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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Wise Men
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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Christians say that you can study all day
pray all day, and chant all day
But you get to heaven faster
if you hang with the wise men
Yeah I would say once you got inspired spark
Y'know, you strive, to, y'know
You gotta put, y'know you gotta keep puttin wood on it as they say
You gotta find a way to keep it burnin
But then there's the optimum side of it
That's the burnin fire that's burnin but it don't burn
Knahmean? Just in life, like the sun
You know the sun is seen, like that
But it's like a eternal sun that
that it is on regardless, you just on
You just free from, y'know
Shit don't work on you no more
The story of the villain
In these lyrics, RZA reflects on the beliefs and teachings of various religions, particularly Christianity. He notes that Christians believe that by studying, praying, and chanting all day, one can attain spiritual enlightenment and ultimately reach heaven. However, RZA introduces the concept that hanging out with wise individuals can expedite this process.
He then discusses the notion of inspiration and the importance of continuously nurturing it. RZA suggests that once a person becomes inspired or motivated, they must continue to fuel that fire, much like adding wood to keep a fire burning. He emphasizes the need to sustain and nurture this inspiration in order to achieve success or spiritual growth.
Moving on to a more abstract interpretation, RZA introduces the concept of an "optimum side" or a burning fire that does not consume or destroy. He likens this to the sun, which constantly shines and provides light and warmth without being extinguished. This could symbolize a state in life where one remains unaffected by negativity or external forces. It represents a sense of freedom and immunity from the challenges and obstacles that may come their way.
Finally, RZA briefly mentions "the story of the villain." This phrase is open to interpretation but may refer to the struggles and hardships faced by individuals seeking success or spiritual enlightenment. It suggests that everyone goes through challenges and obstacles on their journey, much like the stories of villains in narratives. This line serves to reinforce the idea that perseverance and determination are essential in achieving one's goals.
Overall, these lyrics explore the themes of spirituality, inspiration, perseverance, and personal growth. RZA emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom, continuously nurturing one's motivation, and striving to overcome obstacles. Ultimately, these insights offer guidance on the journey towards enlightenment and success, regardless of the specific religious or philosophical beliefs one may hold.
Line by Line Meaning
Christians say that you can study all day
According to the beliefs of Christians, if you dedicate your time to learning and acquiring knowledge
pray all day, and chant all day
if you devote your entire day to praying and reciting religious verses
But you get to heaven faster
the belief is that this commitment will enable you to reach heaven at a quicker pace
if you hang with the wise men
by associating and spending time with knowledgeable and insightful individuals
Yeah I would say once you got inspired spark
When you find that initial burst of inspiration
Y'know, you strive, to, y'know
You then work hard and make continuous efforts
You gotta put, y'know you gotta keep puttin wood on it as they say
It's like adding wood to a fire to keep it burning
Right? Keep it burnin or whatever
You need to maintain that motivation and drive
You gotta find a way to keep it burnin
You need to discover strategies to sustain your inspiration
But then there's the optimum side of it
However, there's another level to it
That's the burnin fire that's burnin but it don't burn
It's like an everlasting flame that remains intense but doesn't consume itself
Knahmean? Just in life, like the sun
You know what I mean? It's a metaphor for life, similar to the sun
You know the sun is seen, like that
Just like how you observe the sun
But it's like a eternal sun that
But it's like an eternal sun that
that it is on regardless, you just on
that continues to shine regardless, you are just existing alongside it
You just free from, y'know
You become liberated from, you know
Shit don't work on you no more
Negative influences no longer affect you
The story of the villain
This is the narrative of a villainous character
Lyrics © MUSIC SERVICES, INC., Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROBERT F. DIGGS, GINTAS JANUSONIS, BORAHM LEE, WESLEY MINGUS, BOB PERRY, JOSH WERNER, Arnold Mischkulnig, ROBERT DIGGS, Robert Perry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind