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.
Clientele Kidd
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Intro: Raekwon]
Yo straight up last minute, you know what time it is
Word up, yeah, yeah, yeah
Word up, blip blip blap blap blap
What up?
Who don't know? They don't know, betta let 'em know
There they go, here we go
[Raekwon]
Aiyo Clientele Kidd
Layin in the crib gettin' ill money, those who 8 hours get gig
Got rugby's on and 4/5ths
Attractin' them niggaz I go against, the money was his
One nasty unit of murderers, all type of Goons'll watch
Then four minutes later they burgulars
I heard from the grapevine mine made it
Elevate the name up, this gift gotta reign and his game went up
And now he's stronger than ever, Nike jackets and Classics
Go against it and it's instant vendettas
He run things, gun down Kings, check the joint the kid flyin' in
Crib in Africa with two lions
Somethin' like the Prince of a jewel thief, so smack the millions
Came back wrapped it up, too sweet
The game is missin' somethin' unique
I put too much to fall back on, I rather just sleep
[Chorus x2: Polite]
CHEF! We designin', rhymin' with Diamonds
CHEF! Ice Water, it was all in the timin'
CHEF! He gave y'all niggaz bricks on consignment
CHEF! To the death and he Billboard climbin'
[Fat Joe]
Yeah uh
Yo Don Carta' bomb harder over nearly everybody
Very rarely you find me without the mini-shotti
Just waitin' for Rae to give met he cue and
You see about 100 Puerto Rican niggaz shootin'
Get down, lay down, we don't play around
I don't know what you heard but, we don't play around
It's cooked coke, but look, but what the fuck happened?
How you leave the dope game to pursue rappin'?
Already knowin' that ya shit was trash
Breathin' hard on the mic when yo' click is ass
All we tryin' to do is bring dignity to rap
And you kiddin' me? I'm literally the epitome of that
Uh, we much better than y'all, Terre-error the Squad
My niggaz set it when we get in the yard
Whether Marcy or Comstock, triggers 'pon cock
Straight punch in ya lung and you niggaz gon' drop
What?
[Chorus x2]
[Ghostface Killah]
Yo yo yo shoot him in his mouth.. (nah)
Fuck him, get the gasoline tell Terry to pull the act up
Bring him to Rae warehouse, hang him from hooks then skin his ass
As lame as he look he ready to cook (yeah)
And he pleadin' for mercy, bleedin' from his dome and he thirsty
The first week we made him eat shit!
Videotaped his wiz and I fucked his bitch
Made him watch me on the couch havin' fun with his kids
So what hurts more: is it me showin' love to ya fam?
Or you in the box laid under the floor?
Or keep you alive blow torchin' ya balls?
My murder chainsaw, ya bloods on my Scarface walls
Not even Ajax can clean that, Jack
We need that maintenace man shit that kill that greasy blood on contact
Finish you off 'cause I'm pressed for time
Your man and 'em will be next to die
Mothafucka!
[Chorus x2]
[Hook x4]
Raekwon's "Clientele Kidd" is an intense and graphic story of the violent and dangerous world of drug trafficking. Raekwon, alongside guests Fat Joe, Ghostface Killah, and Polite, speak on the rise and power of "Clientele Kidd," a drug dealer who has made a name for himself in the business. The lyrics describe the lifestyles of those involved and showcases the ruthlessness of their actions with lines such as "shoot him in his mouth" and "made him watch me on the couch having fun with his kids."
The first verse details the rise of Clientele Kidd and his strong position in the drug world. The second verse, performed by Fat Joe, criticizes those who attempt to enter the rap game for fame and fortune without prior experience or skill. The final verse, performed by Ghostface Killah, is the most violent and disturbing, describing the torture and murder of a rival gang member.
Overall, "Clientele Kidd" is a vivid portrayal of the harsh realities of the drug game and the consequences that come with it. The song serves as a cautionary tale and a reminder of the danger that surrounds such a lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo straight up last minute, you know what time it is
I need your attention, we're running out of time.
Who don't know? They don't know, betta let 'em know
Don't assume that everyone is aware, we should inform them.
Aiyo Clientele Kidd
Hey, let me tell you about Clientele Kidd.
Layin in the crib gettin' ill money, those who 8 hours get gig
Clientele Kidd makes a lot of money, unlike those who work 8-hour shifts.
Got rugby's on and 4/5ths
He wears rugby clothes and carries a gun.
Attractin' them niggaz I go against, the money was his
He's attracting rivals, but he's the one with the money.
One nasty unit of murderers, all type of Goons'll watch
He hangs out with dangerous criminals.
Then four minutes later they burgulars
They become burglars soon after.
I heard from the grapevine mine made it
I heard through rumors that he succeeded.
Elevate the name up, this gift gotta reign and his game went up
His reputation got better and he started winning more.
And now he's stronger than ever, Nike jackets and Classics
He's doing well and has nice clothing.
Go against it and it's instant vendettas
If you challenge him, he'll retaliate quickly.
He run things, gun down Kings, check the joint the kid flyin' in
He's in charge, and he's killed important people. He has a nice car.
Crib in Africa with two lions
He has a mansion in Africa with two pet lions.
Somethin' like the Prince of a jewel thief, so smack the millions
He's like a wealthy criminal prince, so he steals millions of dollars.
Came back wrapped it up, too sweet
He returns and successfully completes his heist, feeling good about it.
The game is missin' somethin' unique
The criminal underworld needs someone like him who is original and successful.
I put too much to fall back on, I rather just sleep
He's achieved too much to fail now, and would rather relax.
CHEF! We designin', rhymin' with Diamonds
Raekwon is a master of his craft and blends jewelry with music.
CHEF! Ice Water, it was all in the timin'
Raekwon's success was due to excellent timing and instincts.
CHEF! He gave y'all niggaz bricks on consignment
Raekwon sold drugs to others on condition of being paid later.
CHEF! To the death and he Billboard climbin'
Raekwon will do whatever it takes to succeed, and he's rising in popularity as a musician.
Yeah uh
Here's Fat Joe speaking up now.
Yo Don Carta' bomb harder over nearly everybody
Fat Joe is a tough guy who outshines most others.
Very rarely you find me without the mini-shotti
Fat Joe is always ready with a small gun for defense.
Just waitin' for Rae to give met he cue and
Fat Joe is waiting for Raekwon's instructions to act.
You see about 100 Puerto Rican niggaz shootin'
A lot of people will be shooting guns soon.
Get down, lay down, we don't play around
Get down low or risk getting hurt - they are not joking.
I don't know what you heard but, we don't play around
They are serious and not to be messed with.
It's cooked coke, but look, but what the fuck happened?
The drugs were prepared but there was an issue or mistake.
How you leave the dope game to pursue rappin'?
Why would someone abandon drug dealing for a music career?
Already knowin' that ya shit was trash
They knew the music would not be successful.
Breathin' hard on the mic when yo' click is ass
The artist's crew is not good, but he's struggling hard to perform well.
All we tryin' to do is bring dignity to rap
They want to make rap music respectable and professional.
And you kiddin' me? I'm literally the epitome of that
Fat Joe is the perfect example of bringing class and quality to rap music.
Uh, we much better than y'all, Terre-error the Squad
They are much better than their competition, and the group is called Terre-error.
My niggaz set it when we get in the yard
His crew always dominates when they enter an area.
Whether Marcy or Comstock, triggers 'pon cock
They're prepared with loaded guns in case of a conflict, no matter the location.
Straight punch in ya lung and you niggaz gon' drop
He can hit someone so hard that they will fall to the ground.
Yo yo yo shoot him in his mouth.. (nah)
Ghostface Killah decides against shooting someone in the mouth.
Fuck him, get the gasoline tell Terry to pull the act up
They will use gasoline to hurt someone, and Terry is getting ready to assist.
Bring him to Rae warehouse, hang him from hooks then skin his ass
They will torture him in Raekwon's warehouse until he is very hurt.
As lame as he look he ready to cook (yeah)
He may look weak, but he is tougher than he appears.
And he pleadin' for mercy, bleedin' from his dome and he thirsty
He's begging for forgiveness, bleeding from his head and wanting a drink of water.
The first week we made him eat shit!
They forced him to eat feces during the first week of his torture.
Videotaped his wiz and I fucked his bitch
They recorded his girlfriend and had sex with her.
Made him watch me on the couch havin' fun with his kids
They forced him to watch them play and act nicely with his children.
So what hurts more: is it me showin' love to ya fam?
Is it worse for them to be nice to your family or hurt you more?
Or you in the box laid under the floor?
Is it worse for you to be buried alive or for them to hurt your loved ones?
Or keep you alive blow torchin' ya balls?
Would it be worse to torture you while you're alive and hurt your genitals?
My murder chainsaw, ya bloods on my Scarface walls
They have a chainsaw for killing people and their victims' blood is on their walls.
Not even Ajax can clean that, Jack
Not even strong cleaning supplies can get rid of the blood.
We need that maintenace man shit that kill that greasy blood on contact
They need something stronger that can easily remove the blood from their walls.
Finish you off 'cause I'm pressed for time
They will kill him quickly because they don't have much time left.
Your man and 'em will be next to die
They will kill his friends and associates next.
Mothafucka!
The song ends with a curse word to emphasize their anger and aggression.
Lyrics © JELLYBEAN MUSIC GROUP, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ANDY CREAMER, COREY WOODS, DENNIS DAVID COLES, JOSEPH ANTHONY CARTAGENA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind