Untold Stories Behind Wu-Tang’s Top Songs

In 1992, New York rapper Robert Diggs, also known as RZA, convinced two of his cousins and several of their rapper friends to form a hip-hop group. Wu-Tang Clan took their name from RZA's favorite movie, Shaolin and Wu Tang, released in 1983. The group immediately stood out from other hip-hop acts at the time. 

Wu-Tang's debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), skyrocketed the group into the limelight when it was released in November 1993. The album was hailed for its distinctive sound. It served as a blueprint and inspiration for other hip-hop artists and was only the beginning. Since then, Wu-Tang Clan has gone on to become one of the most influential groups in hip-hop history. To date, the group has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. Let's take a closer look at the production processes, studio stories, and real-life inspiration behind four of the Wu-Tang Clan's legendary tracks.

Wu-Tang's debut single, "Protect Ya Neck," came out in 1992. The group's members paid for the entire production out of their own pockets. They managed to scrape together enough money to book studio time at The Firehouse in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. The song features verses from eight of the nine Wu-Tang members. It showcases their unique styles and emphasizes lyrical skill over hooks. Next, the Wu-Tang Clan headed to Staten Island to press three versions of "Protect Ya Neck" into a 12-inch vinyl record. The entire Wu-Tang Clan music production cost about $900.

Soon after, the group's members hit the pavement to get their music heard. Wu-Tang Clan visited every record shop in the Tri-State area and begged to have the record put on the shelves. The group even sold the single out of the backs of their cars on the streets of New York. They also pitched it to local radio stations and clubs. "Protect Ya Neck" drew enough local interest to attract a record deal, and the rest is history. 

In 1994, the groundbreaking group released one of their most legendary tracks. "C.R.E.A.M.," the third single from the group's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is often hailed as one of the greatest hip-hop tracks of all time. The song's haunting piano riffs and backing vocals were sampled from a 1967 song by The Charmels called "As Long As I've Got You." Wu-Tang's lyrics reflect the harsh economic realities of inner-city life. They serve as a critique of capitalism, highlighting poverty, crime, and systemic limitations. "C.R.E.A.M." quickly became an anthem for the struggles and aspirations of urban youth. 

"What a lot of people don't know about 'C.R.E.A.M.' is that this song must have been recorded about four or five times by Wu-Tang Clan," RZA explained during a 2017 interview. "The first time we recorded it was during a court case I had, and I felt that I shouldn't have been arrested. So, it was [originally] called 'I'm On Some Sh*t.'"

The original featured only RZA and fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah. Later, two other Wu-Tang members, Raekwon and Inspectah Deck, rerecorded the single under the title "Lifestyles Of The Mega-Rich." Eventually, RZA decided the song needed to be on the group's debut album. Raekwon and Inspectah Deck shortened their verses, and Method Man came in with a masterful hook. 

"C.R.E.A.M." peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2009, 15 years after its release, the track was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. "C.R.E.A.M." was ranked No. 11 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of The 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time.  

"Method Man" is another of Wu-Tang's top songs. It is the ninth track on Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The artist of the same name, Method Man, performed the track. He was the only member of Wu-Tang to have a solo on their debut album. In the song, Method Man uses aggressive lyrics and playful wordplay to convey themes of street life, violence, and survival. He incorporates a humorous tone to help lighten the mood.

Method Man took inspiration for the song from Michael Jackson's cover of The Beatles' "Come Together," the Hall & Oates hit "Method of Modern Love," and "Music Man" by Masta Ace, among others. The song helped establish Method Man as a breakout star of the group. "When I wrote 'Method Man,' I was like 15 or 16 years old, 17 or 18... my mind works crazy. I don't know where I heard these records before, but they were etched in my head," Method Man told the Drink Champs podcast in 2023.

"Can It Be All So Simple" was the final single from Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). The track features Raekwon and Ghostface Killah reflecting on the complexities of change and growth. The lyrics focus on the hardships of growing up poor and the hope for a life of luxury. The tone is nostalgic and introspective. To set the mood, Wu-Tang sampled the 1973 Gladys Knight & the Pips song "The Way We Were/Try to Remember."

"Can It Be All So Simple" peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. It reached No. 24 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart and No. 82 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 

These are just a few of Wu-Tang Clan's song stories. Each of these songs has contributed to Wu-Tang's unique sound and style. They've helped establish Wu-Tang as a dominant force in East Coast hip-hop. The legacy of Wu-Tang Clan lives on. 

More than thirty years after its release, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) stands as a testament to the Wu-Tang's success and longevity. Many fans and industry insiders still consider it one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. In 2022, the Library of Congress selected the album for preservation in the National Recording Registry because of its cultural and historical significance. If this doesn't speak to the power, influence, and success of Wu-Tang Clan's music production, what will?