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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Weak Spot
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If only we can lay our hands on that vixen Yu Shin Hua
Then all our problems will be over...
Yu Shin Hua!
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
[RZA]
The quintessence, father of the hip hop renaissance
I've been on, fingerprint, two finger tips
So when I squeeze the rubber grip, release the clip, then leave the clip
C-Cypher Pigs can't identify it
The true and living God, son, we exemplify it
The most complicated 'formance of life, we simplify it
Bzzz, don't knock it til you try it
Flying dagger, make 'em stagger, then I take a swagger
Ice cold Jägermeister, take a dragon hold
Bo county crook, slide like the Nike swoosh
Bruce Almighty got more problems than Spidey, look
Old Brooklyn, Putnam Avenue crook, I've been tooken
All around the world, rooked it then, drive back in Brooklyn
Good looking, son, yo, son, bring the hook in
You can never find Zig weak spot, stop looking
[kung fu sample]
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
[Raekwon]
From the continents to Croatia, I'll flame a lamester
With the new slang, much more to show ya
These rocks change, glock fully, hot pellets
Have me running through the hall, it's on, like you being chased by the relic
Can't nothing harm me, yo, I move through any project
With logic, few semi's, hide in the cockpit
Scream out, Shallah and I'mma tap in, harder than Tinactin
Don't try to play the fella, I'll blacked in
Moving all miraculous, the slap smiths of the rap game
Say my name backwards, you'll get back changed
Black man, black hooded, moving through the city
Like you Batman, still you so pussy, like Catwoman
Don't bother the Legion, more squeezing, more reason
To light a new block up, cause me to cement shit
Powerful block shoppers and all niggas getting that gwop
Dare you to try to find my weak spot
[kung fu sample]
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
[GZA]
I stay on the 64 squares, while patrolling the center
Trading space from material, the time zone, I enter
It's calculated by movement, from pushed pieces
Advancements and development, once the pawn reaches
To 8th ranked, now heavily armed with a tank
My opponent's base is threated, soldiers cut with shanks
Moved all my small pieces, MC's are driven back
Unable to avoid capture from the attack
Such movement, is naturally quite unsound
Men is badly placed upon dangerous grounds
Loosening their position, before they were strongly posted
Before the double rooks had approached it
They must of been quick to ignore the principles
Rock a V and an effective God is invincible
A strategic plan, just the way I envisioned it
Many fallen soldiers in complete imprisonment
[kung fu sample]
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
[Outro: Ol' Dirty Bastard]
I tell you, right, right, right, in ya muthafuckin' face
Muthafucka, you know, well, you know muthafuckin' well
When -- we don't play that shit, or, I don't play that shit
That's just Wu-Tang, you know, I'm the nigga
That -- that, give it to ya raw
When I said "first thing first, man, you fucking with the worst
I be sticking pins ya head, like a fucking nurse
I'll attack any nigga who slack in his mack
Come fully packed with the fat rugged stack
Shame on you, when you step through to
The Ol' Dirty Bastard straight from the Brooklyn Zu"
The song "Weak Spot" by Wu-Tang clan is a rap song that features verses from three members of the group: RZA, Raekwon, and GZA, with an outro from Ol' Dirty Bastard. The song is full of references to kung fu films and chess, as the group uses metaphors to describe their skills in both areas. The opening of the song features a kung fu sample where the singer hopes to defeat their opponent by finding their "weak spot," but in the following verses, each rapper claims that they cannot be defeated because they have no "weak spots."
RZA's verses describe his unique style and his confidence in his abilities. He references his past successes, his knowledge of guns, and his ability to simplify complex ideas. Raekwon's verses are full of violent imagery and show off his toughness and strength. He describes his ability to handle dangerous situations and his willingness to take on anyone who challenges him. Finally, GZA's verses make use of chess metaphors to demonstrate his strategic thinking and intelligence. He uses the movements of chess pieces to describe his tactics in the rap game, showing off his skill in both areas.
Overall, the song is a powerful showcase of the talents of Wu-Tang Clan. The group's confidence and mastery in their respective crafts are on full display, and they use their lyrics to demonstrate this. The references to kung fu and chess add depth and meaning to the lyrics, making for a song that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Line by Line Meaning
If only we can lay our hands on that vixen Yu Shin Hua
Desire to obtain a significant advantage by capturing Yu Shin Hua.
Then all our problems will be over...
Belief that obtaining their desired advantage will solve all problems.
You thought you'd find my weak spot, but still, you failed
Assertion that the singer's vulnerabilities cannot be exploited.
The quintessence, father of the hip hop renaissance
Self-description as a highly influential figure in hip hop culture.
My slang been around before baton and Benetton
Claim that the artist's style preceded modern trends in fashion and policing.
I've been on, fingerprint, two finger tips
Indication of long involvement in criminal activity.
So when I squeeze the rubber grip, release the clip, then leave the clip
Description of skilled use of a firearm.
C-Cypher Pigs can't identify it
Boast that law enforcement cannot catch the artist.
The true and living God, son, we exemplify it
Claim that the artist represents a divine power.
The most complicated 'formance of life, we simplify it
Belief that the artist's music can make life easier to understand.
Bzzz, don't knock it til you try it
Suggestion to not criticize something without experiencing it first.
Flying dagger, make 'em stagger, then I take a swagger
Evocation of a martial arts attack, followed by a confident walk.
Ice cold Jägermeister, take a dragon hold
Reference to cold alcohol and associated power, followed by a martial arts technique.
Bo county crook, slide like the Nike swoosh
Comparison of the singer's criminality to a smooth athletic movement.
Bruce Almighty got more problems than Spidey, look
Comparison of a fictional character's problems to those of the singer.
Old Brooklyn, Putnam Avenue crook, I've been tooken
Claim of long-standing involvement in Brooklyn crime.
All around the world, rooked it then, drive back in Brooklyn
Implication of successful criminal activity on a global scale.
Good looking, son, yo, son, bring the hook in
Request for a catchy chorus to end the song.
You can never find Zig weak spot, stop looking
Reiteration of earlier assertion that the singer cannot be exploited.
From the continents to Croatia, I'll flame a lamester
Claim that the artist can overcome obstacles anywhere in the world.
With the new slang, much more to show ya
Promise of additional creative content from the artist.
These rocks change, glock fully, hot pellets
Reference to drug trade and firearms.
Have me running through the hall, it's on, like you being chased by the relic
Comparison of the intensity of the singer's activities to a fast-paced chase scene.
Can't nothing harm me, yo, I move through any project
Belief that the artist is invincible in risky environments.
With logic, few semi's, hide in the cockpit
Reference to strategic tactics and firearms.
Scream out, Shallah and I'mma tap in, harder than Tinactin
Acclamation of a fellow Wu-Tang member and a boast of the singer's strength.
Don't try to play the fella, I'll blacked in
Threat to anyone who tries to deceive or harm the singer.
Moving all miraculous, the slap smiths of the rap game
Comparison of the artist's skills to those of a skilled artisan.
Say my name backwards, you'll get back changed
Playful assertion that the artist's name has transformative powers.
Black man, black hooded, moving through the city
Description of the singer's appearance and movement.
Like you Batman, still you so pussy, like Catwoman
Comparison of the singer's toughness to that of a comic book character, and an insult to a perceived weak individual.
Don't bother the Legion, more squeezing, more reason
Warning not to interfere with the artist's group, and a willingness to use force if necessary.
To light a new block up, cause me to cement shit
Imagery of setting things on fire and making a powerful impact.
Powerful block shoppers and all niggas getting that gwop
Reference to successful drug dealers and those earning money in their similar activities.
Dare you to try to find my weak spot
Challenge to anyone who believes they can exploit the singer's vulnerability.
I stay on the 64 squares, while patrolling the center
Description of playing chess with a strategic focus.
Trading space from material, the time zone, I enter
Reference to a chess strategy focused on sacrificing material to gain advantage.
It's calculated by movement, from pushed pieces
Description of the singer's strategic thinking process.
Advancements and development, once the pawn reaches
Explanation of the potential gains once a pawn advances across the board.
To 8th ranked, now heavily armed with a tank
Reference to the increased power of a pawn once it reaches the opponent's side of the board.
My opponent's base is threated, soldiers cut with shanks
Imagery of attacking an opponent's defense with strategic precision.
Moved all my small pieces, MC's are driven back
Description of a successful chess strategy and application to musical competition.
Unable to avoid capture from the attack
Claim of superiority over competitors.
Such movement, is naturally quite unsound
Acknowledgment of the risky nature of the artist's strategy.
Men is badly placed upon dangerous grounds
Reference to the artist's opponents being in vulnerable positions.
Loosening their position, before they were strongly posted
Claim that the artist effectively dismantles the strengths of their opponents.
Before the double rooks had approached it
Example of a moment where the singer's strategy pre-emptively countered an opponent's movements.
They must of been quick to ignore the principles
Suggestion that opponents were foolish to ignore basic principles of strategy.
Rock a V and an effective God is invincible
Reference to a specific hand gesture and its perceived power.
A strategic plan, just the way I envisioned it
Confidence in the singer's strategic approach.
Many fallen soldiers in complete imprisonment
Implied defeat of many opponents and their inability to escape the singer's strategy.
I tell you, right, right, right, in ya muthafuckin' face
Direct challenge to anyone who would oppose the artist.
Muthafucka, you know, well, you know muthafuckin' well
Assertion that the artist's power and dominance is obvious.
When -- we don't play that shit, or, I don't play that shit
Statement of the singer's seriousness and focus.
That's just Wu-Tang, you know, I'm the nigga
Affirmation of the power of the Wu-Tang Clan, and the singer's role in it.
That -- that, give it to ya raw
Claim that the artist is honest and unfiltered.
When I said "first thing first, man, you fucking with the worst
Quotation of earlier lyrics to re-emphasize the artist's power.
I be sticking pins ya head, like a fucking nurse
Threat of physical harm to opponents.
I'll attack any nigga who slack in his mack
Claim that the singer will challenge anyone who appears to be weak.
Come fully packed with the fat rugged stack
Reference to carrying a lot of cash and being well-prepared for any situation.
Shame on you, when you step through to
Accusation of foolishness to anyone who challenges the singer.
The Ol' Dirty Bastard straight from the Brooklyn Zu"
Self-introduction and group affiliation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: COREY WOODS, GARY E. GRICE, ROBERT F. DIGGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind