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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Enlightened Statues
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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You see Buddha, you see laughing Buddha, you see the crying Buddha
You see a sleeping Buddha, you see the tall Buddha
You see the Buddha, you see the female Buddha
You see all these different variations
These are all different kind of personalities
Or different kind of ways that they have reached the light
You can laugh yourself into the light
You know I mean? That's why you can drink yourself into enlightenment
But the side effects of whatever you doin', you know I mean?
Is gonna determine how long you're gonna enjoy your enlightenment
In "Enlightened Statues" by Wu-Tang Clan, the lyrics explore the various manifestations of enlightenment through the metaphor of statues. The song begins by mentioning different depictions of Buddha, such as the laughing Buddha, the crying Buddha, the sleeping Buddha, and the tall Buddha. These variations represent different personalities and paths towards enlightenment. The lyrics suggest that there are different methods of reaching enlightenment, including laughter and even indulgence, as symbolized by the drunk monk.
However, the song also acknowledges that the consequences of one's actions will impact the longevity and enjoyment of enlightenment. The side effects of the chosen path will determine how long one can sustain their state of enlightenment. This line of thinking implies that while there may be different paths to enlightenment, one must be mindful of the choices made along that journey.
Overall, "Enlightened Statues" offers a reflection on the multifaceted nature of enlightenment and the various approaches one may take to reach it. It emphasizes the importance of considering the consequences of one's actions and choices in order to truly enjoy and sustain enlightenment.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's say you say look at someone old like statues
Imagine observing someone who appears aged and still, like statues.
You see Buddha, you see laughing Buddha, you see the crying Buddha
Upon observing, you witness various representations of Buddha, including the joyful Buddha and the sorrowful Buddha.
You see a sleeping Buddha, you see the tall Buddha
Among these figures, there is a serene sleeping Buddha and a towering Buddha.
You see the Buddha, you see the female Buddha
In addition, there is the traditional male Buddha as well as the divine representation of the female Buddha.
You see all these different variations
These diverse manifestations reflect the multitude of perspectives and ways to attain enlightenment.
These are all different kind of personalities
These variations embody distinct personalities and qualities.
Or different kind of ways that they have reached the light
Each representation symbolizes a unique path undertaken to achieve spiritual illumination.
You can laugh yourself into the light
It is possible to attain enlightenment through joy and laughter.
You get, you got the drunken Buddha, I mean the drunk monk
One example is the concept of the intoxicated Buddha, or rather, an enlightened monk who appears inebriated.
You know I mean? That's why you can drink yourself into enlightenment
In this context, indulging in intoxicants metaphorically represents the process of achieving enlightenment.
But the side effects of whatever you doin', you know I mean?
However, the consequences of one's actions during this pursuit must be considered.
Is gonna determine how long you're gonna enjoy your enlightenment
These repercussions will influence the duration and quality of the enlightenment experienced.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Arnold Mischkulnig, Borahm Lee, Gintas Janusonis, Josh Werner, Robert Diggs, Robert Perry, Wesley Mingus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind