Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostfac… Read Full Bio ↴Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group. They were formed in (and are associated with) the New York City borough of Staten Island (referred to by members as "Shaolin"), though Masta Killa and GZA are from Brooklyn and Inspectah Deck is from the Bronx. They have gone on to become multi-platinum record producers, Grammy winners, TV and film stars, screenwriters, product spokespersons, business owners and, most recently, major motion picture composers. The Clan featured nine MCs until the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004. One of the most critically and commercially successful hip hop groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan shot to fame through their uncompromising brand of hardcore rap music. Since their debut, they have introduced or launched the careers of numerous other artists and groups, and already in 1994 there were credited to be over 300 Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, known as the Wu-Tang Killa Bees, consisting of rappers, producers, and record label CEOs.

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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Gunz 'N Onez
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Haayyoahhh! Ahhh

[Chorus]
Iz you wit me, yo throw your hands in the air!
All my thugs and soldiers fuck it even players
Whether you hate us or you show us love
No matter what you do money stack your gunz 'n onez
Iz you wit me, yo throw your hands in the air!

All my thugs and soldiers fuck it even players
Crooks, willies, pimps, all my sons
No matter what you do baby, stack your gunz 'n onez

Yo, light another, and elevate on this one my brother
Respect mine like my baby mother
I shine when it rain, the sky's cryin' for all the black youth
That's dyin', I heard he went out clutchin' his iron
And in the mist the slugs flyin', one burst
He kissed the dirt, not knowin' he was touched at first
Or badly hurt, it's all science, another nigga merked
Kid snatched his purse and his work, left nuttin'
But the shells on the turf, the situation's worse
A lot of bitch ass niggaz is comin' out they skirts
Cause it's real, not everyone can rhyme and get a deal
Not everyone can shine and make a meal
So Johnny carry nine in the steel, one in the head
For all them fuckheads, leave that ass for dead nuff said
Don't be mistaken, or mislead, it's all peace
But when my baby's gotta get fed, I'm all teeth
Bitin' down on the bullet now, bloodshed
I cop my herb from a knotty dread, and live this life
On the edge nigga, one time for your fuckin-ass mind
Cause-o, can you deal?

[Chorus]

Wu-Tang are you wit me, well throw your hands in the air!
All my soldiers, thugs, fuck it even players
Heads on lock down and those on the run
No matter what you do money, stack your gunz 'n onez

Aiyyo peep the stamina, of the main brain splattera
In a matter of seconds I'm disrespectin' your character
What's the matter ya niggaz ain't ready for the massacre
I'll be slappin' y'all niggaz in the face with the caliber
You like the voice baby? Ruck is the choice lately
Slap a hoe and then grab a hoe just like ? ?
My boys pay me no mind, for the shit I say lately
Then deep down in they heart, they think that nigga Ruck is crazy
Maybe, y'all niggaz should just chill before I fuck you up
I can snuff a duck nigga in the face with the uppercut
What the fuck? y'all niggaz do it the mic ruin
Your life by screwin', your wife now cruisin'
Affect with the motherfuckin' grimy style
Meth-Tical, Heltah Skeltah for the Ninety-Now
Remind me how, the way it used to be, yo you used to be
Better than you is on the mic, but now you losing me

[Chorus]

Son I used to be a good boy, fat cheeks, little cute kid
Potentially rebellious yet a straight A student
I listened to my elders til I found out they was stupid
What they told me had me broke and bummy, time for some new shit
Now, I hold mo' concealed Heat than Acapulco
Ricans in Bushwick call me Rocko, el mano loco
Got a fo'-fo' to make thugs sing like K-Ci and JoJo
Packin' ever since Mamma Rock said gunz was a no-no
We don't need those doe, street cats don't need gats
Six-five, from the NBA, many niggaz be that
So try me, like Mutumbo you can't get shit by me
Send you to E.R. son with broke ankles like Allen Ivey, hehe
Hold that thought for a minute
And watch your shorty before I run up in it I admit it
I'm like Sprite, image got you shaken, thinkin' I'm Jamaican
But it's thirst that'll get your jewelry and dough taken
Fuck Batman and Robin, I'm robbin with a bat man
Chase niggaz like Chevy for makin' wack jams
Hit hard as a dick after a lapdance, ask any Sean Price
In Alcatraz fan, they'll tell you watch the jabbin'

[Chorus]

Stack your gunz 'n onez, stack your gunz 'n onez
Heltah Skeltah come soon, be prepared motherfucker
Stack your gunz 'n onez, stack your gunz 'n onez
Cause ain't nobody safe motherfucker
Stack your gunz 'n onez, stack your gunz 'n onez
Marvelous, Armageddon, Heltah Skeltah

Stack your gunz 'n onez, stack your gunz 'n onez
Same shit

Overall Meaning

The Wu-Tang Clan's song, Gunz 'N Onez, encourages people to stand up for themselves and take control of their lives. The opening lines urge the audience to throw their hands in the air if they are with the clan. The chorus repeats the idea of stacking one's gunz 'n onez, aimed at people who either hate or love the Wu-Tang Clan. The verses touch on the bitter realities of the street life, where thugs, crooks, and pimps rule. The lyrics touch on topics such as gun violence, hustling, and drug use.

The first verse talks about a person who dies while holding a gun, unaware that he had been shot first. The verse, quite sadly, is a reminder of the high level of gun violence in many parts of the United States. Additionally, it describes how people in low-income neighborhoods are looking for ways to survive, either by stealing or selling drugs. The second verse is one of unapologetic rawness, with Ruck, the rapper, boasting of his capabilities and telling other people to back off unless they want him to fight back.

Line by Line Meaning

Iz you wit me, yo throw your hands in the air!
Are you with me? Show your support by raising your hands!

All my thugs and soldiers fuck it even players
All the tough individuals, loyal fighters, and even smooth players

Whether you hate us or you show us love
Regardless of whether you despise us or show us affection

No matter what you do money stack your gunz 'n onez
No matter your actions, make sure to accumulate firearms and ammunition

Yo, light another, and elevate on this one my brother
Hey, light another one and rise above the current situation, my friend

Respect mine like my baby mother
Give me the same level of respect as you would to my child's mother

I shine when it rain, the sky's cryin' for all the black youth
I stand out even in difficult times, as the sky weeps for the struggles faced by young black people

That's dyin', I heard he went out clutchin' his iron
Those who are dying, I heard one of them left this world holding his gun tightly

Or badly hurt, it's all science, another nigga merked
Whether severely injured or killed, it's all part of the violent reality, another person being eliminated

Kid snatched his purse and his work, left nuttin'
Someone stole his money and drugs, leaving him with nothing

But the shells on the turf, the situation's worse
Only the empty bullet casings remain on the ground, indicating a deteriorating situation

A lot of bitch ass niggaz is comin' out they skirts
Many cowardly individuals are revealing their true colors and showing fear

Cause it's real, not everyone can rhyme and get a deal
Because this is reality, not everyone possesses the talent to rap and secure a record deal

Not everyone can shine and make a meal
Not everyone can succeed and make a substantial income

So Johnny carry nine in the steel, one in the head
Therefore, Johnny carries a firearm with a magazine of nine bullets and one in the chamber

For all them fuckheads, leave that ass for dead nuff said
To deal with all those idiots, leave them severely wounded or dead, enough said

Don't be mistaken, or mislead, it's all peace
Don't misunderstand or be deceived, despite the violence, there is still a sense of peace

But when my baby's gotta get fed, I'm all teeth
However, when my child needs to be taken care of, I become assertive and fierce

Bitin' down on the bullet now, bloodshed
I'm enduring the pain, clenching the bullet between my teeth, ready for bloodshed

I cop my herb from a knotty dread, and live this life
I buy my marijuana from a rastafarian with tangled hair, and that's how I live my life

On the edge nigga, one time for your fuckin-ass mind
Living dangerously, my friend, this one's for your rebellious mindset

Cause-o, can you deal?
So tell me, can you handle it?

Wu-Tang are you wit me, well throw your hands in the air!
Wu-Tang Clan, are you supporting me? Then raise your hands!

Heads on lock down and those on the run
People in prison and those evading capture

No matter what you do money, stack your gunz 'n onez
Regardless of your actions, make sure to accumulate firearms and ammunition

Aiyyo peep the stamina, of the main brain splattera
Hey, observe the endurance of the dominant thinker causing chaos

In a matter of seconds I'm disrespectin' your character
Within a short time, I'm diminishing your reputation

What's the matter ya niggaz ain't ready for the massacre
What's wrong? You guys aren't prepared for a large-scale killing

I'll be slappin' y'all niggaz in the face with the caliber
I'll metaphorically hit all of you in the face with the power of my gun

You like the voice baby? Ruck is the choice lately
Do you enjoy my rap style? Recently, Ruck's been the popular choice

Slap a hoe and then grab a hoe just like ? ?
Slap a disrespectful woman and then seduce another one, just like that

My boys pay me no mind, for the shit I say lately
My friends don't pay attention to the controversial things I've been saying recently

Then deep down in they heart, they think that nigga Ruck is crazy
However, deep down in their hearts, they secretly believe that I'm insane

Maybe, y'all niggaz should just chill before I fuck you up
Perhaps all of you should relax before I cause harm to you

I can snuff a duck nigga in the face with the uppercut
I have the ability to punch a weak individual in the face with an uppercut

What the fuck? y'all niggaz do it the mic ruin
What's wrong with you guys? You ruin the microphone with your performance

Your life by screwin', your wife now cruisin'
You're messing up your own life while your wife is out enjoying herself

Affect with the motherfuckin' grimy style
Impacted by the dirty and aggressive rap style

Meth-Tical, Heltah Skeltah for the Ninety-Now
He is powerful and unpredictable, representing the Heltah Skeltah group in this current era

Remind me how, the way it used to be, yo you used to be
Make me remember how things were in the past, hey, you used to be

Better than you is on the mic, but now you losing me
You used to be superior to me in terms of rap skills, but now you're losing my interest

Son I used to be a good boy, fat cheeks, little cute kid
I, as a child, used to be innocent and adorable, chubby cheeks and all

Potentially rebellious yet a straight A student
Despite the potential for rebelliousness, I was an excellent student with straight A grades

I listened to my elders til I found out they was stupid
I obeyed my elders until I realized they were foolish

What they told me had me broke and bummy, time for some new shit
Their advice left me poor and destitute, it's time for a change

Now, I hold mo' concealed Heat than Acapulco
Now, I possess more hidden weapons than Acapulco, a place known for its violence

Ricans in Bushwick call me Rocko, el mano loco
Puerto Ricans in the Bushwick neighborhood refer to me as Rocko, the crazy man

Got a fo'-fo' to make thugs sing like K-Ci and JoJo
I have a .44 caliber gun that can scare tough guys into singing like K-Ci and JoJo

Packin' ever since Mamma Rock said gunz was a no-no
I've been carrying guns ever since my mother warned me that firearms were forbidden

We don't need those doe, street cats don't need gats
We don't need weapons, urban individuals don't require firearms

Six-five, from the NBA, many niggaz be that
There are plenty of tall basketball players in the NBA, with heights around six feet five inches

So try me, like Mutombo you can't get shit by me
So, test me, just like Dikembe Mutombo, you won't be able to deceive me

Send you to E.R. son with broke ankles like Allen Ivey, hehe
I'll send you to the emergency room with fractured ankles, just like Allen Iverson, laughing

Hold that thought for a minute
Pause and temporarily stop discussing that topic

And watch your shorty before I run up in it I admit it
And be cautious of your girlfriend before I engage in a sexual encounter with her, I confess

I'm like Sprite, image got you shaken, thinkin' I'm Jamaican
I'm like the soft drink Sprite, my presence makes you uneasy, and you mistakenly think I'm Jamaican

But it's thirst that'll get your jewelry and dough taken
However, it's the desire for money that will result in your jewelry and money being stolen

Fuck Batman and Robin, I'm robbin with a bat man
Screw Batman and Robin, I'm robbing people with a baseball bat, man

Chase niggaz like Chevy for makin' wack jams
I pursue individuals like a Chevrolet car, but instead of chasing them, it's because they make bad songs

Hit hard as a dick after a lapdance, ask any Sean Price
I hit hard, just like an erection after a lap dance, ask anyone, including Sean Price

In Alcatraz fan, they'll tell you watch the jabbin'
Even fans of Alcatraz prison will advise you to be careful of my powerful punches

Stack your gunz 'n onez, stack your gunz 'n onez
Accumulate firearms and ammunition, stack them together

Heltah Skeltah come soon, be prepared motherfucker
The rap duo Heltah Skeltah will arrive shortly, be ready, you motherfucker

Cause ain't nobody safe motherfucker
Because nobody is safe, you motherfucker

Marvelous, Armageddon, Heltah Skeltah
Marvelous and Armageddon from Heltah Skeltah

Same shit
Repeating the same thing

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Y, CLIFFORD SMITH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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