Line #61 Music/WuTangClan


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wu_10.jpg]]
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3
4	->''"Cash Rules Everything Around Me. CREAM, get the money. Dollar dollar bill, y'all!"''
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6	When it comes to [[HipHop hip-hop]] music, chances are you'll come across the Wu-Tang Clan, a collective of ''ten'' (now nine) men reading to throw in some beats and Shaolin/Wu-Tang style.
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8	A HardcoreHipHop group from Staten Island, [[BigApplesauce New York City]] that has been active musically since 1992, Wu Tang stopped being something to fuck with around the time you heard 'em for the first time, son. Their fame is largely derived from their SignatureStyle: highly conceptual lyrics with [[JustForFun/OneOfUs frequent name-dropping of comic books]], an obsession with UsefulNotes/HongKong martial arts films (especially older classics from Creator/ShawBrothers) [[note]]their name comes from the martial arts movie ''Film/ShaolinAndWuTang''[[/note]] and their [[CrazyIsCool Crazy Awesomeness]].
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10	[[MemeticMutation They ain't]] [[PrecisionFStrike nuthin' ta fuck with]].
11	----
12	!!The group's lineup is:
13	* The '''[[TheLeader RZA]]''', AKA The Razor, Prince Rakeem, Rzarector, The Abbot, Chief Abbot, Bobby Steeles, Bobby Digital, the Scientist, Prince Delight, Prince Dynamite, Ruler Zig-Zag-Zig Allah (Real name: Robert Diggs Jr.)
14	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Bobby Digital in Stereo''
15	* The '''[[TheSmartGuy GZA]]''', AKA the Genius, Justice, Allah Justice, Maximillion (Real name: Gary Grice)
16	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Liquid Swords''
17	* '''[[KidAppealCharacter Method Man]]''', AKA Meth, Methtical, Shakwon, MZA, Iron Lung, Hott Nikkels, [[Franchise/{{Rocky}} Ticallion Stallion]], [[ComicBook/GhostRider Johnny Blaze]] (Real name: Clifford Smith)
18	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Tical''
19	* '''[[TheLancer Ghostface Killah]]''', AKA Ghost, Sun-God, [[ComicBook/IronMan Ironman, Tony Starks]], Starky Love, Pretty Toney, P Tone, Ghost Deini, The Wallabee Kingpin (Real name: Dennis Coles)
20	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Ironman''
21	* '''[[BunnyEarsLawyer Ol' Dirty Bastard]]''', AKA ODB, Dirt [=McGirt=], Dirt Dog, Big Baby Jesus, Sweet Baby Jesus, Mudbutt [=McMurder=], Osirus, Osiris the Father, Joe Bananas, King Bong, Rob Dog, Ol' Dirt Schultz, Hasaan, [[Series/ChappellesShow Old Dirty Chinese Restaurant]], Ill Irving the Murderer, The BZA, Ol' Daddy Skidmarkz, The Drunken Master Styles, Ason Jones, Ason Unique, Rain Man, Free Loadin' Rusty, [[OverlyLongGag The Man of All Rainbows]], (Real name: Russell Tyrone Jones) - Passed away in 2004.
22	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version''
23	* '''[[LivingLieDetector Inspectah Deck]]''', AKA Rebel INS, Fifth Brother,Manifesto, Rollie Fingers, the Ayatollah (Real name: Jason Hunter)
24	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Uncontrolled Substance''
25	* '''[[TagalongKid Masta Killa]]''', AKA High Chief, [[Film/OnceUponATimeInAmerica Noodles]], Jamel Ireif (Real name: Elgin Turner)
26	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''No Said Date''
27	* '''[[TheStoryteller Raekwon]]''', AKA The Chef, Rae, Shallah Raekwon, Lex Diamond, Lou Diamonds (Real name: Cory Woods)
28	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...''
29	* '''[[BaritoneOfStrength U-God]]''', AKA Baby-U, Golden Arms, 4-Bar Killer, Lucky Hands (Real name: Lamont Hawkins)
30	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''Golden Arms Redemption''
31	* '''[[SixthRanger Cappadonna]]''', AKA Cappachino, Donna, Cap, Papi Wardrobe, Diggaler (Real name: Darryl Hill)
32	** Wu-Tang Solo Debut: ''The Pillage''
33	----
34	!!Discography:
35	* ''Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'' (1993)
36	* ''Wu-Tang Forever'' (1997)
37	* ''The W'' (2000)
38	* ''Iron Flag'' (2001)
39	* ''8 Diagrams'' (2007)
40	* ''A Better Tomorrow'' (2014)
41	* ''Once Upon a Time in Shaolin'' (2015, limited release) [[note]]Only one copy was ever made and sold, with the full release planned in '''''2103''''', although the album can be released online for free. The copy changed hands over the years from businessman Martin Shkreli to the US government to an anonymous buyer.[[/note]]
42	* ''The Saga Continues''(2017) [[note]]Labeled as a "compilation" due to the group's name being shortened to "Wu-Tang" as U-God was not featured due to legalities over royalty disputes.[[/note]]
43	----
44	!! "Tropes rule everything around me":
45	* AnimatedMusicVideo: The video for "Daytona 500". One of the earliest examples that cut anime footage in with the music, the anime here being Anime/SpeedRacer.
46	* TheApprentice: Masta Killa and [[TokenReligiousTeammate Killah Priest]] were both considered this to GZA with them battling each other for the ninth and last spot (at the time) in the group.
47	* ArchEnemy: GZA has held a grudge against record labels since the failure of his first album: Words from the Genius. It shows in his raps, especially in early works.
48	* BadassBoast: Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to fuck with!
49	* BadassAdorable: Shyheim was a rapper affiliated with the group who was 13-14 years old when he recorded his debut album, '' AKA The Rugged Child''.
50	* BandOfRelatives:
51	** RZA, GZA & ODB - Cousins
52	** Method Man & Raekwon - Cousins
53	** The familial connections expand for more cousins, children, siblings and adopted relatives with the second and third generation Wu members and affiliates.
54	* BatmanGambit: RZA claims the period between ''36 Chambers'' and ''Wu-Tang Forever'' to be this, the goal being to take over the hip hop scene.
55	* BlackAndNerdy: Immensely so. Part of the reasons why they use a lot of comic book nicknames is because they are comic book fans.
56	* BloodLust: Ol' Dirty on ''Raw Hide''.
57	--> "I wanna see blood, whether it's period blood / Or bustin your fuckin face, some blood!!"
58	* BoastfulRap: "Protect Ya Neck", for starters. Basically every song in their repertoire has this, in spades.
59	* BoisterousBruiser: Ghostface Killah.
60	* BrooklynRage: Straight from the slums of Staten Island. Wu Tang Clan are also nothing to f with.
61	* BuffySpeak: One of the lines in the intro of "Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber": ''He was layin there with fuckin', all types of fuckin' blood comin' out of his fuckin'...''
62	* BunnyEarsLawyer: ODB was completely insane, but he was a damn fine rapper.
63	* CatchPhrase: Too many to be counted, but the best one is "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit".
64	* ChefOfIron: Raekwon.
65	* ChessMotifs: All over the place, but most noticeably on "Da Mystery Of Chessboxin'". The GZA eventually released a chess-themed collab project with DJ Muggs called ''Grandmasters'', with each track being an extended pun on some chess term.
66	* {{Cloudcuckoolander}}:
67	** The RZA is also this to an extent, given that the man basically wrote his own RELIGION.
68	** Ghostface Killah, especially due to his latter-career non-sequitur style of rhyming, definitely comes off as this.
69	* ClusterFBomb: Did you expect something else?
70	* ColdBloodedTorture: The beginning of "Method Man".
71	* ConceptAlbum: ''Once Upon a Time in Shaolin'' tends to be seen as this due to it's mystique and the "tale" that as seen from the infamous book that came along with the one album copy.
72	* DamnItFeelsGoodToBeAGangster: A lot of Wu stuff, but especially Raekwon and Ghost's work. Raekwon's debut solo project ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...'' started of the "Wu Gambino" style of mafioso-themed raps, and is largely credited with kickstarting the GangstaRap trend in the first place. GZA's solo album ''Liquid Swords'', on the other hand, delivers some {{Deconstruction}} of the romantic image of the gangster lifestyle: snippets of [[Manga/LoneWolfAndCub Shogun Assassin]] interweave with a stark image of life in a bloody, soul-crushing {{Gangsterland}}. His ''Killa Hills 10304'' is definitely playing this trope straight.
73	* DeadlyGame: What the GZA claims drug dealing is like.
74	--> "Who selling cain, I'm giving out a deadly game / it's not the Russian it's the Wu-Tang crushing roulette / slip up and get fucked like Suzette / bring da fucking ruckus."
75	* DownerEnding: Ol' Dirty Bastard. He died following an overdose of cocaine and painkillers in 2004. Worse, his cousin RZA was {{forced to watch}}, powerless to help him.
76	* EveryoneHasStandards: Normally ODB was violent, aggressive and completely deluded, but he NEVER harmed children. He even saved a girl's life and visited her in the hospital discreetly.
77	* TheFaceless: Ghostface [[http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/theboombox.com/files/2013/04/ghostface.jpg sometimes.]]
78	* FourTemperamentEnsemble: Ghostface, Cappadonna, and Meth are Sanguine, ODB and RZA are Choleric, GZA, Raekwon and Inspectah are Melancholic, U-God and Masta Killa are Phlegmatic.
79	* FriendToAllChildren: According to ODB.
80	-->[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdNHS8b9C7I&t=40s "I don't know how you all see it, but when it comes to the children, Wu-Tang is for the children. We teach the children. You know what I mean?"]]
81	* FromNobodyToNightmare: Masta Killa's ''monster'' verse on "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" was supposedly the first rap verse he ever wrote.
82	* FunWithAcronyms:
83	** We Usually Take All Niggas' Garments, according to ''7th Chamber''.
84	** Also there's Witty Unpredictable Talent And Natural Game from The GZA's ''Labels''.
85	** Cash Rules Everything Around Me, C.R.E.A.M.![[note]]Get the money! Dollar, dollar bill, y'all![[/note]]
86	** Taking Into Consideration All Lives
87	** Training Is Commitment And Lifestyle
88	** Consider All Poor People Acceptable Dont Opress Nor Neglect Anyone
89	** According to The RZA, "peace" stands for Protons Electrons Always Cause Explosions.
90	** The GZA also rapped the immortal line: "What is the meaning of CRIME? / Is it Criminals Robbin' Innocent Motherfuckers Everytime?"
91	* GangstaRap: Type 1 plus a fair amount of Type 3. Raekwon's ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...'' is considered one of the trope makers for Type 4.
92	* GeniusBruiser: All the Wu Tang Members fit this, especially RZA, and GZA.
93	* HiddenDepths: Turns out [[Series/TheWire Method Man can act, too.]] Also turns out The RZA is a financial wizard as well as being a hip-hop genius.
94	** RZA and the other members stressed this ''well'' with Ol' Dirty Bastard that beyond the crazy personality was a genius man. RZA himself lamented this in ''The Tao of Wu'' that ODB began to lose his depth due to prison and drugs and his eventual sad passing in 2004.
95	* IHaveManyNames: '''''And we mean MANY names''''', especially Ol' Dirty Bastard. A skit taken from an interview is hidden at the end of "Can It Be All So Simple" explains the meaning of some of the nicknames.
96	* InsistentTerminology: Besides their adoption of the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Alphabet Supreme Alphabet]] and [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Mathematics#Supreme_Mathematics Supreme Mathematics]] and their [[ReferenceOverdosed deluge of references]]... well, there's their use of "Shaolin" as a synonym for "Staten Island".
97	* KamehameHadoken: Cappadonna does one at the beginning of his verse in "Triumph".
98	* LargeHam: ODB and Ghostface Killah. Expect him to ''really'' [[ChewingTheScenery Chew the Scenery]] on the more dramatic songs in the group's catalogue. Most songs featuring him and Ol' Dirty Bastard usually become HamToHamCombat.
99	* LivingLieDetector: Inspectah Deck, apparently:
100	-->"Inspectah Deck, he's like that dude that'll sit back and watch you play yourself and all that right? And see you sit there and know you lyin; and he'll take you to court after that, cuz he the Inspectah."
101	* TheLeader: RZA.
102	* MeaningfulName: Their stage names each represent a trait they have, and this applies to ''a lot of their references''.
103	** The title for ''Once Upon a Time in Shaolin...'' literally can be summed up as "Once Upon a Time in Staten Island", since the group has called their hometown of Staten Island "Shaolin".
104	* MakeAnExampleOfThem: Ghostface to several members of the De Lucas family in ''12 Reasons to Die''.
105	* MoneySong: "C.R.E.A.M."
106	* MrFanservice: Method Man. With the combination of his rugged good looks and charismatic personality, it made the group appeal to the female audience as well as the male audience.
107	* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Masta Killa, Ghostface Killah, 4-Bar Killer, Ill Irving the Murderer, The Razor, 60 Second Assassin, etc. Most were names taken from the villains in old kung fu movies, so this was bound to happen.
108	* OddFriendship: {{Bunny Ears Lawyer}} ODB and pop princess {{Music/Mariah Carey}}. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BhESE4IB9w They became close]] after he appeared on the remix of her song "Fantasy." Carey attended his funeral and included him in a montage of her deceased loved ones in one of her music videos.
109	* TheOldGods: "Older Gods" is a track on ''Wu-Tang Forever'':
110	-->Ghostface Killer: Yo, the Older God put me on and had to rock this / Maintain Three-Sixty Lord live prosperous
111	* JustForFun/OneOfUs: All the members were big fans of Creator/MarvelComics and named their group after the kung fu movie, ''Film/ShaolinAndWuTang''.
112	* ThePerfectionist: The RZA, by most indications. He admits this in his own autobiographies, saying that while he credits it for the Clan's success, it also very nearly destroyed his friendships.
113	* PlatoIsAMoron: Inspectah Deck claims that even ''Socrates'' isn't capable of contemplating his style on the song "Triumph".
114	-->"Socrates' philosophies and hypotheses can't define how I be droppin' these mockeries."
115	* RagsToRiches: Went from having to [[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/15-fun-facts-about-wu-tang-clans-36-chambers-20131108 literally steal canned food during the recording]] of ''36 Chambers'' to being worth around $16 million a piece.
116	* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: The RZA trades these with a girl he's breaking up with on the song "Domestic Violence" off his debut album.
117	* ReferenceOverdosed: To put it mildly.
118	-->"Put a hanger on a fuckin' stove and let that shit sit there for like, a half hour..."
119	* {{Sampling}}: From Shaw Brothers King Fu movies, old cartoons, other rap songs, other R&B songs...you name it, they've probably sampled it at some point.
120	* ScaryBlackMan: For certain values of scary. The lyrical content certainly seems to deliberately invoke this.
121	* ScreamingWarrior: A persona they adopt a lot, especially on ''36 Chambers''.
122	* SealedEvilInACan: In ''12 Reasons to Die'', the crime family that took out Starks sealed his remains into 12 vinyl records, but little did they know, Starks would [[spoiler: rise again as The Ghostface Killah.]]
123	* ShoutOut: The Clan were prone to making references to comics and movies in their lyrics and their nicknames.
124	-->'''Inspectah Deck:''' "Swinging through your town like your neighborhood ComicBook/SpiderMan!"
125	* SomethingPerson: Method Man, most obviously, and [[ThoseTwoGuys frequent affiliate]] Redman.
126	* SpellingSong: "Method Man" starts with "M-E-T-H-O-D," itself a reference to Hall and Oates' "Method of Modern Love."
127	* TakeThat:
128	** GZA's "Labels" is a huge bitch slap, aimed at every single label that treated him poorly. "Paper Plate" drops the weight on 50 Cent and G-Unit, in response the verbal mudslinging they initiated. Furthermore, [[SugarWiki/MomentOfAwesome GZA does it all without a single profanity,]] save for one [[PrecisionFStrike Precision S-Strike.]]
129	** Ghostface Killah took shots at [=D4L's=] "Laffy Taffy" on "The Champ" off ''Fishscale'', [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OBKFNAWmhk then proceeded to further mock D4L, "Laffy Taffy", and snap in general on tour]].
130	-->"My arts is crafty darts, why y'all stuck on 'Laffy Taffy'?[=/=]Wondering, how did y'all niggas get past me!?"
131	* TeamDad: Popa Wu, in addition to acting as a road manager, was an actual father figure for several members growing up.
132	* TitleOnlyChorus: A couple of songs of theirs, but most notably, "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthin' Ta Fuck Wit'"
133	* TookALevelInJerkass: RZA became this for many people (and the Wu) himself in recent years due to his ControlFreak nature and InsufferableGenius tendencies, hence why many of the albums after ''Wu-Tang Forever'' are always filled with strife (in particular ''A Better Tomorrow''). This was made worse with ''Once Upon a Time in Shaolin'' being kept a secret from ''everyone'' and prompting more of a WithFriendsLikeThese mentality with everyone against RZA. This changed somewhat when it was revealed how dependant the Clan was on his leadership. They were known for being undisiciplined and often not even coming to their own video shoots. RZA's control freak tendencies were necessary.
134	* WordOfGod: Cappadonna had long been deemed an unofficial member of the group for multiple years appearing more than any other affiliate on official Wu-Tang albums as well as solo members albums. During an interview in 2014, RZA confirmed he officially is a member and has been a member since 2007.

Context Music / WuTangClan