This week is our ode to one of our favorite groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan. Take this journey with us through the 36 Chambers, I promise you won't be mad you came along... So the Latte Mugg proudly presents: Wu Are You?
This post will be short and sweet (like the author)....
This is a song that was widely popular, one of the released singles and videos from the 36 Chambers. It was actually a B-Side to "Protect Ya Neck." The reason I chose this song is for a reason you may not have thought. I have seen various interviews with Method Man regarding this song. One thing he always mentions is that he really doesn't care for this song, that it was never supposed to be on the album, but was so catchy that it engaged unlikely fans to Wu. So you ask what significance this is to me? Dang, y'all nosy...This happens to me, all. the. time. Every time I write something that I put my all into, including some posts on this blog, no one reads it or appreciates it. On the other hand, the writing I spend the least amount of time or I am not invested in emotionally is what folks seem to flock to. I used to think it was just me, but almost every artist I know says the exact same thing. Why is this you think? Is there something wrong with my method, man?
*talk to us, we won't bite (unless you like that sort of thing, lol)
This week is our ode to one of our favorite groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan. Take this journey with us through the 36 Chambers, I promise you won't be mad you came along... So the Latte Mug proudly presents: Wu Are You?
The more I research The Wu, the more I admire them and what they stood for. From their lyricism to their business sense. The clan started out in their videos wearing masks, they represented as an entity, The Wu. When they blew up they did their solo things but always had their solid foundation. That’s the way community is supposed to work. Work together to gain success and stability, then do you but never forget who got you there by giving back. They always gave each other credit. ok ok enough about that. On to the point of Chessboxin’...
“I got beef with commercial ass n***as with gold teeth”
I do too Wu!
“The game of chess is like a swordfight You must think first before you move...”
Let me hip you clannites to the game real quick. The Wu exemplified their skills lyrically and whoop your tail like in this song. The point is that you have to have a plan, you have to be able to change up your plan while in battle, you have to think about what you do before you do it so you can anticipate what is coming next, yimean?
Metaphor Alert: For example, lets just say you got dressed this morning, which I’m thinking we all did. As you were putting on your gators, Nikes, Three Stripes (showing Beantown love), or Keds, you realized that your foot wasn’t sliding in as easily as it usually does. You have a choice A) keep jamming your foot in there until you crack a toe or tear the tongue out of the shoe or B) examine the shoe to figure out what’s blocking your path. Eventually everyone gets to choice B. Some longer than others, the point? Strategy and problem solving!
Ok so come follow me across this bridge so I can take you to the land of enlightenment. I’m about to connect these thoughts to support my up coming vent in 5…4…3…2…1-
The President, Obama, is trying to do right by the people, trying to give the people what they want, he heard us cry, he’s trying to dry our tears. He said you want healthcare reform? We said hells yeah! He said you want me to join the parties? We said, what the flip ever just make it happen. So he consults all the top docs nurses hospitals (his wife was head of a hospital system) and sick folks. He devises a plan to make it happen. The plan is hitting hella resistance from ALL sides…so what does he do? He re-strategizes (yes I made that up). He takes all of the info he’s receiving, taking into consideration what people’s gripes are and is coming back with a better way to make it fit the most people. Some say he’s backing down, but anyone who can take a shoe off to examine what is preventing it from sliding on to their foot can see a mid battle change of plan a mile away. You want him to help you, but you wont support his battle plans. You suck at playing chess, you suck at life, you are probably stuck in your life doing nothing but complaining.
I support anyone who is trying to help me. Obama’s doing it, The Wu supports it, and I endorse it. So there it is, here it was, don’t be late, cuz here I come!
This week is our ode to one of our favorite groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan. Take this journey with us through the 36 Chambers, I promise you won't be mad you came along... So the Latte Mug proudly presents: Wu Are You?
Protect Ya Neck has many different layers. On one hand it is a braggadocios tale of the ferocity of the Wu-Tang Clan and how they will basically f*ck you up, for lack of a better word... (and for emphasis, lol) as referenced by Ghostface Killa:
For cryin out loud my style is wild so book me
Secondly it speaks to how their camaraderie is vital to their survival. In a sense a "Am I My Brother's Keeper?" mentality. One of the attributes of the Wu during this period was their concept of protecting family, that wasn't necessarily blood family. No matter how crude or "grimy" they had to be, they still held on the concept of togetherness and a sense of community. I feel this is something that is lacking within our music AND society as a whole. These days there is a large emphasis put on selfish ideals and what I call the "Look at Me" mindset. I respected how they promoted the idea of gaining wealth and knowledge but still holding on to and looking out for their fellow man. This is also evident how when each Wu member put out a solo project, the group members were prominently featured in songs, videos, and production credits. In a sense Tiha and I are a mini-clan because we help each other out and support each others endeavours, we would never leave the other one out of our successes. We will let others into our circle, as RZA states:
My clan increase like black unemployment
We also are protective about who we let into the fold, like ODB says (he is profound sometimes, every now and then, lol):
And I'll be damned if I let any man Come to my center, you enter, the winter
Do you have a crew to "protect ya neck"? How has that helped you along the way?
*talk to us, we won't bite (unless you like that sort of thing, lol)
This week is our ode to one of our favorite groups of all time, Wu-Tang Clan. Take this journey with us through the 36 Chambers, I promise you won't be mad you came along... So the Latte Mugg proudly presents: Wu Are You?
In the song, Raekwon and Ghostface discuss the hardships of growing up in New York City during the 80's, and how they want to live a lavish and famous lifestyle to escape the hardships of life.
My thoughts must be relaxed Be able to maintain ‘Cause times is changed and life is strange The glorious days is gone, and everybody’s doin bad
Yes I’m snatching lyrics from this song. I love love love this song. I stan for Wu-Tang all day erry day since 199? A long *ss time. With that said, I would like to reiterate a theme here, Wu-Tang was the soundtrack for my teenage years. They were going through it, I was going through it. I saw things that they lived and I’m pretty sure none of us should have been seeing or living the sh*t either way. This song was about being someplace less than desirable and dreaming about doing bigger better things. However, on the way to achieving that dream you find out that the road is littered with some bs. And once you achieve your dream, you end up dealing with even more crap, and the memories of the hood wake you up at night and remind you during the day when you get that call about your homies or whatever still going through it. Was it all so simple, back then when all you had was a dream and a dime bag? Dare I quote Puffy in the same blog as Wu-Tang “mo money mo problems”? Let’s just pretend the Wu said that as well.
But above it all, as we go through the trials and tribulations of surviving life, we must all be able to maintain, we have to keep ourselves together, grounded and keep our eyes on the pride. Regardless of the chaos around us. We have a bigger purpose; the seed was planted in our dreams as we visualized ourselves doing more when we were young. Wu-Tang has given us some great music and lyrics, they have also, consistently given back to the community. If they had given up on their dreams because of the obstacles they faced, they wouldn’t have been able to fulfill their purpose. We can’t give up either! We have a bigger purpose that we may not always be able to see, but it’s there nonetheless and we have to follow through.
