, bulletproof underneath
Buy enough ammunition to round and sweep the streets
Of Brooklyn, central, sugar-whipped the rental
While I'm lickin out the window at y'all, fuck y'all
[Method Man:]
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
[Inspectah Deck:]
Yo, we thrive on street life, we strive to eat right
They blind and need sight, we tried to be nice
They talk the small talk, we walk the long walk
We lost, they all thought, they forced to fall short
We rock for hard rocks, rocked the hot blocks
Shop and cop rocks, watch the top notch in action
Begin to make your head spin
Wu-Tang my brethren, we bang like veterans
They paid for record spins, taste the medicine
Or face the double M, we came to trouble them
Hustle them for they 20 mill' then buckle them
'Nuff to spin out the blue, bitches lovin them
Dozen men with force of a hundred-ten
Stumblin thug passions, it must've been
@snoopdagg7900
Yo, this is a Wu-Banger, two thousand and one noise maker
Off the hook guerilla anthem
This is DJ Kay Slay, from around the way
And I'll smack the shit outta ANY OF YOU DJ's
That front on this shit.. think I'm playin?
[Hook: Method Man]
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
[Verse 1: StreetLife]
I never been a fan of the fame, I got love for the game
Never lust for the dames, I got dust in my veins
Little off in the brain, kid talks butter slang
Sniffed a little blow with the rap Eddie Kane
Spent a lot of dough, it's so hard to explain
And I fucked a lot of hoes off the strength of the name
Wu-Tang, see me at the next, X Winter Games
Snowboardin down a ski range, it's a blue and grey frame
Keep, pointin the finger, I'm that nigga to blame
The main reason why you tuck the chain
Self proclaimed, got a lotta profit to gain
And I'm leavin the rap game the same way I came
Verse 2: Method Man]
Now creep with me, as I roll through the Stat
Little Meth got my back, so do Pinky Fat-Fat
Let me hit that {β*inhale*}β contact, learn how to act
Before you bring that drama the end; now fade to black
Positive, hate kids who tell me lies
Despise guys that wanna get high but never buy
Got nine lives, nine wives that don't listen
Bitchin their biological clocks is tickin
Wu limited edition - hot off the presses
I guess it's, curtains for competition
Method, runnin 'em out, gun in my mouth
The kid your momma warned you about, tear down the house
After midnight, eatin MC's, change to a gremlin
You're tremblin, behind the Kremlin wall, surrenderin
That's what you get for Russian/rushin, in the direction I was bustin
Polish your sword, your shit is rustin
[Hook: Method Man]
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
[Verse 3: Masta Killa]
One-two, testin, testin, mic check wreckin
Steps into the session
Automatic weapon off safety, don't play me
But brings all them things with silencers
My clan is liver than your average '85er
Strive to stay alive
I play for keeps in the streets
Cause it's real on the battlefield
Shells hit the ground from the steel
Bullets travel, sun set fire to your mind
Words combine when I rhyme to free the blind
Prepare my queen for battle and walk down
I drink from the wine of violence, no tolerance
Gave word bond, sword silence
Me in military fatigues, bulletproof underneath
Buy enough ammunition to round and sweep the streets
Of Brooklyn, central, sugar-whipped the rental
While I'm lickin out the window at y'all, fuck y'all
Verse 2: Method Man]
Now creep with me, as I roll through the Stat
Little Meth got my back, so do Pinky Fat-Fat
Let me hit that {β*inhale*}β contact, learn how to act
Before you bring that drama the end; now fade to black
Positive, hate kids who tell me lies
Despise guys that wanna get high but never buy
Got nine lives, nine wives that don't listen
Bitchin their biological clocks is tickin
Wu limited edition - hot off the presses
I guess it's, curtains for competition
Method, runnin 'em out, gun in my mouth
The kid your momma warned you about, tear down the house
After midnight, eatin MC's, change to a gremlin
You're tremblin, behind the Kremlin wall, surrenderin
That's what you get for Russian/rushin, in the direction I was bustin
Polish your sword, your shit is rustin
[Hook: Method Man]
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
I heard you ladies got them thang-thangs, do you really?
I heard y'all niggas like to bang-bang, do you really?
[Verse 3: Masta Killa]
One-two, testin, testin, mic check wreckin
Steps into the session
Automatic weapon off safety, don't play me
But brings all them things with silencers
My clan is liver than your average '85er
Strive to stay alive
I play for keeps in the streets
Cause it's real on the battlefield
Shells hit the ground from the steel
Bullets travel, sun set fire to your mind
Words combine when I rhyme to free the blind
Prepare my queen for battle and walk down
I drink from the wine of violence, no tolerance
Gave word bond, sword silence
Me in military fatigues, bulletproof underneath
Buy enough ammunition to round and sweep the streets
Of Brooklyn, central, sugar-whipped the rental
While I'm lickin out the window at y'all, fuck y'allh
@princepapielliott5624
Inspeckta Deck KILLED IT! His part was sick asf!
@liedub
Prince Papi Elliott DECK is SOOOO slept on lyrically! Iβll admit his solo albums donβt put me in the same mind frame but the hardest lyrics come from him
@trentyates418
The way he started his verse, that was Sick.
@trentyates418
@dUncontrolled Substance is underrated. A slept on wu LP that people talk about less than the first 5 wu solo LPs. Decks debut is the ish.
@joshuashelton-bey7162
It was good but I see Meth was da best
@francistheriault3926
As always!
@1474JOHN
Rest easy drama king π
@g.i.a.i.n.c.7221
This track is my favorite one from Wu Tang, when you listen you can feel the real flow of old school, man it's awesome
@charlesyoung9451
Killah Classic
@trentyates418
I feel u on that. Some people said this album wasn't that nice. This album is a wu classic.