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
G'd up
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
My block is G'd up, the cops is racist
Staircases is peed up, haters get beat up
Woman are getting eat up
Look at this paper don't need much
But still need a calculator to keep up
Je-sus, I'm doing me, B.I.G
Me, I get my cheese up
Puff the buddha, I get my chi up
My team in the building until the lease up
Look, you think this method ain't pro-lific then pro-hibit
See I'm no Clifford but like my daddy no different
A go-getter, I go get it, now go figure
Without no figures, no gold cards, no gold diggers
To quote Jigga I goes hard, I blow Swishers
I blow that trigger, your whole squad could go with you
Ay, Dio mío, I'm a hell of a flow spitter
You ain't my people, I don't care if you know RZA
'Cause at the end of the day
I'm a problem boy, stay out of my way
Now if you see me in the streets, you better give me my space
And if I beat you to the punch I punch you dead in your face
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Take over, quick fast, violate, slap shit
And every borough, state, town, prison, map shit
Drink sippin', no slippin'
Weed, women
No kidding, big business, tops missin'
Ice glisten, clear vision
Keep wishin'
Welcome to the big boy life
Bottle popping, no stopping
Haters watching
Speaker knocking
Shorty hoppin' all day copy
We rockin', big talking, cash dropping
Welcome to the big boy life
Yeah
Yeah, yeah, yo, yeah
We known to do this
The flow is lucid it's so abusive
Was born a Christian but Joe the truth is that Doe is Jewish
I over do this, fuck a moderation
Homie we focused, my camp Auschwitz with the concentration
Meth-Tical, R dash, Allah Math
Step in my shoes and leave footprints in God's path
These surfaces try to divert us away from a higher purpose
I look emcees in their eyes, you looking kind of nervous
But we knowing the mean, the leader's showing ya
King of kings, Haile Selassie, Ethiopia
Blunt condition chronic and I don't mean that pneumonia
So shorty you and your friend
I'm bout to leave with the both of ya
She tell me that she need me
They always come right back
Bitches get repo'd quicker than Tiger's Lamborghini
We eating lobster and shrimp
Rappers is Ramadan
Too raw, I shouldn't spit without a condom on
The type of rookie that's respected by the veterans
Cause dog I ain't a rookie, I'm a motherfucking veteran
Light up the medicine, just know you've been warned
'Cause when the killer bees starting to swarm, you know it's on
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Take over, quick fast, violate, slap shit
And every borough, state, town, prison, map shit
Drink sippin', no slippin'
Weed, women
No kidding, big business, tops missin'
Ice glisten, clear vision
Keep wishin'
Welcome to the big boy life
Bottle popping, no stopping
Haters watching
Speaker knocking
Shorty hoppin' all day copy
We rockin', big talking, cash dropping
Welcome to the big boy life
The lyrics in "G'd up" by R-Mean, Mzee Jones, and Method Man are filled with vivid imagery and boastful rhymes. The song explores themes of street life, ambition, and assertiveness.
In the first verse, the artists paint a picture of a neighborhood that is tough and chaotic. They describe their block as being "G'd up," which means they are heavily involved in the street life and ready to defend their territory. They also mention the racism within the police force, illustrating the challenges faced by people of color in their community. The "staircases is peed up" line suggests a lack of care and respect for public spaces. Additionally, the lyrics imply that women are being taken advantage of, emphasizing the harsh realities faced by vulnerable individuals in this environment.
Despite the hardships, the artists remain focused on their own success. They pride themselves on being self-sufficient, stating that they don't need much but still require a calculator to keep up with their financial endeavors. They reference influential figures like B.I.G and Jigga (Jay-Z) to draw parallels between their own ambition and the success of these famed rappers. They emphasize their hard work and determination, highlighting their ability to succeed without relying on fame or external validation.
In the chorus, the lyrics suggest a lavish lifestyle, with references to luxury items, banks, and flamboyant behavior. They confidently proclaim their dominance and assertiveness, almost daring others to challenge them. They exude a sense of power and control, as they mention taking over and quickly handling any violation or disrespect.
The second verse showcases their indulgence in pleasures like drinking and casually being with women. They are unapologetic about their extravagant way of living, boasting about their big business transactions and their ability to attract attention. The lyrics exhibit a brash, larger-than-life persona, with heavy references to material wealth and a party lifestyle.
The final verse delves into a mix of religious and historical references. By mentioning being born a Christian but also acknowledging Doe is Jewish, they showcase their religious and cultural diversity. They continue with wordplay involving Auschwitz, the infamous Nazi concentration camp, to emphasize their focus and determination. The lyrics also touch on their affinity for smoking marijuana, as well as their ability to attract women with relative ease. They mention leaving with both the girl and her friend, suggesting their magnetic appeal and charm.
Overall, the lyrics in "G'd up" boast confidence, ambition, and a desire for success. The artists take pride in their street credibility and the challenges they have overcome, while also indulging in the luxuries and pleasures that come with their success.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Clifford M Smith, Hariri Armin Faramarz, Lavelle Jones, Ronald Maurice Bean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cho0da
Allah Math, dig it
My block is G'd up, the cops is racist
Staircases is peed up, haters get beat up
Woman are getting eat up
Look at this paper don't need much
But still need a calculator to keep up
Je-sus, I'm doing me, B.I.G
Hit Little C's up after I hit this tree up
Me, I get my cheese up
Puff the buddha, I get my chi up
My team in the building until the lease up
Look, you think this method ain't pro-lific then pro-hibit
See I'm no Clifford but like my daddy no different
A go-getter, I go get it, now go figure
Without no figures, no gold cards, no gold diggers
To quote Jigga I goes hard, I blow Swishers
I blow that trigger, your whole squad could go with you
Ay, Dio mío, I'm a hell of a flow spitter
You ain't my people, I don't care if you know RZA
'Cause at the end of the day
I'm a problem boy, stay out of my way
Now if you see me in the streets, you better give me my space
And if I beat you to the punch I punch you dead in your face
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Take over, quick fast, violate, slap shit
And every borough, state, town, prison, map shit
Drink sippin', no slippin'
Weed, women
No kidding, big business, tops missin'
Ice glisten, clear vision
Keep wishin'
Welcome to the big boy life
Bottle popping, no stopping
Haters watching
Speaker knocking
Shorty hoppin' all day copy
We rockin', big talking, cash dropping
Welcome to the big boy life
Yeah
Yeah, yeah, yo, yeah
We known to do this
The flow is lucid it's so abusive
Was born a Christian but Joe the truth is that Doe is Jewish
I over do this, fuck a moderation
Homie we focused, my camp Auschwitz with the concentration
Meth-Tical, R dash, Allah Math
Step in my shoes and leave footprints in God's path
These surfaces try to divert us away from a higher purpose
I look emcees in their eyes, you looking kind of nervous
But we knowing the mean, the leader's showing ya
King of kings, Haile Selassie, Ethiopia
Blunt condition chronic and I don't mean that pneumonia
So shorty you and your friend
I'm bout to leave with the both of ya
She tell me that she need me
They always come right back
Bitches get repo'd quicker than Tiger's Lamborghini
We eating lobster and shrimp
Rappers is Ramadan
Too raw, I shouldn't spit without a condom on
The type of rookie that's respected by the veterans
Cause dog I ain't a rookie, I'm a motherfucking veteran
Light up the medicine, just know you've been warned
'Cause when the killer bees starting to swarm, you know it's on
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Murder niggas, luxurious, banks I was draped
Caked out
The Corleone connection in all selection
Take over, quick fast, violate, slap shit
And every borough, state, town, prison, map shit
Drink sippin', no slippin'
Weed, women
No kidding, big business, tops missin'
Ice glisten, clear vision
Keep wishin'
Welcome to the big boy life
Bottle popping, no stopping
Haters watching
Speaker knocking
Shorty hoppin' all day copy
We rockin', big talking, cash dropping
Welcome to the big boy life
@giuseppeparadiso
I like the way they still have the 90s style. What a beat guys, what a beat...
@santanasalvatore3675
Dise Art This$hitDope
@galatiamikrogianni1239
Dope man
@u.g.5832
Old school is the best..Wu Tang forever ❤
@dimitriwoiciechowski6561
this beat is absolutely disgusting, meth verse is fucking crazy
@MarloEugene
This album man...it's clearly confirmed one thing...despite common argumentation...hip-hop is a grown man's job.
@dionkester4624
InI
@dimitriwoiciechowski6561
i agree with this shit 100%
@jamesbrooking2143
Mathematics absolutely murdered the production on this album, holy fuck this beat is nasty
@sumwonkool
James Brooking corny hook tho