How The Wu Tang Clan Members Got Their Names
“THE RZA, THE GZA, OL DIRTY BASTARD, INSPECTAH DECK, RAEKWON THE CHEF, U-GOD, GHOSTFACE KILLAH, AND THE ME-TH-OD MAN”
If you’re a Wu Tang Clan fan, chances are you’ve heard this iconic intro to the the track named after “Method Man” on 36 Chambers. Why those names though? That may have been a question you’ve asked yourself at one point or another. Here I’ll explain that best I can. The reasons behind their names aren’t 100% known but we generally have a good idea. These are mostly theories.
RZA- This name is short for Zig Zag Allah. It’s also been said that it’s short for when you scratch his name on a record player (Robert.) His graffiti tag was also RAZOR.
GZA- RZA + GZA both created their nick names off of the same idea except GZA’s is short for Genius Zig Zag Allah. GZA is also the sound created when you scratch his name on a record player. (Gary)
Method Man-Method Man loved to smoke method.
U-God- Comes from “Universal God Of Law”
Ghostface Killah- Character in a kung fu movie and whoever he killed he would put a ghost emblem on their dead body.
Cappadonna- Short for “Captain of the dons”
Ol Dirty Bastard- There’s no father to his style
Masta Killa- From the movie “Masta Killa”
Inspectah Deck- Some say his tag name used to be rebel INS but some also say it was Deck. Another theory is that U-God told him he looked like “Inspector Clouseau” from the Pink Panther cartoons.
Raekwon- Nigerian name that means “gifted with words”