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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Shame On A Nuh
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New radio version for ya called 'Shame On A Nuh'
So everybody, a jump on it
Shame on a nuh who try to run game on a nuh
Wu buck wild with the trigger
Shame on a nuh who try to run game on a nuh
Wu buck, uh, uh, uh
Hut one, hut two, hut three, hut
Ol' Dirty Bast, cut
Styles unbreakable, shatterproof
To the young youth, ya wanna get gun? Shoot
Blaow, how you like me now? Don't front the style
Ruthless wild
Do ya wanna getcha teeth knocked on out?
Brother, get on it like that, then shout
Yo, RZA, yo, razor, hit me with the Major
The damage, my clan, understand, it be flavor
Gunning, humming, coming atcha
First I'm gonna getcha, once I gotcha, I gatcha
You could never capture the Method Man's stature
For rhyme and for rapture, got niggaz resigning
Now master my style? Never
I put the buck in the wild kid, I'm terror
Razor sharp, I sever the head from the shoulders
I'm better than my compeda
You mean competitor, whadeva, let's get together
(Shame on a nuh who try to run game on a nuh)
(Wu come wild with the tri blaow)
I react so thick, I'm phat and yo
Rae came blowing and blew off ya headphones
Black, rap from yo, Cali to Texas
Smoother than a Lexus, now's my turn to wreck this
Brothers approach and half step but ain't heard
Half of it yet and I bet you're not a what? Vet?
So when you see me on the real, forming like Voltron
Remember I got deep like a Navy Seal
(Shame on a nuh who try to run game on a nuh)
(Wu buck wild with the trigger)
(Shame on a nuh who try to run game on a nuh)
(I'll said get out)
Yo, I come with that ol' loco
Style from my vocal
Couldn't peep it with a pair of bifocals
I'm no joker, play me as a joke
I be on you like a house on fire, smoke ya
Crews be acting like they gangs, anyway
Be like, "Warriors, come out and play?
Hurry, I getting it on, I let it out like diarrhea
Got burnt once but that was only gonorrhea
Dirty, I keeps the 'nuff stains my drawers
So I can get Fizzy funky for yuh
Murder, takes the fame of the Wu-Tang, rah
Here comes the Tiger verse Crane
Ow, be like wild with my style
Punk, you playing me, chump? You get dumped
Wu is coming through at a theater near you
And get funk like a shoe, what?
The Wu-Tang Clan's song "Shame On A Nuh" is a rap song about the Wu-Tang Clan's skill and power in the rap world. The lyrics are an implicit challenge to all other rappers who try to challenge the Wu-Tang Clan. The chorus line "Shame on a nuh who try to run game on a nuh, Wu buck wild with the trigger" is a warning to those who would try to disrespect them. The song showcases the talent of the individual rappers, including Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA, Method Man, and Raekwon, each of whom brings their unique style and skill to the song. The lyrics also make use of various cultural and literary references, such as the mention of Voltron and the Tiger verse Crane.
The song was released in 1993 on the Wu-Tang Clan's debut album "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)", which is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. The song's lyrics are notable for their aggressive and confrontational tone, which was unusual for hip-hop at the time. The song has become a classic of the genre and is often cited as one of the Wu-Tang Clan's greatest hits. The lyrics of the song also make references to the African-American experience, including the use of the expression "nigga" and the reference to the "Warriors" movie from 1979.
Line by Line Meaning
Shame on a nuh who try to run game on a nuh
Disrespect to anyone who tries to deceive or manipulate others
Wu buck wild with the trigger
Referring to the Wu-Tang Clan's potency and strength in music
Hut one, hut two, hut three, hut
Counting down before Ol' Dirty Bastard transitions into his verse
Styles unbreakable, shatterproof
Wu-Tang Clan's style is unstoppable, indestructible
To the young youth, ya wanna get gun? Shoot
Addressing the younger generation that might resort to violence to solve problems
Blaow, how you like me now? Don't front the style
Challenging people's opinions and criticisms of the Wu-Tang Clan
Ruthless wild
Reinforcing the idea that the Wu-Tang Clan represents unbridled strength and power in music
Do ya wanna getcha teeth knocked on out?
Get ready for a fight
Brother, get on it like that, then shout
Encouraging participation and excitement in the music
The damage, my clan, understand, it be flavor
Wu-Tang Clan's music is unique and flavorful
Gunning, humming, coming atcha
Wu-Tang Clan is going to attack fiercely and relentlessly
You could never capture the Method Man's stature
Impossible to match Method Man's skills and expertise
For rhyme and for rapture, got niggaz resigning
Wu-Tang Clan's music is so good that it makes other artists give up
Now master my style? Never
Impossible to mimic Wu-Tang Clan's style
I put the buck in the wild kid, I'm terror
Wu-Tang Clan is known to be wild and terrifying
Razor sharp, I sever the head from the shoulders
Lyrics are sharp and deadly
I'm better than my compeda
Wu-Tang Clan is superior to other artists in the game
You mean competitor, whadeva, let's get together
Other artists in the music industry are nothing compared to the Wu-Tang Clan; they should collaborate instead of competing
I react so thick, I'm phat and yo
Wu-Tang Clan is full of surprises, and their music is rich
Rae came blowing and blew off ya headphones
Raekwon's music is so loud that it knocks off people's headphones
Black, rap from yo, Cali to Texas
Wu-Tang Clan's music is heard all across America
Smoother than a Lexus, now's my turn to wreck this
Referring to the smoothness and ease of Wu-Tang Clan's music, and it's now their turn to shine
Brothers approach and half step but ain't heard
Other artists are cautious, but not ready for what the Wu-Tang Clan has to offer
So when you see me on the real, forming like Voltron
Referring to the Wu-Tang Clan's unity and strength, like the fictional character Voltron
Remember I got deep like a Navy Seal
Wu-Tang Clan's lyrics are meaningful and impactful
Yo, I come with that ol' loco
Wu-Tang Clan is known for their unique and insane style of music
Style from my vocal
The Wu-Tang Clan's music comes from their voices, and is unique to each individual artist
Couldn't peep it with a pair of bifocals
Referring to the depth and intricacy of Wu-Tang Clan's music
Play me as a joke, I be on you like a house on fire, smoke ya
Don't mess with the Wu-Tang Clan, or they will come after you
Crews be acting like they gangs, anyway
Other artists attempt to act as tough as gangs, even though they're not
Be like, "Warriors, come out and play?
Reference to a famous line from the movie 'The Warriors'
Hurry, I getting it on, I let it out like diarrhea
Wu-Tang Clan is coming in strong, releasing their music like a flood
Got burnt once but that was only gonorrhea
Wu-Tang Clan has had failures before, but they keep moving forward
Dirty, I keeps the 'nuff stains my drawers
Referring to the toughness and resilience of the Wu-Tang Clan
So I can get Fizzy funky for yuh
Wu-Tang Clan's music is meant to get you dancing and moving
Murder, takes the fame of the Wu-Tang, rah
Wu-Tang Clan's music is so good that it surpasses other famed artists
Here comes the Tiger verse Crane
Referring to the strength and force of the Wu-Tang Clan, like the martial arts technique Tiger vs Crane
Ow, be like wild with my style
Wu-Tang Clan's music is wild and unpredictable
Punk, you playing me, chump? You get dumped
Do not attempt to deceive or manipulate the Wu-Tang Clan or you will face consequences
Wu is coming through at a theater near you
Wu-Tang Clan's music is so powerful that it's like a production in a theater
And get funk like a shoe, what?
Wu-Tang Clan's music is funky and contagious
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Robert Fitzgerald Diggs, Gary Grice, Clifford Smith, Corey Woods, Dennis Coles, Jason Hunter, Lamont Jody Hawkins, Elgin Turner, Darryl Hill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind