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
Wu-tang- 7th Chamber
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Good morning Vietnam!
Yeah, good morning to all you motherfuckin' notty-headed niggas
Word to the camouflage large niggas
Bitch niggas fuckin' my body
Bring that fuckin' meth in here
Yo yo yo yo
Now we gonna drink some good night train
Champion gear that I rock, you get your boots knocked
Then attack you like a pit that lock shit down
As I come and freaks the sound, hardcore
But giving you more and more, like ding!
Nah shorty, get you open like six packs
Killer bees attack, flippin' what, murder one, phat tracks
Aight? I kick it like a night flite!
Word life, I get that ass while I'm fulla spite!
Check the method from bedrock, cause I rock ya head to bed
Just like rockin' what? twin glocks!
Shake the ground while my beats just break you down
Raw sound, we going to war right now
So, yo, bombin'
We usually take all niggas garments
Save ya breath before I bomb it
I be that insane nigga from the psycho ward
I'm on the trigger, plus I got the wu-tang sword
So how you figure that you can even fuck with mine?
Hey, yo, Rza! hit me with that shit one time!
And pull a foul, niggas save the beef on the cow
I'm milkin' this ho, this is my show, tical
The fuck you want to do? more than spike lee's do
I'm like a sniper, hyper off the ginseng root
Plo style, buddha monks with the owls
So who's the fucking man? meth-tical
On the chess box
Yo, yeah, yo
I leave the mic in body bags, my rap style has
The force to leave you lost, like the tribe of shabazz
Murderous material, made by a madman
It's the mic wrecker, inspector, bad man
From the bad lands of the killer, rap fanatic
Representing with the skill that's iller
Dare to compare, get pierced just like an ear
The zoo-we-do-wop-bop strictly hardware
Armed and geared cause I just broke out the prison
Charged by the system, for murdering the rhythm!
Now, lo and behold, another deadly episode
Bound to catch another fuckin' charge when I explode
Slammin' a hype-ass verse til ya head burst
I ram shack dead in the track, and that's that
Rap assassin, fastin', quick to blast and hard rock
I ran up in spots like fort knox!
I'm hot, top notch, ghost thinks with logic
Flashback's how I attacked your whole project
I'm raw, I'm rugged and raw! I repeat, if I die
My seed'll be ill like me
Approachin' me, you out of respect, chops ya neck
I get vexed, like crashing up a phat-ass lex'
So clear the way, make way, yo! open the cage
Peace, I'm out, jettin' like a runaway slave
Yo
Ya gettin' stripped from ya garments, boy, run ya jewels
While the meth got me open like fallopian tubes
I bring death to a snake when he least expect
Ain't a damn thing changed, boy, protect ya neck
Ruler zig zag, zig-allah jam is fatal
Quick to stick my wu-tang sword right through ya navel
Suspenseful, plus bein' bought through my utensil
The pencil, I break strong winds up against your
Abbot, that run up through your county like the maverick
Caps through the tablets, I gots to make the fabrics
Are you, uh, ah, uh
Are you a warrior? killer? slicin' shit like a samurai
The ol' dirty bastard vundabah
Ol' dirty clan of terrorists
Comin' atcha ass like a sorceress, shootin' that piss!
Niggas be gettin' on my fuckin' nerves
Rhymes they be kickin' make me want to kick they fuckin' ass to the curb
I got funky fresh, like the old specialist
A carrier, messenger, bury ya
This experience is for the whole experience
Let it be applied, and then drop that science
My my my
My clan is thick like plaster
Bust ya, slash ya
Slit a nigga back like a dutch master killer
Style jumped off and killa, hill-er
I was the thriller in the ali-frazier manilla
I came down with phat tracks that combine and interlock
Like getting smashed by a cinder block
Blaow! now it's all over
Niggas seeing pink hearts, yellow moons
Orange stars and green clovers
The lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan's "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber" are a show of force from the rap group's core members, Method Man, GZA, RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, and U-God. The chorus urges the listener to "Take that motherfucker" while the morning is being greeted in Vietnam, and the lyrics go on to reference several violent images and concepts. The first verse mentions wearing champion gear and attacking like a pit bull, while the second verse includes references to weapons, prisons, and being a runaway slave. The third verse brings a different level of intensity, with the Ol' Dirty Bastard singing and rapping about killing, slicing, and shooting. Throughout, the lyrics underscore the individual members' reputations as tough, uncompromising rappers.
The song owes some of its power to its excellent production, done by RZA, who built his reputation with his gritty, soulful beats. The beat for "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber" is simple, centered around a funky bassline, but also has a strong sense of momentum that is well-suited to the song's authoritative lyrics. The lyrics also make references to other Wu-Tang Clan slang, like "Killer bees," which refers to the group's extended family of affiliated artists. As a whole, the song serves as a potent showcase for the group's individual members and their forceful, uncompromising approach to rap music.
Line by Line Meaning
Take that motherfucker
Assertive command to confront and challenge an opponent
Good morning Vietnam!
Greetings to all those well-rested individuals
Yeah, good morning to all you motherfuckin' notty-headed niggas
Addressing individuals with unique and unconventional hairstyles
Word to the camouflage large niggas
Acknowledging those who blend in with their surroundings
Bitch niggas fuckin' my body
Expressing frustration with deceitful individuals
Bring that fuckin' meth in here
Requesting the presence of a particular substance
Yo yo yo yo
Attention-getting interjection
Now we gonna drink some good night train
Preparing to consume an alcoholic beverage
And yo, set it off
Initiating an energetic and captivating performance
Champion gear that I rock, you get your boots knocked
Wearing superior clothing, I will defeat and intimidate you
Then attack you like a pit that lock shit down
Aggressively assaulting and dominating my adversary
As I come and freaks the sound, hardcore
Presenting a unique and intense style of music
But giving you more and more, like ding!
Continuously providing an increasing amount of content and entertainment
Nah shorty, get you open like six packs
Captivating and exciting you, similar to consuming multiple beverages
Killer bees attack, flippin' what, murder one, phat tracks
The Wu-Tang Clan delivers powerful and deadly songs
Aight? I kick it like a night flite!
I perform with intensity and skill, like a nocturnal predator
Word life, I get that ass while I'm fulla spite!
I will dominate and defeat you with great determination
Check the method from bedrock, cause I rock ya head to bed
Observe the unique approach and style, as I captivate and impress you
Just like rockin' what? twin glocks!
Similar to wielding and firing two handguns
Shake the ground while my beats just break you down
The powerful and impactful music will overwhelm and subdue you
Raw sound, we going to war right now
The unfiltered and uncompromising music signifies a state of conflict
So, yo, bombin'
Engaging in aggressive and confrontational actions
We usually take all niggas garments
Traditionally, we confiscate and remove clothing from individuals
Save ya breath before I bomb it
Spare your words, as I am about to destroy them
I be that insane nigga from the psycho ward
I am a mentally unstable individual from a psychiatric institution
I'm on the trigger, plus I got the wu-tang sword
I am armed and dangerous, wielding a powerful weapon
So how you figure that you can even fuck with mine?
How do you justify thinking you can compete with my skills?
Hey, yo, Rza! hit me with that shit one time!
Requesting fellow member Rza to provide a musical accompaniment
And pull a foul, niggas save the beef on the cow
Initiating an aggressive confrontation, but warning opponents to keep it verbal
I'm milkin' this ho, this is my show, tical
I am taking control of this situation, asserting my dominance
The fuck you want to do? more than spike lee's do
There is no comparison, I am more capable and accomplished than Spike Lee
I'm like a sniper, hyper off the ginseng root
I possess the focus and energy of a highly skilled marksman, fueled by a natural stimulant
Plo style, buddha monks with the owls
Our style is relaxed and spiritual, like Buddhist monks who are wise and nocturnal
So who's the fucking man? meth-tical
I am the dominant and respected figure, known as Meth-tical
On the chess box
In the strategic battlefield of life
Yo, yeah, yo
Attention-grabbing interjection
I leave the mic in body bags, my rap style has
My performance leaves the microphone broken and defeated, as my rap style possesses great force
The force to leave you lost, like the tribe of shabazz
My powerful presence and lyrics will disorient and confuse you, similar to the lost Tribe of Shabazz
Murderous material, made by a madman
Creating deadly and intense music, produced by an individual of questionable sanity
It's the mic wrecker, inspector, bad man
I destroy microphones, examine and evaluate the quality, and establish myself as a dangerous figure
From the bad lands of the killer, rap fanatic
Coming from a dangerous and ruthless territory, I am a passionate follower of rap music
Representing with the skill that's iller
Portraying and expressing my abilities that surpass the norm
Dare to compare, get pierced just like an ear
If you are brave enough to challenge me, be prepared for the consequences, similar to being pierced
The zoo-we-do-wop-bop strictly hardware
The energetic and rhythmical music is purely based on technology and machinery
Armed and geared cause I just broke out the prison
Fully equipped and prepared for battle as I escape from confinement
Charged by the system, for murdering the rhythm!
Held accountable and accused by the authorities for destroying the rhythm
Now, lo and behold, another deadly episode
Here comes another dangerous and captivating performance
Bound to catch another fuckin' charge when I explode
Certain to create another intense and unforgettable experience when I release my energy
Slammin' a hype-ass verse til ya head burst
Delivering a powerful and exciting verse that will overwhelm and astonish you
I ram shack dead in the track, and that's that
I forcefully invade and dominate the music track, concluding the matter
Rap assassin, fastin', quick to blast and hard rock
A skilled and lethal rapper, abstaining and preparing for battle, ready to attack with great force
I ran up in spots like fort knox!
I infiltrated and conquered various places, similar to breaching the highly secured Fort Knox
I'm hot, top notch, ghost thinks with logic
I am exceptional and at the highest level, utilizing a rational and intelligent mindset
Flashback's how I attacked your whole project
Revisiting and recalling the powerful impact I had on your entire project
I'm raw, I'm rugged and raw! I repeat, if I die
I am untamed and unrefined! I emphasize, even in death
My seed'll be ill like me
My offspring will possess the same skill and talent as me
Approachin' me, you out of respect, chops ya neck
If you come near me, it should be with reverence, otherwise, be prepared for severe consequences
I get vexed, like crashing up a phat-ass lex'
I become irritated, similar to the destruction of an expensive luxury vehicle
So clear the way, make way, yo! open the cage
Move out of my path, create space! Release the restraints and allow me to perform
Peace, I'm out, jettin' like a runaway slave
Farewell, I am leaving swiftly and abruptly, resembling the escape of a fugitive slave
Ya gettin' stripped from ya garments, boy, run ya jewels
You are being forcefully and violently disrobed, surrender your valuable possessions
While the meth got me open like fallopian tubes
Under the influence of a particular substance, I am feeling euphoric and relaxed
I bring death to a snake when he least expect
I inflict fatal harm upon an unsuspecting and deceptive individual
Ain't a damn thing changed, boy, protect ya neck
Nothing has altered, young man, you should guard and defend yourself
Ruler zig zag, zig-allah jam is fatal
As a dominant leader, my unpredictable and skilled approach is deadly
Quick to stick my wu-tang sword right through ya navel
Swiftly impaling you with my symbolic and powerful weapon
Suspenseful, plus bein' bought through my utensil
Creating an atmosphere of tension and anticipation, utilizing my artistic tools
The pencil, I break strong winds up against your
Using my lyrics as a weapon, I overcome and withstand any resistance you present
Abbot, that run up through your county like the maverick
A master who penetrates and conquers your territory with skill and unpredictability, similar to a maverick
Caps through the tablets, I gots to make the fabrics
Delivering my potent and impactful words, I must influence and shape the cultural fabric
Are you, uh, ah, uh
Are you, um, ah, um
Are you a warrior? killer? slicin' shit like a samurai
Are you someone brave and skilled in combat? Are you capable of cutting through obstacles like a skilled samurai?
The ol' dirty bastard vundabah
The eccentric and outrageous Ol' Dirty Bastard, overflowing with personality
Ol' dirty clan of terrorists
A group of intimidating and fearsome individuals, similar to a clan of terrorists
Comin' atcha ass like a sorceress, shootin' that piss!
Approaching aggressively, similar to a magical sorceress, delivering scathing and offensive words
Niggas be gettin' on my fuckin' nerves
Individuals are irritating and provoking me
Rhymes they be kickin' make me want to kick they fuckin' ass to the curb
Their lyrics and delivery make me strongly feel the desire to physically assault them and remove them from my presence
I got funky fresh, like the old specialist
I possess a unique and captivating style, reminiscent of the skilled veterans of the past
A carrier, messenger, bury ya
I am a conveyer and deliverer of truth, capable of overwhelming and dominating you
This experience is for the whole experience
This music is meant to be enjoyed and appreciated by everyone
Let it be applied, and then drop that science
Allow the knowledge and wisdom to be comprehended, and then share it with others
My my my
Expressing surprise and delight
My clan is thick like plaster
My group or gang is united and impenetrable, similar to a solid coating
Bust ya, slash ya
I will defeat and harm you, physically and violently
Slit a nigga back like a dutch master killer
Causing severe injury to an individual, similar to cutting open a cigar with precision
Style jumped off and killa, hill-er
Our unique and impressive style has emerged and become dominant
I was the thriller in the ali-frazier manilla
I was the exciting and thrilling figure in a legendary boxing match in Manila, just like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier
I came down with phat tracks that combine and interlock
I arrived with amazing and impressive songs that blend and fit together seamlessly
Like getting smashed by a cinder block
Similar to being hit with a heavy and destructive object
Blaow! now it's all over
Exclaiming the end and destruction of a situation
Niggas seeing pink hearts, yellow moons
Individuals are experiencing hallucinations and altered perceptions
Orange stars and green clovers
Seeing vivid and colorful imagery, similar to the symbols on cereal boxes
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, COREY WOODS, DENNIS DAVID COLES, GARY E. GRICE, JASON HUNTER, LAMONT HAWKINS, ROBERT F. DIGGS, RUSSELL T. JONES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@emilioortega8881
The beginning of this track always cracks me up.
-Ghostface - "the nigga layin there like a fuckin newborn fuckin baby god"
-Dude #1 - "Is he dead?"
-Ghostface Face - "Is he fucking dead? Wtf you mean is he fucking dead god?"
-Inspectah Deck - "The fuck you think?!"
-Ghostface - "the nigga layin there with all types of fuckin blood"
-Dude #2 "Is he is he is he dead?"
This is one of the reasons why I loved the Wu. They always gave you a little glimpse of what it was like to be in their circle.
I wonder if Raekwon ever got his killer tape back
@emilioortega8881
The beginning of this track always cracks me up.
-Ghostface - "the nigga layin there like a fuckin newborn fuckin baby god"
-Dude #1 - "Is he dead?"
-Ghostface Face - "Is he fucking dead? Wtf you mean is he fucking dead god?"
-Inspectah Deck - "The fuck you think?!"
-Ghostface - "the nigga layin there with all types of fuckin blood"
-Dude #2 "Is he is he is he dead?"
This is one of the reasons why I loved the Wu. They always gave you a little glimpse of what it was like to be in their circle.
I wonder if Raekwon ever got his killer tape back
@TonyTarantula
Naaah that tape's still missing
@ruckusxz
It’s meth asking if he’s dead btw
@emilioortega8881
@@ruckusxz had a feeling but wasn't sure. Thanks for clarifying 👐
@indigoGoddess7
Lol I always laugh whenever I hear it because it reminds me of those: “too high to function” conversations 🍀🤣🤣🤣
@thutch559
😂@@TonyTarantula
@nopenope1499
That killla tape must have been fire 🔥🔥🔥
@Goatchild90
They all killed it, all amazing verses
@SolStone
You will never enter the hidden chamber of the eighth, the shadow, the cypher.
@alekzander23pereyra
Peace god