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.
Black Mozart
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You gotta get that money and represent your crew
And keep it true
As reaper stay spray, still niggas are smoked
4 in his pocket, a diamond-up chain and some coke
Champion hood, the goodies in the brown back
By the radiator near the cookies and the bundles of dope
All this paper, profit maker lay there and post
Wit them Adidas that Bruce wore, stay in a juice bar
All I know if you saw me you thought I was broke
Black yo, I been hustlin' since niggas was bustin' guns
And scufflin', and jumpin' niggas over some coats
We played the S&S rooftop Latin Quarter Polo popes
Who hung out wit all the apers and goats
You gotta get that money no matter what you do
You gotta get that money and represent your crew
And keep it true
I used to scramble hard
Tadio strapped to the handlebars
50 deep in the lobby large rockin' camoflauge
Dark ceaser holdin' my nuts, played the buildin' front
Fifth of Henny, throw a little snow in the blunt
Just growin' up schooled by O.G.'s, holdin' those enough
Daily new drama unfold, they popped him over what?
It's so rough, nobody know him, so what?
Ayo the money's close by, homie, show me the stuff
Barrel-hoppin' coppin bricks, bags, burners and kicks
City slicker circlin' the strip, workin' them tricks
Like Friday night cruise in the coup, new Velour suit
Fruit-flavored kicks takin' flicks out in 40 deuce
Farmer jeans, hammer swings, tucked in the loop
How they hit Miss Fisher, they was bustin' at Soup?
Up in 54, underground, Parrot and Q
Made man wit the grey Shands wrapped in the blue
Stay flam' every day fam, stackin' my loot
80 grams in the cake pan, packages flew
Sippin' passionfruit Alize in back of the oh!
We soldiers, boy, we soldiers
Break case, 100-dollar-bill boulders
We soldiers, boy, we soldiers
Big head, I thought I told ya!
Big head, I thought I told ya!
You gotta get that money no matter what you do
You gotta get that money and represent your crew
And keep it true
The lyrics of "Black Mozart" by Raekwon featuring RZA and Inspectah Deck is about the urgency of getting money in order to represent one's crew and keeping it real. The opening line "You gotta get that money no matter what you do" sets the tone for the entire song, emphasizing the importance of financial success. The lyrics are filled with references to a life of hustling and the dangers that come with it.
The first verse talks about the sort of lifestyle that comes with hustling- diamonds, money, and coke- that are all coveted by those caught up in the drug trade. The lyrics explore the rise and fall of those who participate in the dangerous business. The second verse discusses a street life of violence and struggle. The singer tells of his own experiences in the streets, learning from "O.G.'s" and encountering violence and tragedy along the way.
Overall, the song's message is one of intense pressure and urgency to succeed, underscored by the harsh realities of street life.
Line by Line Meaning
You gotta get that money no matter what you do
Money is a must-have and anything can be done to acquire it
You gotta get that money and represent your crew
Money is important not only for oneself, but also for the community
And keep it true
Stay honest in the ways of making money
As reaper stay spray, still n***** are smoked
Dangerous times require keeping a firearm at the ready
4 in his pocket, a diamond-up chain and some coke
Tools for making money are often risky and illegal, yet necessary for survival
Champion hood, the goodies in the brown back
The winner often takes all, and the rewards come in a brown paper bag
By the radiator near the cookies and the bundles of dope
Stashes of drugs are kept warm and nearby a place to hide and sell them
Fishscalers, I live in elevators and gross
Sales are made in the elevator, making quick transactions to avoid detection
All this paper, profit maker lay there and post
Money can be made by simply staying put and waiting for customers to arrive
Wit them Adidas that Bruce wore, stay in a juice bar
The right attire and hangouts can help blend in and avoid suspicion
All I know if you saw me you thought I was broke
Appearances can be deceiving, as hustlers often show no signs of wealth
Black yo, I been hustlin' since n***** was bustin' guns
Life on the streets has been a constant hustle for a long time
And scufflin', and jumpin' n***** over some coats
Early hustling days involved scrapping for any money or valuables that could be found
We played the S&S rooftop Latin Quarter Polo popes
Turning to more organized operations with fancy names to avoid detection
Who hung out wit all the apers and goats
Associating with high rollers and wealthy clients
I used to scramble hard
Early days involved scrambling for any money or goods that could be found
Tadio strapped to the handlebars
Transportation and constant communication was a must for any hustle operation
50 deep in the lobby large rockin' camoflauge
Having a large crew and blending in with the surroundings was necessary for avoiding detection
Dark ceaser holdin' my nuts, played the buildin' front
Having muscle around was a must for any dangerous situation arising in the building
Fifth of Henny, throw a little snow in the blunt
Celebrate a successful deal with a little alcohol and drugs
Just growin' up schooled by O.G.'s, holdin' those enough
Learning the trade through observation and guidance from older generation hustlers
Daily new drama unfold, they popped him over what?
Everyday brought new trouble and risks
It's so rough, nobody know him, so what?
In the street, everyone is replaceable, even friends are expendable
Ayo the money's close by, homie, show me the stuff
Money is the ultimate goal and it's important to get it quickly and efficiently
Barrel-hoppin' coppin bricks, bags, burners and kicks
Moving constantly from one location to another to acquire goods and supplies
City slicker circlin' the strip, workin' them tricks
Hustlers traverse the same area looking for customers and new opportunities
Like Friday night cruise in the coup, new Velour suit
New threads help to stand out and impress clients
Fruit-flavored kicks takin' flicks out in 40 deuce
Showing off the latest fashionable footwear while hustling on a particular block
Farmer jeans, hammer swings, tucked in the loop
Casual, everyday wear to blend in and remain anonymous while maintaining a weapon
How they hit Miss Fisher, they was bustin' at Soup?
Violence and danger are always present even when no one is targeted
Up in 54, underground, Parrot and Q
Using clever names for locations and transactions to avoid detection
Made man wit the grey Shands wrapped in the blue
Successfully establishing oneself as a high-earning, respected hustler
Stay flam' every day fam, stackin' my loot
Lifestyle of flash and glitter while acquiring more and more money
80 grams in the cake pan, packages flew
A successful sale with a profitable return
Sippin' passionfruit Alize in back of the oh!
Celebrating a successful day with a bottle of wine in the car
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NINO ROTA, COREY WOODS, ROBERT F. DIGGS, JASON S. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris
One of the best songs ever. A timeless classic.
liryckal
I absolutely love this, and how it seamlessly flows in to the next song 'gihad' on the album
Pablo Manelli
Yeh same here always liked this and jihad straight after ghost on jihad is proper
James Kolawole
My favourite track transition is pyrex vision to cold outside
Adam
@James Kolawole cold outside such a dope song
shaun nathan pinder
One of ins decks hardest verses definitely kills it
HITMAN CELL%
ONE OF THA BEST RZA BEATS OF CURRENT TIMES....2003 and UP.......LOVE THIS JOINT......STATIONARY HALL OF JUSTICE...THIS MAN SHALLAH RAEKWON IS ONE OF THA GREATEST PERIOD...SLANG SOPHISTICATED WIT WELL ROUNDED WORDS SPOKEN...I FEEL HE COULD OF WENT ANOTHA 12 OR 16 AFTER DECK BLAZED IT......MOSDEF NEEDED ON THIS CLASSICK ALBUM
coffeyhv
Deck KILLS it on this song.
Anders
Deck always comes correct
Joseph Blanchard
@Anders Always!