Inspectah Deck’s opening verse on Wu-Tang Clan’s “Triumph” is widely regarded as one of the greatest verses in Hip Hop history. It is a showcase of his lyrical ability, flow, and imagery that established him as one of the standout members of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.
Deck starts his verse with a powerful metaphor, “I bomb atomically, Socrates’ philosophies and hypotheses,” likening his rhymes to a nuclear bomb that can destroy and reshape the philosophical landscape. He continues, “Can’t define how I be droppin’ these mockeries,” asserting his mastery of the craft and the inability of others to replicate or comprehend his skill.
Deck then transitions into a depiction of his lyrical performance as armed robbery, “Lyrically perform armed robbery, flee with the lottery, possibly they spotted me,” comparing his rhymes to a heist and himself to a master thief. He exudes confidence and charisma in his delivery, which makes the listener believe that he could indeed pull off such a feat.
The next few lines showcase Deck’s ability to use vivid imagery to paint a picture in the listener’s mind, “Battle-scarred Shogun, explosion when my pen hits tremendous, ultra-violet shine blind forensics.” The image of a warrior with battle scars and a pen as a weapon is striking and illustrates the power of his rhymes.
Deck then takes a step back to view the bigger picture, “I inspect view through the future see millennium, Killa Beez sold fifty gold, sixty platinum.” He highlights the success of Wu-Tang and the Killa Beez and predicts their future dominance.
The verse then takes a darker turn as Deck describes the group’s tactics, “Shackling the masses with drastic rap tactics, graphic displays melt the steel like blacksmiths.” He portrays the Wu-Tang Clan as a force to be reckoned with, using their music to shackle and influence the masses. The image of graphic displays melting steel like blacksmiths is a powerful one, showing the ability of the group to break down barriers and reshape the landscape of Hip Hop.
Deck then shifts to the physical world, “Black Wu jackets, Queen Beez ease the guns in, rumble with patrolmen, tear gas laced the function.” He describes the violent clashes between the police and the Wu-Tang Clan, painting a picture of a group that is not afraid to stand up to authority and fight for what they believe in.
The verse then takes on a more celebratory tone as Deck describes the fans’ reaction to the group’s performance, “Heads by the score take flight, incite a war, chicks hit the floor, diehard fans demand more.” He depicts the energy and excitement of a Wu-Tang Clan concert, with fans going wild and demanding more.
Deck finishes the verse with a triumphant declaration of the group’s power and influence, “Behold the bold soldier, control the globe slowly, proceeds to blow, swingin’ swords like Shinobi, stomp grounds and pound footprints in solid rock, Wu got it locked, performin’ live on your hottest block.” He asserts their dominance over the rap world, likening themselves to bold soldiers who control the globe, leaving a lasting impression wherever they go.
Inspectah Deck’s opening verse on “Triumph” is a masterclass in lyricism, flow, and imagery. It showcases his ability to use metaphors and vivid descriptions to paint a picture in the listener’s mind, as well as his confidence and charisma in his delivery. It solidified his place as one of the standout members of the Wu-Tang Clan and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest lyricists in Hip Hop history.