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.
www.wutang-corp.com
Why Why Why
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kingston vibe, rock roots, youth promotion
Big up RZA, Mathematics, whole Wu-Tang Clan
A we come fi chant down out babylon
If I put my fist through the face of a racist
Smack 'em tasteless
Would I face three cases in court, locked in places
Life in America shouldn't be so tough
We got western civilization got me fighting for my civil rights
After fighting scores of war, we still fight for our civil rights
To be equal citizens with equal opportunity
Equal chance to advance and uplift our communities
But instead we getting shot in the head
Like a black man life ain't worth a loaf of bread
"Stop or I shoot," you stop, they still shoot
Fuck, fuck, fuck
Stomp you out with steel boots
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
They trying to distract us from our practice
And shackle us up, mentally retract us backwards
Attack us like the prophet on the way to Damascus
It's like we huddle up, had control of the ball, let 'em sack us
Now they overtax us as if they want to collapse us
Don't be diluted by this foolishness
30 years old man still want nothing do with this
Try to find career and a beer on the weekend
And a freak he could take to the crib on the weekend
Suv, XM, heat, only plays the Weeknd
Only wanna fuck you 5AM with no tweeting
20-25 should be working but she's twerking
Nobodies tripping she could make money from stripping
And I'm sitting in the back sipping my 'yac
Can't help but thinking that "What does her father think of that?"
Probably because I got a daughter
I heard Money Mayweather, he makes it rain without water
He dropped 50 G's at a strip club near the border
A dozen women crawling on all fours up
Woah hey, you should've saw her
You should've that money to a college campus
But then again I guess momma needed some Pampers haha
But from my view, these wizards need some pampering
Not a mere mix dilutin' and tampering with the essence
Leavin' em with a lack of substance
And she wonders why, why, why she can't keep her husband
Every color, every race
Every shape, every fade
All around the nation
No discrimination
Peace on we say
From generation to generation
Jah, chant down Babylon make dem know seh we nah take it no more
Straight, make them know RZA, Wu-Tang Clan, take it to them
It's getting realer
Streets getting hotter, I could feel it
Who am I to put a gun to another
I'm just trying to show love to my brother
Hands up
I just pray to God I make it out
Stop kill di youth dem
Is my life not enough
Out of luck
If it's America we trust they tryin' to knock me down
And I'm just trying to live it up
Only one life to live and I ain't trying to give it up
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
The lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan's song "Y" touch on themes of social injustice, racial discrimination, and the struggle for civil rights. The song begins with a shoutout to the Wu-Tang Clan, and the chorus repeats the question "why" over and over, as if to express frustration and confusion about the state of the world. The first verse speaks of the violence and oppression faced by black people in America, questioning the justice system and the societal attitudes that perpetuate inequality. The repetition of the phrase "equal opportunity" highlights the desire for fairness and justice, while the violent imagery of being shot in the head and stomped on with steel boots underscores the desperation and anger felt by those who are targeted by racist violence.
The second verse shifts focus to the distractions and temptations that can impede the fight for justice, such as materialism, hedonism, and the lure of easy money. The lyrics critique the way in which some black people are reduced to sexual objects or commodities in a capitalist system that values profit over people. The line about Floyd Mayweather making it rain at a strip club highlights the contrast between those who have power and wealth and those who are struggling to make ends meet. Yet despite the barriers and distractions, the rapper asserts that love and brotherhood should remain at the forefront of the struggle for justice, and that even in the face of adversity, one should not give up hope or the will to live.
Overall, the lyrics to "Y" express a sense of frustration, anger, and disillusionment, but also a determination to fight against injustice and to seek a better world. The repetition of the word "why" suggests a yearning for answers and understanding, and a refusal to accept the status quo. Through their music, the Wu-Tang Clan seeks to inspire and empower those who are marginalized or oppressed, and to call attention to the issues that affect all members of society.
Line by Line Meaning
A mi name Swnkah coming live
My name is Swnkah and I am here in person
Kingston vibe, rock roots, youth promotion
I am from Kingston, Jamaica and promote youth culture rooted in rock music
Big up RZA, Mathematics, whole Wu-Tang Clan
Shoutout to RZA, Mathematics and the entire Wu-Tang Clan
A we come fi chant down out babylon
We are here to overthrow the oppressive system of Babylon
If I put my fist through the face of a racist
If I physically attack a racist
Smack 'em tasteless
Hit them so hard they lose their sense of taste
Would I face three cases in court, locked in places
Would I be arrested and charged with three crimes and incarcerated
Or shackled to a seat of a bus, a hundred of us
Or be forced to sit in a bus seat with a bunch of other people while shackled
Life in America shouldn't be so tough
Living in America shouldn't be as difficult as it currently is
We got western civilization got me fighting for my civil rights
The Western civilization I live in has me fighting for basic civil rights
After fighting scores of war, we still fight for our civil rights
Even after fighting in wars, we are still fighting for basic civil rights
To be equal citizens with equal opportunity
To have equal rights and opportunities as all other citizens
Equal chance to advance and uplift our communities
Equal opportunity to improve our communities and progress in life
But instead we getting shot in the head
But instead we are being killed by gunfire
Like a black man life ain't worth a loaf of bread
Like a black man's life is worthless
"Stop or I shoot," you stop, they still shoot
Even if you stop when the police tell you to, they may still shoot you
Fuck, fuck, fuck
Expression of frustration and anger
Stomp you out with steel boots
Beat you brutally with steel-toed boots
They trying to distract us from our practice
They are attempting to divert our attention from our goals
And shackle us up, mentally retract us backwards
And limit our potential by mentally holding us back
Attack us like the prophet on the way to Damascus
Assault us like the prophet who was attacked on his way to Damascus
It's like we huddle up, had control of the ball, let 'em sack us
It's like we were in control, but allowed ourselves to be defeated
Now they overtax us as if they want to collapse us
Now they are imposing excessive taxes on us, as if they want us to fail
Don't be diluted by this foolishness
Don't be fooled by this nonsense
30 years old man still want nothing do with this
A 30-year-old man still doesn't want anything to do with this
Try to find career and a beer on the weekend
Trying to find work and enjoy a beer on the weekend
And a freak he could take to the crib on the weekend
And someone he can spend time with at home for the weekend
Suv, XM, heat, only plays the Weeknd
Driving an SUV with XM radio that only plays music by The Weeknd
Only wanna fuck you 5AM with no tweeting
Only interested in having sex early in the morning without posting about it on social media
20-25 should be working but she's twerking
A woman who is between the ages of 20-25 should be working, but she is dancing in a sexually suggestive way
Nobodies tripping she could make money from stripping
No one is concerned that she is making money by taking off her clothes for other people
And I'm sitting in the back sipping my 'yac
And I'm sitting in the back drinking cognac
Can't help but thinking that "What does her father think of that?"
I can't help but wonder what her father thinks of her stripping
Probably because I got a daughter
I'm likely thinking about this because I have a daughter myself
I heard Money Mayweather, he makes it rain without water
I heard that Money Mayweather throws around so much cash that it's like it's raining money
He dropped 50 G's at a strip club near the border
He spent $50,000 at a strip club near the border
A dozen women crawling on all fours up
A group of women crawling on their hands and knees towards him
Woah hey, you should've saw her
Wow, you should have seen it
You should've that money to a college campus
You should have donated that money to a college campus
But then again I guess momma needed some Pampers haha
But I suppose his mother needed diapers, haha
But from my view, these wizards need some pampering
But from my perspective, these men need to be nurtured and coddled
Not a mere mix dilutin' and tampering with the essence
Not a mere mixture of diluted and altered substances
Leavin' em with a lack of substance
Leaving them with a dearth of content
And she wonders why, why, why she can't keep her husband
And she wonders why she is having trouble maintaining a relationship with her husband
Every color, every race
People of every race and ethnicity
Every shape, every fade
People of every body type
All around the nation
All across the country
No discrimination
Without any unfair treatment based on one's characteristics
Peace on we say
We promote peace and harmony
From generation to generation
Passing down these values from one generation to the next
Jah, chant down Babylon make dem know seh we nah take it no more
We will overthrow Babylon and show that we will not tolerate this any longer
Straight, make them know RZA, Wu-Tang Clan, take it to them
Let them know that RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan are ready to take them on
It's getting realer
Things are getting more intense
Streets getting hotter, I could feel it
The streets are becoming more violent and I can sense it
Who am I to put a gun to another
Who am I to use a gun to harm someone else?
I'm just trying to show love to my brother
I am just trying to love and support my fellow man
Hands up
Raise your hands in surrender or protest
I just pray to God I make it out
I just hope that I survive
Stop kill di youth dem
Stop killing the young people
Is my life not enough
Isn't my life valuable enough?
Out of luck
Out of good fortune or opportunity
If it's America we trust they tryin' to knock me down
If we believe in the American system, it's trying to bring us down
And I'm just trying to live it up
And I'm just trying to enjoy my life
Only one life to live and I ain't trying to give it up
We only have one life and I'm not trying to lose it
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Candice Minott, Kuaymiel Bean, Robert F. Diggs, Ronald Maurice Bean
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danilo Radovanovic
A mi name Swnkah coming live
Kingston vibe, rock roots, youth promotion
Big up RZA, Mathematics, whole Wu-Tang Clan
A we come fi chant down out babylon
If I put my fist through the face of a racist
Smack 'em tasteless
Would I face three cases in court, locked in places
Or shackled to a seat of a bus, a hundred of us
Life in America shouldn't be so tough
We got western civilization got me fighting for my civil rights
After fighting scores of war, we still fight for our civil rights
To be equal citizens with equal opportunity
Equal chance to advance and uplift our communities
But instead we getting shot in the head
Like a black man life ain't worth a loaf of bread
"Stop or I shoot, " you stop, they still shoot
Fuck, fuck, fuck
Stomp you out with steel boots
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
They trying to distract us from our practice
And shackle us up, mentally retract us backwards
Attack us like the prophet on the way to Damascus
It's like we huddle up, had control of the ball, let 'em sack us
Now they overtax us as if they want to collapse us
Don't be diluted by this foolishness
30 years old man still want nothing do with this
Try to find career and a beer on the weekend
And a freak he could take to the crib on the weekend
Suv, XM, heat, only plays the Weeknd
Only wanna fuck you 5AM with no tweeting
20-25 should be working but she's twerking
Nobodies tripping she could make money from stripping
And I'm sitting in the back sipping my 'yac
Can't help but thinking that "What does her father think of that?"
Probably because I got a daughter
I heard Money Mayweather, he makes it rain without water
He dropped 50 G's at a strip club near the border
A dozen women crawling on all fours up
Woah hey, you should've saw her
You should've that money to a college campus
But then again I guess momma needed some Pampers haha
But from my view, these wizards need some pampering
Not a mere mix dilutin' and tampering with the essence
Leavin' em with a lack of substance
And she wonders why, why, why she can't keep her husband
Every color, every race
Every shape, every fade
All around the nation
No discrimination
Peace on we say
From generation to generation
Jah, chant down Babylon make dem know seh we nah take it no more
Straight, make them know RZA, Wu-Tang Clan, take it to them
It's getting realer
Streets getting hotter, I could feel it
Who am I to put a gun to another
I'm just trying to show love to my brother
Hands up
I just pray to God I make it out
Stop kill di youth dem
Is my life not enough
Out of luck
If it's America we trust they tryin' to knock me down
And I'm just trying to live it up
Only one life to live and I ain't trying to give it up
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Oh why, why, why, why, why, why, why
Yeezy 2024
Honeys 25 should be workin stead she's twerkin
Nobody's trippin she could make money from strippin
N I'm sitting n the back of my lac, can't help but think of that
What does her father think of that, probably cuz I gotta daughter
I heard money Mayweather he makes it rain without water
He dropped 50 Gs at a strip club near the border
A dozen women caught it on all fours aw whoa man u shouldve saw her
He shouldve took that money to a college campus
But then again I guess mama needed some pampers(LAUGHTER)
Ones in the Air Productions
This song is dope! It reminds me of "Can it be all so Simple," and the message is powerful and relevant. Plus, I love the reggae tune and the bass kicks on this song! Rza's flow was definitely a stand-out, this is the only song I listen to over and over again on this album. Even the intro is powerful. Thumbs up!
Mike Jones
Love this song....played it over and over
edwin hernandez
This entire album is straight fire!
Urban Werner
incredible bassline, got addicted to it
ะะพะฑัะพะผะธั ะัะฐัะฐะฝะพะฒ
the beat is so damn good
soulsteela01
This is flawless. Wu tang forever
Ivo Garner
This that old school RZA flow, brings back memories of my high school days
Dreyzie
Best song on the new album
DEADSIDE
THAT TEARZ REFERENCE
RZA STILL ON POINT๐ช
Kotori
Aye how come they 20+ years past they prime yet they still better than 100% of these booty artists nowadays