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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Intro / Chamber Music
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Uh huh)
Yeah, (ay yo), yeah
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in (yo)
Come on! You know what it is
(Thou must bust shots all the time, kid)
(Eh yo, eh yo, eh yo) We're back!
Peep the jump off, ain't nothin sweet, get dumped off
Frontin' like you won't get deaded and bumped off
Drastic son, master guns that'll run up in plastic ones
And then go, crash in the slums
One tight army, few good men that'll rep
Invade you strongly, Prince of Wales swimmin' on feet
Props'll sell, all yellow L's, cops sleepin' on nails
Niggas get realer than real, yo
Flash the brown, last time was crowned
All navy Woolridge, Wu kicks, movin' them pounds, yo
Last on niggas, great adventures of my niggas
And Castro pictures, sendin' a rash out the kitchens
Like the wind, invite the grin, watch niggas rewrite the trend
Wu niggas did it again, yo
Unhighly, octane, die-cast metal frame
Lame, let another man with heat handle beef
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in
Yo, spark the intro, relevant info
Load up the keyboard, 105 tempo
Most heated battles, I've blasted MCs
Some said that the bullets flew by like angry bees
Wu entered on the level where we would wait and listen
While one flashed metal, eight calculate position
The world snapped, once we combined our rap
Drastic measures, priceless treasures on Nap'
Our swords swing, windchill Mount Aerie
Native plant standin' on the tall-grass prairie
Snares and kicks, off the project bricks
It's no act the producer played the role with drumsticks
The warning came unnoticed
It's like the shot on the dock of the bay
That slayed Otis, the Nine-Lotus
Each one adjust to his own environment
Formulate this great LP, a hundred rounds spent
Niggas bent on the fruitless search for nourishment
They long for this proper guidance, encouragement
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in
It be the Lost Tribe, 7 days locked in the dungeon
Foamin' at the mouth, mad dog in this production
The uncontrolled substance got me spittin' up bars disgustin'
The last temptation of the son of David Ruffin
Hold my mic sideways when bustin
On Judgement Day runnin' through Hell, yellin' and cussin'
At MC's in my circumference, y'all niggas hand cuffin'
These hoes and ain't read them they rights or nothin'
Keep lustin', yeah and I'ma a keep hustlin'
With Chamber Music fuckin' the party up in
You know me, everytime you kiss that ho you blow me
You blow trial trin to walk a mile in my Sauconys
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in
We just touched down, Wu shuttle, private jet
Stepped off the plane, the world wept
Roll with the Witty Unpredictable
Talent All Natural, rock with the Beatles of hip-hop
Mathematical imperial manifestation of greatness
Make wiz's scream and shout at the top of their breath of life essence
Captured on tape is precious
Bless mic pure deafness, awaken from you sleep mistake
When the God bring rain, hail, snow to the earthquake
Chamber Music fuckin the party up-in
Chamber Music fuckin the party up-in
You've been busy
Our respects to
You've been busy here, our respects to, you've been busy
The opening track of Wu-Tang Clan's album, The Wu-Tang Forever, titled Intro/Chamber Music, is a classic example of the powerful lyricism and hard-hitting beats that has defined the group's unique sound. The song opens with a commanding intro, calling out the listener, letting them know that the Wu-Tang Clan is back and ready to take over the party. In true Wu-Tang Clan fashion, the lyrics are filled with layers of wordplay and vivid imagery that draw the listener in. The song's first verse is a showcase of the group's rap skills, boasting of their quick trigger fingers, masterful guns, and unmatched rep.
As the song progresses, the beat intensifies, and the lyrics become even more powerful. The second verse talks about the group's rise to fame, starting from the projects and conquering the rap world. The group compares themselves to a strong army, always ready to invade and dominate, with their talented rappers and skilled producers. The song's chorus, which repeats "Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in," is a call to action, urging the listener to join in and enjoy the raw energy of the music.
Overall, the song is a quintessential Wu-Tang Clan track, packed with powerful rhymes, a hard-hitting beat, and a message that demands attention. It sets the tone for the rest of the album, letting the listener know that they are about to embark on a wild and unforgettable ride.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo
Attention grabber, calling the listener to listen up
Yeah, (ay yo), yeah
Acknowledgment of the listener's presence
Chamber Music, fuckin' the party up in (yo)
The song is titled 'Chamber Music' and it is being played to excite the partygoers
Come on! You know what it is
Challenging the listeners to join in the excitement
(Thou must bust shots all the time, kid)
A lyrical nod to the requirement for gunplay in the Hip Hop culture
(Eh yo, eh yo, eh yo) We're back!
Emphasizing the Wu-Tang Clan's return with an energetic battle cry
Peep the jump off, ain't nothin sweet, get dumped off
Warning the listener of the harsh realities faced in life and being prepared for it
Frontin' like you won't get deaded and bumped off
People pretending they are invincible and cannot be harmed will eventually be exposed
Drastic son, master guns that'll run up in plastic ones
Wu Tang are skilled with weapons that can penetrate the cheap ones
And then go, crash in the slums
Spending lavishly, but inevitably returning to where they came from
One tight army, few good men that'll rep
Strong brotherhood and loyalty amongst the members of the Wu Tang Clan
Invade you strongly, Prince of Wales swimmin' on feet
Taking over forcefully, like Prince William conquering at soccer while playing on foot (Prince of Wales)
Props'll sell, all yellow L's, cops sleepin' on nails
Their success will bring in respect, the clan is known to represent well; even authorities should be aware of their success
Niggas get realer than real, yo
The Wu Tang Clan brings reality to the forefront, portraying true life situations in their music
Flash the brown, last time was crowned
Reintroducing themselves by presenting their brand labels while reminding their previous success
All navy Woolridge, Wu kicks, movin' them pounds, yo
The Wu Tang Clan will keep moving forward and remain fresh just like the navy Woolridge Wu Kicks (popular basketball sneaker)
Last on niggas, great adventures of my niggas
They are the last ones standing, and they have been through a lot together as a group
And Castro pictures, sendin' a rash out the kitchens
Keeping their reputation by spreading photos of themselves and showing off their brand
Like the wind, invite the grin, watch niggas rewrite the trend
The Wu Tang Clan puts themselves out there and inspires the masses, leading to new trends in music
Wu niggas did it again, yo
The Wu Tang Clan succeeded once more, establishing themselves as dominating forces in Hip Hop
Unhighly, octane, die-cast metal frame
Compared to regular gasoline, the Wu Tang are like octane, possessing a strong and structured foundation
Lame, let another man with heat handle beef
Not wasting time on petty beef; they let others handle the trivial issues
Yo, spark the intro, relevant info
Encouraging the DJ to start the intro of the song and provide important information to set the tone
Load up the keyboard, 105 tempo
Setting a specific tempo of 105 on the keyboard to create a particular feel
Most heated battles, I've blasted MCs
Having taken part in intense rap battles and emerged victorious
Some said that the bullets flew by like angry bees
The Wu Tang Clan's raps are so sharp and accurate, it's like bullets flying past with great accuracy like bees
Wu entered on the level where we would wait and listen
The Wu Tang Clan is recognized as a group that should be listened to - their arrival alone commands attention
While one flashed metal, eight calculate position
One member displays the weapon while the rest evaluate their surroundings, calculating the next move
The world snapped, once we combined our rap
Bringing the world's attention on them, once they began working together
Drastic measures, priceless treasures on Nap'
Putting in effort to create amazing music, which will stay with people forever
Our swords swing, windchill Mount Aerie
Fighting with skill, capable of wielding weapons so that the air cuts through like a chilly wind in Mount Aerie
Native plant standin' on the tall-grass prairie
Relating themselves to indigenous plants growing strong on the prairie
Snares and kicks, off the project bricks
Beats are produced from street and affordable tools
It's no act the producer played the role with drumsticks
The person who made the beat was not an actor, but a skilled drummer
The warning came unnoticed
People were not prepared for the warning given by the Wu Tang Clan
It's like the shot on the dock of the bay
Their message is strong and can be compared to the famous moment in history when Otis Redding was shot
That slayed Otis, the Nine-Lotus
The Wu Tang member(s) who brings this message can be compared to Otis' killer, referred to as the Nine-Lotus
Each one adjust to his own environment
With each environment, a member of the Wu Tang Clan can adapt and make the best of it
Formulate this great LP, a hundred rounds spent
Putting in a lot of effort to create amazing music
Niggas bent on the fruitless search for nourishment
People keep searching for something that won't fulfill them
They long for this proper guidance, encouragement
People require a proper direction to be motivated in life
It be the Lost Tribe, 7 days locked in the dungeon
Referring to themselves as the Lost Tribe, 7 days locked inside with nowhere to go
Foamin' at the mouth, mad dog in this production
Being over-excited and a bit wild during this music production
The uncontrolled substance got me spittin' up bars disgustin'
The Wu Tang Clan's unbridled nature helps bring out their best raps
The last temptation of the son of David Ruffin
Being tempted like David Ruffin's son during their performance
Hold my mic sideways when bustin
Holding the mic sideways while rapping, which is a signature move
On Judgement Day runnin' through Hell, yellin' and cussin'
Considered the judgment day, fighting through the negativity, and taking on the enemy
At MC's in my circumference, y'all niggas hand cuffin'
Taking over other rappers in their social circle and showing them up
These hoes and ain't read them they rights or nothin'
Disrespecting women who don't understand their power
Keep lustin', yeah and I'ma a keep hustlin'
Remaining committed to their work, despite the opportunities for temptation
With Chamber Music fuckin' the party up in
Reintroducing the song and referencing its ability to create excitement
You know me, everytime you kiss that ho you blow me
Reminding the listeners of their reputation and how being with someone they like is equivalent to acknowledging the Wu Tang Clan
You blow trial trin to walk a mile in my Sauconys
Reminding others that their success and lifestyle are not easily attainable, even if someone tries to mimic them
We just touched down, Wu shuttle, private jet
The Wu Tang Clan arrives in style with a private jet
Stepped off the plane, the world wept
The immense popularity of the Wu Tang Clan makes the world notice their arrival
Roll with the Witty Unpredictable
The Wu Tang Clan is unpredictable and fun to be with
Talent All Natural, rock with the Beatles of hip-hop
Boasting of their innate talent, comparing themselves to the famous Beatles band
Mathematical imperial manifestation of greatness
Using a mathematical term 'imperial manifestation,' they boast of their reigning greatness
Make wiz's scream and shout at the top of their breath of life essence
Having great success and causing people to scream with excitement
Captured on tape is precious
Their music is worth recording and being remembered
Bless mic pure deafness, awaken from you sleep mistake
Waking up the sleeping, mistakes people make by bringing out powerful music
When the God bring rain, hail, snow to the earthquake
Incredibly powerful events happening all at once
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Dennis David Coles, Robert F. Diggs, Gary E. Grice, Lamont Hawkins, Darryl Robert Hill, Jason Hunter, Clifford Smith, Elgin Evander Turner, Corey Woods
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind