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.
Butter Knives
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
More money on this rhyme right here, boy
Take ya'll back to the front of the muthafucking 1-6-Ooh shit
Yo, lord, that first Wu shit
You know what it is, it's that muthafucking
Special made, high powered, special made forces
What up what up what up, aiyo, aiyo
Smack flames at him, no gun neither
Leave him with a bump, what the fuck
("They say he's a swordsman") Get that little, nigga
Who give a fuck if he's a swordsman, I'm a gunman, I run from nothing
Chain came from rent days and pumping
Wire cell with valors on, drawers is colorful
I do this, forever nigga, raw style
Lighting Phillies, fly by willies, can't come through
Unless your vehicle three hundred chain, silly
Laying in the park with the killas, the coupes, the villains
No rims, we just ball for the millions
The emperor of slang lords, kings get clapped in they dome
Get your throne rushed, and I ain't got a gun on
High power ninjas who touch you, lay a gun on
Drinking with the best of the hustling
[Chorus]
I got butter knives, like you got butter knives
Come through huddling, run through the spot thirty times
All my niggas old school robbers, do what it do
I got a sixty-two, a black pair of goggles
Fila approachers, the Bee Hives, the vultures and the roasters
Can't come through with cedar toasters
It's going down, only in the town
Your heart get tested, and gunplay is only an investment
Flying shooters, eyewear rugers
Stars and swords in front of the building, five thousand students
Cocaine cops they know him ("They say he's a swordsman")
You already know that, man
Diamoned up, double O sevens, come through, 1-8-7
Back to the Hill in a second, yeah
Sons jump in front of them bullets, push me up in the bullet
Stay cool, I got shit, where ya weapon?
Hurricane slammers, earthquake clips and cannons
Back of the building, with the jammers
Live well, eat well, welcome to the Terror-dome, sleep well
Who don't like beefing? Keep shells
I flow with the souls of sharks and criminals in they heart
Play parts of this in detail
Well carried mannered, blampers, ninjas black down
Pop up on spots and vanished ("They say he's a swordsman")
[Chorus]
In Raekwon's song Butter Knives, the lyrics depict a life of gang violence, drugs, and criminal activity. The first lines indicate a return to the "fly shit," and it seems the artist is proud of this lifestyle. He talks about making more money through his rhymes and takes the listener back to the past with the "front of the muthafucking 1-6-Ooh shit." Raekwon references the "first Wu shit," alluding to the Wu-Tang Clan, a rap group he is a part of. He then mentions "Special made, high powered, special made forces," which could refer to specific weapons or equipment used by his crew.
The rest of the lyrics are about violence and criminal activity, including using a meat cleaver to attack someone, not needing a gun to threaten others, and hanging out with killers and villains. The chorus talks about having "butter knives," which could symbolize that even their less lethal weapons are still sharp and deadly. Raekwon also mentions specific brands and models of clothing and vehicles used in his lifestyle. The song ends with phrases like "Terror-dome" and "keep shells" that reinforce the violent and dangerous nature of the world he is depicting.
Overall, Raekwon's Butter Knives is a gritty and raw portrayal of life on the streets. It glorifies gang violence and criminal activity, and paints a vivid picture of a dangerous and ruthless lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Back to that fly shit, Silicone Valley good shit, right here, boy
Let's get back to the good stuff, the Silicon Valley level of quality, right here.
More money on this rhyme right here, boy
I'm making more money with this rhyme than ever before.
Take ya'll back to the front of the muthafucking 1-6-Ooh shit
Let's remember the good old days at the front of 160, it was amazing.
Yo, lord, that first Wu shit
Remember that first Wu Tang Clan song, it was so good.
You know what it is, it's that muthafucking
You already know what it is, it's that great stuff.
Special made, high powered, special made forces
This is a special, high-quality product that was created with unparalleled force.
What up what up what up, aiyo, aiyo
Hey there, what's up? Listen up, listen up.
Chef that fly with a meat cleaver, swing on a young nigga
I'm so cool and sharp like a chef with a meat cleaver, I can take down anyone.
Smack flames at him, no gun neither
I can take down someone without even using a gun, I just use my bare hands.
Leave him with a bump, what the fuck
They'll be left with a bump or bruise after I'm done, what else can they say?
('They say he's a swordsman') Get that little, nigga
I don't care that they say he's a swordsman, I can take down even a small guy.
Who give a fuck if he's a swordsman, I'm a gunman, I run from nothing
Even if someone else is a skilled swordsman, I'm a gun expert and I'm not afraid of anyone.
Chain came from rent days and pumping
I came from the days of paying rent and working hard.
Wire cell with valors on, drawers is colorful
I have a phone with a fancy case and my clothes are stylish and colorful.
I do this, forever nigga, raw style
I am always going to do this, with my raw and authentic style.
Lighting Phillies, fly by willies, can't come through
I'm so cool that I can even light my Phillies while cruising. You can't be with me unless you have a flashy car.
Unless your vehicle three hundred chain, silly
You better have a fancy car and a thick gold chain if you want to hang with me.
Laying in the park with the killas, the coupes, the villains
I hang out in the park with the dangerous posse of cool cars and criminals.
No rims, we just ball for the millions
We're making millions without even having to use flashy rims.
The emperor of slang lords, kings get clapped in they dome
I'm the king of slang lords and I can take down even my rivals.
Get your throne rushed, and I ain't got a gun on
Even though I don't have a gun, I can still rush anyone's throne and take them down with my bare hands.
High power ninjas who touch you, lay a gun on
My expert team can take you down even with just a gun.
Drinking with the best of the hustling
I hang out with the best of the hustlers and enjoy a good drink.
[Chorus]
Chorus.
I got butter knives, like you got butter knives
I've got my own weapons and I'm just as dangerous as you are.
Come through huddling, run through the spot thirty times
I can come through the toughest spots and run through them 30 times without any fear.
All my niggas old school robbers, do what it do
My posse is full of experienced robbers and we know how to get things done.
I got a sixty-two, a black pair of goggles
I've got a cool 62 and stylish black goggles.
Fila approachers, the Bee Hives, the vultures and the roasters
I have quality sneakers, cool crew, and friends who are willing to launch into action.
Can't come through with cedar toasters
You can't come through here and try to take us down easily.
It's going down, only in the town
Things are getting heated and dangerous, and it's only happening in this town.
Your heart get tested, and gunplay is only an investment
Be ready to fight for your life, and sometimes it pays off to use your gun.
Flying shooters, eyewear rugers
I have skilled shooters and cool Aviator glasses.
Stars and swords in front of the building, five thousand students
There are stars and swords in front of the building, and 5000 students are watching.
Cocaine cops they know him ('They say he's a swordsman')
The cocaine cops know about him and say he's a skilled swordsman.
You already know that, man
That's already common knowledge, buddy.
Diamoned up, double O sevens, come through, 1-8-7
I'm heavily bejeweled and can come through like James Bond to take down my enemies.
Back to the Hill in a second, yeah
I'll be back to the hill in just a few seconds.
Sons jump in front of them bullets, push me up in the bullet
I have loyal soldiers who are willing to sacrifice themselves and protect me from bullets.
Stay cool, I got shit, where ya weapon?
Stay calm, I've got things under control, where's your weapon?
Hurricane slammers, earthquake clips and cannons
My team has hurricane slammers, earthquake clips, and powerful cannons.
Back of the building, with the jammers
We're hanging out at the back of the building with high-powered jammers.
Live well, eat well, welcome to the Terror-dome, sleep well
We live well, eat well, and welcome you to the Terror-dome, where you can sleep well
Who don't like beefing? Keep shells
Who doesn't like a good fight? Keep your guns loaded.
I flow with the souls of sharks and criminals in they heart
I'm connected with the souls of the most dangerous sharks and criminals.
Play parts of this in detail
We play out the dangerous parts of our lives in great detail, with precision and skill.
Well carried mannered, blampers, ninjas black down
We are well mannered, carry out our work in a neat and precise manner, and are skilled ninjas.
Pop up on spots and vanished ('They say he's a swordsman')
We can appear at any spot and disappear just as easily, and they say that our leader is a skilled swordsman.
[Chorus]
Chorus.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: COREY T WOODS, JUSTIN D CROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DJ BLACK OPS
This song is INSANE! Raekwon is truly Captaining the Wu-Tang ship in terms of Solo album tracks!!
James Webster
Raekwon slang always been incredible! Much respect wu forever.
JS∞
Man, Raekwon's flavor can't be matched, this joint is bangin, has me playing it over and again.
Dwayne Bush
This was filmed and shot in my ex girlfriend's building and in front of her door,we both was off work but still didn't get to meet my favorite clan swordsman 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Derrick
when I hear shit like this then I know damn well that hip-hop is still ALIVE!...thanks Rae!
Retro Hills
We need this music back on the radios
TheRelentless1ne
Gerry Retro radio is controlled by payola meaning you have to pay alot of money to get your song on the radio. Who wants to play by those rules just to get your song some airplay?
Jo-z Jay
Its been a while since i heard this song, still gets down!
Harborx
"who give a fuck if he a swordsman, Im a gunman I run from nothin." fuckin sick.
Sid
Bronze been putting shit down for Wu a minute now. Going back to Great Migration and before that. Don't sleep on this cat. Good job Bronze! By far the biggest banger on the album.