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
Re-Up
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo tell em, 12, huh? (Yo hold the fuck up)
Yo Shyheim
Yo tell me it's on (I'ma punch niggas in the face)
Hold that, hold that down son (I got this, I got this)
Word up, we got this (fuck that nigga, man)
Shit is real, all you rats on both coasts
Brooklyn, Shaolin
(Read the rims)
Eighty seven, drug, never change their game
We reign terror, projects slang to ring up in the Beakle's leather
Plaque for the cheddar, shots out the face of the Beretta
Through the corner store that lady and kid, they caught it raw
Smokin' leaf poor, make me wanna crack that nigga's jaw
Eatin' with the poor, tryin' to live life for what it's for
Twelve years later, caught me on tour Two on da road
Two on the track, two with the plaques, two with the gats
Iced out cats, better think twice before you rap
Up in your bitch back, only a snitch get that
Fuck the chit-chat, click-click-clack, through your Adam's app'
Brook-nam grace and charm, remain calm
In these big streets we struggle just to make ends meet
Pigs with heat, livin' out the Devil's deceit
See I'm a rebel plus my level's complete
Bitches say I'm sort of unique
You can catch me as a Playboy sheets
Solid steel meet, I keep it real with the 'nique
Fuck a fair fight, come out my corner with a knife
Y'all big elephant niggas beware of us little mice
You know that we like that cheddar, to make our life better
Every color, low sweater, drop-top Benz
with the AMG letters, floatin' like feathers
Does it get any better? (Uh-uh, uh-uh) Never, no
'Cause I write the rhymes, the rhymes I write be bumpin'
Rhyme architects that be brutal on production
My brick house, you can't blow me down
My thug drug music, smoked out ya town
Radio Shyheim, you can't choke me out
Cuz where the fuck I'm from, we moke popo out
[Chorus]
Shit is crazy real in the field
Watch nigga blood get spilled over five dollar bills, nigga
And major drug deals on the real
Watch a nigga get mils, and his bitch get him killed
Yo, P let's get this dough quick, shit on the wrist
Platinum bracelets, see his Range's the whip
Summer time, comin' quick you got eighty-five percent
Nigga talk that slick and get his brain blown to bits
Throw you in pits and nigga lock like pits
Got my whole fuckin' click, nigga, handlin' fifths
They blastin' and shit, I'm after that kid
Who rock that glass Benz, nigga throw it in his wig
Kidnap his kid, throw his brain in the fridge
Slappy and pig, nigga, place where I live
A nigga lookin' jig and I run up in ya crib
Who the fuck murdered big? Whoever did, do a bid
And let his daughter drop a fridge on his
Move like the wind to Brooklyn Bridge, straight to my crib
[Chorus: x3]
Close the mothafuckin' door, what?
Got my nigga R'son on this track
12 O'Clock on this track
Prodigal Sunn on this track
Got my nigga Shyheim the ManChild
Definitely Brooklyn Zu
Rewind that shit, nigga!
The lyrics of the Wu-Tang Clan's Re-Up song are about the harsh reality of living in the projects and the struggle to make a living. The song opens with an assertion that the block is hot, and the rats on both coasts are getting bolder. The lyrics speak of drugs, violence, and the constant chase for money. The lyrics depict the life of a street hustler, someone who is just trying to make ends meet. The rhymes remind us that life in the projects is harder and that we cannot judge people for their choices without understanding the circumstances that led them there.
The song's lyrics also speak to the resilience of the project dwellers. The Wu-Tang Clan is not just rapping about the negative aspects of living in poverty. They celebrate the sense of community that comes with living in the projects. They speak of the loyalty that people have for each other and the need to protect one another. The rhymes remind us that even in the face of adversity, people will band together to make it through.
In conclusion, the Wu-Tang Clan's Re-Up lyrics are a powerful commentary on life in the projects. The lyrics speak of drugs, violence, and the constant chase for money, but they also speak to the resilience and loyalty of the project dwellers. Through their rhymes, they remind us to look beyond our first impressions and judge people based on their circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo son I know what time it is
I am aware of the situation we are in
Yo tell em, 12, huh? (Yo hold the fuck up)
Acknowledging the presence of police nearby
Yo Shyheim
Calling out to Shyheim
Yo tell me it's on (I'ma punch niggas in the face)
Confirming the presence of a fight
Hold that, hold that down son (I got this, I got this)
Asking someone to remain calm in the situation, confirming they have it under control
Word up, we got this (fuck that nigga, man)
Confirming that they will handle the situation, expressing anger towards someone
Shit is real, all you rats on both coasts
Confirming the seriousness of the situation, calling out those who are cowardly
Brooklyn, Shaolin
Referring to two areas of New York City
The block is hot, straight up (Pussy nigga)
Confirming that the area is dangerous, insulting someone
(Read the rims)
Unknown
Eighty seven, drug, never change their game
Referring to drug dealers who have been selling drugs since 1987 and have not changed their methods
We reign terror, projects slang to ring up in the Beakle's leather
Referring to gang violence and drug dealing in the projects
Plaque for the cheddar, shots out the face of the Beretta
Getting money by any means necessary, including violence
Through the corner store that lady and kid, they caught it raw
Describing a violent incident that occurred at a corner store involving a woman and child
Smokin' leaf poor, make me wanna crack that nigga's jaw
Referring to smoking marijuana and wanting to fight someone
Eatin' with the poor, tryin' to live life for what it's for
Living life with people who are struggling financially
Twelve years later, caught me on tour Two on da road
Referring to being on tour for twelve years and being on the road
Two on the track, two with the plaques, two with the gats
Referring to their team and their success
Iced out cats, better think twice before you rap
Referring to their success and warning others to step up their game
Up in your bitch back, only a snitch get that
Referring to sexual activity and the consequences of snitching
Fuck the chit-chat, click-click-clack, through your Adam's app'
Referring to gun violence
Brook-nam grace and charm, remain calm
Referring to Brooklyn and remaining level-headed in difficult situations
In these big streets we struggle just to make ends meet
Describing the struggles of living in an impoverished area
Pigs with heat, livin' out the Devil's deceit
Referring to the police and corruption
See I'm a rebel plus my level's complete
Claiming to be rebellious and accomplished
Bitches say I'm sort of unique
Referring to the uniqueness of their personality
You can catch me as a Playboy sheets
Referring to being featured in Playboy magazine
Solid steel meet, I keep it real with the 'nique
Referring to their strength and honesty
Fuck a fair fight, come out my corner with a knife
Preferring a violent attack over a fair fight
Y'all big elephant niggas beware of us little mice
Warning their enemies to not underestimate them
You know that we like that cheddar, to make our life better
Referring to their desire for money and success
Every color, low sweater, drop-top Benz with the AMG letters, floatin' like feathers
Describing their flashy cars and luxurious lifestyle
Does it get any better? (Uh-uh, uh-uh) Never, no
Acknowledging that their life is the best it could be
'Cause I write the rhymes, the rhymes I write be bumpin'
Referring to their skills as a rapper
Rhyme architects that be brutal on production
Referring to their skills as a producer
My brick house, you can't blow me down
Referring to their resilience and strength
My thug drug music, smoked out ya town
Referring to their music and the impact it has on their audience
Radio Shyheim, you can't choke me out
Referring to their ability to remain popular and relevant
Cuz where the fuck I'm from, we moke popo out
Describing their hatred for the police and their willingness to attack them
Shit is crazy real in the field
Describing the dangerous environment they live in
Watch nigga blood get spilled over five dollar bills, nigga
Describing the violence that occurs over small amounts of money
And major drug deals on the real
Describing the importance of drug dealing in their environment
Watch a nigga get mils, and his bitch get him killed
Referring to the dangers of being involved in drug dealing and violence
Yo, P let's get this dough quick, shit on the wrist
Asking someone to make money quickly, bragging about their possessions
Platinum bracelets, see his Range's the whip
Describing their luxurious possessions
Summer time, comin' quick you got eighty-five percent
Referring to the time of year and the percentage of profits that they will receive
Nigga talk that slick and get his brain blown to bits
Threatening those who disrespect them
Throw you in pits and nigga lock like pits
Describing their power and dominance over their enemies
Got my whole fuckin' click, nigga, handlin' fifths
Referring to their crew and their weapons
They blastin' and shit, I'm after that kid
Describing a violent attack of a rival gang
Who rock that glass Benz, nigga throw it in his wig
Describing an attack on someone driving a certain type of car
Kidnap his kid, throw his brain in the fridge
Describing an even more violent act that they are capable of
Slappy and pig, nigga, place where I live
Referring to their environment and their hatred for police officers
A nigga lookin' jig and I run up in ya crib
Describing a violent break-in
Who the fuck murdered big? Whoever did, do a bid
Asking who was responsible for the murder of a famous rapper and suggesting they go to jail
And let his daughter drop a fridge on his
Describing a violent and ironic death for the killer of the rapper
Move like the wind to Brooklyn Bridge, straight to my crib
Referring to their ability to escape quickly and return to safety
Close the mothafuckin' door, what?
Asking someone to close the door
Got my nigga R'son on this track
Acknowledging someone's involvement in a musical project
12 O'Clock on this track
Acknowledging someone's involvement in a musical project
Prodigal Sunn on this track
Acknowledging someone's involvement in a musical project
Got my nigga Shyheim the ManChild
Acknowledging someone's involvement in a musical project
Definitely Brooklyn Zu
Acknowledging a group or crew of people from Brooklyn
Rewind that shit, nigga!
Asking someone to play a part of the music again
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steve Spaulding
Ok whoever disliked this needs a wake up call to rap! Wu will always be one of the best rap groups ever๐
Greg Crovella
no Dislikes let's keep it that way
Simon Forrest
R. I. P 12 o'clock ๐๐ฟ๐๐ฟ
Chiefen Walker
Sick
James Dailey
๐๐ค๐ค๐โค๏ธ๐งก๐
galoreneRT ๐
Instrumental????
ะะปะตะบัะฐะฝะดั ะะผะผะพัะพะฒ
Iaik๐ค
Greg Crovella
first