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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Get Them Out Ya Way Pa )
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you got it, light it up [8X]
[Method Man]
Ain't no shook in 'em, Pyrex pots is hot, fiends is cooking 'em
Little niggaz hugging the block, cops is booking 'em
Women hugging they purse when they spot the crook in 'em
Back when little J got shot, pops was whooping 'em
The ghetto got a hook in 'em now, drugs, stay pushing 'em
Used to throwing dirt in these blunts, now, it's kush in 'em
Used to tell these chicks to shut up, now, he's shooshing 'em
Get cash, get that ass, or put a foot in 'em
Iron Flag, flag that cab, Bedford and Put-e-nam
There ain't no puss in 'em, dick, dildo, or gush in 'em
Niggaz still got that juks in 'em
[Chorus 2X: Ghostface Killah (Raekwon)]
If he front then we stomp 'em out (Get 'em out ya way pa)
If he drunk and he run his mouth (Get 'em out ya way pa)
If he front then we stomp 'em out (Get 'em out ya way pa)
(Get 'em out ya way pa, move, move, move)
[U-God]
I'm seduced by the chrome, it's a ruthless poem
It took a little time to get his juices going
Producers know him, as the kid with the Iron Palm
Righteous hammer, examine the firearm
Approach or get fired on, permanent chest scar
Empire Strikes Back, check out the Death Star
Bless y'all, wet y'all, do the impossible
Where I'm from, we use dum-dums in the arsenal
Highly sparkable, get stretched off the knuckle check
Known to scuffle, I take it to the upper deck
Universal conquest, kung fu, buckle vets
In a dufflebag, max yo, a couple techs
Give 'em ear hustle, Wu brand, we programmed
Next time we dance, it won't be a slow jam
I fear no man, son, you get lynched up
Nigga bitch, get Frankenstein stitched up
[Chorus]
[Masta Killa]
Yeah, voice skipping off percussion
Give it to 'em how they love it, slow flow, deadly, beloved
All praise, the daunting, calm yet
So alarming, without a word being spoken
A thought with no voice, just a nod and a look
The contract was took, straight cash, off the books
A major pawn took a Don, look, he's armed
With a few black rooks from the heart of the Crook
Shook ones look while they hung him on Hercules hooks
They found his body near a shallow brook, escaped on foot
Switched the look up, out of state, he got the hook up
The flipped cake, thought lighter than the feather
Yet heavier than weight, when my mind state starts to break, take cover
Over RZA instrumental, I'm damn near invincible, it's simple
[Chorus 2X]
[Outro: kung fu sample]
Tell me, what are they like?
They got holes in the top, five round holes
While I was watching, this stranger, hit them
But his fingers went right through the bone
So then, they've... mastered it
It's some style of kung fu, you know it?
The Skeleton Claw
The Wu-Tang Clan's "Get Them Out Ya Way Pa" is a hard-hitting track that showcases the raw talent and lyrical prowess of some of the group's most prominent members. The lyrics of the song tackle topics such as drug addiction, violence, and the harsh realities of growing up in the ghetto.
Method Man's verse touches upon the struggles of those caught up in drug addiction and the challenges faced by law enforcement in trying to curb the problem. He also speaks about the vulnerability of women and how they tend to clutch their purses when they see someone who looks like a crook. U-God's verse touches on his love for guns and how he is willing to use them to protect himself and his people. Masta Killa's verse speaks to his confidence and skill as an MC and his ability to take on anyone who comes his way.
The chorus, which is repeated twice, is a call to action, encouraging listeners to remove anyone who is standing in the way of their success, whether it be someone who is drunk and running their mouth or a fronting individual who needs to be put in their place.
Overall, "Get Them Out Ya Way Pa" is a powerful song that showcases the Wu-Tang Clan's ability to deliver thought-provoking lyrics that are both socially conscious and lyrically complex.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't no shook in 'em, Pyrex pots is hot, fiends is cooking 'em
They are fearless, their drug operation is lucrative and the addicts keep coming back for more
Little niggaz hugging the block, cops is booking 'em
Young kids are hanging around the neighborhood while police are arresting them
Women hugging they purse when they spot the crook in 'em
Ladies hold their purse tightly when they see these men coming, knowing they might get robbed
Back when little J got shot, pops was whooping 'em
When Little J was shot, his father punished him severely for being in that situation
Little noses dripping with snot, ock, now look at 'em
These young kids were once innocent, but now they are drug dealers and addicts
The ghetto got a hook in 'em now, drugs, stay pushing 'em
The poverty-stricken area has enslaved them under the drug culture
Used to throwing dirt in these blunts, now, it's kush in 'em
They have upgraded their weed from poor quality to high-quality cannabis
Used to tell these chicks to shut up, now, he's shooshing 'em
They used to disrespect women, but now they are trying to impress them and keep them quiet
Get cash, get that ass, or put a foot in 'em
They either want money, sex, or they will be violent towards you
Iron Flag, flag that cab, Bedford and Put-e-nam
Instructions on where to meet up and hire a taxi driver to get away from the scene
There ain't no puss in 'em, dick, dildo, or gush in 'em
They are not interested in sex, love, or any relationships - only money and power
Niggaz still got that juks in 'em
They are still looking to rob and steal
I'm seduced by the chrome, it's a ruthless poem
He is attracted to the shiny metal of the gun and understands its power
It took a little time to get his juices going
It took him some time to fully embrace his violent nature
Producers know him, as the kid with the Iron Palm
Music producers know him as a man with exceptional fighting skills
Approach or get fired on, permanent chest scar
He will shoot anyone who comes too close, and the result will be a permanent scar to remember the encounter
Where I'm from, we use dum-dums in the arsenal
In his community, they use hollow point bullets to inflict maximum damage
Known to scuffle, I take it to the upper deck
He is no stranger to physical altercations, and he takes it to a higher level if necessary
Universal conquest, kung fu, buckle vets
He is on a mission to conquer the world, using his martial arts skills and overpowering other veterans
In a dufflebag, max yo, a couple techs
He carries his guns in a duffle bag, including a couple of pistols
Give 'em ear hustle, Wu brand, we programmed
Listen in on their conversations, they operate under the Wu-Tang Clan brand and have a certain programming
Next time we dance, it won't be a slow jam
The next time they engage in a conflict, it will be explosive and swift
I fear no man, son, you get lynched up
He is not afraid of anyone, and those who challenge him will pay the price
Nigga bitch, get Frankenstein stitched up
He will violently injure anyone who tries to mess with him
Voice skipping off percussion
His voice is sounding sharp and distinct over the music
Give it to 'em how they love it, slow flow, deadly, beloved
He delivers his words at a slow pace, but the content is dangerous and cherished by fans
All praise, the daunting, calm yet
He deserves to be praised for his intimidating presence, while remaining calm
So alarming, without a word being spoken
He is so intimidating that his silence is enough to make an impact
The contract was took, straight cash, off the books
An agreement was made, and the payment was made in cash to avoid any trace on official records
A major pawn took a Don, look, he's armed
A big player decided to work with the boss, and he is now armed and dangerous
With a few black rooks from the heart of the Crook
He has a small group of trusted allies from the most dangerous part of the city
Shook ones look while they hung him on Hercules hooks
Everyone is scared to look at the violence happening to those who have betrayed them
They found his body near a shallow brook, escaped on foot
The traitor's body was discarded near water, and his accomplices escaped on foot
Switched the look up, out of state, he got the hook up
He changed his appearance and moved out of state where he received help from a contact
The flipped cake, thought lighter than the feather
He made a lot of money quickly, but he felt as light as a feather because he knew it was only temporary
Yet heavier than weight, when my mind state starts to break, take cover
The weight of his actions is taking a toll on his mental state, and he becomes unpredictable
Over RZA instrumental, I'm damn near invincible, it's simple
His rhymes over RZA's beats make him feel unbeatable and strong
Tell me, what are they like?
The singer is asking what the Skeleton Claw fighting style is like
They got holes in the top, five round holes
The weapons have five holes at the top for fingers to hold them
While I was watching, this stranger, hit them
Someone unknown to the artist successfully fought with the Skeleton Claw style
But his fingers went right through the bone
The fighter was so strong that his fingers broke through the bones of his opponents
So then, they've... mastered it
The Skeleton Claw fighting style has been mastered by someone other than the singer
It's some style of kung fu, you know it?
The singer is asking if the listener knows about the Skeleton Claw style
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, COREY WOODS, DENNIS DAVID COLES, ELGIN EVANDER TURNER, LAMONT HAWKINS, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tom Martin
To me, this is classic Wu. The beats are dissonant, minimal and trippy, and the MCs are killing it.
veksone77
And people didn't like this album
Jean Dieng
8 diagrams is a mystik album
Trent Yates
Best album of '07. I remember my dad bump this alot when it came out
Elijah Boda
This proves that Wu Tang will always be the most over looked hip hop artist. If your a true hip hop conesuuer you can't denie. There one of the best who ever did it
Ogu Offoaro
This production was so crisp at the time. I see why people didn’t like it when it came out, but it’s my favorite album of theirs.
Purpl3
Masta killa is brilliant
phil edmond
loved this album
Colin K
Hard.wu kills it.decade after decade
andrei razvan
This is real hiphop and Wu-tang fans are underestimating 8 diagrams ... JUST LISTEN THIS SONG !