RAEKWON
The Return of the Chef
words by Albert McCluster III

In the world of Hip Hop, his name is among the legends. Throughout the past 10 years, Raekwon has treated fans to classic material by way of his innovative rhymes, ever-changing vocab and hot beats. Rae's a founding member of the trendsetting unit Wu-Tang Clan, fondly referred to as the Wu... RZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah, lnspectah Deck, GZA, U-God, Masta Kills, and the artist formerly known as Ol’ Dirty Bastard. These nine effectively changed the face of Hip-Hop with their Double Platinum debut, "Enter The 36 Chambers", in addition to their Platinum albums, "Forever" & "The W". All have embarked on solo careers...some have become household names and some have faded behind the scenes. Thos has sparked rumors that the end has come for the Wu.

Rae's contribution to Wu-bangers such as "Protect Ya' Neck", "Cream", "Can It Be (All So Simple)" & "Triumph" have cemented his status as a Hip Hop icon through his creation of now commonplace Hip Hop word terms such as Politick and Cream.

Raekwon has enjoyed a successful solo career with his Platinum debut album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" featured the single "Verbal Intercourse" that marked the debut of Nas Escobar, Nas' alter ego. "Linx" also help develop a vast array of other identities for Rae like "Lex Diamond". After the release of "Linx" it was back to the Wu for the 1997 platinum album which would become the groups mantra, "Wu-Tang Forever", 2000's "The W" and "Iron Flag" (2001). Rae then went onto release the Gold-Plus, "Immobilarity".

For his third album offering "The Lex Diamond Story", Raekwon continues to display total rhyme mastery through hard hittin' cuts such as "Clientele Kidd (featuring Fat Joe & Ghostface Killah)", "Ice Cream (featuring Method Man & Cappa Don)" and "Planet Of The Apes (featuring Capone & Sheek Louch)."

The leadoff single is "Hood (featuring Tiffany Villarreal)." Plus, Rae spotlights new raw talented emcees within his Ice Water Entertainment crew on the cuts "Robbery" and "Wild In The Club."

"'Hood', came out the box swingin'," states Raekwon "We burned up the mixtape shows from Hot 97 in New York to Chi's Power 92 to Atlanta and LA. And we got love from BET with the video that was directed by Lazarus (Brother). Everybody thought I went Hollywood when I took a little hiatus and made the movie 'Black & White'...but, that shit can stop now...the Chef is back in the kitchen. Lick your fingers bitches!"

The Chef is back and he's back to the hood strong.

"The Lex Diamond Story", Raekwons third solo album Is that return. This new LP is as much a reflection of his first musical triumph..."Cuban Linx" as It is a manifestation of the future and what is to come from this great emcee. "I'm the E.F. Hutton of Hip-Hop...basically, when I speak, people listen." says Rae rather matter-of-factly "There's a void in Hip-Hop and I intend to fill that void."

 

With this rap veterans crafty verbal gymnastics and artistic form of storytelling. "The Lex Diamond Story" takes the top shelf elements of the Wu's first album and the finest sentiments of Raekwon's debut and joins them together to deliver another classic album to the masses.

"This album is a lyrical gourmet meal, it shows that I still possesse the recipes to cook up a funky ass jambalaya of words," laughs Rae "You know what I'm saying, son...the main ingredient being superior skills. I'm just putting it out there...my joints are sick."

Animated and intense, Raekwon's stealth delivery throughout is filled with emotion, skilled cadence and an array of diverse stories, hooks, and topics.

"On the track, ‘All Over Again (The Way We Were)', it touches on the flavor of 'Can It Be All So Simple’." explains Rae "It's a story of street survival. While ‘Pit Bull Fights' is like the lyrical ass-whuppin' on 'lncarcerated Scarfaces'. I done took off the gloves on this son...ain't no fuckin' around. This is about my music and my shit now. It's Raekwon's time, son!"

But, Rae also has other business that he's handlin' now...this time it's behind a desk instead of a mike. Ice Water Inc. is the name of his multi-purpose business venture and partnership with Randy Spelling (son of TV mogul Aaron Spelling). The company is composed of music, movies, fashion, books and a four-man group named "Ice Water."

"When I met up with Randy...something just clicked. We see things the same." says Rae "We already worked with Nas, Jodeci, Mya, Big Pun...God rest him...Dre and Big Boi (Outkast), Mobb Deep and a shitload of other projects we got going. We're developing new artists also, like Polite, Cigzra, Problem Child (PC) and Sturnik...together they form the group 'Ice Water'."

With all of the members of the Wu out doing their own thing...the persistent rumors continue that the Wu Tang is finished...but, don't let Rae hear that...

"Fuck all that shit yo...we the fuckin Wu...before there was shit, we were boys and fam." says Rae "So, think what you want...everybody is saying 'Well, RZA said this shit...Cap said this, Deck done that and Dirty is all fucked up'...fuck all them hatin' muthafuckas...we here baby! Whether together or apart...we the Wu-Tang forever!"