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.
Brother's Keeper
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I flip the bronze e, watching King Kong in the palm
Smoke alotta cheeba, chilling, cuz it's all about marketing
Hold the mic, I'm hogging it, handle the goose shit
Word up, mixing the true shit, my niggas'll shoot shit
Trees lean, we get it tight, we get fucked right
We up in the telly, lighting up with the crack light
My mind calculation, attract like I'm counting peso's
The bling swing, a many mansion, a break phantom
Floating through the town on some old new improved shit
Swerve coming through shit, vandals in coupe shit, yo
Animal blue shit, my scramblers move with
A kingley, getting blunted to nine hundred
Floating through the town on some old --
Coming through the town on some old --
[Chorus: Nas (Raekwon)]
Turn up the mics, (the world is mine
The world is, the world is, the world is mine)
Turn up the mics (yeah, the whole world is mine)
[Nas]
I'm Nasty but fuck bitches, handcuff snitches
Feed they nuts to pit bulls and plan more business
Got sluts on leashes walkin on all fours
Have 'em eatin from dog bowls pettin' they heads
Cause they love playin that role they sexy in bed
Smokin bud' I'm outta control wish death on the feds
Cup spills with Grey Goose watchin snuff films
Laughin with dykes that wear patent leather with spikes
My cheddar is right, Miami beach playin it low
St. Barts rent a house and a boat
Two hundred thou' on my throat
That's only half of what my wife ice cost
Phonecall, hearin another boss got his life lost
Well, wipin' sand off of my toes
Read a book called "Catcher in the rye", I chose
Some Bob Marley then I plotted a scheme
To make me and Bump Knux more rich
Then I got me a team, he got 'em a team
He tryin to buy G-force with missile launchers
Tired of walkin' around with beef, with that pistols on us
C-4's better I'm callin up some B-More killers
To come and bleed you
As sure as the sun's in the sky you'll surely die
You washed up, fuck your people
Your money ain't as long as mine you dumb and you foul
Who you tryin to squeeze all this fuck with Alzheimer's disease
We the new breed, nigga, turn up the mics
[Outro: Raekwon]
Yeah, you know where I'm from, I'm from Staten Island, man
Word up, ya'll know it as Shaolin, I call it Staten Island, man
Cuz niggas get they legs broke, when they try to front, man
Fuck it, he rhyme? He talking shit, let's break his fingers, man
Can't write no more, word up, we specialize in choking niggas
Throwing niggas in cars, driving off and shit
Open the door on your ass, you know how them Pontiac days went
In Raekwon's song "Brother's Keeper," he opens the verse by describing how he watches "King Kong" while flipping "bronze E" (a reference to a type of pill) and smoking "alotta cheeba." He talks about how he and his crew are all about marketing and handling the "goose shit" (possibly a reference to Grey Goose vodka). Raekwon brags about his rhyming abilities and how his crew is not afraid to shoot if necessary. He paints a vivid picture of their lifestyle - smoking weed in hotel rooms, hanging out with fake women, and driving expensive cars.
Nas then comes in with a violent verse, talking about how he mistreats women and wishes death upon law enforcement. He talks about his lavish lifestyle - spending large sums of money on jewelry and vacations. Nas also references J.D. Salinger's "Catcher in the Rye," a book about teenage alienation and rebellion. He ends the verse by talking about his plans to become even richer, linking up with Bump Knux and putting together a team to take out their enemies.
In the outro, Raekwon talks about his hometown of Staten Island and the violent reputation of his crew. He talks about breaking fingers and choking people, painting a picture of a world where violence is just another part of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I flip the bronze e, watching King Kong in the palm
I am smoking weed and watching a movie while holding a bronze 'e'.
Smoke alotta cheeba, chilling, cuz it's all about marketing
I smoke a lot of weed because it helps me relax and focus on promoting my music.
Hold the mic, I'm hogging it, handle the goose shit
I am in control of the microphone and confidently rapping about my luxurious lifestyle.
Word up, mixing the true shit, my niggas'll shoot shit
I speak the truth about my experiences and my crew is willing to defend our reputation if anyone challenges it.
Trees lean, we get it tight, we get fucked right
We smoke potent weed until we feel its effects and enjoy our high.
We up in the telly, lighting up with the crack light
We are smoking weed in a hotel room using a lighter.
My mind calculation, attract like I'm counting peso's
I have a strategic mind that is constantly focused on attracting wealth like I count Mexican currency.
Out in turban caco's with some fake ho's
I am wearing turbans, hanging out with fake women and pretending to be someone I'm not.
The bling swing, a many mansion, a break phantom
I own multiple expensive homes, flashy jewelry and luxury cars.
Floating through the town on some old new improved shit
I am driving around in a new car with modern upgrades.
Swerve coming through shit, vandals in coupe shit, yo
I am driving recklessly in a nice car with my crew.
Animal blue shit, my scramblers move with
My associates are proficient in selling illegal drugs and operate secretly like animals.
A kingley, getting blunted to nine hundred
I am smoking high-quality weed called 'Kingley' and getting extremely high.
Turn up the mics, (the world is mine
I am one of the best rappers in the world and I want the sound of my voice to be louder.
I'm Nasty but fuck bitches, handcuff snitches
I am sexually promiscuous but I despise people who are disloyal and snitch.
Feed they nuts to pit bulls and plan more business
I would punish snitches severely and focus on expanding my criminal enterprise.
Got sluts on leashes walkin on all fours
I control women like they are animals leashed and crawling on their hands and knees.
Have 'em eatin from dog bowls pettin' they heads
I treat women like animals by feeding them from dog bowls and petting them to reinforce their submission.
Cause they love playin that role they sexy in bed
Some women enjoy being submissive and feel more attractive when they play this role.
Smokin bud' I'm outta control wish death on the feds
I am smoking weed and feel rebellious, wishing harm to law enforcement.
Cup spills with Grey Goose watchin snuff films
I am drinking vodka while watching real videos of murder and violence.
Laughin with dykes that wear patent leather with spikes
I am laughing with lesbian women who wear provocative leather outfits.
My cheddar is right, Miami beach playin it low
I have a lot of money and am enjoying a luxurious stay in Miami.
St. Barts rent a house and a boat
I rent a house and boat in St. Barts, another tropical paradise.
Two hundred thou' on my throat
I spent $200,000 on a chain to wear around my neck.
That's only half of what my wife ice cost
My wife has even more expensive jewelry.
Phonecall, hearin another boss got his life lost
I received a phone call informing me that a rival criminal leader has been killed.
Well, wipin' sand off of my toes
I am relaxing on a beach and casually cleaning sand off my feet.
Read a book called 'Catcher in the rye', I chose
I am a well-read person and I recently enjoyed reading 'The Catcher in the Rye'.
Some Bob Marley then I plotted a scheme
I listened to music by Bob Marley and began devising a criminal plan.
To make me and Bump Knux more rich
I want to increase my wealth and that of my associate, Bump Knux.
Then I got me a team, he got 'em a team
I gathered a group of criminals to work with me, while Bump Knux did the same.
He tryin to buy G-force with missile launchers
Bump Knux is attempting to purchase advanced weaponry to enhance our criminal operations.
Tired of walkin' around with beef, with that pistols on us
We are tired of being in danger and constantly carrying guns for protection.
C-4's better I'm callin up some B-More killers
We want to use more powerful explosives and have reached out to violent criminals in Baltimore.
To come and bleed you
Our rivals will be killed by these criminals we have hired.
As sure as the sun's in the sky you'll surely die
Our enemies have no chance of survival.
You washed up, fuck your people
You are no longer relevant, and I have no respect for you or your associates.
Your money ain't as long as mine you dumb and you foul
You are less wealthy than I am and I consider you to be not intelligent and distasteful.
Who you tryin to squeeze all this fuck with Alzheimer's disease
You are trying to take advantage of someone who has a memory loss disease.
We the new breed, nigga, turn up the mics
I represent a new generation of successful, wealthy and ruthless gangsters.
Yeah, you know where I'm from, I'm from Staten Island, man
I am from Staten Island, New York.
Cuz niggas get they legs broke, when they try to front, man
People who act tough and disrespect others in Staten Island receive physical punishment.
Fuck it, he rhyme? He talking shit, let's break his fingers, man
Someone who disrespects us in their music will face physical consequences.
Can't write no more, word up, we specialize in choking niggas
We will prevent someone from writing or performing music by using violence.
Throwing niggas in cars, driving off and shit
We physically abduct and harm people, then quickly flee the scene.
Open the door on your ass, you know how them Pontiac days went
We open car doors to slam someone's body against it, like we used to do in the past.
Contributed by Sophie A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.