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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Ill Figures FEAT. RAEKWON THE CHEF M.O.P. KOOL G RAP
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want my shit to be phat, I want people to be able to understand
Yo, Anybody can rhyme, youknowhatimsaying
But it's what you saying that makes a person know about you
Knowhatimsaying, you know the type of person you is
So it's like really, I'm just more of just
Being a street narrator (aiyo, what up, famo?)
Brooklyn baby cooling at a swat meet
Real niggas wanna meet me, ladies wanna eat me
Money clean Mercedes claim, baby, beat me
Love getting dressed up, sweats and techs
Ride around the hood, good, getting Gotti respect
Hand is golden, an OG rolling and holding, yo
Fresh kicks, soft leather, pockets is swollen
Let my jam hit your tape deck, it's straight up, and made up
For every real nigga with his gun on him, hate up
Flying through the city nights, new flights
Blue ice, hundred thousand in a Nike bag, license
Drug shop, I'm sorry, Atari in the Ferrari
Next see the Lex A Shallah, La Tam'pa
Eating yo, all of us, scamma gangstas
You know we honor, tip the kangol, cooling in the brown vengos
I have never, giving up on a mission
That's against my honor
Duke let me warn you, my niggas crip up
Them young boys'll run up on you, shoot your whip up
Brooklyn, nigga, beg for you life
And my Staten Island homeys lay your ass down on Glaciers of Ice
Sidewalk executives, live the street life consecutive
We built for this, go for your gun
My prospective is, another day in the life, of money and drugs
Big hammers and slugs, can get ugly as fuck
From the chest to your man Danze, ey
Staten Island, said what up, yo, ey
The homey ODB said what up, though, ey
We got the Chef on deck as if you didn't know
It's sharp as fuck, Wu, that's what up
Pack it up, wanna rap, wanna rock, what up?
Wanna pop, get up, fuck around and get your block hit up
Bring your team and we'll box 'em up
Think M.O.P. is not what up
It seems I'm a bit late here
Don't worry, these men are all gonna die
See from the side where it slum at, dumb at, rum at
Cognac, combat, contact, contrast
Crom's packing out like Beyonce back
She bang out a song like the Fonz back
Bigger things, bring the slangs, slicker than the sharpest pen
Nigga here, combat, sweet dick Willie T, Rudy Ray Moore game
Woodgrain all in the board reigns, before rain flooded
Like storm drains, boss man, bundling raw 'caine
Fours bang, neighborhood war games
Get your weight up, you looking anarexic
Posted on the block proper with the hammer vested
Bitch came with empty hands, that's the hand she left with
Thirsty ass with the water and it sounded desperate
Break a white an hour, based it forty grand invested
Live within the third rail, you know the man electric
Shit was like the third world, until I handle metrics, that next shit
In the opening lines, Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon speaks on his approach to writing lyrics. He wants his content to have substance, to be phat (meaning dope or excellent) and understandable to his audience. He acknowledges that anyone can rhyme words together, but what sets one apart is what they are saying in their verses. He believes that the content of his lyrics is a reflection of who he is as a person, allowing him to connect with his listeners on a personal level. He embodies a "street narrator" persona where he tells authentic street tales through his rhymes.
Later in the song, the verse from M.O.P. member Billy Danze lends towards his NYC street style. He warns that if you come to his neighborhood, you need to be prepared to face the consequences. He addresses the possibility of being confronted by gang members who could run up on you and shoot your car "whip" up. He then separates himself from the average East Coaster by referring to his Staten Island and Brooklyn hometowns. He warns that if you come to Brooklyn and beg for mercy, you'll get laid down. In contrast, the Staten Island homeys would execute you on the spot at Glaciers of Ice. His lyrical content aims to show the listener his life of growing up in the NYC streets, having to take on and conquer all comers, not to be trifled with.
Overall, the song "Ill Figures" is a reflection of the street life and gangster lifestyle of rap. The lyrics tell tales of drug deals, money, and hard life lessons amidst gun-toting and unforgiving predators.
Line by Line Meaning
When I write my lyrics, it's like, it's like
The process of writing my lyrics is important to me.
I want my shit to be phat, I want people to be able to understand
I want my music to be enjoyable and relatable to the audience.
Yo, Anybody can rhyme, youknowhatimsaying
Anyone can rhyme, but it's the content of the lyrics that truly matter.
But it's what you saying that makes a person know about you
Lyrics help people understand who you are as a person.
Knowhatimsaying, you know the type of person you is
You know the type of person you are and your lyrics reflect that.
So it's like really, I'm just more of just
I consider myself to be a street narrator.
Being a street narrator (aiyo, what up, famo?)
As a street narrator, I am able to share stories and experiences that are relevant to my community.
Reefer lit, love hip hop, the gangstas got me like the broccoli
Smoking weed and loving hip hop culture has made me feel comfortable and at home with dangerous gangs.
Brooklyn baby cooling at a swat meet
I am hanging out at a swap meet in Brooklyn.
Real niggas wanna meet me, ladies wanna eat me
Real men want to talk to me, and women want to be around me.
Money clean Mercedes claim, baby, beat me
My money is clean and I drive a Mercedes; ladies love it.
Love getting dressed up, sweats and techs
I enjoy dressing casually in sweatpants and sneakers.
Ride around the hood, good, getting Gotti respect
I drive around the neighborhood, earning respect like John Gotti.
Hand is golden, an OG rolling and holding, yo
My hand is strong (in cards) and I am an OG that is respected.
Fresh kicks, soft leather, pockets is swollen
I have new shoes, soft leather, and my pockets are full.
Let my jam hit your tape deck, it's straight up, and made up
Listen to my music and enjoy it. It is honest and authentic.
For every real nigga with his gun on him, hate up
People hate on real people who carry guns.
Flying through the city nights, new flights
I am driving around the city at night, in a new car.
Blue ice, hundred thousand in a Nike bag, license
I have blue diamond jewelry and 100k in cash in a Nike bag.
Drug shop, I'm sorry, Atari in the Ferrari
I am selling drugs, and I apologize, but I am also driving a Ferrari with an Atari.
Next see the Lex A Shallah, La Tam'pa
Next, I see the Lexus, Acura, and the Lincoln Town Car.
Eating yo, all of us, scamma gangstas
We are all scamming gangsters, getting rich.
You know we honor, tip the kangol, cooling in the brown vengos
We are respectful and tip our hats, hanging out in brown Vengos.
I have never, giving up on a mission
I have never given up when things get difficult.
That's against my honor
It goes against my code of honor.
Duke let me warn you, my niggas crip up
Let me warn you, my crew is a part of the Crip gang.
Them young boys'll run up on you, shoot your whip up
My young followers will attack you and damage your car.
Brooklyn, nigga, beg for you life
In Brooklyn, you're begging for your life.
And my Staten Island homeys lay your ass down on Glaciers of Ice
My friends from Staten Island can take you down in the icy streets.
Sidewalk executives, live the street life consecutive
We are businessmen who live a life of crime repeatedly.
We built for this, go for your gun
We are prepared for this life, so grab your gun and be ready.
My prospective is, another day in the life, of money and drugs
My outlook is that every day is just another cycle of making money and doing drugs.
Big hammers and slugs, can get ugly as fuck
Weapons can be ugly and cause destruction.
From the chest to your man Danze, ey
Sending a message specifically to Danze.
Staten Island, said what up, yo, ey
Shout out to Staten Island.
The homey ODB said what up, though, ey
Shout out to my friend ODB.
We got the Chef on deck as if you didn't know
We have Raekwon the Chef with us, in case you didn't know.
It's sharp as fuck, Wu, that's what up
Our group is sharp and strong, that's what's up.
Pack it up, wanna rap, wanna rock, what up?
Let's wrap it up and get to the music, what's up?
Wanna pop, get up, fuck around and get your block hit up
If you want to start trouble, we'll come and damage your neighborhood.
Bring your team and we'll box 'em up
Bring your team and we'll fight them.
Think M.O.P. is not what up
Don't underestimate M.O.P., we are still a strong group.
It seems I'm a bit late here
It appears that I have arrived late to this situation.
Don't worry, these men are all gonna die
Don't worry, these men will all be killed.
See from the side where it slum at, dumb at, rum at
We observe and understand the slums from the outside.
Cognac, combat, contact, contrast
We enjoy cognac, combat, and contrasting experiences.
Crom's packing out like Beyonce back
Our guns are powerful, like Beyonce's stage presence.
She bang out a song like the Fonz back
She sings a hit like Fonzie from Happy Days.
Bigger things, bring the slangs, slicker than the sharpest pen
We are talking about bigger things and using the slickest language possible.
Nigga here, combat, sweet dick Willie T, Rudy Ray Moore game
We are here to fight and entertain, like Sweet Dick Willie and Rudy Ray Moore.
Woodgrain all in the board reigns, before rain flooded
We have the finest cars with wood accents, before the rain started flooding the city.
Like storm drains, boss man, bundling raw 'caine
Like storm drains, we are transporting and selling large amounts of cocaine.
Fours bang, neighborhood war games
We are using powerful weapons in neighborhood wars.
Get your weight up, you looking anarexic
Get stronger, you look skinny.
Posted on the block proper with the hammer vested
I am standing on the street corner with my gun visible.
Bitch came with empty hands, that's the hand she left with
A woman came with nothing and left with nothing.
Thirsty ass with the water and it sounded desperate
She asked for water and seemed quite desperate.
Break a white an hour, based it forty grand invested
We are making big money quickly, based on a 40k investment.
Live within the third rail, you know the man electric
We are living in dangerous conditions, like living near the third rail on a subway track.
Shit was like the third world, until I handle metrics, that next shit
Our lives were like those in the third world, until we began handling our business wisely.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB PERRY, COREY WOODS, JOSH WERNER, NATHANIEL WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Das Solo Syndikat
Rae's flow smooth