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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Ruckus In B Minor
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm going to tell you one time, you gon' love this
I had to get the money, said it wasn't a choice
Die Hard's on the bars, 80's love in the voice
Morphine flow, numbing your joints
Bomb a nigga like he number 81 from Detroit
Zombie life, World War Z
Antidote to your virus, your highness, the world on me
Capital G, cool as the dude from Dos Equis
So deadly, I don't make it rain, I snow heavy
Sick lane, Nic Cage how I ride with fire
Forever with bars, sort of like a lifer
With the Son of Anarchy, I be Breaking Bad
Walkin' Dead, day dreamin' of making a band
Dancin' With the Stars, American Idol
Meets the Mentalist with the Big Bang Theory
Still number one, still number one, still number one, one, one
Still number one, still number one, still number one, one, one
The most duplicated, anticipated, validated
Urban legends in the books with the ones who made it
Highly celebrated, everything was work related
Current top 40 got the Wu deep in all their business
20 years Killa Bees, yeah, we hold the pennant
Monumental stance on the cover with my co-defendants
Drop her sentence, in remembrance
Construct these jewels so they can live through my descendants
Youngin', I can see your draws, pull your pants up
Can't even call yourself a man until you man up
And if you call yourself a fan you need to stand up
This ain't a party, it's a jux, keep your hands up
And I don't care run in the city when the summer come
Yes, I'm a don, Wu forever, and we're still number one
Still number one, still number one, still number one, one, one
Picture a nigga on the strip gettin' rich off the drug shit
Puttin' other niggas on, teachin' 'em thug shit
Then they want stick 'em up, then they want slugs quick
Hood type niggas always living that crime life
Jealous ass grimy-ass niggas seein' the limelight
Slimy old nigga like fucking your man's wife
Full of shit, he use the word brother, he man dyke
Yo, I spin my web all across New York
Get it out out in all types of ice that you sport
One chain, two chain, three chain, four
Niggas mouth's drop like the leaves in the fall
Tone got that WBC
I take off heavy in air ballons and land in the Fiji's
That's my bird and that's my word
You faggots keep fuckin' around get curbed
Forms circles like the rings of Saturn
Dust rocks and ice in a particular pattern
Then this fascinating picture has emerged from surface
A wonder of the young world with an urgent purpose
A wild fire engulfing every home
It's history, chiseled and carved in every stone
A workshop where skills are learned
Handcrafted and drafted, written works our main concern
Urban center provided with a social structure
And a curious culture full of superconductors
Each stain is part of a scene with
Intricate geometric raps on a larger screen
Spell bounding, marvelous and it's surrounding
Viewpoints remain the same, it's all astounding
A place where the forgotten art is so powerful
A striking image is something that's so valuable
GZA, this is called Ruckus In B Minor
Rae, all those bad times is behind us
Ghost, put that mask on to remind us
Method Man let 'em know who's New York's finest
Youngin', I can see your draws, pull your pants up
Can't even call yourself a man until you man up
And if you call yourself a fan you need to stand up
This ain't a party, it's a jux, keep your hands up
And I don't care run in the city when the summer come
Yes, I'm a don, Wu forever, and we're still number one
Still number one, still number one, still number one, one, one
My lines is like Peruvian coke, go ahead and try one
My recipe is A1 remarkable with my mixture
Rainman mathematician, this city slicker
Finest threads cover my frame, the cloths of royalty
Strive with an army of winners and no pretenders
We live free and achieve more
But first we gotta win with no stale mate
The all eye seeing is victorious biz to the sound man
All my trucks, tanks are bulletproof, been the truth
Loot the track, clear the booth, my thought ready, aim, shoot
My knowledge one twenty poof, let's tear the roof off
Let's spray, NMSTA
King I love, love club, pack stadium rock
I hold the mic snug, split a slug
Black ninja, mask and gloves
Still number one, still number one
The lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan's song Ruckus In B Minor are full of references to popular culture, and the central theme is asserting their status as the best. The song's opening lines are delivered by Ol' Dirty Bastard, who declares he is once again coming through the area and that listeners will love what he's about to say. The rest of the song is then a series of verses from different members of the Wu-Tang Clan, bragging about their skills and achievements. The lyrics touch on topics such as drug dealing and street violence, but also reference TV shows like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead, and Dancin' With the Stars, as well as movies like Die Hard.
Throughout the song, the Wu-Tang Clan members assert that they are still number one, and the last line of the song repeats this phrase three times. The lyrics stress the importance of hard work and self-discipline, as well as being aware of one's surroundings and enemies. The song shows the Wu-Tang Clan's continued relevance and importance in the rap music scene, as they remain one of the most popular and respected groups in the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the ODB kid, once again coming through your area
I am the ODB kid, making another appearance in your neighborhood
And I'm going to tell you one time, you gon' love this
And I'm going to say it once, you're going to adore this
I had to get the money, said it wasn't a choice
I needed to acquire money, it was my only option
Die Hard's on the bars, 80's love in the voice
My rap style is intense, with influences from the 80s
Morphine flow, numbing your joints
My rap flow is addictive and provides relief from pain
Bomb a nigga like he number 81 from Detroit
I attack and defeat my enemies with explosive force
Zombie life, World War Z
I live a life of chaos, comparable to a zombie apocalypse
Antidote to your virus, your highness, the world on me
I am the solution to your problems, carrying the weight of the world
Capital G, cool as the dude from Dos Equis
I am a powerful figure, as cool as the iconic Dos Equis man
So deadly, I don't make it rain, I snow heavy
I am extremely dangerous, making it snow heavily instead of making it rain
Sick lane, Nic Cage how I ride with fire
I ride with intense energy, similar to how Nic Cage acts in movies
Forever with bars, sort of like a lifer
I will always have impressive rap verses, like someone serving a life sentence
With the Son of Anarchy, I be Breaking Bad
I associate with rebellious individuals like the Sons of Anarchy and engage in criminal activities like Breaking Bad
Walkin' Dead, day dreamin' of making a band
I have thoughts of joining a band while also being consumed by darkness, much like in The Walking Dead
Dancin' With the Stars, American Idol
I participate in popular TV shows like Dancing With the Stars and American Idol
Meets the Mentalist with the Big Bang Theory
I possess qualities of both the Mentalist and the Big Bang Theory characters
Still number one, still number one, still number one, one, one
I am still the best, still the best, still the best
The most duplicated, anticipated, validated
I am the most imitated, eagerly awaited, and proven
Urban legends in the books with the ones who made it
I am a legendary figure in urban culture, recognized alongside those who have achieved success
Highly celebrated, everything was work related
I am widely praised, and everything I do is a result of hard work
Current top 40 got the Wu deep in all their business
The current popular music scene is heavily influenced by Wu-Tang Clan members
20 years Killa Bees, yeah, we hold the pennant
For 20 years, the Killa Bees (Wu-Tang Clan) have dominated and achieved great success
Monumental stance on the cover with my co-defendants
We make a powerful statement on the magazine cover alongside my fellow artists
Drop her sentence, in remembrance
I deliver my lyrics with conviction, to be remembered
Construct these jewels so they can live through my descendants
I create these valuable musical pieces to be passed down through future generations of my family
Youngin', I can see your draws, pull your pants up
Youngster, I can see your underwear, pull your pants up
Can't even call yourself a man until you man up
You can't truly consider yourself a man until you take responsibility and mature
And if you call yourself a fan you need to stand up
If you claim to be a fan, show your support by standing up
This ain't a party, it's a jux, keep your hands up
This is not a joyful gathering, it's a robbery, so keep your hands raised
And I don't care run in the city when the summer come
I don't care if there's trouble in the city when summer arrives
Yes, I'm a don, Wu forever, and we're still number one
Yes, I am a leader, representing Wu-Tang Clan, and we will always be the best
Picture a nigga on the strip gettin' rich off the drug shit
Imagine someone in the neighborhood gaining wealth from the drug trade
Puttin' other niggas on, teachin' 'em thug shit
Helping others get involved, teaching them criminal activities
Then they want stick 'em up, then they want slugs quick
But then those same people turn against you, attempting to rob or hurt you
Hood type niggas always living that crime life
Individuals from the neighborhood are accustomed to a life of crime
Jealous ass grimy-ass niggas seein' the limelight
Envious and deceitful individuals witnessing the fame and success
Slimy old nigga like fucking your man's wife
Dishonest person behaving inappropriately with someone else's partner
Full of shit, he use the word brother, he man dyke
This person is deceptive, using words like 'brother' as a disguise, but in reality, he is shady
Yo, I spin my web all across New York
I exert my influence and control throughout New York
Get it out out in all types of ice that you sport
I showcase my success through the various extravagant jewelry that you wear
One chain, two chain, three chain, four
I possess multiple chains, emphasizing my abundance of wealth
Niggas mouth's drop like the leaves in the fall
People are amazed by my success, causing their jaws to drop like falling leaves
Tone got that WBC
My sound and style have the characteristics of the World Boxing Council
I take off heavy in air ballons and land in the Fiji's
I rise to great heights in hot air balloons and then arrive in luxurious locations like Fiji
That's my bird and that's my word
That woman is mine, and I can be trusted
You faggots keep fuckin' around get curbed
If you continue to behave foolishly, you will experience severe consequences
Forms circles like the rings of Saturn
I create social groups and connections like the rings of Saturn
Dust rocks and ice in a particular pattern
Various substances floating in space arranged in a specific manner
Then this fascinating picture has emerged from surface
As a result, an intriguing image has appeared
A wonder of the young world with an urgent purpose
A marvelous phenomenon with a significant mission in the new generation
A wild fire engulfing every home
A wildfire rapidly spreading and affecting every household
It's history, chiseled and carved in every stone
It's a part of our past, engraved and immortalized in every stone
A workshop where skills are learned
A place where people develop and acquire new abilities
Handcrafted and drafted, written works our main concern
We create and refine written works, it's our primary focus
Urban center provided with a social structure
The city has a well-defined social framework
And a curious culture full of superconductors
And a culture that exhibits high conductivity and curiosity
Each stain is part of a scene with
Every individual contributes to a particular environment composed of
Intricate geometric raps on a larger screen
Complex and structured rap lyrics performed on a grand scale
Spell bounding, marvelous and it's surrounding
Captivating and spectacular, influencing the surrounding area
Viewpoints remain the same, it's all astounding
Our perspectives stay consistent, and it's all incredible
A place where the forgotten art is so powerful
A location where the lost art form holds significant strength
A striking image is something that's so valuable
A powerful and captivating image holds great worth
GZA, this is called Ruckus In B Minor
This song is called Ruckus In B Minor, performed by GZA
Rae, all those bad times is behind us
Rae, all the negative experiences are in the past now
Ghost, put that mask on to remind us
Ghost, wear that mask to serve as a reminder
Method Man let 'em know who's New York's finest
Method Man, make it clear that you're the best in New York
Still number one, still number one, still number one, one, one
I am still the best, still the best, still the best
My lines is like Peruvian coke, go ahead and try one
My rap lyrics are potent and addictive, go ahead and experience it
My recipe is A1 remarkable with my mixture
My formula for success is exceptional with my unique blend
Rainman mathematician, this city slicker
I possess exceptional mathematical skills, I'm a shrewd individual in the city
Finest threads cover my frame, the cloths of royalty
I wear the most luxurious attire, fit for royalty
Strive with an army of winners and no pretenders
I surround myself with successful individuals who are genuine
We live free and achieve more
We live our lives without restrictions and accomplish greater things
But first we gotta win with no stale mate
But first, we must attain victory without reaching a draw
The all eye seeing is victorious biz to the sound man
The watchful eyes of the public result in triumphant business for the sound man
All my trucks, tanks are bulletproof, been the truth
All of my vehicles and machinery are resistant to bullets, it's always been the case
Loot the track, clear the booth, my thought ready, aim, shoot
I dominate the track, excel in the recording booth, my mind is prepared, ready to deliver
My knowledge one twenty poof, let's tear the roof off
My knowledge is extensive, let's cause a commotion and excitement
Let's spray, NMSTA
Let's spray words with potency, taking control, Notorious Mental Sharpness The Alliance
King I love, love club, pack stadium rock
As a beloved king, I entertain and am welcomed by the crowd, packing stadiums with our rock music
I hold the mic snug, split a slug
I hold the microphone firmly, ready to unleash powerful messages
Black ninja, mask and gloves
I am a stealthy and skilled individual, wearing a mask and gloves
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB PERRY, BORAHM LEE, GINTAS JANUSONIS, JOSH WERNER, ROBERT F. DIGGS, WESLEY MINGUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind