Rae's groundbreaking debut album helped to bring the flavour 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 Killah, 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 multifaceted Raekwon.
In the years after the release of Cuban Linx, Raekwon continued to record several albums with the Clan including the platinum Wu-Tang Forver (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 flavour 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 beast. Unchained and uninhibited, he is assertive with his music and focused on his goals.
"Criminology"
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Many brothers I be sparkin' and bustin' mad light inside the dark
Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture
I hand glide, holdin' on strong, hard to capture
Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it's militant
Then I react, like a convict, and start killin' shit
It's manifested, the Gods work like appliances
Dealin' in my cypher I revolve around sciences
You try to flee but you got smoked up by the doorway (blaow! blaow! blaow!)
No question, I send your ass back, right to the essence
Your whole frame is smothered in dirt, now how you restin'
While I'll be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops
Throwin' niggas off airplanes cause Cash Rules
Everything Around Me black, as you can see
Swallow this murder one verse like God Degree
Then analyze my soundtrack for satisfaction
You adapt like a flashback chain reaction
Lace 'em niggas, son
AK's black bust back like seventy Macs
I'm all that, street niggas knowin my steez black
Ron G, you know he coincide with me see
Marvelous, Menace fo' Society
But anyway, let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost
I max the most shotguns through the nose
Fuck rap, hip hop put me on top
'Lo wears, and Tommy Hil fly shit with a knot
The witty unpredictable live shit, drive by shit
Do or die shit, I'll take your lie and shit
And then you know, I'm runnin' through the penal, foul
Four-toothed child was wild
The old lady snitched, but fuck it, you know it, one love kid
No I'm not doin a bid
Too much to get for what cause six niggas got
Stuck, and the nigga chain was truck
Yo fuck that, Criminology rap
Speakers stay jet black floatin' in the flyest Ac'
Nigga, bring it! Yeah
The lyrics of Raekwon and Ghostface Killah's "Criminology" tell the story of two street-wise rappers taking on the world with their bravado and dedication to their craft. They begin by announcing their presence with "arson," setting the tone for the rest of the song; they are here to cause a stir and make their mark. They go on to describe their skills as rappers, comparing themselves to a thief who is always one step ahead, "hand glide, holdin' on strong, hard to capture." They also boast about their explosiveness and ability to "kill shit." They describe how they will never stop, how the spirit of hip hop is in their blood, and how they are always adapting to new situations. This is best captured in the phrase "Lace 'em niggas, son" which tells the listener that they are going to lay down some rhymes that will knock everyone's socks off.
Throughout the song, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah use criminal imagery to describe their world view. They see themselves as living outside the law, as dangerous outlaws who are always searching for the next big score. They speak about AKs and shotguns and drive-by shootings, all of which are seen as the trappings of a life on the edge. At the same time, they are not afraid to show their softer side, as they talk about champagne toasts and their love for fly shit with knots. All in all, "Criminology" is a song about two rappers who have carved out a unique path for themselves in the music industry, one that is characterized by an unshakeable confidence and uncompromising vision.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, first of all son, peep the arson
Hey, listen up, check out the fire I'm about to ignite
Many brothers I be sparkin' and bustin' mad light inside the dark
I confront and defeat many enemies who try to oppose me in tough situations
Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture
I am known for taking money and valuables, and I am a chosen one for the end of the world
I hand glide, holdin' on strong, hard to capture
I move effortlessly and with strength, making it difficult for anyone to catch me
Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it's militant
The music is exceptional and powerful since RZA produced it
Then I react, like a convict, and start killin' shit
I respond to challenges with aggression, like a criminal, and succeed in dominating
It's manifested, the Gods work like appliances
It's evident that the divine is moving like machines, operating flawlessly
Dealin' in my cypher I revolve around sciences
I engage in conversations with my community and focus on gaining knowledge
The 9th chamber, leave you trapped inside my hallway
If you mess with me in any way, you'll be caught in my trap and unable to escape
You try to flee but you got smoked up by the doorway (blaow! blaow! blaow!)
You attempt to run away, but you're quickly gunned down by my associates
No question, I send your ass back, right to the essence
Without a doubt, I'll send you to the afterlife, back to where you came from
Your whole frame is smothered in dirt, now how you restin'
Your body is buried and covered in soil, how can you possibly rest in peace?
While I'll be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops
While I'm confined by the music and rhymes, stuck to the rhythm
Throwin' niggas off airplanes cause Cash Rules
I can easily pay off anyone to do whatever I want, even if it's a heinous crime
Everything Around Me black, as you can see
My life is surrounded by darkness and poverty, it's evident
Swallow this murder one verse like God Degree
Take in every word of this murderous verse with the same level of dedication as religious doctrine
Then analyze my soundtrack for satisfaction
Listen to my music and derive pleasure from it, and reflect upon it
You adapt like a flashback chain reaction
You change and adjust quickly in response to my words, like a series of memories
Lace 'em niggas, son
Control and defeat those weak individuals
AK's black bust back like seventy Macs
The gunfire from AK-47s is rapid and powerful, like being shot 70 times
I'm all that, street niggas knowin my steez black
I'm the best, and the people on the streets know my style and capabilities
Ron G, you know he coincide with me see
Ron G agrees and aligns with my perspective
Marvelous, Menace fo' Society
I am impressive and threatening to society
But anyway, let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost
Let's celebrate and drink champagne while I'm having deep thoughts with Ghostface Killah
I max the most shotguns through the nose
I use shotguns often and aim them towards the head
Fuck rap, hip hop put me on top
I don't care about the genre of music, but hip hop brought me success
'Lo wears, and Tommy Hil fly shit with a knot
I wear designer brands like Polo and Tommy Hilfiger and show off my wealth
The witty unpredictable live shit, drive by shit
My performance is clever and entertaining, and I engage in drive-by shootings
Do or die shit, I'll take your lie and shit
I'm willing to risk everything, and I can detect and expose any falsehoods you tell me
And then you know, I'm runnin' through the penal, foul
I'm breaking through prison and doing illegal activities
Four-toothed child was wild
I was a wild child and still have a wild nature
The old lady snitched, but fuck it, you know it, one love kid
The old woman betrayed me, but it doesn't matter, it's all love
No I'm not doin a bid
I'm not going to jail
Too much to get for what cause six niggas got
The reward outweighs the risk, despite six people getting hurt
Stuck, and the nigga chain was truck
We ambushed someone and stole his expensive chain
Yo fuck that, Criminology rap
Forget about the past events, let's focus on this song and its theme of criminality
Speakers stay jet black floatin' in the flyest Ac'
My sound system is sleek and stylish, and it sounds great in my luxury car
Nigga, bring it! Yeah
Come at me with your best, let's see what you've got
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: COREY WOODS, DENNIS COLES, DENNIS D. COLES, LEROY O'NIEL JACKSON, LEROY O-NIEL JR. JACKSON, PATRICK ADAMS, ROBERT F. DIGGS, RUSSELL PATTERSON, RUSSELL L PATTERSON, STUART BASCOMBE
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