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.
Cold Outside
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said mama's out here flippin' now
Shots just goin' off
Somebody laid out
Little kids smokin' weed
Drive-bys every day
Wonder what's goin' on
Here outside wit my muthafuckin' A.K.
Ha, oh, woah
It's cold, hey
Religious wit hammers
Fakes get jammed up, cakes get battered
Comin' through to get it through transactions
Blood, stinkin' fiends
Machine guns, cannons and teams
Bakin' sodas, gold Rovers and gophers
Land in every project
Sex, lies, murderous reps
Back to cassettes
Vets dyin' on steps
What's really takin' place in them hoods?
Heads get clapped or trapped
Don't fuck wit my mind, I'm strapped
Off wit your dome for frontin' on me
Last two L's, I seen visions of dead males and more sales
Real life stories is made
And candles got blazed for little young soldiers shot by dem strays
Pidgeons and goons survivin' them prisons
Corest divisions, that separate and lay in cocoons
And they can't wait to come home soon
While bodies get found in lobbies, chopped up decayin' in rooms
They found a two-year-old strangled to death
With a Love Daddy shirt on in a bag on the top of the steps
Police blowin' niggas, narcs and judges
Me and son had beef, I had to murk him we supposed to be brothers
'Cause he came home frontin feelin' like that I owe him somethin'
'Cause I'm getting' money, drive a lil' somethin' somethin'
Lanay got AIDs, with 5 kids smoked out
House is brick, bills haven't been paid in days
Her Brooklyn man's a molester
Court case and the crime's raisin'
SWAT stickers on the church, they Satan
Holiday season is here and I'm vexed
Who the fuck made Christmas up and fuckin' broke it?
Ain't makin' no sense
Newports is $7.50, a box of Huggies is off the meat rack
She's back, thirty days, she relapsed
Our troops need to leave Iraq
And rap niggas need to go on strike
So we can get more cash, 'cause
When it's cold outside, and the rain turn to ice
Said mama's out here flippin' now
Shots just goin' off
Somebody laid out
Little kids smokin' weed
Drive-bys every day
Wonder what's goin' on
Here outside wit my muthafuckin' A.K.
Woah, what I'm gonna do when it's cold outside?
The lyrics to Raekwon's "Cold Outside" paint a bleak picture of life in the inner city. The first verse speaks of the violence and despair that's so common in these neighborhoods, with references to drive-bys, drug use, and murder. Even the children are smoking weed, and the singer is forced to carry an AK-47 for protection. It's clear that this is a dangerous, hardscrabble existence, and the listener shares the singer's sense of unease and discomfort.
The second verse delves even deeper into the darkness, touching on topics like crime, poverty, and disease. There are chilling descriptions of murder victims, drug addicts, and child molesters, as well as more mundane struggles like unpaid bills and the high cost of cigarettes. The singer's frustration and anger are palpable, as he lashes out against corrupt authorities and calls for revolution. Throughout the song, there's a sense of hopelessness and despair, but also a defiant will to survive, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Overall, "Cold Outside" is a powerful and sobering look at life on the margins of society. It's a reminder that poverty and violence are still rampant in many urban areas, and that the struggle for survival is a daily one for millions of people.
Line by Line Meaning
When it's cold outside, and the rain turn to ice
In harsh weather conditions, where the rain is turning into ice.
Said mama's out here flippin' now
Mother is selling drugs on the streets.
Shots just goin' off
Gunshots can be heard regularly.
Somebody laid out
Someone was killed and lying on the street.
Little kids smokin' weed
Young children are smoking drugs.
Drive-bys every day
Drive-by shootings constantly happen.
Wonder what's goin' on
Questioning the reasons for the violence in the area.
Here outside wit my muthafuckin' A.K.
Carrying an AK-47 in the dangerous area.
Woah, what I'm gonna do when it's cold outside?
Inquiring how to handle the harsh conditions and danger outside.
Ha, oh, woah
An expression of frustration and resignation at the situation.
Religious wit hammers
Using religious language with violent intent.
Fakes get jammed up, cakes get battered
Pretenders are exposed and taken advantage of.
Comin' through to get it through transactions
Dealing drugs and engaging in illegal activities.
Blood, stinkin' fiends
Addicts with bloodshot eyes and body odor.
Machine guns, cannons and teams
Armed conflict and groups of violent individuals.
Bakin' sodas, gold Rovers and gophers
Cooking drugs, expensive cars, and underground tunnels.
Land in every project
Involvement in every housing project in the area.
Sex, lies, murderous reps
Promiscuity, deception, and violent reputation.
Back to cassettes
Returning to older technology and way of life.
Vets dyin' on steps
Military veterans dying in poverty and homelessness.
What's really takin' place in them hoods?
Asking about the reality of life in the dangerous neighborhoods.
Heads get clapped or trapped
Death or imprisonment is a common fate.
Don't fuck wit my mind, I'm strapped
I am armed and ready to defend myself against psychological manipulation.
Off wit your dome for frontin' on me
Violently attacking someone who disrespects or deceives me.
Last two L's, I seen visions of dead males and more sales
Reflecting on a drug deal gone wrong and the consequences.
Real life stories is made
The harsh reality of life creates tragic stories.
And candles got blazed for little young soldiers shot by dem strays
Memorial candles are lit for innocent children killed by stray bullets.
Pidgeons and goons survivin' them prisons
Criminals and gang members are able to survive in prison.
Corest divisions, that separate and lay in cocoons
The underlying divisions and conflicts that separate even within the same community.
And they can't wait to come home soon
Looking forward to leaving prison and returning home soon.
While bodies get found in lobbies, chopped up decayin' in rooms
Finding dead bodies in communal areas and in rooms where they decompose.
They found a two-year-old strangled to death
Discovering a tragic case of child murder.
With a Love Daddy shirt on in a bag on the top of the steps
The child's body was left on the street wearing a specific shirt.
Police blowin' niggas, narcs and judges
Corruption within the law enforcement and criminal justice system.
Me and son had beef, I had to murk him we supposed to be brothers
Having a violent conflict with someone who is supposed to be family.
'Cause he came home frontin feelin' like that I owe him somethin'
Creating conflict because of entitlement and jealousy.
'Cause I'm getting' money, drive a lil' somethin' somethin'
Jealousy towards those who have achieved material success.
Lanay got AIDs, with 5 kids smoked out
A woman named Lanay has AIDs and is addicted to drugs while having multiple children.
House is brick, bills haven't been paid in days
Despite being a homeowner, bills are not being paid on time.
Her Brooklyn man's a molester
The person that Lanay is involved with is a sexual predator.
Court case and the crime's raisin'
Being charged with a crime and the consequences of that.
SWAT stickers on the church, they Satan
The police are treating the local church as an enemy.
Holiday season is here and I'm vexed
Feeling frustrated during the festive period.
Who the fuck made Christmas up and fuckin' broke it?
Questioning the origin and commercialization of Christmas.
Ain't makin' no sense
Feeling that the world is irrational and out of control.
Newports is $7.50, a box of Huggies is off the meat rack
The cost of living and necessities is expensive and unaffordable.
She's back, thirty days, she relapsed
Someone has relapsed into addiction after a month of sobriety.
Our troops need to leave Iraq
Calling for an end to the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home.
And rap niggas need to go on strike
Advocating for musicians to take political action and protest through their art.
So we can get more cash, 'cause
Explaining the motivation behind the call for a strike - financial gain.
It's cold, hey
Reasserting the initial feeling of frustration and danger in the cold weather outside.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
Written by: Corey Woods, Dennis David Coles, Jason Danielson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind