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
X
Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics
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姿色的脸带着抹不去的泪眼
沉溺在泥泞梦里
可怜的别再寻觅那只是憧憬
请别装作什么都不在意脆弱的你
那么炫丽吸引了我忘乎所以
那么熟悉的幻影发现自己
闭上眼别呼吸
疲惫的脸带着欲望浮现熄灭
流连在霓虹夜里
流浪儿别再叹息
守不住宿命
莫不期待现实变形上演沉默的你
那么炫丽吸引了我忘乎所以
那么熟悉的幻影发现自己
眼中的全是你看不见的你
心不在焉这是什么怎样逃离
The lyrics of Wu-Tang Clan's "X" delve into themes of isolation, yearning, and self-discovery. The opening lines reflect a sense of disillusionment with the world, as the singer describes the face of a stranger as not being too beautiful, hinting at the emptiness and sorrow hidden behind a facade of beauty. The imagery of tears in the eyes suggests a deep emotional pain that cannot be erased, hinting at a vulnerability that the person tries to hide.
The lyrics transition into a state of being lost in muddy dreams, feeling trapped and desperate for something more than just fleeting desires. The plea to stop searching for illusions and to acknowledge one's fragile state speaks to a sense of longing for authenticity and truth in a world filled with superficiality. The singer is drawn to the dazzling allure of this familiar phantom, losing themselves in its mesmerizing appeal while also discovering aspects of their own identity that were previously unseen.
As the song progresses, there is a sense of resignation and fatigue, symbolized by the tired face that reveals underlying desires that flicker and fade. The references to neon nights and wandering children evoke a sense of aimlessness and disconnection from one's true path, unable to hold onto their destiny and yearning for a transformation that remains elusive. The mention of a silent performance suggests a desire for change or escape from the silent suffering and unspoken emotions that plague the individual.
The lyrics conclude with a contemplation on identity and detachment, as the singer questions the reality of what they see and feel. There is a sense of confusion and disorientation as they grapple with the presence of an invisible self within, a duality that causes the heart to wander aimlessly and the mind to detach from reality. Ultimately, the lyrics of "X" explore the complexities of human emotions, the search for authenticity in a world of illusions, and the struggle to break free from the constraints of societal expectations and self-imposed limitations.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@briansamuel246
This is unreal. I hope the Wu members have heard this.
@thomasgougeon2543
I should hope so lol they made the album. Wutang meets rhythm and blues
@briansamuel246
@@thomasgougeon2543 oh shit I thought it was just a YouTube DJ
@thomasgougeon2543
@briansamuel246 I think you might be right actually lol I could have swore it was on the RnB album 😅
@briansamuel246
@thomasgougeon2543 either way, it's a banger, start to finish
@GhostDrops1
@@briansamuel246it’s a mashup!
@wilsonvinicius36
i don't usually comment but holy fuck that was the best mashup that i've ever heard in my life
@ARSENICKMUSIC
FACT
@donnarios2695
FAQ.
@jessehussey-yeo2435
WOW 😮. More please.