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.
www.wutang-corp.com
Let Me at Them
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is the niggaz ready for this son?
Niggaz ain't ready for this ock
One two whatcha wanna do (I'm gonna give it to em anyway though man)
Peep the Inspectah Deck (You know they ain't ready for it)
Lyrical threat
Representing Wu-Tang
Slang, ninety-five
You know what time it is
Blessed with the art rhymes that's sharp like a circular saw
Hit the floor like Dorf, who wants the war
Then slide by my, lyrical driveby
Chops rush, making black hearts bust, plus knifes they got
When they rush, built like construction tools
Crushing fools, in twos
Forced dude to blast you out your fuckin shoes
A South swap with the bombs I drop
Plan A to terrorize you can't stop the plot
Execution of an amateur, who dared to challenge the
Clansman, holding a sword like Excalibur
Truth is my shield, show and prove I reveal
Reality, a coldness the heart can feel
Livin life where caps peel, and crack deals from nine to five
But I survived in these hard times I nearly died
Now I'm wanted by death I did escape
Now it's thrown on a tape with those who can relate
Still I wrap my face take a space in the staircase
Hits takin place, yo God, watch the Jakes
Out of state court dates, chase me with the warrants
For my insurance, switched names to Michael Lawrence
The Rebel, stomps through the slums I'm from
Coming through with nuff niggaz, and nuff guns to bust son
So read the article, lyrical assassin with the arsenal
Potential witnesses are incapable
Of testifying, I won't be frying in the chair
Plus the case closed, I won't be ever shackled, and safe clothes
I make foes, exasperates then, I make friends
Cause today's friends, show theyselves as snakes in the end
And if you fit the trend then Protect Ya Neck
Shaolin, INS, Killa Hill Projects
No one on this earth, can hold me
No one on this earth, can fool me
No one on this earth, can grip the mic
Like, I, do, nigga
You ever, feel, that you can
Test me, you got to face the Clan and
Never, return to the mic again
There's no one in the world
Let me at them! I blast off lyrics like a Magnum
Forty-four caliber, bustin mad holes in my challenger
Tongue in your throat is swiss cheese
The wild freestyler, wild like Gene Wilder
Wu-Tang killa bee aimed at your brain
With my stinger, it stun your mind, when I bring ya
Thirty-six chambers of anger, frustration
For waiting, to let loose on the nation
Far from commercial no need for no rehearsal
Hit you from all angles then form a circle
Go against the grain within close range
When I Slam, like Onyx, come get some, that's a promise
I'll represent, here's the evidence
Science of mad murder plates I make sense
My technique of speech is deep, like Leviathan
Hittin up your block with rhymes, like a firing
Shooting for the platinum, then bring it back to
The same place I got the gat from, let me at them
Wu-Tang Clan's Let Me at Them is a song performed by Inspectah Deck, one of the Wu-Tang Clanβs founding members. The song features his signature lyricism, with a sharp tongue and a flow to match. The lyrics are mostly composed of high-energy, boastful rhymes that showcase his unique style.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for whatβs to come. Inspectah Deck begins with a shoutout to his fans, letting them know that heβs about to hit them with something special. He then proceeds to drop bars, discussing everything from his lyrical prowess to his ability to survive in hard times to his criminal escapades.
The chorus of the song is particularly catchy, with Inspectah Deck proclaiming that no one on Earth can hold him, fool him, or grip the mic like he does. He warns potential challengers that theyβll face the wrath of the Wu-Tang Clan if they try to test him. With its pounding beat and sharp lyrics, Let Me at Them is a classic Wu-Tang Clan track that showcases Inspectah Deckβs raw talent.
Line by Line Meaning
Blessed with the art rhymes that's sharp like a circular saw
I am gifted with lyrics that cut deep and are as sharp as a circular saw
Hit the floor like Dorf, who wants the war
I come in hard like Dorf, and anybody who challenges me is asking for a fight
Then slide by my, lyrical driveby
My lyrics come at you like bullets in a drive-by shooting
Chops rush, making black hearts bust, plus knifes they got
My verse hits hard and causes fear, making even the toughest feel vulnerable
When they rush, built like construction tools
My enemies come at me with the strength and force of construction tools
Crushing fools, in twos
I take on and defeat multiple foes at once
Forced dude to blast you out your fuckin shoes
I make even the toughest opponent scared enough to shoot and run
A South swap with the bombs I drop
My rhymes are explosive and deadly, unstoppable like a southern monsoon
Plan A to terrorize you can't stop the plot
My plan to intimidate and target my enemies cannot be stopped
Execution of an amateur, who dared to challenge the Clansman
I will execute any amateur who dares to challenge the members of the Wu-Tang Clan
Holding a sword like Excalibur
I carry a sword like Excalibur and am ready to defend myself at all times
Truth is my shield, show and prove I reveal
The truth is my defense and I will always reveal it
Reality, a coldness the heart can feel
The harsh reality of life and death can make even the strongest heart feel cold
Livin life where caps peel, and crack deals from nine to five
I live where guns and drugs are everywhere and they are a part of daily life
But I survived in these hard times I nearly died
Life has been hard and I have come close to death, but I still survive
Now I'm wanted by death I did escape
I have cheated death and am now a wanted man
Now it's thrown on a tape with those who can relate
My story is told on a tape for those who can understand and relate to my struggles
Still I wrap my face take a space in the staircase
I continue to hide my face and keep a low profile in the staircase
Hits takin place, yo God, watch the Jakes
I am being targeted by the police and have to be careful
Out of state court dates, chase me with the warrants
I have court dates in different states and am being chased with warrants for my arrest
For my insurance, switched names to Michael Lawrence
I changed my name for insurance purposes to avoid being caught by the police
The Rebel, stomps through the slums I'm from
I am a rebel who walks through the dangerous slums I come from
Coming through with nuff niggaz, and nuff guns to bust son
I come through with many people and guns to protect myself
So read the article, lyrical assassin with the arsenal
Read about me, the deadly lyricist with the arsenal of rhymes
Potential witnesses are incapable
No witnesses can testify against me because they are scared
Of testifying, I won't be frying in the chair
No one will testify against me and therefore I won't face the death penalty
Plus the case closed, I won't be ever shackled, and safe clothes
The case is closed and I will never be arrested or have to wear prison clothes
I make foes, exasperates then, I make friends
I make enemies and then make friends by proving myself
Cause today's friends, show theyselves as snakes in the end
The friends I make today often turn out to be traitors in the end
And if you fit the trend then Protect Ya Neck
If you are one of those traitors, you better watch your back and protect yourself
Shaolin, INS, Killa Hill Projects
These are the neighborhoods and groups that I represent
No one on this earth, can hold me
No one can control or defeat me
No one on this earth, can fool me
No one can manipulate or deceive me
No one on this earth, can grip the mic
No one can hold the microphone as well as I can
Like, I, do, nigga
Because I am a true master of the craft
You ever, feel, that you can
Have you ever thought that you can challenge me?
Test me, you got to face the Clan and
If you want to test me, you will have to face the Wu-Tang Clan
Never, return to the mic again
You will never be able to rap again if you try to take me on
There's no one in the world
Nobody can match my talent and skill
Let me at them! I blast off lyrics like a Magnum
I come at my opponents with full force and power, like a powerful gun
Forty-four caliber, bustin mad holes in my challenger
My rhymes are so powerful that they blow holes through my opponents
Tongue in your throat is swiss cheese
My rhymes hit so hard that they leave my opponents speechless and vulnerable
The wild freestyler, wild like Gene Wilder
My freestyles are unpredictable and wild, like the actor Gene Wilder
Wu-Tang killa bee aimed at your brain
I am like a killer bee, ready to sting and attack my opponents' minds
With my stinger, it stun your mind, when I bring ya
My rhymes are like a stinger, they stun and paralyze my opponents' minds
Thirty-six chambers of anger, frustration
My rhymes contain powerful emotions like anger and frustration, like the Wu-Tang Clan's album title
For waiting, to let loose on the nation
I have been waiting for my chance to shine and show my talent to the world
Far from commercial no need for no rehearsal
My rhymes come from the heart and don't require any practice or rehearsing
Hit you from all angles then form a circle
My rhymes come at you from all directions and eventually converge to form a perfect circle
Go against the grain within close range
I challenge my opponents to face me directly, even if it goes against their usual practices
When I Slam, like Onyx, come get some, that's a promise
When I hit hard with my rhymes, like the group Onyx, I am promising to take on anyone who wants to challenge me
I'll represent, here's the evidence
I will represent myself and my talents to the fullest, and my talent speaks for itself
Science of mad murder plates I make sense
The lyrics that I write are like literary murder, and make perfect sense to those who understand them
My technique of speech is deep, like Leviathan
My way of speaking is profound and philosophical, like the mythical creature Leviathan
Hittin up your block with rhymes, like a firing
I am hitting up your neighborhood with my powerful rhymes, like a shootout with guns
Shooting for the platinum, then bring it back to
I am aiming for success and will bring it back to my own community
The same place I got the gat from, let me at them
I will bring success back to the same place I started, and I am ready to take on anyone who challenges me
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Breed X
This should've went on 'Uncontrolled Substance'.
grizz22604
First album I ever bought!!!
LZAofficialpage
Love the beginning its dope how deck come on the track
sep169
Best soundtrack from beginning to end hands down
Crowshrock
This whole soundtrack was GOATed
Patrick H
i love the oldschool rap and miss the time
Technics4Life
Wu tang for the history, Forever!
Anthony
Deck is the shit
David Joseph
And this wasn't even 1 of the wu's greatest songs, but this is still FIRE π₯π₯π₯πππ!!! Rebel INS & Inspectah Desk busting lyrics with a smooth flow over a funky ass beat!! They just tearing it up on this one πΆπΆπΆπ΅π΅π΅πΌπΌπΌπ€π€π€π§π§π§π§β₯οΈβ₯οΈβ₯οΈπππ!! #REAL HIP HOP
Real Not Popular
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