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 Clan
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Yo there's no place to hide as I step inside the room
Dr. Doom, prepare for the boom
I be tossing and flossing my style is awesome
I'm causing more Family Feuds than Richard Dawson
And the survey said, you're dead
Fatal Flying Guillotine chops off your fucking head
MZA who was that? Ayo, the Wu is back
Making niggas go Bo! Bo! like I'm Super Cat
Me fear no-one, oh no, here come
The Wu-Tang shogun, killer to the eardrum
Put the needle to the groove I gets rude and I'm forced
To fuck it up, my style carries like a pick-up truck
Cross the clear blue yonder, sea to shining sea
I slam tracks like quarterback sacks from L.T
Now why try and test, the Rebel INS?
Blessed since the birth, I earth-slam your best
Cause I bake the cake, then take the cake
And eat it, too, with my crew while we head state to state
And if you want beef, then bring the ruckus
Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuttin ta fuck with
Straight from the motherfucking slums that's busted
Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuttin ta fuck with
Hah! Step up, boy!
Represent! Chop his head off, kid!
The Meth will come out tomorrow
Styles, conditions, bizarre, bizarro
Flow, with more afro than Rollo
Coming to a fork in the road which way to go just follow
Meth is the legend, niggas is sleepy hollow
In fact I'm a hard act to follow
I dealt for dolo, Bogart coming on through
Niggas is like "Oh, my God, not you!"
Yes, I, come to get a slice of the punk and the pie
Rather do than die, check my flavor, coming from the RZA
Which is short for the razor who make me reminisce true
Like Deja, Vu! I'm rubber, niggas is like glue
Whatever you say rubs off me sticks to you
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
The lyrics to Wu-Tang Clan & Tom Morello's song Wu Ta are a powerful statement about the strength and prowess of the Wu-Tang Clan. In "Tiger Style," the singer declares that there is nowhere to hide as they enter the room, preparing for the boom. They boast about their awesome style, causing more "Family Feuds" than Richard Dawson. They speak of the Wu-Tang shogun as a deadly killer to the eardrums. The singer threatens anyone who wants to test them, claiming that the Wu-Tang Clan is "nothing to fuck with." The last verse by Method Man includes a nod to his own legend status and warns others that he is a hard act to follow.
The song is a unique blend of hip-hop and rock, with Tom Morello's guitar riffs creating a driving force behind the lyrics. The combination of the two styles creates an intense and powerful sound that perfectly matches the bold, aggressive lyrics. Overall, "Tiger Style" is a tribute to the strength and skill of the Wu-Tang Clan, asserting their dominance in the music world.
Line by Line Meaning
Tiger style
We are Wu-Tang Clan, representing a powerful and fierce style, like that of a tiger.
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
No one can mess with our group, Wu-Tang Clan.
Yo there's no place to hide as I step inside the room
As I enter the room, there's nowhere to run and no place to hide.
Dr. Doom, prepare for the boom
I am a force to be reckoned with, like the villain Dr. Doom, and I will make an impact with my music.
Bam! Aw, man! I, slam, jam, now scream like Tarzan
I come in with a bang and my powerful style makes you want to scream like Tarzan.
I be tossing and flossing my style is awesome
My style is excellent and I am confidently showing it off.
I'm causing more Family Feuds than Richard Dawson
My influence and power in the music world are causing more controversy and tension than the game show, Family Feud, hosted by Richard Dawson.
And the survey said, you're dead
Just like the game show indicates a wrong answer with a buzzer, my music indicates someone's failure with death.
Fatal Flying Guillotine chops off your fucking head
My music is like the swift and deadly martial arts weapon, the Flying Guillotine, that chops off your head.
MZA who was that? Ayo, the Wu is back
Asking who MZA is, I confidently reply that it's our group, Wu-Tang Clan, and we are back.
Making niggas go Bo! Bo! like I'm Super Cat
My music is so captivating that it makes people go crazy, like the hype man, Super Cat, at a party.
Me fear no-one, oh no, here come
I am fearless and confident, no one can intimidate me.
The Wu-Tang shogun, killer to the eardrum
I am the leader of Wu-Tang Clan, like a powerful shogun, and my music is so potent it kills your eardrums.
Put the needle to the groove I gets rude and I'm forced
When I put the needle on the record, my music is so aggressive and in-your-face that it's like it's forcing you to listen.
To fuck it up, my style carries like a pick-up truck
I am here to disrupt things with my music, and my style is so powerful that it carries like a loud pick-up truck.
Cross the clear blue yonder, sea to shining sea
My music is so far-reaching, it spans across the blue sky and across the entire country.
I slam tracks like quarterback sacks from L.T
My music hits hard, like a tackle from a football player like Lawrence Taylor.
Now why try and test, the Rebel INS?
Why would anyone even attempt to question or challenge me, the Rebel INS?
Blessed since the birth, I earth-slam your best
I have been blessed with my musical talent since birth, and I am here to dominate and take down even the best in the game.
Cause I bake the cake, then take the cake
I am the mastermind behind every aspect of my music, from creating it to taking credit for it.
And eat it, too, with my crew while we head state to state
Not only am I successful, but I am sharing my success with my crew as we travel across the country together.
And if you want beef, then bring the ruckus
If you want to challenge or confront me or my group, then prepare for a fight.
Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuttin ta fuck with
Once again, reiterating the fact that no one can mess with our group, Wu-Tang Clan.
Straight from the motherfucking slums that's busted
Our group originates from the impoverished and rundown areas that society has neglected.
Hah! Step up, boy!
Taunting anyone who dares to confront us or challenge our music.
Represent! Chop his head off, kid!
Showing undying loyalty to our group, we represent it and will go to any lengths, even violence, to defend it.
The Meth will come out tomorrow
Referring to another member of our group, Method Man, and implying that his music and style will remain relevant and present in the future.
Styles, conditions, bizarre, bizarro
Our music and style are unique and unusual, unlike anything else out there.
Flow, with more afro than Rollo
My music flows smoothly and effortlessly, and my hair is so large like Rollo's afro.
Coming to a fork in the road which way to go just follow
When faced with a decision or challenge, simply follow your instincts and stay true to yourself.
Meth is the legend, niggas is sleepy hollow
Method Man is an iconic figure in the music world, while his competitors are like empty shells with no substance.
In fact I'm a hard act to follow
My musical talent and style are so unique that it is difficult for anyone to compete with or match.
I dealt for dolo, Bogart coming on through
My music and style were cultivated on my own, without any outside help. I am strong and independent, like Humphrey Bogart.
Niggas is like "Oh, my God, not you!"
My rivals and competitors are shocked and intimidated at the sight of me or my music.
Yes, I, come to get a slice of the punk and the pie
I am here to claim my share of success and fame in the music industry, no matter the cost or effort.
Rather do than die, check my flavor, coming from the RZA
I am determined to take risks and work hard to achieve my goals, and my unique style is from the leadership of RZA.
Which is short for the razor who make me reminisce true
My connection and bond with RZA runs deep, as he jogs my memory and reminds me of my true roots and identity.
Like Deja, Vu! I'm rubber, niggas is like glue
My success and talent keep repeating, like a Deja Vu experience, while my critics and competitors are stuck and cannot replicate my success.
Whatever you say rubs off me sticks to you
No matter what the critics or haters say about me or my music, their opinions and negativity bounce off of me and only serve to strengthen my brand.
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Once again, reiterating the fact that no one can mess with our group, Wu-Tang Clan.
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Once again, reiterating the fact that no one can mess with our group, Wu-Tang Clan.
Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuttin ta Fuck Wit
Once again, reiterating the fact that no one can mess with our group, Wu-Tang Clan.
Lyrics ยฉ 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
@RegisTM
There should definitely be a Wu Tang Clan film. NWA set the bar high but they ain't the only rap group who changed hip hop.
@nickgarcia5448
im from arizona homeboy and i think wu tang is the best rap group out of any crew in my opinion
@cloudystraightfromeden
totally agree
a film about the wu-tang would be fucking amazing
@defone96
+Nick Garcia what part of Az UofA homie
@nickgarcia5448
+Def One wildcats nation all day..tucson homeboy
@defone96
+Nick Garcia we taken the title to home for Basketball
@averywashingtonjr3528
Itโs crazy how every member was soooo talented
@TonyTarantula
Exactly
@bhka6423
ODB, RZA, U-God, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, GZA and Method Man even sounded completely different to each other and had different styles. If you listen to new rap groups like Migos, all of them sound the same. It is so ironic that rappers who were in the same group didnโt sound the same while almost all new rappers sound the same.
@chadwicktouchdown
@@bhka6423 old man take