 In
1993, hip-hop would be forever changed by the emergence of the gritty,
Shaolin style of the seminal rap clique, the Wu-Tang Clan. Straight from
the streets of Staten Island, New York, a unique conglomerate of nine
individually exceptional lyricists flourished. Fondly referred to as the
Wu, RZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA,
U-God, Masta Killa, and the artist formerly known as Ol' Dirty Bastard,
released the epic album Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. This debut
garnered rave reviews because it provided listeners with a fresh
approach to hip-hop. Moreover, the Wu set trends in a time when
hip-hop's radio play and sales were championed largely by west coast
artists.
The Wu style was soon imitated. Their grimy, sparse beats and incredibly
diverse lyrical flows, which creatively drew from Kung-Fu flicks, became
the musical blueprint for many hip-hop cliques. To this day, the
Wu-Tang's impact on hip-hop culture is unyielding. The Wu not only
influenced the state of music as a group but also as individuals. Each
member possessed his own exceptional characteristics which attracted
cult followings. Raekwon (the Chef), one of the nine talented emcees,
shined as the purist of lyricists. When the time came for him to release
his first solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995), hip-hop, once
again, underwent a momentous transformation. To give an accurate analogy
...Cuban Linx is to albums what Scarface is to movies. In fact, this
classic album, which went Gold in three days moves from track to track
like a film moves from scene to scene. With its invigorating
instrumentals and dramatic lyrical tales, Raekwon painted vivid pictures
and presented powerful imagery through his enchanting verbal expression.
Rae's
ground breaking debut album helped to bring the flavor of flossing to
wax as well as the use of the moniker among Wu brethren and other
prominent emcees. The single "Verbal Intercourse" featured the
first appearance of Nas Escobar, Nas' alter ego. Similarly, Raekwon and
Ghostface Killa, who served as Rae's partner in rhyme throughout the
entire Cuban Linx album, also developed a slew of other identities.
Identities like Lex Diamond, one of the flashy, witty and intellectually
stimulating personas of the multi-faceted Raekwon.
In the years after the release of ...Cuban Linx 1995, Raekwon continued
to record several albums with the Clan including the Platinum Wu-Tang
Forever (1997) and The W (2000), as well as the Gold Iron Flag (2001).
He also starred in the critically acclaimed film Black and White, before
releasing his second solo album, Immobilarity in 1999. Four years later,
it's time for another masterpiece from Raekwon.
The Lex Diamond Story, Raekwon's forthcoming third solo album is that
desperately needed effort. 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. Raekwon is like the
E.F. Hutton of hip-hop: when he speaks, everyone listens. The current
void in hip-hop is filled with this rap veteran's 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.
A
lyrical gourmet meal, The Lex Diamond Story shows that The Chef still
possesses the recipe to cook up a jambalaya of words with the main
ingredient being superior skills. Animated and intense, Raekwon's
stealth delivery is filled with emotion, skilled cadence and an array of
diverse stories, hooks, and topics. The track, "All Over Again (The
Way We Were)" touches on the flavor of "Can It Be All So
Simple" with its tale of street survival. Meanwhile, "Pit Bull
Fights" is reminiscent of the ferocious lyrical beating inflicted
on "Incarcerated Scarfaces." Raekwon is indisputably at his
creative best. Unchained and uninhibited, he is assertive with his music
and focused on his goals.
In addition to the forthcoming The Lex Diamond Story, Raekwon has an
entrepreneurial endeavor boiling called "Ice Water." Ice Water
Inc is the name of his multipurpose 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. Having already worked with a diverse selection of talented
artists including Nas, Jodeci, Mya, the late Big Punisher, Outkast, Mobb
Deep and many others, Raekwon is now helping to develop rappers. Polite,
Cigzra, Problem Child (PC) and Stumik together form the group Ice Water.
But first, Raekwon plans to deliver his instructional musical
dissertation The Lex Diamond Story. The soon to be landmark recording
offers a new millennium musical blueprint with just enough seasoning of
the old and spice of the new. Get ready for another mountain moving
event!
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