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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If Time Is Money
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Look, vibe with me
Rhyme is tricky, who ridin' with me
Who kinda miss me can kinda miss me, you kinda iffy
Don't know the history? I'm from the city of stop and frisk me
The cops is jiggy, they spot the blickey then try and get me
My pops a Willie, said "Give her fifty, she pop her kitty"
He Bad Boy and he Poppa really, it's not a Biggie
See my committee, block offici', it's not an ishy

Or I'm too lazy to cross roads, if not, I'm busy
It's not a mystery who shot Ricky, but where the difference
Between the tré and the dough, boy, we bred different
So bear witness, this can leave you with head missing
If y'all can hear me, I guarantee you the feds listening
So I be spittin' in barcode, nothin' left in the tap, dog
And after the last call, the bar close
They spark Cohiba, cigar blow
Even Tony Stark knows the tension is thick as Wallabee Clark soles
But did I mention I'm sick and gotta be hardcore
Hard-boiled, taking your base, that's what we ball for
Money over bimbos, that's what the Mob for
Rappers stuck in limbo 'cause they were settin' the bar low
Every time I rhyme on a track, it's like a combo
King, we put the nine to your back, it's like you Rondo
When it come to John, though, I'ma slaughter a John Doe
Drag him through a drive-thru like he ordered the combo
Hands on him, we wild style with the cans on him
Then come defeat, that's my beliefs and I stand on 'em
Give you the Beats, no Doc Dre or brands on 'em
Some band want 'em, these verses hot and the fans want 'em
I'm from the school of them hard knocks with harder standards
I've been a hard rock before they added the Arm & Hammers
I'm at the nana's, bogus method, we call it bama
Gun on the camera so we can shoot them in panoramas
Na-nana-nana, I'm feelin' petty but watch your manners
Use proper grammar so we could stop with the propaganda
No type of slander but tell them hoes "I'm not your Santa"
Just want the body, nobody tryin' to pot-and-pan ya
Cop scanners, a Fuller House but we not the Tanners
If shooters bringin' them Hawks out, then it's not Atlanta's

If time is money, I got time and time saved
I pull your blinds and stop shine behind shade
Nobody get 'til I got mine, my mind made
If time is money, I got time and time saved
I pull your blinds and stop shine behind shade
Nobody get 'til I got mine, my mind made

If time is money, I got time and time saved
I pull your blinds and stop shine behind shade
Nobody get 'til I got mine, my mind made
If time is money, I got time and time saved

I pull your blinds and stop shine behind shade
Nobody get 'til I got mine, my mind made

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "If Time Is Money" by Wu-Tang feat. Method Man are dense and full of vivid imagery, showcasing the unique style and wordplay of the artists. The song begins with an invitation to vibe and ride along with the artist, emphasizing the tricky nature of their rhymes. The artist acknowledges that some may be unsure or hesitant about their skills and their place in hip-hop history, coming from a city where stop-and-frisk policies are prevalent and the police are always on the lookout. The artist's father, referred to as "Pops," is portrayed as a streetwise, hardcore figure, and the comparisons to Biggie Smalls (Poppa) are made, highlighting the artist's dedication to his craft.

The artist's crew is described as an official block committee, holding power and status in their neighborhood. The artist asserts that he is too busy to deal with unnecessary distractions, and references Ricky, whose shooting is not a mystery but rather a question of where it happened. The artist then compares himself to others, stating that he comes from a different breed and admonishing those who settle for mediocrity in their rap careers. The lyrics also touch on the themes of loyalty to one's crew and prioritizing money over shallow relationships. The image of dragging a John Doe through a drive-thru emphasizes the artist's aggression and willingness to dominate his adversaries.

The lyrics also allude to the artist's background, mentioning "hard knocks" and "hard rock," implying a life experienced on the tough streets. The artist then switches gears to address the importance of proper grammar and call out gossip and false narratives. The recurring line "If time is money, I got time and time saved" suggests that the artist values his own time and priorities above all else and will not let anyone hinder his progress.

Line by Line Meaning

Look, vibe with me
Pay attention and connect with my energy

Rhyme is tricky, who ridin' with me
My style of rap is complex, who is supporting and following me

Who kinda miss me can kinda miss me, you kinda iffy
If you only halfway appreciate me, your feelings towards me are uncertain

Don't know the history? I'm from the city of stop and frisk me
If you are unaware of the past struggles, I come from a place where police conduct invasive searches on minorities

The cops is jiggy, they spot the blickey then try and get me
The police are alert and ready to seize a weapon from me and attempt to arrest me

My pops a Willie, said 'Give her fifty, she pop her kitty'
My father is promiscuous and encourages women to take advantage of him

He Bad Boy and he Poppa really, it's not a Biggie
He is involved with a gang and presents himself as a father figure, just like the rapper Biggie Smalls

See my committee, block offici', it's not an ishy
My group of friends and our neighborhood are officially recognized and respected, there's no doubt about it

Or I'm too lazy to cross roads, if not, I'm busy
Either I'm unmotivated to face challenges, or I'm occupied with various tasks

It's not a mystery who shot Ricky, but where the difference
The identity of the person who shot Ricky is no secret, but the main concern is the underlying conflict

Between the tré and the dough, boy, we bred different
There is a clear distinction in values and upbringing between those who prioritize material wealth and those who focus on personal growth

So bear witness, this can leave you with head missing
Pay attention because this can lead to serious consequences, potentially even death

If y'all can hear me, I guarantee you the feds listening
If you are able to understand my message, it's certain that law enforcement agencies are also monitoring

So I be spittin' in barcode, nothin' left in the tap, dog
I rap effortlessly and with great precision, leaving no remaining thoughts or ideas

And after the last call, the bar close
After the final opportunity, things come to an end

They spark Cohiba, cigar blow
They light up expensive cigars and smoke them

Even Tony Stark knows the tension is thick as Wallabee Clark soles
Even a fictional billionaire like Tony Stark can sense the highly intense situation

But did I mention I'm sick and gotta be hardcore
Did I already state that I'm exceptionally talented and must maintain a tough image

Hard-boiled, taking your base, that's what we ball for
Uncompromising and assertive, we strive for success and excel in our endeavors

Money over bimbos, that's what the Mob for
Prioritizing wealth over shallow relationships, that's the attitude of our close-knit group

Rappers stuck in limbo 'cause they were settin' the bar low
Other rappers are unable to progress because they have low expectations and standards

Every time I rhyme on a track, it's like a combo
Whenever I rap on a song, it's a powerful and skillful combination of words and rhythms

King, we put the nine to your back, it's like you Rondo
We assert dominance by holding a gun to your back, leaving you powerless like the basketball player Rajon Rondo

When it come to John, though, I'ma slaughter a John Doe
When I encounter an adversary named John, I will mercilessly defeat an unidentified person

Drag him through a drive-thru like he ordered the combo
Figuratively, I will humiliate him by taking him through a fast-food drive-thru as if he made a foolish decision

Hands on him, we wild style with the cans on him
We physically assault him while expressing our artistic graffiti style by spray painting on him

Then come defeat, that's my beliefs and I stand on 'em
Subsequently, I bring his downfall, and I have strong convictions that I firmly uphold

Give you the Beats, no Doc Dre or brands on 'em
I deliver powerful verses, but not with the assistance of renowned music producer Dr. Dre or any prominent brands

Some band want 'em, these verses hot and the fans want 'em
Many musical groups desire my collaboration, as these lyrics are highly popular and fans demand them

I'm from the school of them hard knocks with harder standards
I come from a challenging background and adhere to even more demanding principles

I've been a hard rock before they added the Arm & Hammers
I've been strong-willed and resilient long before others acquired fake strength through substances

I'm at the nana's, bogus method, we call it bama
I'm at my grandmother's place, utilizing deceptive tactics, which we refer to as 'bama'

Gun on the camera so we can shoot them in panoramas
I carry a firearm to intimidate others, capturing the act on camera for a wide view of the scene

Na-nana-nana, I'm feelin' petty but watch your manners
I'm feeling slightly vindictive, so be cautious and mind your behavior

Use proper grammar so we could stop with the propaganda
Speak correctly and honestly to put an end to the spread of misleading information

No type of slander but tell them hoes 'I'm not your Santa'
Not engaging in defamation, but making it clear to women that I am not their benefactor or provider

Just want the body, nobody tryin' to pot-and-pan ya
I'm only interested in physical intimacy; there's no intention to cook, clean, or take care of you

Cop scanners, a Fuller House but we not the Tanners
Using radio scanners to monitor police activities, just like the sitcom 'Fuller House,' but our group is completely different

If shooters bringin' them Hawks out, then it's not Atlanta's
When armed individuals appear and cause trouble, it's not related to the city of Atlanta

If time is money, I got time and time saved
If time holds value, I possess a surplus of it

I pull your blinds and stop shine behind shade
I hinder your success and overshadow your achievements

Nobody get 'til I got mine, my mind made
No one receives anything until I secure my own desires, my determination is firm