Wu-Tang Clan

Lyrics

[Intro: "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang" + "Five Deadly Venoms"]
"A game of chess is like a swordfight:
You must think first before you move"
"Toad style is immensely strong
And immune to nearly any weapon
When it's properly used, it's almost invincible"
[Verse 1: U-God]
Raw I'ma give it to ya with no trivia
Raw like cocaine straight from Bolivia
My hip-hop will rock and shock the nation
Like the Emancipation Proclamation
Weak MCs approach with slang that's dead
You might as well run into the wall and bang your head
I'm pushin' force, my force you're doubtin'
I'm makin' devils cower to the Caucasus Mountains

[Verse 2: Inspectah Deck]
Well, I'm a sire, I set the microphone on fire
Rap styles vary and Carey like Mariah
I come from the Shaolin slum, and the isle I'm from
Is comin' through with nuff niggas and nuff guns
So if you wanna come sweatin', stressin', contestin'
You'll catch a sharp sword to the midsection
Don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk
Phony niggas are outlined in chalk
I'm mad vexed, it's what the projects made me
Rebel to the grain, there's no way to barricade me
Steamrollin' niggas like an 18 wheeler
With a drunk driver drivin', there's no survivin'
[Verse 3: Raekwon]
Rough like Timberland wear, yeah!
Me and the Clan in 'Yota Landcruisers out there
Peace to all the crooks, all the niggas with bad looks
Bald heads, braids, blow this hook
We pack chrome TECs, nickel-plated MACs, black Ac's!
Drug-dealin' styles in phat stacks
I only been a good nigga for a minute though
'Cause I gots to get my props and win it, yo
I got beef with commercial-ass niggas with gold teeth
Lampin' in a Lexus, eatin' beef
Straight up and down, don't even bother
I got 40 niggas up in here now who kill niggas' fathers!

[Chorus: Method Man]
My peoples, are you with me? Where you at?!
In the front! In the back! Killa Beez on attack!
My peoples, are you with me? Where you at?!
Smokin' meth, hittin' cats on the block with the gats!
[Verse 4: Ol' Dirty Bastard]
Here I go, deep type flow
Jacques Cousteau could never get this low
I'm cherry bombin' shits… BOOM!
Just warmin' up a little bit (Vroom-vroom!)
Rappinin' is what's happenin'
Keep the pockets stacked and then hands clap and then
At the party when I move my body
Gotta get up and be somebody!
Grab the microphone, put strength to the bone
DUH DUH DUH… enter the Wu-Tang zone
Sure enough when I rock that stuff, huff, puff
I'm gonna catch your bluff, tuff, rough
Kickin' rhymes like Jim Kelly
Or Alex Haley, I'm a nuh… Beetle Bailey rhymes
Comin' raw style, hardcore
Niggas be comin' to the hip-hop store
Comin' to buy grocery from me
Pretendin' to be a hip-hop MC
The law — in order to Enter the Wu-Tang
You must bring the Ol' Dirty Bastard type slang
Represent the GZA, Abbot — RZA
Shaquan, Inspectah Deck
Dirty Ho gettin' low with his flow
Introducin' the Ghostface Killah!
No one could get iller!
[Chorus: Method Man]
My peoples, are you with me? Where you at?!
In the front! In the back! Killa Beez on attack!
My peoples, are you with me? Where you at?!
Smokin' meth, hittin' cats on the block with the gats!
[Verse 5: Ghostface Killah]
Speakin' of the Devil, psych!
No, it's the God, get ya shit right!
Mega trife, and yo, I killed you in a past life
On the mic while you was kickin' that fast shit
You reneged, tried again, and got blasted
Half-mastered-ass style, mad ruff task
When I struck, I had on Timbs and a black mask
Remember that shit? I know you don't remember jack!
That night, yo I was hittin' like a spiked bat!
Until you thought I was bugged out and crazy
Strapped for nonsense, after me became lazy
Yo, nobody budge while I shot slugs
Never shot thugs, I'm runnin' with thugs that flood mugs
So, grab your eight-plus-one, start flippin' and trippin'
Niggas is jettin', I'm lickin' off, son

[All]
Wu! Tang! Wu! Tang!
Wu! Tang! Wu! Ta-a-ang!
[Verse 6: Masta Killa]
Homicide's illegal and death is the penalty
What justifies the homicide when he dies in his own iniquity?
It's the master of the Mantis Rapture comin' at ya
We have an APB on an MC Killa!
Looks like the work of a Masta
Evidence indicates that his stature
Merciless like a terrorist, hard to capture
The flow changes like a chameleon
Plays like a friend and stabs you like a dagger
This technique attacks the immune system
Disguised like a lie, paralysin' the victim
You scream as it enters your bloodstream
Erupts your brain from the pain these thoughts contain
Movin' on a nigga with the speed of a centipede
And injure any motherfuckin' contender!

[Chorus: Method Man]
My peoples, are you with me? Where you at?!
In the front! In the back! Killa Beez on attack!
My peoples, are you with me? Where you at?!
Smokin' meth, hittin' cats on the block with the gats!

[Outro: "Five Deadly Venoms"]
And immune to nearly any weapon
When it's properly used, it's almost invincible
Toad style is immensely strong
And immune to nearly any weapon
When it's properly used, it's almost invincible
When it's properly used

Are you ready to dive into a mystifying realm of chess and kung fu? Da Mystery of Chessboxin' by Wu-Tang Clan is a hidden gem that often takes a backseat to their iconic hit, "C.R.E.A.M." But don't be fooled by its B-side status, as this track brings a unique blend of obscure movie references, hard-hitting lyrics, and signature Wu-Tang Clan sound.

About Da Mystery of Chessboxin'

Released as the B-side to "C.R.E.A.M.," Da Mystery of Chessboxin' is a Wu-Tang Clan masterpiece that showcases the talents of two lesser-known members of the Clan, U-God and Masta Killa. The song draws its title from the 1979 kung fu film "Mystery of Chessboxing," solidifying the Clan's passion for martial arts flicks and their influence on their music.

The track opens with a captivating sample from the aforementioned film, setting the stage for the chess-inspired lyrical chess match that is about to unfold. The instrumental, a combination of menacing strings and gritty percussion, perfectly sets the tone for the raw and unapologetic verses delivered by U-God and Masta Killa.

With their distinct and aggressive styles, U-God and Masta Killa grab the microphone and unleash a lyrical barrage that leaves listeners captivated and craving for more. Their rhymes are filled with clever wordplay and vivid storytelling, transporting us to the gritty streets where every move is calculated and every word is a weapon.

Throughout the song, the Wu-Tang Clan members use chess terminology and chess moves as metaphors for their lyrical prowess and dominance in the rap game. They cleverly weave in references to knights, bishops, and kings, showcasing not only their lyrical ability but also their knowledge of the game of chess.

But it's not just the lyrics that make Da Mystery of Chessboxin' a standout track. The production by RZA, the mastermind behind Wu-Tang Clan's signature sound, is a perfect blend of gritty and hypnotic elements. The haunting violin sample, combined with the hard-hitting drums and scratches, creates an atmosphere that immerses the listener in the intense world of the Wu-Tang Clan.

The track's music video is a visual feast for the eyes, featuring the members of Wu-Tang Clan in various martial arts-inspired poses and settings. The video pays homage to the kung fu films that have influenced the Clan's music and aesthetic, further cementing their place in the hip-hop pantheon as true innovators.

Da Mystery of Chessboxin' may not have achieved the same level of mainstream success as "C.R.E.A.M.," but its cult following and impact within the hip-hop community cannot be denied. The song captures the essence of Wu-Tang Clan: raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic. It serves as a reminder that their influence extends far beyond their chart-topping hits and that their legacy as one of the greatest rap collectives of all time is firmly intact.

In a genre often dominated by flashy hooks and commercial appeal, Da Mystery of Chessboxin' stands as a testament to the power of lyrical dexterity and uncompromising artistry. So, if you're ready to take a deep dive into the enigmatic world of Wu-Tang Clan, press play and let Da Mystery of Chessboxin' transport you to a place where chess and hip-hop collide in a flurry of lyrical mastery.

• Release Date: November 9, 1993
• Artist: Wu-Tang Clan