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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Sheep State
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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They still B-rain in the sheep state of mind
It's just, which way are you leadin' the sheep? Off the cliff?
Or to some grazin' grass so it can grow and have a full productive life?
In these lines from Wu-Tang Clan's song "Sheep State," the group explores the concept of the "sheep state of mind," referring to individuals who lack critical thinking and blindly follow societal norms. The lyrics imply that these people, known as the "85," continue to embrace this mentality.
The mention of "B-rain" suggests that even in this state of mind, they maintain some level of intelligence or cognitive capability. The term "sheep state of mind" serves as a metaphor for conformity and ignorance, highlighting how these individuals are easily influenced and controlled by external forces.
Wu-Tang Clan questions the intention and responsibility of those who lead the "sheep." The line "which way are you leadin' the sheep?" suggests that someone is leading or influencing these individuals, and the group questions whether this guidance is intended to harm or benefit the "sheep."
The subsequent reference to leading them "off the cliff" or to "grazin' grass" symbolizes the potential outcomes of this influence. "Off the cliff" refers to a detrimental direction that can lead to destruction or harm, while "grazin' grass" represents a path that allows the "sheep" to live a fulfilled and fruitful life.
Therefore, through these lyrics, Wu-Tang Clan provokes listeners to reflect on who holds the power to shape the thoughts and actions of society and urges individuals to question the intentions behind such influence. The group's message suggests a need to awaken from the "sheep state of mind" and seek knowledge, critical thinking, and self-awareness to avoid blindly following harmful paths.
Line by Line Meaning
If the 85 are in the sheep state of mind, right?
If the majority of people are passive and easily influenced, isn't it true?
They still B-rain in the sheep state of mind
They still remain brainwashed and controlled by external forces
It's just, which way are you leadin' the sheep? Off the cliff?
The question is, are you guiding them towards destruction and harm?
Or to some grazin' grass so it can grow and have a full productive life?
Or are you leading them towards opportunities and growth, allowing them to thrive?
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Arnold Mischkulnig, Borahm Lee, Gintas Janusonis, Josh Werner, Robert Diggs, Robert Perry, Wesley Mingus
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind