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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Free Like ODB
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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The body is a vehicle for the mind
You realize that your body, is basically vacumnin that space
into somethin from within this body
This is why the air must come in, every breath
Look at - I say look at ODB, okay
A free man for real, knahmsayin?
His his expression of freedom, his what he wanted to do
could deter him, from an idea, y'knahmean?
Cause he was free to express like that, y'knahmean?
In the lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan's song "Free Like ODB," RZA reflects on the concept of freedom, particularly inspired by the late rapper Ol' Dirty Bastard (ODB). RZA begins by stating that the body is merely a vessel for the mind, suggesting that our physical existence is limited, but our thoughts and emotions possess vast potential. He emphasizes the importance of breathing as a means to channel the inner essence of our being.
RZA then highlights ODB as a symbol of true freedom. ODB, also known as Russell Jones, was a member of Wu-Tang Clan known for his unorthodox rapping style and unpredictable behavior. RZA describes ODB as a genuinely liberated individual, someone who was not constrained by societal norms or the opinions of others. He possessed a unique expression of freedom that stood out among the masses. Very few people had the ability to sway him from his ideas because he fearlessly embraced his own creative vision.
The lyrics celebrate ODB's ability to be uncompromisingly himself, refusing to conform to anyone's expectations. RZA admires ODB's unrestricted expression, which sets him apart as an exceptional individual. Through this reflective portrayal of ODB, RZA exemplifies the essence of true freedom and the power it holds to inspire others.
Line by Line Meaning
The body is a vehicle for the mind
The body serves as a means for the mind to navigate and experience the world
You realize that your body, is basically vacumnin that space
You understand that your body is merely occupying physical space
into somethin from within this body
Transforming oneself from within their own body
This is why the air must come in, every breath
Breathing is necessary as it brings in the vital life force
Look at - I say look at ODB, okay
Take a close look at ODB's character and actions
A free man for real, knahmsayin?
ODB was truly a liberated individual, you know?
His expression of freedom, his what he wanted to do
His actions and behaviors were manifestations of his personal freedom
It was VERY free, one out of a million people could deter him, from an idea, y'knahmean?
His freedom was exceptional, as only a rare few could prevent him from pursuing his ideas
Cause he was free to express like that, y'knahmean?
Because he had the liberty to express himself in that manner, you know?
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, GINTAS JANUSONIS, BORAHM LEE, WESLEY MINGUS, BOB PERRY, JOSH WERNER, Arnold Mischkulnig, ROBERT DIGGS, Robert Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind