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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Message
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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My thing is, we adults did not stand strong
And on our square to bring our young people through this process
I know, I was the young person that had to fend for himself in the streets of New York
I know what happened, with our young people
I say, "Look I ain't mad at you" know no matter what I hear
I know that you are moving through a process because they are attempting
To destroy the community so they're using you
They are buying you out
But we as adults, get to buy them back
I'm ready to compete with anybody for our young people's minds
And what we have to is change the paradigm of how we're interacting with them
Deal with them from a heartfelt place where they can understand
You see because whether you realize it or not, it's you they're shooting in the streets
You, young brothers, they're the ones that are being shot
So with this entertainment or with this music, maybe I don't like what I hear
Maybe that I don't like some of the words I hear
Maybe that I don't like the direction
But I think they're doing a pretty good job considering that
We, as men, the adult men, did not cover that when we should've covered that
And protected them when we should've protected them
And brought them up that so when we see an artist acting in a most inappropriate way
"Where is the father in this?"
"Where is that male mentor that can be there?"
We, as black men, must take on the responsibility
As the honorable Elijah Muhammad told Malcolm is that
A nation is only as strong as its weakest family
And we have got to create nations
We have to create relationships between the African man and the African woman
That create survival nation
The lyrics of Wu-Tang Clan's song "Message" reflect on the importance of adults taking responsibility for guiding and nurturing the younger generation, especially in urban communities where challenges and obstacles are abundant. The singer expresses a deep sense of respect for the youth and acknowledges that their struggles and experiences may mirror his own past as a young person trying to navigate the harsh realities of the streets. Despite the difficulties faced by the youth, the singer urges understanding and empathy, recognizing that external forces are at play in shaping their actions and decisions.
The lyrics emphasize the need for adults to step up and provide guidance and support for the younger generation, rather than leaving them to fend for themselves in a hostile environment. They highlight the impact of societal influences, such as exploitation and manipulation, on the youth, and implore adults to reclaim their responsibility in shaping the future of their communities. The singer calls for a shift in mindset and approach towards interacting with the youth, advocating for a more heartfelt and understanding way of engaging with them.
The lyrics also touch upon the role of music and entertainment in influencing the youth, acknowledging that while not all messages may be positive or desirable, there is value in recognizing the efforts and achievements of young artists in navigating challenging circumstances. The singer acknowledges the failure of adult men in providing proper guidance and protection for the youth, and stresses the need for male mentors and father figures to step in and support the younger generation. The lyrics highlight the importance of building strong family units and relationships within the African community to ensure survival and prosperity.
In essence, the lyrics of "Message" serve as a call to action for adults, particularly black men, to take on the responsibility of nurturing and empowering the youth in their communities. They underscore the importance of creating a supportive and nurturing environment for the younger generation and emphasize the interconnectedness of individuals within a community. The lyrics advocate for a shift towards a more compassionate and understanding approach to engaging with the youth, with the ultimate goal of building strong and resilient families and communities for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
I have nothing but respect for our young people and what they're doing
I admire the youth and their actions
My thing is, we adults did not stand strong
The older generation failed to support the younger generation
And on our square to bring our young people through this process
We did not guide the youth properly
I know, I was the young person that had to fend for himself in the streets of New York
I understand the struggles of being a young person navigating the challenges of New York City
I know what happened, with our young people
I am familiar with the issues facing the youth
I say, 'Look I ain't mad at you' know no matter what I hear
I want you to know I hold no ill will towards you, despite what I may hear
I know that you are moving through a process because they are attempting
I understand you are going through a difficult journey due to external influences
To destroy the community so they're using you
There are forces trying to disrupt the community by manipulating the youth
They are buying you out
External forces are trying to control you
But we as adults, get to buy them back
We, as elders, have the power to guide the youth back on the right path
I'm ready to compete with anybody for our young people's minds
I am prepared to fight for the hearts and minds of the youth
And what we have to is change the paradigm of how we're interacting with them
We must shift our approach in engaging with the younger generation
Deal with them from a heartfelt place where they can understand
Interact with them from a place of genuine care and understanding
You see because whether you realize it or not, it's you they're shooting in the streets
It's the youth who are being targeted and harmed in the streets
You, young brothers, they're the ones that are being shot
The young men are the ones facing violence and danger
So with this entertainment or with this music, maybe I don't like what I hear
I may not agree with all the content in the music
Maybe that I don't like some of the words I hear
Some of the language used may not be to my liking
Maybe that I don't like the direction
The overall message or direction of the music may not align with my values
But I think they're doing a pretty good job considering that
Despite my reservations, I believe they are doing their best
We, as men, the adult men, did not cover that when we should've covered that
The responsibility to mentor and guide the youth was neglected by older men
And protected them when we should've protected them
We failed to shield and safeguard the young ones when we should have
And brought them up that so when we see an artist acting in a most inappropriate way
We should have raised them right, so they could navigate fame and influence better
'Where is the father in this?'
Asking about the male guidance and leadership in these situations
'Where is that male mentor that can be there?'
Questioning the absence of positive male role models
We, as black men, must take on the responsibility
Black men have a duty to step up and guide the younger generation
As the honorable Elijah Muhammad told Malcolm is that
Referencing the teachings of Elijah Muhammad to Malcolm X
A nation is only as strong as its weakest family
The strength of a community depends on the well-being of its most vulnerable members
And we have got to create nations
We must build strong communities and societies for the future
We have to create relationships between the African man and the African woman
We need to nurture healthy connections between African men and women
That create survival nation
To build a resilient and thriving society
Lyrics ยฉ Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ronald Maurice Bean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind