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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Pain
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's go inside my astral plane
Find out my mental's based on instrumental
Records hey, so I can write monumental
Methods, I'm not the King
But niggas is decaf I stick em for the CREAM
Check it, just how deep can shit get
Deep as the abyss and brothers is mad fish accept it
Then got Totally Krossed Out and Kris Kross
Who da boss? Niggas get tossed to the side
And I'm the dark side of the Force
Of course it's the Method, Man from the Wu-Tang Clan
I be hectic, and comin' for the head piece protect it
Fuck it, two tears in a bucket, niggas want the ruckus
Bustin' at me bruh, now bust it
Styles, I gets buckwild
Method Man on some shit, pullin' niggas files
I'm sick, insane, crazy, Drivin' Miss Daisy
Out her fuckin' mind now I got mine I'm Swayze
[Chorus]
Is it real son, is it really real son
Let me know it's real son, if it's really real
Something I could feel son, load it up and kill one
Want it raw deal son, if it's really real
And when I was a lil stereo (stereo)
I listened to some champion (champion)
I always wondered (wondered)
Will now I be the numba one? (Tical! ha ha ha)
Now you listen to de gargon (Gargon!)
And de gargon summary
And any man dat come test me (test me)
Me gwanna lick out them brains (it's like that)
Brothers want to hang with the Meth bring the rope
The only way you hang is by the neck nigga poke
Off the set comin' to your projects
Take it as a threat, better yet it's a promise
Comin' from a vet on some old Vietnam shit
Nigga you can bet your bottom dollar hey I bomb shit
And it's gonna get even worse word to God
It's the Wu' comin' through sickin' niggas for they garments
Movin' on your left, southpaw em it's the Meth
Came to represent and carve my name in your chest
You can come test realize you're no contest
Son I'm the gun that won that old Wild West
Quick on the draw with my hands on the four
Nine three eleven with the rugged rhymes galore
Check it cause I think not when this hip-hops like proper
Rhymes be the proof while I'm drinkin 90 proof
Huh vodka, no OJ, no straw
When you give it to me aiy, give it to me raw
I've learned when you drink Absolut straight it burns
Enough to give my chest hairs a perm
I don't need a chemical blow to pull a hoe
All I need is Chemical Bank to pay da mo'
What, basically that, Meth-Tical, ninety-four style
Word up we be hazardous
Northern spicy brown mustard hoes
We have to stick you
[Chorus]
I'll fuckin', I'll fuckin' cut your kneecaps off
And make you kneel in some staircase piss
I'll fuckin', cut your eyelids off
And feed you nothin' but sleepin' pills
You motherfuckers
(So) So fuck the hoe
Fuck the hoe
(Look at this nigga, this motherfuckin')
Wu-Tang Clan's "Bring The Pain" is a song that features Method Man in a solo performance that showcases his lyrical ability. He announces his aggressive intent at the beginning of the song as he boasts, "Came to bring the pain hardcore from the brain." He then proceeds to take his listeners on a journey into his mind using the metaphor of an "astral plane". He raps about how his mental state is shaped by instrumental records and how this inspires him to write lyrics that are monumental. He also declares that he is not the king but he is still better than the "decaf" individuals that he encounters. He compares these individuals to fish in the abyss that are easily caught, while he is on the dark side of the force, coming for their headpiece.
Throughout the song, Method Man employs a range of techniques, such as alliteration, wordplay, and metaphor, to accentuate his flow and emphasize his point. He also uses a sample from a Jamaican DJ to add to the rhythm of the song. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "is it really real" as a way to ask whether what he is saying is meaningful and whether his intentions are genuine. He then goes on to threaten his adversaries, announcing that he will "lick out their brains" if they come to test him. At the end of the song, he uses explicit lyrics and violence-filled imagery to underscore this threat.
Line by Line Meaning
Came to bring the pain hardcore from the brain
I am here to deliver the most raw and authentic version of hip-hop music.
Let's go inside my astral plane
Let me take you on a journey into my mind, my thoughts and my beliefs.
Find out my mental's based on instrumental Records hey, so I can write monumental
My music is an expression of my mental and emotional state, and I want to create something that will stand the test of time.
Methods, I'm not the King
I am not claiming to be the best, but I am confident in my abilities as an artist.
But niggas is decaf I stick em for the CREAM
Other rappers are weak in comparison, and I will take advantage of that to accumulate wealth.
Check it, just how deep can shit get
Let's explore how far we can push the boundaries of hip-hop music.
Deep as the abyss and brothers is mad fish accept it
The level of depth in my music is beyond what most other rappers can achieve, and they are envious of it.
In your Cross Colour, clothes you've crossed over
You have assimilated into popular culture by wearing trendy clothing.
Then got Totally Krossed Out and Kris Kross
You followed other popular musical acts that were trendy at the time.
Who da boss? Niggas get tossed to the side
I am the top dog of the rap game and I will destroy any other rapper who challenges me.
And I'm the dark side of the Force
I am a powerful force in the rap game, and my music will have a lasting impact just like the Star Wars franchise.
Of course it's the Method, Man from the Wu-Tang Clan
It is obvious that my music represents the Wu-Tang Clan and has the authenticity and rawness associated with them.
I be hectic, and comin' for the head piece protect it
My rhymes are chaotic and unpredictable, and I will challenge any other rapper who tries to compete with me.
Fuck it, two tears in a bucket, niggas want the ruckus
I am ready to fight and defend myself at any time, no matter what the cost.
Bustin' at me bruh, now bust it
If you try to attack me or my crew, I will retaliate with force.
Styles, I gets buckwild
I have a unique and unpredictable style that sets me apart from other rappers.
Method Man on some shit, pullin' niggas files
I am always researching and studying other rappers to find their weaknesses and use them to my advantage.
I'm sick, insane, crazy, Drivin' Miss Daisy
My rhymes are insane and unpredictable, and they will take you on a wild ride, much like the movie 'Driving Miss Daisy.'
Out her fuckin' mind now I got mine I'm Swayze
My rhymes have driven you crazy, but I am still in control, just like Patrick Swayze in the movie 'Ghost.'
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the question of whether the events described in the song are real or not, and calls for something tangible to prove their authenticity.
Brothers want to hang with the Meth bring the rope
Other rappers are envious of my talent and want to hang out with me, but I know that they are just trying to steal my spotlight.
The only way you hang is by the neck nigga poke
I will not let anyone distract me from my goals, and I will cut ties with anyone who tries to sabotage me.
Off the set comin' to your projects
I am willing to take my music to any neighborhood or community, and I am not afraid of any challenge.
Take it as a threat, better yet it's a promise
I am not just issuing a warning, but a direct threat that I will follow through on.
Comin' from a vet on some old Vietnam shit
I have been in the rap game for a long time, and my experience gives me a significant advantage over other rappers.
Nigga you can bet your bottom dollar hey I bomb shit
I am confident in my abilities as an artist, and I know that I can produce powerful and impactful music.
And it's gonna get even worse word to God
My music is going to get more intense and unpredictable, and you should prepare yourself for it.
It's the Wu' comin' through sickin' niggas for they garments
The Wu-Tang Clan is a powerful force in the rap game, and we will take down any other rapper who challenges us and steal their fame.
Movin' on your left, southpaw em it's the Meth
I have a unique style and approach to rap music, and I am left-handed just like many athletes and fighters.
Came to represent and carve my name in your chest
I am here to represent for my crew and make a mark on the rap game that will never be forgotten.
You can come test realize you're no contest
If you try to compete with me, you will quickly realize that you are outmatched and have no chance of winning.
Son I'm the gun that won that old Wild West
I am a powerful and unstoppable force, much like the gunslingers who won the Wild West.
Quick on the draw with my hands on the four
I am capable of thinking and acting quickly, with my hands always ready to deliver rhymes.
Nine three eleven with the rugged rhymes galore
My rhymes are intense, powerful, and unpredictable, just like the events of 9/11.
Check it cause I think not when this hip-hops like proper
I don't overthink my rhymes or try to make them sound too polished or mainstream, I just let them flow naturally.
Rhymes be the proof while I'm drinkin 90 proof
My rhymes are the true measure of my skills as a rapper, and I am not afraid to enjoy a drink while creating them.
Huh vodka, no OJ, no straw
I am drinking vodka straight, with no mixer or straw, symbolizing my raw and unfiltered approach to music.
When you give it to me aiy, give it to me raw
I want to experience life and music in its natural and unfiltered form, without any artificial or processed elements.
I've learned when you drink Absolut straight it burns
My experiences have taught me that taking the unfiltered and unprocessed route can be painful and challenging, but I am up to the task.
Enough to give my chest hairs a perm
The intensity of my experiences and my music have left a permanent impact on my life, much like a chemical perm on a person's hair.
I don't need a chemical blow to pull a hoe
I don't need to use drugs or other artificial means to attract women or make good music.
All I need is Chemical Bank to pay da mo'
All I need is a steady and reliable source of income to support my craft and make a living as a successful rapper.
What, basically that, Meth-Tical, ninety-four style
I am representing my unique style of music and my crew, the Wu-Tang Clan, in the year 1994.
Word up we be hazardous
The Wu-Tang Clan is a dangerous and powerful force in the rap game, and we will not be stopped.
Northern spicy brown mustard hoes
The women who are attracted to me and my music are strong, independent, and flavorful, much like a spicy brown mustard.
We have to stick you
Our music will leave a lasting impact on you and will stick in your mind long after you've heard it.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats the question of whether the events described in the song are real or not, and calls for something tangible to prove their authenticity.
I'll fuckin', I'll fuckin' cut your kneecaps off
I am capable of extreme violence and will not hesitate to injure anyone who crosses me or my crew.
And make you kneel in some staircase piss
I will humiliate you and make you kneel in a dirty and disgusting place, symbolizing your inferiority.
I'll fuckin', cut your eyelids off
I am willing to inflict pain and torture on anyone who threatens my success or my crew's success.
And feed you nothin' but sleepin' pills
I will control your every move and decision, much like the effect of sleeping pills on the human body.
You motherfuckers
I am addressing anyone who doubts my authenticity, skills, or determination, and I will not tolerate any disrespect.
So fuck the hoe
I am rejecting anyone who is not loyal or supportive of me and my music, and I will not waste my time on them.
Fuck the hoe
I am reinforcing my rejection of anyone who disrespects me or my crew, regardless of their sex or gender.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: Carlton Ridenhour, Clifford Smith, Gary Rinaldo, Hank Shocklee, Robert Diggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewjones2133
I’m 52 years old. This song never gets old. Still relevant today. WU TANG FOREVER…
@theKeithThomas
Old a$$ ninja!, I’m 50 😔
@lindabroaddus4767
Right!
@LetsGetitBoah
It's not only relevant, but it's better than everything else coming out in rap today.
@goochmcduck4285
This is your brilliant generation. All around 50s now
@alassinsane1588
59 here 🖐 Wu will always be the CD I travel with 💿 🛸.
@ddedwards6005
He moves the same way he flows, smooth. I miss this era of hiphop.
@andreyahhh7518
So true!!
@BB_arbie
Agree.
@02nikota
Love it