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
Liquid Swords
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See, sometimes...
You gotta flash em back
See niggaz don't know where this shit started
Why'all know where it came from
I'm sayin we gonna take why'all back to the swords
We bounce, yo
When the MC's came, to live our their name
And to perform (forrrrm)
Some had, to snort cocaine (caiiinnne) to act insane (sannne)
With before Pete Rock-ed it on, now gone
That the mental plane (plaaanne) to spark the brain (brainnn)
With the building to be born
Yo RZA flip the track with the what to guy
Check em check chicka icka etta UHH
[GZA]
Fake niggas get flipped
In mic fights I swing swords and cut clowns
Shit is too swift to bite you record and write it down
I flow like the blood on a murder scene, like a syringe
On some loud howl shit, to insert a fiend
But it was yo ock, the shop stolen art
Catch a swollen heart from not rollin smart
I put mad pressure, on phony wack rhymes they get hurt
Shit's played, like zodiac signs on sweatshirt
That's minimum, and feminine like sandals
My minimum table stacks a verse on a gamble
Energy is felt once the cards are dealt
With the impact of roundhouse kicks from black belts
That attack, the mic-fones like cyclones or typhoon
I represent from midnight to high noon
I don't waste ink, nigga I think
I drop megaton BOMBS more faster than you blink
'Cause rhyme thoughts travel at a tremendous speed
Through clouds of smoke, of natural blends of weed
Only under one circumstance is if I'm blunted
Turn that shit up, my clan in da front want it
[Chorus]
[GZA]
I'm on a Mission, that niggaz say is Impossible
But when I swing my swords they all choppab
In Wu-Tang Clan's song "Liquid Swords," members RZA and GZA take listeners back in time to the origins of hip hop. The song starts with RZA stating that people don't know where hip hop came from and that he's going to take listeners back to the swords, referring to the ancient art of sword fighting. GZA then begins his verse with the assertion that fake rappers are going to get "flipped" or exposed. He talks about the swift and deadly art of hip-hop, which is too unpredictable to be written down. Instead, the lyrics flow through him with the force of a murder scene or a syringe, injecting listeners with energy and adrenaline.
GZA also talks about the pressures facing rappers who don't have their hearts and minds in the right place. He compares weak rhymes to something "played, like zodiac signs on sweatshirt" and emphasizes that energy is felt when the cards are dealt. GZA's approach to rapping is all about precision and intensity, reflected in his reference to black belts and natural blends of weed. The song represents the Wu-Tang Clan's commitment to bringing a fresh, authentic sound to the hip hop scene and standing out from the crowd.
Line by Line Meaning
See, sometimes...
RZA sets the backdrop for the song and prepares listeners for a trip back in time.
You gotta flash em back
RZA believes that it is necessary to remind people of the origins of hip hop.
See niggaz don't know where this shit started
RZA believes that many people are not aware of hip hop's roots.
I'm sayin we gonna take why'all back to the swords
RZA asserts that the song aims to bring the audience back to the roots of hip hop.
When the MC's came, to live our their name
GZA highlights the significance of the MC and how important it was for rappers to make a name for themselves.
And to perform (forrrrm)
GZA emphasizes that MCs aspire to put on a great show.
Some had, to snort cocaine (caiiinnne) to act insane (sannne)
GZA talks about the drug use that was commonplace among rappers.
With before Pete Rock-ed it on, now gone
The emergence of new rap artists since the time of Pete Rock, illustrates the dynamic nature of hip hop.
That the mental plane (plaaanne) to spark the brain (brainnn)
Hip hop has an intellectual component that can be stimulating.
With the building to be born
Hip hop is continuously evolving, building upon past successes to produce innovative forms of music.
Fake niggas get flipped
GZA stresses that authenticity in rap is important.
In mic fights I swing swords and cut clowns
GZA presents a metaphor to say that MC's compete through lyrical battles.
Shit is too swift to bite you record and write it down
GZA believes that rap is an entirely improvisational art form; it is not something that can be easily transcribed.
I flow like the blood on a murder scene, like a syringe
GZA's flow is compared to a murder scene, underscoring the violence inherent in much early hip hop.
On some loud howl shit, to insert a fiend
GZA references drug use and infers that some rappers rap about drugs to attract addicts.
But it was yo ock, the shop stolen art
GZA is calling out those who steal other rappers' styles and pass them off as their own.
Catch a swollen heart from not rollin smart
GZA warns listeners that if they do not respect rap's origins, they will incur the wrath of those who do.
I put mad pressure, on phony wack rhymes they get hurt
GZA asserts that if rappers do not come with meaningful lyrics, they will get called out for their lack of talent.
Shit's played, like zodiac signs on sweatshirt
GZA uses a simile to illustrate how pointless some rappers' lyrics can be.
That's minimum, and feminine like sandals
GZA critiques rappers with soft, unassertive flow patterns.
My minimum table stacks a verse on a gamble
GZA sees his talent as a gamble that could pay off or not.
Energy is felt once the cards are dealt
GZA believes his talent is self-explanatory and speaks for itself.
With the impact of roundhouse kicks from black belts
GZA compares his flow to martial arts strikes to suggest that he hits hard.
That attack, the mic-fones like cyclones or typhoon
GZA sees himself delivering lyrical assaults on the mic.
I represent from midnight to high noon
GZA takes pride in his ability to spit rhymes at any time of the day.
I don't waste ink, nigga I think
GZA values his penmanship and situates himself as a thoughtful lyricist.
I drop megaton BOMBS more faster than you blink
GZA emphasizes that his lyrics come fast and furious, packing a heavy punch.
'Cause rhyme thoughts travel at a tremendous speed
GZA asserts that good rappers think quickly.
Through clouds of smoke, of natural blends of weed
GZA references drug use and implies that he raps better when he's under the influence.
Only under one circumstance is if I'm blunted
GZA admits that he only raps better when he's blazed.
Turn that shit up, my clan in da front want it
GZA's fans are eager to hear more, and he encourages the listener to turn up the volume.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, GARY E. GRICE, JOSEF ZAWINUL, FELIX CAVALIERE, EDWARD J. BRIGATI JR.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KillaSin515
Wu Tang Clan was untouchable from 93-2000
1993. Enter the 36 Chambers
1994. Method Man - Tical
1995. O.D.B. - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
1995. Reakwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
1995. GZA - Liquid Swords
1996. Ghostface Killah - Ironman
1997. Wu-Tang Forever
1998. Cappadonna - The Pillage
1998. Method Man - Judgement Day
1998. RZA - Bobby Digital in Stereo
1999. GZA - Beneath the Surface
1999. O.D.B. - Nigga Please
1999. Method Man/Redman - Blackout!
1999. Inspectah Deck - Uncontrolled Substance
1999. U-God - Golden Arms Redemption
1999. Raekwon - Immobilarity
2000. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele
2000. The W
@Korrupto777
2024 and still here...👐
@user-oz7sw1sz3g
love it
@UmmJannah5
Checkin in!!🤌🏾
@nacimrh9237
wu tang forever.
@juliorodriguez2655
Present
@xBonafidexProdigy
Yessirrrr
@KatiafromNice
Omg omg !! Best best song from the Genius !! LIQUID SWORDS ❤ALL THE WAY !! All DAY
@dlxinfinite7098
GZA's pen is always raw, brutal but profound. Makes you go within while bobbin ya head.
@Kevinguth
25 years ago today this album was released, instant classic, better yet, forever classic!! Wu-tang forever!!!
@markcromwell1975
My favorite album👍