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
Preservation
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, Weathermen, Hieroglyphics, what up? Ok
Riff raff, alley, when I boom slang
Drip draft
Venom with a new twang, same swagger
New thang whose gang
A stagger with similar dirty worms
Surface and observe
AR periscope, blast through the terror dome
Zoo wanna shark attack
Clash til the thrill is gone
Bark back, fresh off the pharmacy
Counter doubter pop
Blame it on the overly aggy
Farming of power crops
Dark wing when I pioneer deer
Croppin' the odds
With all the proper sprockets and cogs
I bounce with a seventh sin
Equipped with a foul jowl moment
Waiting for that great
Celebrity towel throwing
And you niggas know what time it is
It's preservation
The national guard, it's me and Aesop
Rock, stopping any operations
Against the fence del is quick to dispense
With foreign elements
Back, y'all the anchor attribute to the decay
Strives who plays, map your route
Cause Aesop is absolute
Del? He practice shoot, basket hoops
Capture fools with lasso loops
Hip hop needs two veterans such as us
Who ain't never scared
To tear it there, hard to tell
Vegetarian and aware of it
Therefore, Teren can take care of it, ok, ok
I bang on doors, pay rent
Lamp and divert complaints grip clicker
Make rap music during commercial breaks
Darwin Galapagos Island, evolution mutant
Through the one man species
Shaking leaches off his Puma's
Beach run ashore, on whores
And contaminated play
Sprout try'nna out the older
Alligator fade away make his day, please
I chisel the missile gently
Blast when the waggin' little
Finger condescends me
Green Earth bum, walk a rank plank
Feet first plunge
Like Del keep the rugged Bay under his thumb
Aes' hid the drum, keep paint under his lung
Ugly proof an old dog learns more
Than a runty puppy
You better have appreciation for this
D-E-L, I'm so hungry, man
I'm tastin' the shit
And the, dirty dingy basement abyss
And it's a bitch, just needle action
Like an itch
The only reason why I like to strike it rich
Is to be able to keep the flow
That's how deep it go
The lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan's "Preservation" are complex and packed with dense wordplay and references. The song features verses from Riff Raff, Del the Funky Homosapien, and Aesop Rock, each showcasing their lyrical prowess. The overall theme of the song seems to be about the preservation of hip-hop as an art form and the artists' dedication to their craft.
In the first verse, Riff Raff sets the tone with his distinct style, boasting about his unique swagger and lyrical skills. He compares himself to a venomous snake with a new twist, ready to attack any opponent. He also references observing the hip-hop landscape and using innovative tactics to stand out. He speaks of bouncing with the sin of pride, waiting for the moment when he can make a significant impact, symbolized by the "celebrity towel throwing."
In the second verse, Del the Funky Homosapien and Aesop Rock join forces, emphasizing the importance of preserving hip-hop. They portray themselves as the national guard, ready to protect and defend the art form. Del presents himself as a seasoned veteran with shooting hoops as a metaphor for defeating opponents. Aesop Rock highlights the need for two experienced artists like them to navigate the ever-changing landscape of hip-hop. They both show a strong commitment to their craft, not afraid to tear it up and keep it true.
Overall, "Preservation" is a testament to the dedication and passion of the artists involved, emphasizing the need to preserve and evolve hip-hop as an art form.
Line by Line Meaning
Riff raff, alley, when I boom slang
Intricate and clever wordplay, expressing my unique style
Drip draft
Delivering venomous lyrics with a fresh twist
Venom with a new twang, same swagger
Maintaining my confident demeanor while evolving my sound
New thang whose gang
Introducing a fresh approach, surrounded by my crew
A stagger with similar dirty worms
Moving together, united in our gritty and uncompromising style
Who occasionally cluster up the surface and observe
Coming together to analyze and understand the rap industry
AR periscope, blast through the terror dome
Using my lyrical skills to break down barriers and dominate
Zoo wanna shark attack
Hungry for success and ready to seize opportunities
Clash 'til the thrill is gone
Engaging in fierce competition until the excitement fades
Bark back, fresh off the pharmacy
Responding aggressively, fueled by substances
Counter doubter pop
Dispelling skepticism with my confident demeanor
Blame it on the overly aggy
Justifying my aggression as a result of external factors
Farming of power crops
Nurturing my influence and dominance in the rap game
Dark wing when I pioneer deer
Exploring uncharted territories and leading the way
Croppin' the odds with all the proper sprockets and cogs
Overcoming obstacles with the right tools and strategies
I bounce with a seventh sin
Embracing my rebellious nature and vices
Equipped with a foul jowl moment
Prepared to unleash offensive and controversial lyrics
Waiting for that great celebrity towel throwing
Anticipating recognition and accolades from the industry
It's preservation, the national guard
Protecting the essence of hip-hop, like a militant force
It's me and Aesop Rock, stopping any operations
Teaming up with Aesop Rock to halt any threats to the culture
Against the fence del is quick to dispense
Swiftly delivering my lyrical blows, leaving opponents defenseless
With foreign elements
Eliminating artists who don't embody the true spirit of hip-hop
Back, y'all the anchor attribute to the decay
Those who contribute to the decline of the genre are a burden
Strives who plays, map your route
Artists who claim to be contenders should plan their path wisely
Cause Aesop is absolute
Aesop Rock is an unquestionable force in the game
Del? He practice shoot, basket hoops
I hone my skills and improve my artistic abilities
Capture fools with lasso loops
Masterfully ensnaring and exposing pretentious artists
Hip hop needs two veterans such as us
The genre requires experienced artists like us to thrive
Who ain't never scared to tear it there
We have no fear of pushing boundaries and making an impact
Hard to tell vegetarian and aware of it
Maintaining a conscious and ethical lifestyle amidst the industry
Therefore, Teren can take care of it, ok, ok
Knowing Aesop Rock will handle any challenges that arise
I bang on doors, pay rent
Demanding recognition and success through my hard work
Lamp and divert complaints grip clicker
Ignoring criticism and focusing on my craft
Make rap music during commercial breaks
Constantly creating and innovating, even in downtime
Darwin Galapagos Island, evolution mutant
Transforming and evolving the rap game through my unique style
Through the one man species
As a solo artist, I make a significant impact on the genre
Shaking leeches off his Puma's
Getting rid of parasitic individuals who cling to success
Beach run ashore, on whores
Taking control of the industry, dominating and conquering
And contaminated play
Rejecting superficial and corrupt practices in the industry
Spout try'nna out the older alligator fade away
Younger artists attempting to dethrone established legends
Make his day, please
Delighting in the downfall of those who challenge us
I chisel the missile gently
Crafting my lyrical attacks with precision and finesse
Blast when the waggin' little finger condescends me
Responding fiercely to those who underestimate my skills
Green Earth bum, walk a rank plank
Embracing an eco-conscious lifestyle, taking risks for my beliefs
Feet first plunge, like Del keep the rugged Bay under his thumb
Fearlessly diving into the rap game, maintaining control of the Bay Area
Aes' hid the drum, keep paint under his lung
Aesop Rock controls the rhythm and breathes life into his art
Ugly proof an old dog learns more than a runty puppy
Proving that experience and wisdom surpasses youthful energy
You better have appreciation for this
The listener must recognize and value the artistic effort in this song
D-E-L, I'm so hungry, man
I, Del, have an insatiable hunger for success and recognition
I'm tastin' the shit
Savoring and enjoying the fruits of my labor
And the dirty, dingy basement abyss
Reflecting on the humble origins and struggles of my career
And it's a bitch, just needle action like an itch
Overcoming challenges and setbacks is always difficult
The only reason why I like to strike it rich
Desiring wealth and success as a means of artistic freedom
Is to be able to keep the flow, that's how deep it go
Elevating my artistry and maintaining my creative expression
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHARRELL L WILLIAMS, CHAD HUGO, PHARRELL WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sergiomaldonado7283
The World Needs More Aesop and Del Collabs!!
@Target_Buster
Aesop and Del? How about Del and Wu? Guess it's too late for that though.
@GamingDistortion
would also pay $100 an album
@polarbearswag7342
Yes they do!!!!
@JP-bb2cd
The world is still waiting goddammit.
@DankSi
Too much for the masses
@redhotchilifan98
Can't think of a more underrated artist then aesop
@denniselbom2306
Not true.. or..well.. us thats 30+ appreciate :D Just like we dig CunningLynquists, RA the Rugged Man, DZK, Greyskul, Dead Prez, Apathy ..
@JustMallowYt
Jarv
@ghostlyripper4403
The other artist on the song? 😂