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 Saga Continues Outro
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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One more for you, hold on
Yo, yeah, uh
One more 'fore he hit the door
We got one more 'fore he hit the door
Check it, yo
Southern baptist, southern baptist
I used to be a southern baptist
Evangelist appear with seven candlesticks
Now the Qur'an is on my mantle
I meditate before I channel this
Energy from the North
I can put Loki on a cross
I snatch the hammer from Thor
Then knock Odin off his horse
I choke Hercules with his own chains
My strong game in front of Clark Kent
I finger-fuck Lois Lane
At the same time I pick-pocket Bruce Wayne
I got his credit card, his ID, assets to his cave
The lyrics to Wu-Tang's song The Saga Continues present a vivid picture of a character's religious and personal evolution. The song revolves around the idea of having one more moment before it's time to leave, a final reflection on the past and a chance to move forward. The first lines repeat the phrase "one more," establishing a sense of urgency and emphasis on the present moment.
The following verses reveal a religious shift in the character's life, from a Southern Baptist upbringing to a more diverse and open-minded spiritual journey. The imagery used is striking; the "evangelist appear[ing] with seven candlesticks" is a reference to the biblical book of Revelation, while the Qur'an on the mantle is a symbol of a new understanding and perspective. The line "I meditate before I channel this energy from the North" suggests a connection to a higher power, and a belief that this power can be harnessed and directed.
The final lines of the song showcase the character's strength and power, as they describe a series of fantastical feats. The references to fictional characters such as Loki, Thor, and Hercules demonstrate the character's confidence and willingness to challenge authority and convention. The final lines are a nod to the character's cunning and resourcefulness, stealing from Bruce Wayne (AKA Batman) and taking control of his assets. Overall, the lyrics to The Saga Continues tell a story of personal growth and self-discovery, one that is both introspective and bold.
Line by Line Meaning
One more, one more
Let's do something else before it's done
One more for you, hold on
One more thing I want to share with you, don't go yet
Yo, yeah, uh
Hey, listen up, this is important
One more 'fore he hit the door
One more thing to do before he leaves
We got one more 'fore he hit the door
We still have one more thing to do before he leaves
Southern baptist, southern baptist
I used to be a devout Christian
I used to be a southern baptist
I followed the doctrine of the southern baptist church
Evangelist appear with seven candlesticks
I used to follow Christian teachings very closely
Now the Qur'an is on my mantle
I have converted to Islam and the Qur'an is now on display in my home
I meditate before I channel this
I take a moment to focus my thoughts before channeling my energy
Energy from the North
I draw my power from the northern direction
I can put Loki on a cross
I have the power to defeat gods such as Loki
I snatch the hammer from Thor
I can overpower even the god Thor
Then knock Odin off his horse
I can even defeat the powerful Odin
I choke Hercules with his own chains
I am so strong that I can defeat even the mighty Hercules
My strong game in front of Clark Kent
I am so strong that even Superman recognizes me
I finger-fuck Lois Lane
I have had intimate relations with Superman's love interest, Lois Lane
At the same time I pick-pocket Bruce Wayne
I am so skilled that I can pick the pocket of the wealthy Bruce Wayne (Batman)
I got his credit card, his ID, assets to his cave
I have stolen his credit card, ID, and even have access to his secret Batman hideout
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Robert F. Diggs, Ronald Maurice Bean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind