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
Older Gods
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Evil acapell's fly spittin' out of my grill
Before I hit the sky with springtime colors
Juicy as a Sunkist, certain broads double dutch this
They carve it in they wrist, pales berry blazes
Straighten the crumbs left on the stove, clothes in my lady hair
Plus yours the look gold God, the old tainted bald technique
Got these vestibules designer niggas in they whips
We like Dorothy Hamill on ice
We in your hood we might circle, hats down low in the Range
Switch lanes, change my tire, peel out
Real loud on the stage yo, I shitted on your hood kid
I shitted on your hood, got to your burner too late
I'm lookin' real good, draped out
Shinin' like a fresh fifty cent piece, your girlfriend, come here
Oh shit, you my man's niece, the gourmet pocket twenty
Bombs made of clay, Sexcapades take place
We fucked in forty-eight shades might walk up in your studio
Time slap your engineer, it's lighter fluid to that style
Hand me the matches now
Ayo rainbow Roley on the wrist, now what's this
Niggas bless this, eight and a half, Bally banana twist
E shakes, puffin on lye, feedin' the seed's plate
Pullin' out, old dirty eights to rob gates
Major wake up, the kid telltales, make a nigga head wake up
Beats break, the nigga would take off his time
Honolulu status, gladdest
The rich rock cabbage and dollar vans grands
That nigga mad savage, stationary Hall of Justice
Niggas came clumped out
Just came home, now they bunked out
Money be longer than triple life
Til the sun burn out, that's my word
Move it with the burner out
Fidel way of thinkin', roll with the Mac bent Ac-10
Most of my team, Five Percent check what the live said
Rollin with Guess vests pedestrians yo
Holdin' my nuts, fuckin' thousand dollar lesbians
Yo, the Older God put me on and had to rock this
Maintain Three-Sixty Lord live prosperous
It only takes a lesson a day, just to analyze life
One time in the respectable mind
Yo, the Older God put me on and had to rock this
Maintain Three-Sixty Lord live prosperous
It only takes a lesson a day, just to analyze life
One time in the respectable mind
Let the shot spark, soon as his pit bull barks
Tire scars from skid marks leaves from jams in school parks
Witness, forget his, original statement
Even in protection programs there's no escapement
Gunned down, we in town, hit king from seven crowns
Spent rounds catch him while he rhyme in the Zebra Lounge
Wounded, back in the eighty-three summer heat
Up in three-oh-nine park, rhymin' off the drummer's beat
I stalk the city streets demonstratin' mic wrecks
All lookin' stank, I ain't playin wit a full deck
And as they nervously stare, I know they scared
They saw the coming of Wu, the neon in Times Square
Household name, assassin, killa bee
Mill to the grain, that possess the Wu, trilogy
Quick to spot those that bite camouflage and blend
Those that got styles, they got identical twins
Don't stretch the small thing, copycats are finnicky
Without skills, they master the art of mimicry
But I go line for line on the whole page
Your unspotted life on the mic is old age
The lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan's Older Gods is a complex and layered rap song that is full of metaphor, symbolism, and poetic language. It is a song about the power and influence of the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as their struggles and triumphs as artists. The song begins with a description of the rapper's confidence and swagger as he rolls "like a bat out of hell" and spits rhymes that are "juicy as a Sunkist." The lyrics then shift to a description of the Wu-Tang Clan's influence on the rap game, as they are compared to gold gods and old tainting bald techniques. The song is also full of references to luxury goods, like Rolexes, Bally shoes, and thousand-dollar lesbians, which serve to emphasize the rapper's status and power.
Throughout the song, the lyrics also touch on themes of violence, sex, and betrayal, as the rapper describes his willingness to "shit on your hood" and "move it with the burner out." The song also references the Wu-Tang Clan's legacy and position as "older gods" in the rap game, as well as their dedication to mastering their craft and analyzing life. Ultimately, the lyrics of this song are powerful and evocative, and they paint a vivid picture of the Wu-Tang Clan's world and the challenges they face.
Line by Line Meaning
Ayo I roll like a bat out of hell
I move with great speed and intensity
Evil acapell's fly spittin' out of my grill
My rhymes are dark and menacing
Before I hit the sky with springtime colors
Before I become successful and famous
Juicy as a Sunkist, certain broads double dutch this
I am desirable to women
They carve it in they wrist, pales berry blazes
They cut themselves to show their devotion
Straighten the crumbs left on the stove, clothes in my lady hair
I take care of the little things for my woman
Plus yours the look gold God, the old tainted bald technique
Your style is outdated and not impressive
Got these vestibules designer niggas in they whips
I have made other rappers look inferior
Jumpin' out they seats, eighteen, Bronzeman Part II
I am like a hero from a movie
We like Dorothy Hamill on ice
We are skilled and graceful
We in your hood we might circle, hats down low in the Range
We are confident and daring
Switch lanes, change my tire, peel out
I can handle anything that comes my way
Real loud on the stage yo, I shitted on your hood kid
I owned the stage and impressed the audience
I shitted on your hood, got to your burner too late
I outperformed and surpassed my competition
I'm lookin' real good, draped out
I am stylish and fashionable
Shinin' like a fresh fifty cent piece, your girlfriend, come here
I am shining and attractive
Oh shit, you my man's niece, the gourmet pocket twenty
I recognize someone I know
Bombs made of clay, Sexcapades take place
I am involved in dangerous and exciting activities
We fucked in forty-eight shades might walk up in your studio
I am confident and bold
Time slap your engineer, it's lighter fluid to that style
I can destroy other rappers with my talent
Hand me the matches now
I am ready to take on the competition
Ayo rainbow Roley on the wrist, now what's this
I have an expensive and flashy watch
Niggas bless this, eight and a half, Bally banana twist
I have good taste in fashion
E shakes, puffin on lye, feedin' the seed's plate
I am doing drugs and taking care of my family
Pullin' out, old dirty eights to rob gates
I am involved in robbery
Major wake up, the kid telltales, make a nigga head wake up
I am waking people up to the truth
Beats break, the nigga would take off his time
I am taking my time with my music
Honolulu status, gladdest
I am happy and relaxed
The rich rock cabbage and dollar vans grands
The wealthy have expensive tastes
That nigga mad savage, stationary Hall of Justice
That person is violent and dangerous
Niggas came clumped out
My associates arrived together
Just came home, now they bunked out
Some of my associates are in jail
Money be longer than triple life
I am wealthy
Til the sun burn out, that's my word
I am successful for a long time
Move it with the burner out
I am ready to use my weapon
Fidel way of thinkin', roll with the Mac bent Ac-10
I have revolutionary ideas
Most of my team, Five Percent check what the live said
Most of my associates are followers of the Five Percent Nation
Rollin with Guess vests pedestrians yo
I have fashionable clothing
Holdin' my nuts, fuckin' thousand dollar lesbians
I am sexually active with rich partners
Yo, the Older God put me on and had to rock this
I learned from experienced and older rappers
Maintain Three-Sixty Lord live prosperous
I will maintain my wisdom and success
It only takes a lesson a day, just to analyze life
I learn something new every day
One time in the respectable mind
Once you understand respect, you will always be respectful
Let the shot spark, soon as his pit bull barks
I am ready for a fight
Tire scars from skid marks leaves from jams in school parks
I am involved in illegal activities
Witness, forget his, original statement
People will lie to save themselves
Even in protection programs there's no escapement
Even in witness protection, you are not fully safe
Gunned down, we in town, hit king from seven crowns
I am a killer and have many victims
Spent rounds catch him while he rhyme in the Zebra Lounge
My victims can be caught in surprising situations
Wounded, back in the eighty-three summer heat
I have been hurt in the past
Up in three-oh-nine park, rhymin' off the drummer's beat
I am a talented musician
I stalk the city streets demonstratin' mic wrecks
I am a skilled rapper
All lookin' stank, I ain't playin wit a full deck
Others view me unfavorably
And as they nervously stare, I know they scared
Others are afraid of me
They saw the coming of Wu, the neon in Times Square
They have heard of Wu-Tang Clan's success
Household name, assassin, killa bee
I am famous and deadly
Mill to the grain, that possess the Wu, trilogy
I am wealthy and have a successful discography
Quick to spot those that bite camouflage and blend
I am able to recognize plagiarism
Those that got styles, they got identical twins
Others try to copy my style
Don't stretch the small thing, copycats are finnicky
Copying me will not lead to success
Without skills, they master the art of mimicry
Others try to imitate my success without real talent
But I go line for line on the whole page
I am a talented lyricist
Your unspotted life on the mic is old age
Your music career has been unsuccessful
Yo, the Older God put me on and had to rock this
I learned from experienced and older rappers
Maintain Three-Sixty Lord live prosperous
I will maintain my wisdom and success
It only takes a lesson a day, just to analyze life
I learn something new every day
One time in the respectable mind
Once you understand respect, you will always be respectful
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: COREY WOODS, DENNIS DAVID COLES, GARY E. GRICE, SELWYN DAJUAN BOUGARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zoltaner7029
Yo, the Older God put me on and had to rock this
Maintain Three-Sixty Lord live prosperous
It only takes a lesson a day, just to analyze life
one time in the respectable mind
Yo, the Older God put me on and had to rock this
Maintain Three-Sixty Lord live prosperous
It only takes a lesson a day, just to analyze life
one time in the respectable mind
@thomasdr08
I tell all my youngins that til this day
"It only takes a lesson a day, just to analyze life one time in a respectable mind"
@mrjmorson
🥲
@NA-du5vm
Dope.
@mathieugotty4533
I dont get it, can you explain it for me ? I know it sound dump, but i can fully grasp the meaning of it
@idivineclark6882
@@mathieugotty4533 They're speaking of 120 degrees mentioned in Nation of Islam and Five Percent studies.
@mathieugotty4533
@@idivineclark6882 tks bud
@astheskylarksings
How many ya’ll grew up around older gods? We need more older gods in the youths’ life
@Shagmandotcom
I'm 37 and still stuck in the 90s
@benkaplan4429
yo decade younger (27) im stuck in this shit too
@OGtruble
Me too. I also miss Rawkus Records