Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostfac… Read Full Bio ↴Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group that consists of: RZA, GZA/Genius, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group. They were formed in (and are associated with) the New York City borough of Staten Island (referred to by members as "Shaolin"), though Masta Killa and GZA are from Brooklyn and Inspectah Deck is from the Bronx. They have gone on to become multi-platinum record producers, Grammy winners, TV and film stars, screenwriters, product spokespersons, business owners and, most recently, major motion picture composers. The Clan featured nine MCs until the death of Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004. One of the most critically and commercially successful hip hop groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan shot to fame through their uncompromising brand of hardcore rap music. Since their debut, they have introduced or launched the careers of numerous other artists and groups, and already in 1994 there were credited to be over 300 Wu-Tang Clan affiliates, known as the Wu-Tang Killa Bees, consisting of rappers, producers, and record label CEOs.

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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The Closing
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics

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Yeah, yeah
I see everything
I see everything
You know what I'm sayin'?
It's like when we come through
You better have your fuckin third eye open
You know, 'cause thats what time it is, you know what I'm sayin'?
'Cause it's like, when you walk, you striving for perfection

That's what we doing
Understand?
So all that little fake shit out there
We know the science on that
We done seen that shit from, from from difference of angles
You nah mean?
It's like, yo kid, for real
Wu-tang, we set off a lot of shit in this shit kid, nah mean?
But you know, you know us, we play it calm, humble
Nah mean?
But I just be checking out niggas darts and I be like
Damn, them niggas, them niggas is really, really
Really, really, really thinking this their shit!
Uh ha, uh ha ha
You nah mean?
But it's all good 'cause I'm the soul controller, you nah mean?
Rather I say we the soul controllers
The bottom line, like I said
Deal with freedom, justice, equality
You know?
Keep shining, add on
Food, clothing, and shelter
All my niggas, go pick up uniforms
Go, when you buy this album
Go pick up uniforms, for real
You nah mean?
Cause don't think we doing this just for anybody
We doing this shit for certain niggas, kid
Certain people rather
Certain-certain fans, certain supporters
Certain delegators, word
What the fuck man, I'm tired of seeing these
Fake ass niggas fucking, running with the fucking globe
Ain't even, ain't even really seeing it the way it
It should really be seen, you nah mean?
It's like, if you going to spread mathematics

Spread it right
You nah mean?

Overall Meaning

In Wu-Tang Clan's song, "The Closing", the lyrics open with a call to attention, insisting that one must have their "third eye open" in order to fully comprehend the message being conveyed. It is made clear that Wu-Tang Clan is striving for perfection with their music, and they have seen through the "fake shit" out there, as they have looked at it from "different angles." The group acknowledges that they have "set off a lot of shit in this shit," but they remain humble in their achievements.

The idea of control is present throughout the song, as Wu-Tang is referred to as the "soul controllers" and the message is centered around "freedom, justice, equality." The closing lyrics urge fans to "keep shining" and to remember the fundamental needs of "food, clothing, and shelter." The song ends on a frustrated note, with Wu-Tang calling out those who spread "mathematics" incorrectly and calling for individuals to "spread it right."

Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, yeah
Acknowledging agreement and understanding

I see everything
Awareness of one's surroundings and situations

You know what I'm sayin'?
Asking for agreement and comprehension

It's like when we come through You better have your fuckin third eye open You know, 'cause thats what time it is, you know what I'm sayin'?
Be alert, receptive, and perceptive when in the presence of Wu-Tang Clan and their teachings

'Cause it's like, when you walk, you striving for perfection That's what we doing Understand?
Wu-Tang Clan is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and expects the same from their followers

So all that little fake shit out there We know the science on that We done seen that shit from, from from difference of angles You nah mean?
Wu-Tang Clan is wise to the deception and inauthenticity in the world and can spot it from all angles

It's like, yo kid, for real Wu-tang, we set off a lot of shit in this shit kid, nah mean?
Wu-Tang Clan has been responsible for a lot of change and impact in the industry and beyond

But you know, you know us, we play it calm, humble Nah mean?
Wu-Tang Clan may have made significant contributions, but they remain modest and reserved in their demeanor

But I just be checking out niggas darts and I be like Damn, them niggas, them niggas is really, really Really, really, really thinking this their shit! Uh ha, uh ha ha You nah mean?
Wu-Tang Clan notices when others are unreasonably confident and prideful in their abilities

But it's all good 'cause I'm the soul controller, you nah mean? Rather I say we the soul controllers
Wu-Tang Clan has the power to guide and lead others, spiritually and culturally

The bottom line, like I said Deal with freedom, justice, equality You know?
Wu-Tang Clan's fundamental principles revolve around fairness and righteousness for all

Keep shining, add on Food, clothing, and shelter All my niggas, go pick up uniforms Go, when you buy this album Go pick up uniforms, for real You nah mean?
Wu-Tang Clan encourages their supporters to strive for self-improvement and material stability, and to show solidarity by wearing uniforms

Cause don't think we doing this just for anybody We doing this shit for certain niggas, kid Certain people rather Certain-certain fans, certain supporters Certain delegators, word
Wu-Tang Clan is intentional and selective about who they create and perform for, choosing those who appreciate and embody their values

What the fuck man, I'm tired of seeing these Fake ass niggas fucking, running with the fucking globe Ain't even, ain't even really seeing it the way it It should really be seen, you nah mean?
Wu-Tang Clan is frustrated with the prevalence of phony and disingenuous people who are not truly aware of the state of the world

It's like, if you going to spread mathematics Spread it right You nah mean?
Wu-Tang Clan implores others to accurately and truthfully convey meaningful ideas and knowledge to others

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, COREY WOODS, DENNIS DAVID COLES, GARY E. GRICE, JASON HUNTER, LAMONT HAWKINS, ROBERT F. DIGGS, RUSSELL T. JONES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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