Triumph
Wu-Tang Clan and Cappadonna Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm the Osiris of this shit
Wu-Tang is here forever, motherfuckers
This like, this '97
Aight my niggas and my niggarettes
Let's do it like this
I'ma rub your ass in the moonshine
Let's take it back to '79
I bomb atomically, Socrates' philosophies and hypotheses
Can't define how I be droppin' these mockeries
Lyrically perform armed robbery
Flee with the lottery, possibly they spotted me
Battle-scarred Shogun, explosion when my pen hits tremendous
Ultra-violet shine blind forensics
I inspect view through the future see millennium
Killa Beez sold fifty gold, sixty platinum
Shackling the masses with drastic rap tactics
Graphic displays melt the steel like blacksmiths
Black Wu jackets, Queen Beez ease the guns in
Rumble with patrolmen, tear gas laced the function
Heads by the score take flight, incite a war
Chicks hit the floor, diehard fans demand more
Behold the bold soldier, control the globe slowly
Proceeds to blow, swingin' swords like Shinobi
Stomp grounds and pound footprints in solid rock
Wu got it locked, performin' live on your hottest block
As the world turns, I spread like germs
Bless the globe with the pestilence, the hard-headed never learn
It's my testament to those burned
Play my position in the game of life, standing firm
On foreign land, jump the gun out the frying pan
Into the fire, transform into the Ghost Rider
A six-pack and A Streetcar Named Desire
Who got my back? In the line of fire, holding back
What? My peoples if you with me, where the fuck you at?
Niggas is strapped and they tryna twist my beer cap
It's court adjourned for the bad seed from bad sperm
Herb got my wig fried like a bad perm
What the blood clot? We smoke pot, and blow spots
You wanna think twice? I think not
The Iron Lung ain't got to tell you where it's coming from
Guns of Navarone tearing up your battle zone
Rip through your slums
I twist darts from the heart, tried and true
Loot my voice on the LP
Martini on the slang rocks, certified chatterbox
Vocabulary 'Donna talking, tell your story walking
Take cover, kid, what? Run for your brother, kid
Run for your team, and your "six can't rhyme" groupies
So I can squeeze with the advantage and get wasted
My deadly notes reigns supreme
Your thought is basic compared to mine
Domino effect, arts and crafts, paragraphs contain cyanide
Take a free ride on my thought
I got the fashion catalogs for all y'all to all praise due to God
The saga continues
Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang
Olympic torch flaming, we burn so sweet
The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat
We crush slow, flaming deluxe slow for
Judgment Day cometh, conquer, it's war
Allow us to escape Hell, globe spinning bomb
Pocket full of shells out the sky Golden Arms
Tunes spit the shitty Mortal Kombat sound
The fake false step make the blood stain the ground
A jungle junkie, vigilante tantrum
A death kiss catwalk, squeeze another anthem
Hold it for ransom, tranquilized with anesthesia
My orchestra, graceful, music ballerinas
My music Sicily, rich California smell
An axe killer adventure, paint a picture well
I sing a song from Sing-Sing, sippin' on ginseng
Righteous wax chaperon, rotating ring king
March of the wooden soldiers, C-Cypher Punks couldn't hold us
A thousand men rushing in, not one nigga was sober
Perpendicular to the square, we stand bold like Flare
Escape from your dragon's lair
In particular, my beats travel like a vortex
Through your spine to the top of your cerebral cortex
Make you feel like you bust a nut from raw sex
Enter through your right ventricle clog up your bloodstream
Heart terminal like Grand Central Station
Program fat baselines on Novation
Getting drunk like I'm fucking duckin' five-year probation
War of the masses, the outcome disastrous
Many of the victim families save their ashes
A million names on walls, engraved in plaques
Those who went back received penalties for their acts
Another heart is torn as close ones mourn
Those who stray, niggas get slayed on the song
The track renders helpless and suffers from multiple stab wounds
And leaks sounds that's heard
93 million miles away from
Came one to represent the Nation
This is a gathering of the masses
That come to pay respects to the Wu-Tang Clan
As we engage in battle, the crowd now screams in rage
The high chief Jamel Irief takes the stage
Light is provided through sparks of energy
From the mind that travels in rhyme form
Giving sight to the blind
The dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum
Death only one can save self from
This relentless attack of the track spares none
Yo, yo, yo, fuck that
Look at all these crab niggas laid back
Lampin' like them gray and black Puma's on my man's rack
Codeine was forced in your drink
You had a navy green salamander fiend
Bitches overheard you scream
You two-faces, scum of the slum, I got your whole body numb
Blowing like Shalamar in '81
Sound convincing, thousand dollar cork-pop convention
Hands like Sonny Liston, get fly permission
Hold the fuck up, I'll unfasten your wig, bad luck
I humiliate, separate the English from the Dutch
It's me, Black Noble Drew Ali, came in threes
We like the Genovese, sazon season these degrees
It's Earth, 93 million miles from the first
Rough turbulence, the wave burst, split the megahertz
Ayo, that's amazing
Gun in your mouth talk, verbal foul hawk
Connect thoughts to make my man child walk
Swift notarizer, Blue-Tang, all up in the high-riser
New York Yank visor, word tranquilizer
Adjust the dosage, delegate my Clan with explosives
While, my pen blow lines ferocious
Mediterranean, see y'all, the number one draft pick
Tear down the beat, God, then delegate the God to see God
The swift chancellor, flex the white gold tarantula
Track truck diesel, play the weed God substantiala
Max mostly, undivided then slide in sickening
Guaranteed made 'em jump like Rod Strickland
In “Triumph,” Wu-Tang Clan creates a powerful and striking rap song that features the group’s characteristic dark, violent lyrics and weighty delivery. The lyrics trip between various topics, from referencing Greek philosopher Socrates to describing the comical agonies of holding street-corner court. It also mentions the plagues of Egypt, The Tower of Babel, Spartacus, Julius Caesar, the Black Panthers and Gucci sneakers. The core message of the song is centred on the group’s rise to fame and how they’ve overcome the odds to become a dominant force in the rap genre.
The song features heavy metal samples, orchestral strings, Missy Elliot’s vocal stylings and a car crash sound effect. However, the highlight of the song is still Wu-Tang’s lyrical delivery, which is manic, aggressive, and poetic in equal measures. The group raps about their success and fame, but also the resistance they faced as young, black rappers trying to make it in America. It is an introspective critique of the rap journey, and a celebration of their mastery of the artform.
What makes "Triumph" even more remarkable is the story behind its creation. The single was released in 1997, still a peak year for Wu-Tang Clan. However, the group was in the midst of tumultuous times, and the song was created against the backdrop of personal and professional issues, including disagreements over record deals, artistic direction, and the pressures of fame. Despite these pressures, Wu-Tang Clan came together to create a truly great song that remains one of their most celebrated tracks to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
What y'all thought y'all wasn't gon' see me?
Did you really think you wouldn't see me?
I'm the Osiris of this shit
I'm the ruler and leader of this rap game
Wu-Tang is here forever, motherfuckers
Wu-Tang will always be present and influential
This like, this '97
This is reminiscent of the year 1997
Aight my niggas and my niggarettes
Okay, my male and female friends
Let's do it like this
Let's proceed in this manner
I'ma rub your ass in the moonshine
I'm going to metaphorically humiliate you
Let's take it back to '79
Let's revisit the year 1979
I bomb atomically, Socrates' philosophies and hypotheses
I deliver lyrical bombs and intellectual ideas
Can't define how I be droppin' these mockeries
You can't comprehend how I effortlessly deliver these insults
Lyrically perform armed robbery
I steal the attention and respect with my powerful lyrics
Flee with the lottery, possibly they spotted me
Escape with the winnings, perhaps they caught a glimpse of me
Battle-scarred Shogun, explosion when my pen hits tremendous
I'm a warrior who leaves a lasting impact when I write
Ultra-violet shine blind forensics
My brilliance is so intense, it blinds investigators
I inspect view through the future see millennium
I analyze the present with a futuristic perspective
Killa Beez sold fifty gold, sixty platinum
The Wu-Tang affiliates have achieved great commercial success
Shackling the masses with drastic rap tactics
We captivate the audience with our powerful rap strategies
Graphic displays melt the steel like blacksmiths
Our vivid performances have a transformative effect
Black Wu jackets, Queen Beez ease the guns in
Our iconic clothing and influential women introduce weapons
Rumble with patrolmen, tear gas laced the function
Engage in violent clashes with law enforcement, filling the air with tear gas
Heads by the score take flight, incite a war
Our fans enthusiastically join the battle, provoking a conflict
Chicks hit the floor, diehard fans demand more
Female fans fall to the ground, passionate supporters crave additional content
Behold the bold soldier, control the globe slowly
Witness the courageous warrior who steadily dominates the world
Proceeds to blow, swingin' swords like Shinobi
Proceeds to attack, wielding weapons like a skilled ninja
Stomp grounds and pound footprints in solid rock
Assert dominance and leave a lasting impact on the foundation
Wu got it locked, performin' live on your hottest block
Wu-Tang has a firm grip, delivering live performances in popular neighborhoods
As the world turns, I spread like germs
As time passes, I multiply and make my presence known
Bless the globe with the pestilence, the hard-headed never learn
Infect the world with disease, stubborn individuals refuse to accept the lesson
It's my testament to those burned
It's my statement dedicated to those who have suffered
Play my position in the game of life, standing firm
I fulfill my role in the journey of existence, remaining steadfast
On foreign land, jump the gun out the frying pan
In unfamiliar territory, take quick action to escape a dangerous situation
Into the fire, transform into the Ghost Rider
Enter a challenging situation, adopting a fearless and unstoppable persona
A six-pack and A Streetcar Named Desire
Alcohol and a reference to Tennessee Williams' play symbolize hedonism
Who got my back? In the line of fire, holding back
Who supports me? In a dangerous situation, exercising restraint
What? My peoples if you with me, where the fuck you at?
What? If you're my people, where are you now?
Niggas is strapped and they tryna twist my beer cap
People are armed and attempting to harm me
It's court adjourned for the bad seed from bad sperm
The trial ends for the misguided individual from a troubled background
Herb got my wig fried like a bad perm
Drugs have severely affected my mental state
What the blood clot? We smoke pot, and blow spots
What the hell? We consume marijuana and cause a stir
You wanna think twice? I think not
Do you want to reconsider? I don't think so
The Iron Lung ain't got to tell you where it's coming from
I don't have to explain the source of my unparalleled talent
Guns of Navarone tearing up your battle zone
Powerful weapons causing destruction in your territory
Rip through your slums
Violently penetrate and devastate your impoverished communities
I twist darts from the heart, tried and true
I skillfully craft impactful lyrics from the depths of my soul
Loot my voice on the LP
Profit from the sales of my recorded songs
Martini on the slang rocks, certified chatterbox
Metaphorically enjoying a drink while fluently expressing myself
Vocabulary 'Donna talking, tell your story walking
Using a wide range of words to dismiss your explanations
Take cover, kid, what? Run for your brother, kid
Protect yourself, young one. What? Escape alongside your sibling
Run for your team, and your 'six can't rhyme' groupies
Flee with your comrades and fans who can't match our rhyming abilities
So I can squeeze with the advantage and get wasted
So I can exploit the situation and indulge in excessive drinking
My deadly notes reigns supreme
My powerful lyrics and music dominate
Your thought is basic compared to mine
Your ideas are simple in comparison to mine
Domino effect, arts and crafts, paragraphs contain cyanide
My impact spreads like a chain reaction, my lyrics are lethal
Take a free ride on my thought
Join me on a journey through my mind
I got the fashion catalogs for all y'all to all praise due to God
I possess the knowledge and style that deserves admiration and acknowledgment
The saga continues
The story continues to unfold
Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang
The Wu-Tang Clan, the Wu-Tang Clan
Olympic torch flaming, we burn so sweet
Our presence and impact are intense, yet enjoyable
The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat
Experiencing the excitement of success and the pain of failure
We crush slow, flaming deluxe slow for
We dominate at our own pace, with a luxurious swag
Judgment Day cometh, conquer, it's war
A day of reckoning is approaching, we will conquer in this battle
Allow us to escape Hell, globe spinning bomb
Let us escape from a place of turmoil, spreading our impactful music worldwide
Pocket full of shells out the sky Golden Arms
Carrying a handful of ammunition, bestowed by a powerful individual
Tunes spit the shitty Mortal Kombat sound
Our music releases verbal attacks similar to the violence in Mortal Kombat
The fake false step make the blood stain the ground
Making a wrong move results in tragic consequences
A jungle junkie, vigilante tantrum
An addict in a chaotic environment, engaging in reckless acts
A death kiss catwalk, squeeze another anthem
A deadly display of confidence, releasing another powerful song
Hold it for ransom, tranquilized with anesthesia
Keeping it hostage, calm and numb with sedation
My orchestra, graceful, music ballerinas
My music is like a coordinated dance, elegant and captivating
My music Sicily, rich California smell
My music is reminiscent of the culture in Sicily, with the essence of California
An axe killer adventure, paint a picture well
A thrilling journey of a murderer, skillfully portrayed
I sing a song from Sing-Sing, sippin' on ginseng
I perform a song inspired by Sing-Sing prison, while consuming ginseng
Righteous wax chaperon, rotating ring king
Righteous and spiritual protector of the music industry, wearing a rotating and powerful ring
March of the wooden soldiers, C-Cypher Punks couldn't hold us
Advancing like toy soldiers, even computer hackers couldn't stop us
A thousand men rushing in, not one nigga was sober
An army of men charging, none of them were in a sober state
Perpendicular to the square, we stand bold like Flare
Unconventional and confident, we stand out like a bright flare
Escape from your dragon's lair
Free yourself from a dangerous and oppressive situation
In particular, my beats travel like a vortex
Specifically, my beats circulate with great force and intensity
Through your spine to the top of your cerebral cortex
From your spine to the highest part of your brain, my music impacts you
Make you feel like you bust a nut from raw sex
My music gives you an intense and pleasurable sensation
Enter through your right ventricle clog up your bloodstream
Enter through a specific part of your heart, obstructing your blood flow
Heart terminal like Grand Central Station
Heart condition as severe as a busy train station
Program fat baselines on Novation
Create powerful and impactful basslines using the Novation music equipment
Getting drunk like I'm fucking duckin' five-year probation
Getting intoxicated and avoiding the consequences of a legal sentence
War of the masses, the outcome disastrous
Conflict among the people, resulting in a terrible outcome
Many of the victim families save their ashes
The families of the victims preserve ashes as a memory
A million names on walls, engraved in plaques
Countless names memorialized on walls, etched in commemorative plaques
Those who went back received penalties for their acts
Those who returned to the past faced consequences for their actions
Another heart is torn as close ones mourn
More sadness arises as loved ones grieve
Those who stray, niggas get slayed on the song
Those who deviate are met with a harsh response in the music
The track renders helpless and suffers from multiple stab wounds
The song leaves the listener powerless and wounded
And leaks sounds that's heard
And releases sounds that are audible
93 million miles away from
A great distance of 93 million miles separates us
Came one to represent the Nation
One of us arrived to represent the Wu-Tang Clan
This is a gathering of the masses
This is a gathering of a large group of people
That come to pay respects to the Wu-Tang Clan
Who have come to honor and appreciate the Wu-Tang Clan
As we engage in battle, the crowd now screams in rage
As we participate in a conflict, the audience erupts in anger
The high chief Jamel Irief takes the stage
The respected leader Jamel Irief steps forward
Light is provided through sparks of energy
Illumination is achieved through bursts of passion
From the mind that travels in rhyme form
From the mind that explores through poetic expression
Giving sight to the blind
Granting understanding to those who lack it
The dumb are mostly intrigued by the drum
Those lacking intelligence are primarily captivated by the rhythm
Death only one can save self from
Only death can deliver us from our struggles
This relentless attack of the track spares none
This continuous assault of the music affects everyone
Yo, yo, yo, fuck that
Hey, hey, hey, disregard that
Look at all these crab niggas laid back
Observe these unoriginal individuals being lazy
Lampin' like them gray and black Puma's on my man's rack
Relaxing like the gray and black Puma sneakers on my friend's shelf
Codeine was forced in your drink
Codeine was secretly added to your beverage
You had a navy green salamander fiend
You were under the influence of drugs, appearing lethargic
Bitches overheard you scream
Women heard you shout loudly
You two-faces, scum of the slum, I got your whole body numb
You deceitful person from the impoverished area, I have rendered you completely numb
Blowing like Shalamar in '81
Enjoying success and fame like the musical group Shalamar in 1981
Sound convincing, thousand dollar cork-pop convention
Presenting something with great conviction, like opening an expensive bottle of champagne
Hands like Sonny Liston, get fly permission
Having powerful and skilled hands, like the boxer Sonny Liston, granting oneself the freedom to soar
Hold the fuck up, I'll unfasten your wig, bad luck
Wait a moment, I'll remove your wig, bringing misfortune
I humiliate, separate the English from the Dutch
I embarrass and distinguish different nationalities
It's me, Black Noble Drew Ali, came in threes
It's me, representing Black Noble Drew Ali, appearing in a group of three
We like the Genovese, sazon season these degrees
We're similar to the Genovese crime family, adding flavor to our knowledge
It's Earth, 93 million miles from the first
It's planet Earth, located 93 million miles from the sun
Rough turbulence, the wave burst, split the megahertz
Chaos and instability, causing a disruption in the vibrations
Ayo, that's amazing
Hey, that's astonishing
Gun in your mouth talk, verbal foul hawk
Threatening language, like a bird of prey, directed at your mouth
Connect thoughts to make my man child walk
Formulating ideas to inspire others to take action
Swift notarizer, Blue-Tang, all up in the high-riser
Quick and efficient in authorizing documents, with a strong presence in tall buildings
New York Yank visor, word tranquilizer
Wearing a Yankees visor, my words calm and soothe
Adjust the dosage, delegate my Clan with explosives
Modify the dosage, entrust my Clan with powerful weapons
While, my pen blow lines ferocious
Meanwhile, my writing delivers fierce and intense lines
Mediterranean, see y'all, the number one draft pick
Similar to the Mediterranean, I overlook all of you as the top choice
Tear down the beat, God, then delegate the God to see God
Dismantle the music with great skill, then pass on the role to another talented individual
The swift chancellor, flex the white gold tarantula
The quick leader, displaying the power and value of a rare white gold tarantula
Track truck diesel, play the weed God substantiala
Appearing like a powerful vehicle, while also asserting dominance as a cannabis expert
Max mostly, undivided then slide in sickening
Reaching the maximum level, remaining focused before sliding in with disturbing actions
Guaranteed made 'em jump like Rod Strickland
I promise to make them jump in excitement, similar to the basketball player Rod Strickland
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: Robert F. Diggs, Dennis David Coles, Gary E. Grice, Lamont Hawkins, Jason Hunter, Russell T. Jones, Clifford Smith, Corey Woods, Darryl Robert Hill, Elgin Evander Turner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NightKilla2004
0:25 Ason Unique aka Ol' Dirty Bastard
0:52 Inspectah Deck
1:40 Method Man
2:22 Cappadonna
2:55 Ason Unique, aka Ol' Dirty Bastard (Hook)
2:59 U-God
3:40 Prince Rakeem aka RZA
4:07 Genius/GZA
4:23 Masta Killa
4:59 Ghostface Killah
5:36 Shaquan aka Raekwon The Chef
@chxse8685
If ur watching this in 2023 u a legend
@user-ls3lq5cq7z
v3 VizzleYt onggg
@leng-ukgskensquad2424
Hell ye I’m still watching this is big wu for life
@tougekidzz5934
Haha I am bro shit bump
@user-jr5hs2cx3d
Never stopped
@torrinperry
U too Wu Tang clan 🤣we Wu Forever!!!!!!!
@11cylynt11
Wu-Tang is the only rap group that can make a 6 minute song with no hook and it still becomes a hit.
@NOVAsteamed
Québec should be an independant country. Like if you agree.
@davidjurado9577
Duh cuz there from new york
@Laicn
Villhelm Cranford You probably think lil pump can rap dude you have no place here