Clan In Da Front by Wu-Tang Clan Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Anthem of Hip-Hop Solidarity

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Wu-Tang Clan's Clan In Da Front at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Up from the 36 Chambers
Heheh, it’s the Ghost Face Killah

Wu-Tang
Wu-Tang Killa Beez, we on a swarm
Wu-Tang Killa Beez, we on a swarm
Wu-Tang Killa Beez, we on a swarm
Wu-Tang Killa Beez, we on a swarm

The RZA, the GZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, you-God
Ghost Face Killer, the Method Man, Raekwon the Chef, the Master Killer
Raw Desire, LeVon, Power Cipher
Twelve O’Clock, Sixty Second Assassin, the 4th Disciple
The Brand White
K.D. the Down Low Wrecka, Shyheim AKA The Rugged Child
Doo-Doo Wales, Mista Hezakiah, better known as the Yin and the Yang
The Tru Masta, Asan, DJ Skane, The Tru Robocop comin’ through
Scientific Shabazz, my motherfuckin’ man Wise the Civilized
The Shaolin Soldiers, Daddy-O and Popa Ron
Comin’ down from the motherfuckin’ South end of things

Killa beez all over your fuckin’ planet
Thirty-six chambers of death
Three-hundred and sixty degrees of perfected styles
Choppin’ off your motherfuckin’ dome
Peace, and every fuckin’ borough
Crooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island
The motherfuckin’ Bronx, killa beez

The sword?
come on, give him the sword

Clan in da front, let your feet stomp
Niggas on the left, brag shit to death
Now hoods on the right, wild for the night
Punks in the back, come on and attract to

The Wu is comin’ through, the outcome is critical
Fuckin’ wit my style, is sort of like a Miracle
On 34th Street, in the Square of Herald
I gamed Ella, the bitch caught a Fitz like Gerald-
Ine Ferraro, who’s full of sorrow
’cause the hoe didn’t win but the sun will still come out tomorrow
And shine shine shine like gold mine
Here comes the drunk monk, with a quart of Ballentine
Pass the bone, kid pass the bone
Let’s get on this mission like Indiana Jones, the GZA
One who just represent the Wu-Tang click
With the game and soul, of an old school flick
Like the Mack and Dolemite, who both did bids
Claudine went to Cooley High and had mad kids
So stop, the life you save may be your motherfuckin’ own
I’ll hang your ass with this microphone
Make way for the merge of traffic
Wu-Tang’s comin’ through with Full Metal Jackets
God squad that’s mad hard to serve
Come frontin’ hard, then Bernhard Goetz what he deserves

Clan in da front, let your feet stomp
Niggas on the left, brag shit to death
Now hoods on the right, wild for the night
Punks in the back, come on and attract to

The response while I bomb that ass, “You ain’t shit!”
Your wack ass town had you gassed
Egos is somethin’ the Wu-Tang crush
Souped up niggas on a stage get rushed
I don’t give a god damn, on the shows you did
How many rhymes you got, or who knows you kid?
’cause I don’t know ya therefore show me what you know
I come sharp as a blade and I cut you slow
You become so Pat as my style increases
What’s that in your pants ah human feces!
Throw your shitty drawers in the hamper
Next time come strapped with a fuckin’ Pamper
How ya sound be ? You’re better off a quitter
I’m on the mound G, and it’s a no-hitter
And my DJ the catcher, he’s my man
Anyway he’s the one who devised the plan
He throws the signs I hook up the beats with clout
I throw the rhymes to the mic and I strike em out
So it really doesn’t matter on how you intrigue
You can’t fuck with those in the major leagues

Clan in da front, let your feet stomp
Niggas on the left, brag shit to death
Now hoods on the right, wild for the night
Punks in the back, come on and attract to

Clan in da front, let your feet stomp
Niggas on the left, brag shit to death
Now hoods on the right, wild for the night
Punks in the back, come on and attract to

Hoods on the right
Punks in the back, to what
Niggas on the left
Hoods on the right
Punks in the back, come on, to what
Let your feet stomp
Brag shit to death
Wild for the night

Niggas on the left, brag shit to death
Hoods on the right, wild for the night
Punks in the back, come on and attract to
Clan in da front, let your feet stomp

Wu-Tang Clan’s ‘Clan in Da Front’ isn’t just a song; it’s a powerful call to arms from hip-hop’s golden era, serving as a raw manifesto of the group’s unassailable unity and cultural dominance. With a deft mix of gritty street wisdom and kung-fu allegory, the Staten Island collective crafts a track that transcends time, embedding itself in the very fabric of hip-hop lore.

At first glance, the cut from their seminal debut album, ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’, may present as a chest-thumping anthem, but ‘Clan in Da Front’ meticulously unfurls layers of nuanced meaning, encompassing everything from societal critiques to profound declarations of artistic integrity. It’s a track worth dissecting, deserving a deep dive into the profound wisdom offered by the RZA, GZA, and the rest of the illustrious Clan.

A Symphony of Lyrical Swords: Dissecting the Wu-Tang’s Battle Cry

The very title, ‘Clan in Da Front,’ immediately casts Wu-Tang as protagonists set against the music industry and societal norms. The repeated roll call of members at the song’s commencement isn’t just a nod to their presence; it’s a declaration of force, establishing the breadth and diversity within their ranks. The Clan asserts their music is a swarm — relentless and omnipresent — foreshadowing their impact on not just music but the global cultural landscape.

Lyrically, ‘Clan in Da Front’ is riddled with combat imagery: swords are drawn not against flesh, but against complacency and artificiality in music. Wu-Tang positions themselves as the authentic voice of the streets — a necessary antidote to the saturated sounds of the early ‘90s radio waves.

Hip-Hop’s Echoes of Shaolin: The Hidden Kung-Fu Influence

The use of kung-fu terminology isn’t merely aesthetic for the Wu-Tang Clan; it embodies philosophies each rapper applies to the art of rhyme. The song’s verses function as a training ground, with each word acting as a disciplined strike — precise and deliberate. Such allusions aren’t simply metaphorical; they reflect the interconnectivity of movement, thought, and speech within hip-hop and martial arts alike.

This fusion of hip-hop with the ancient martial arts traditions of Shaolin speaks to the song’s deeper meaning, which is that discipline, respect, and mastery are universal values that resonate beyond genres and time periods. The Wu-Tang Clan herald themselves as the modern-day monks of the mic, guarding the sanctity of hip-hop with the same fervor ancient warriors defended their temples.

A Testament to Timeless Style: Wu-Tang’s Ode to Old School

‘Clan in Da Front’ pays homage to the ancestors of rap, referencing ‘old school flick[s]’ like ‘The Mack’ and ‘Dolemite.’ These nods serve as a bridge between generations, acknowledging that Wu-Tang’s roots are firmly planted in the soil tilled by their forerunners. By equating themselves to these pillars of blaxploitation cinema, they suggest their words are as potent and socially relevant as the messages these films once carried.

The song’s ability to seamlessly blend contemporary issues with an appreciation for the past cements Wu-Tang Clan as timeless artists. They present themselves as not just rappers, but archivist storytellers, perpetuating a tradition of African-American expression shaped by the trials and survival of a community.

The Unsheathed Mic: Disarming the Opponents of Authenticity

The Group’s commitment to genuine expression is crystalline as GZA declares, ‘I’ll hang your ass with this microphone.’ These lines aren’t just threats but affirm the Clan’s belief that authenticity will always prevail over superficiality. They disdain the watered-down commercialism that dilutes the potency of hip-hop and position themselves as the truth-tellers in an industry rife with pretense.

Moreover, their utter contempt for the ego-driven facets of the scene is palpable. ‘Your wack ass town had you gassed’ is a scathing critique of manufactured reputation, a reminder that the Clan’s respect must be earned through skill and substance, not buzz and bravado.

From the Boroughs to the Globe: Wu-Tang’s Universal Appeal

Though ‘Clan in Da Front’ firmly roots itself in the concrete jungles of New York, with every borough given its due, its appeal is anything but provincial. The group’s message spreads ‘all over your fuckin’ planet,’ uniting listeners under the banner of hip-hop. They articulate not just a local or national identity, but a global community revolving around shared values and experiences in the culture.

As Wu-Tang catalogues each borough, they don’t just delineate geography; they chart the spread of their influence, cultural diversity, and the universal sound of resistance. With ‘Clan in Da Front,’ Wu-Tang Clan isn’t just heralding their arrival; they’re solidifying their legacy as sovereigns of an ever-expanding hip-hop empire.