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“Can It All Be So Simple / Intermission” is track 5 Wu-Tang Clan’s 1993 debut release Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), featuring Raekwon and Ghostface Killah.
This part of “Can It All Be So Simple” was sampled by Lauryn Hill in “Ex-Factor.”
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/lh_image_1.jpg)
“Ex Factor” has been sampled in songs by Drake, Cardi B, and Kehlani, among others, and has been a popular song to sample in music since its release.
While Dr. Dre’s West Coast G-funk sound had overtaken hip-hop in 1993, Wu-Tang Clan of Staten Island proved to be the most popular and revolutionary rap group of the mid 90’s.
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/chambers_image_2.jpg)
RZA and Ol’ Dirty Bastard named the group after the 1983 kung-fu film “Shaolin & Wu Tang,” and kung fu influence & samples pervade throughout their music.
Wu-Tang felt so drawn to kung fu film and inspired by “Shaolin & Wu-Tang” that they re-christened their Staten Island home as “Shaolin.”
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/chambers_image_3.jpeg)
“Can It All Be So Simple” deals with a crime driven lifestyle, hardships of living in the 1980’s crack era of New York, and a desire to escape through a life of luxury.
Within the same year of addressing these topics on their album, part of Wu-Tang spoke about personally experiencing police brutality and casualities from violence.
On “Can It All Be So Simple,” Wu-Tang producer and leader RZA samples “The Way We Were / Try to Remember” by Gladys Knight & the Pips.
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/gladys_image_1.jpg)
Gladys Knight is known as the “Empress of Soul,” and is a 7 time Grammy-award winner, and inductee in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/gladys_image_2.jpg)
In 1993, Oprah Winfrey famously interviewed Michael Jackson, aired to millions of viewers. This was known as one of the most iconic television moments ever.
On June 7th, 1993, a ceremony was held and the construction began for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Famous musicians including Billy Joel and Chuck Berry were in attendance.
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/rock_image_1.jpg)
In December of 1993, Pablo Escobar was killed in a shootout with troops. He was 44.
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/pablo_image_1.png)
On November 18, 1993, Kurt Cobain and Nirvana performed what became their MTV Unplugged album. 5 months later, Cobain committed suicide.
Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/albums/wutang_front.jpg)
Album Credits
![](http://hiphoparchive.org/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/15_wu-tang-36-chambers.jpg?itok=sTgGJuqQ)