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
Wolves
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A fox hes got a fox.
Mr. Wolf, hes the guy
Who ran the woods and ate Grandma
But a dog is a dog is a dog is a dog
Unlike the wolf, who made a widower of Grandma
[U-God]
Must I flex my cash, to sex your ass
I wet the ave, when I set my path
The vette' don't crash I'm built to long last
Grab my money clip I hit the bong fast
Earn my respect, my checks they better cash
Finger on the trigger wit my nigga Fred Glass
Knuckles is brass, start snuffin you fast
Jumpin outta cabs, grabbin money bags
Next shot go right through your hover craft
You do the math my answer tounge slash
When will ya learn its the return of Shaft
The genuine thriller, the Miller Draft
My force might blur, the Porsche will purr
The apple martini of course its stirred
Ill do the honor, the Shaolin bomber, sharpskin armor, Ill bring the drama
[Chorus (1x)]
[George Clinton]
A fox hes got a fox.
Mr. Wolf, hes the guy
Who ran the woods and ate Grandma
But a dog is a dog is a dog is a dog
Unlike the wolf, who made a widower of Grandma
[Verse 2]
[Method Man]
Damn, deficatin on the map, Wu-Tang takin it back, no fakin in the rap
How real is that, you niggas hatin on the fact, that the kid is blazin on this track and hatin on em back
My doe stacked up wit O's, who the mack duckin po po's blowin smoke goes in the 'Lac
To be exact, don't want no hassle wit the stack, in the big apple, we aint ridin apples in the back, yea, its all grillin, how the fuck ya'll feelin, non-stop park killin, on the block we was killin em
The arch villans, when the blood start spillin, any stuck start squealin, body bags we was fillin em
Yea, now I got it in the smash, a ounce ya man wanted and a llama in the dash
Me and my comrades followin the cash, and livin everyday like tomorrow is the last
[Chorus (1x)]
[George Clinton]
A fox hes got a fox.
Mr. Wolf, hes the guy
Who ran the woods and ate Grandma
But a dog is a dog is a dog is a dog
Unlike the wolf, who made a widower of Grandma
[George Clinton]
I'm like the savior dog to ya baby when your lost down in the snow
Like a coyote out in the desert
When the first will never go, and the wolf, they never go
[Verse 3]
[Gza]
Yo,
Would you recognize a jewel for what it is when you see it
Or would you take it for somethin else and get toed the fuck up
Men come together for the common cause
To beat your ass just because
Theres a line he don't cross offending the boss
While of course his one selecting through your head shot
I'm back in the yard again the bars callin
15 sets of this will have you swollen
Ladies like "damn papa you lookin right, I'd love to give you some of this pussy and ima dike"
I write when the energy's right and spark friction
DJ cuttin it spinnin it back mixin
Great pop knock tickin, poetry description, for the motion picture reenactment, activate a higher Assassian keep it classic
Rap evolution every black yo pass that
[Chorus (1x)]
[George Clinton]
A fox hes got a fox.
Mr. Wolf, hes the guy
Who ran the woods and ate Grandma
But a dog is a dog is a dog is a dog
Unlike the wolf, who made a widower of Grandma
[George Clinton]
I'm like the savior dog to ya baby when your lost down in the snow
Like a coyote out in the desert
When the first will never go, and the wolf, they never go
The song "Wolves" by Wu-Tang Clan featuring George Clinton is a contemplation on the nature of power and loyalty. The opening lines by Clinton set the tone of the song as he compares the fox to Mr. Wolf, emphasizing the latter's dominance over the woods and his role in eating Grandma. Clinton then remarks, "But a dog is a dog is a dog is a dog," highlighting the idea that loyalty is paramount, and that power is nothing without those who are willing to follow.
The rest of the verses continue this theme with Wu-Tang Clan's trademark lyricism, rapping about respect, money, violence, and the struggle for power. Gza's lines, in particular, speak to the dangers of underestimating one's opponents and the importance of being able to recognize a valuable opportunity when it arises.
Overall, "Wolves" is a song that reflects Wu-Tang Clan's enduring fascination with power dynamics and the gritty, often violent realities of life on the streets. The lyrics are both vivid and insightful, illustrating the complexities of human relationships in a world where loyalty and betrayal often walk hand in hand.
Line by Line Meaning
A fox hes got a fox.
George Clinton is saying that a fox has another fox, rather than trying to appear clever by using misdirection and wordplay like a wolf.
Mr. Wolf, hes the guy
The wolf is viewed as the leader or dominant character in the woods.
Who ran the woods and ate Grandma
The wolf terrorized the woods and was guilty of eating Grandma.
But a dog is a dog is a dog is a dog
A dog is a simple creature with no hidden motives or tricks, unlike the wolf.
Unlike the wolf, who made a widower of Grandma
The wolf caused Granny's death and grief to her husband. A dog is incapable of such cunning.
Must I flex my cash, to sex your ass
U-God seems to suggest that his sexual prowess does not have anything to do with the amount of money he has readily available.
I wet the ave, when I set my path
U-God has an overwhelming impact wherever he goes and he will leave a permanent impression.
Earn my respect, my checks they better cash
U-God demands mutual respect from those around him, and if he is owed money, he expects to get paid what is owed to him.
When will ya learn its the return of Shaft
U-God seems to be referring to himself as a legendary movie character, and it's history repeating itself with his return.
Damn, deficatin on the map, Wu-Tang takin it back, no fakin in the rap
Method Man indicates that Wu-Tang Clan is taking back the rap scene and not to be overlooked.
The arch villans, when the blood start spillin, any stuck start squealin, body bags we was fillin em
Method Man elaborates on the danger of the group, their willingness to spill blood and deal with snitches.
Would you recognize a jewel for what it is when you see it
Gza suggests that recognizing something of value is often difficult and requires a discerning eye.
Men come together for the common cause
Gza is talking about the sense of unity and purpose that men share in their missions.
I'm back in the yard again the bars callin
Gza has returned to the studio and feels like he is called back to jail for his musical talent.
I'm like the savior dog to ya baby when your lost down in the snow
George Clinton believes he is like a dog who saves a lost child in the snow. Dogs are considered trustworthy animals who are willing to help when their owners are in need.
Like a coyote out in the desert
Coyotes are often viewed as outsiders who are harmlessly trying to survive.
When the first will never go, and the wolf, they never go
George Clinton is suggesting that some things, like coyotes and wolves, will not change and are therefore trustworthy because of their consistency.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Clifford Smith, Elgin Turner, George Clinton, Lamont Hawkins, Robert F. Diggs
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John E
U-God is amazing. The fact that U-God is generally seen as one of the weaker members of Wu, only proves how extremely high the level of talent in the group is.
John E
I feel this song is mad underappreciated and overlooked.
gardensofthegods
I don't really remember getting hardly any airplay back in the day... but it's definitely a great modern classic that will always sound as good now as it did the first time you heard it... they don't write music like this nowadays
gucci the 9
definitely, I wish it stayed highly relevant for longer.
Gino Novak
Facts
Danny Knighten
Facts!! I’m still here in 2021 still banging this
Anonymous The General
Agreed
gardensofthegods
You know this is a great modern classic because it sounds as good now as the first time you heard it years ago... and it never gets old.. they're not writing music like this now a days .. or like criminology .
gardensofthegods
1/1/23
2:19 p.m. CST
Los Aguilar
We TRULY ARE BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO HEAR WU!!!! PEACE TO ALL MY REAL WU HEADS!! WU TANG POR VIDA!!!