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.
Catalina Ft Lyfe Jennings
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nickel-bag valcyte
Purple tops, two for fives
I had seven grams
Outside with my eleven mans
On the corners with a pocket full of contrabands
Running up and down fire-escapes, narcs coming
Jump in the window let your Nikes fly, hide the flakes
What a nigga woulda did if you steal from me
All my life around drug niggas villains who want millions
Niggas with them hoodies on with teks in the building
Mad fiends, bags and green, Gillette razors, fly neighbors
All our blazers designer jeans
That's why we live (yup)
Niggas need shit in their crib
Go broke, you go and rope you a Vick
It's just full-time stragglers
Niggas try to take your place
And smile in your face
But still in all backstabbers
I'm just trying to get on
Leave a couple mil to my kids when I'm gone
And nigga that ain't cologne
It's the smell of this money
I'm just trying to get home
'Cause I don't know when my karma gonna catch up
I don't know when the toilet gonna back up
And put me in some shit that I can't get out of
Come on
Bags of money
Trying to stay rich and fly
Keep it cool, silks and dungarees
Krug glasses and food
Grilled salmon, trying to make a move
Those who knowing they be dapping they dudes
How it do blow a lot of crews stay in the cut
Pacing from here to LA and Hawaii and Cuba
Blue new oozie too serial numbers is braille
So when you rub against it feel on (?)
Now I'm with some special niggas, next level niggas
With rubber bezels who drive Exeleros with jewels
(?) boots on, olive goose, calamari soups
And noodles that spell out "Y'all niggas the truth"
What it is baby boy, reclining in a big Benz lazy boy
Ends up, lenses on, Chips Ahoy
Shipping triple, niggas try to stop the issue
And cock-block but can't stop the official
I'm just trying to get on
Leave a couple mil to my kids when I'm gone
And nigga that ain't cologne
It's the smell of this money
I'm just trying to get home
'Cause I don't know when my karma gonna catch up
I don't know when the toilet gonna back up
And put me in some shit that I can't get out of
In "Catalina," Raekwon reflects on his past experiences growing up in the drug game, surrounded by danger and deceit, and how he looks to leave a legacy for his family. The song contains vivid descriptions of the lifestyle he once led, from selling drugs on street corners to fleeing from the police, as well as the materialistic excess that comes with success in the industry. He speaks of the fragility of his current situation, and how he is always conscious of the looming consequences of his past actions catching up with him.
The first verse highlights the harsh realities of growing up in the drug trade, in a neighborhood where theft and violence are commonplace, and trust is a rare commodity. The verse speaks of the camaraderie that exists within the drug community, but also the constant threat of betrayal and danger that pervades their relationships. Raekwon describes the rampant drug use among his clientele, and how his only goal was to make as much money as possible to provide for his family. He alludes to the constant pressure to maintain wealth and status, and how this lifestyle can quickly turn on its head, leaving one with nothing.
Line by Line Meaning
I grew up on the foul side
I was raised in an area known for its criminal activity
Nickel-bag valcyte
I used to sell small amounts of Valcyte for five dollars
Purple tops, two for fives
I sold purple-colored drugs at a low price
I had seven grams
I used to sell drugs in small quantities
Outside with my eleven mans
I used to hang out with a group of 11 people outside
On the corners with a pocket full of contrabands
I used to stand on the corner selling various illegal items
Running up and down fire-escapes, narcs coming
I used to run up and down fire-escapes to avoid the police
Jump in the window let your Nikes fly, hide the flakes
I used to jump through windows and throw my shoes to distract the police while hiding my drugs
Guess up in the hill it was real to me
In my neighborhood, violence and crime felt like a reality
What a nigga woulda did if you steal from me
I would have retaliated if someone had stolen from me
All my life around drug niggas villains who want millions
I have always been surrounded by drug dealers who want to make a lot of money
Niggas with them hoodies on with teks in the building
There were people carrying weapons in the area, with hooded sweatshirts on
Mad fiends, bags and green, Gillette razors, fly neighbors
There were a lot of drug users, drugs being sold, people carrying weapons, and nicely dressed people all in the same area
All our blazers designer jeans
We all wore expensive, designer clothing
That's why we live (yup)
We live this way because we want to have nice things
Niggas need shit in their crib
People want to have nice things in their homes
Go broke, you go and rope you a Vick
If you become poor, it's common to start robbing other people
It's just full-time stragglers
Some people only hustle occasionally, but others do it full time
Niggas try to take your place
Other people will try to take your place as the top earner in the area
And smile in your face
They'll pretend to be friendly while plotting against you
But still in all backstabbers
Ultimately, they will betray you
I'm just trying to get on
I am attempting to achieve success
Leave a couple mil to my kids when I'm gone
I want to leave a lot of money for my children when I die
And nigga that ain't cologne
I'm not just talking about success, I actually want it
It's the smell of this money
The pursuit of wealth is what drives me
I'm just trying to get home
I want to be successful enough that I can live comfortably and not have to worry about my financial situation
'Cause I don't know when my karma gonna catch up
I am aware of the potential consequences of my actions
I don't know when the toilet gonna back up
I don't know when something unexpected will happen and throw off my plans
And put me in some shit that I can't get out of
I don't want to end up in a situation that I can't get myself out of
Bags of money
I have a lot of cash
Trying to stay rich and fly
I am attempting to remain wealthy and stylish
Keep it cool, silks and dungarees
I dress in high-end clothes, including silk and denim
Krug glasses and food
I enjoy drinking Krug champagne and eating fine cuisine
Grilled salmon, trying to make a move
I enjoy eating grilled salmon and am actively attempting to make progress towards my goals
Those who knowing they be dapping they dudes
People who are aware of their own success brag to their friends
How it do blow a lot of crews stay in the cut
It's impressive how many people can remain successful while staying behind the scenes
Pacing from here to LA and Hawaii and Cuba
I am constantly moving around, going from place to place
Blue new oozie too serial numbers is braille
I have a new blue gun with serial numbers that can be felt by touch
So when you rub against it feel on (?)
When you touch the gun, you can feel the serial number
Now I'm with some special niggas, next level niggas
I am now hanging out with successful and influential people
With rubber bezels who drive Exeleros with jewels
They have expensive cars adorned with expensive jewelry
(?) boots on, olive goose, calamari soups
They wear boots with an unknown brand, jackets made from goose feathers, and eat calamari soup
And noodles that spell out "Y'all niggas the truth"
They eat noodles that spell out the slang phrase 'Y'all niggas are the truth'
What it is baby boy, reclining in a big Benz lazy boy
He is relaxing in a large, comfortable car
Ends up, lenses on, Chips Ahoy
He is wearing sunglasses and eating Chips Ahoy cookies
Shipping triple, niggas try to stop the issue
He is making a lot of money and other people are trying to prevent it
And cock-block but can't stop the official
They are trying to prevent his success, but they can't stop him from achieving it
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDRE YOUNG, ANDRE ROMELL YOUNG, DAWAUN PARKER, DAWAUN W. PARKER, MARK BATSON, MARK CHRISTOPHER BATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dottoresamuele
The way the beat drops is just insane. Still pumping this all the way through 2023!
@SunniWrld
That 🎹 & beat...just SICK!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@viktorvondoom9119
Only Built for Cuban Lynx III needs some DJ Premier and Fizzy Womack productions
@miguelreyes954
Still knockin this 2019. Outside with my 11 men's..
@survivalmode7032
2021 with my 11 covid masks
@CheezBurgrWitNoCheez
@@survivalmode7032 can't help it. beat is fire
@survivalmode7032
@@CheezBurgrWitNoCheez most definitely
@kanderson5092
2022 💯
@richman-mp3vf
@@kanderson5092 December 22 2022
@Felix-M.
Slept on Classic .... And even going into 2022 .... be Wise Strong and Healthy all of You ... God Bless