Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), a.k.a. Raekwon (/ɹeɪˈkwɒn/), is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), a.k.a. Raekwon (/ɹeɪˈkwɒn/), is an American rapper, one of the nine Wu-Tang Clan members. Raekwon joined Wu-Tang Clan, a hip hop group based in Staten Island, New York in 1992. When the time came for him to release his first solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995), hip-hop, once again, underwent a momentous transformation. The album moves from track to track like a film moves from scene to scene. With its invigorating instrumentals and dramatic lyrical tales, Raekwon painted vivid pictures and presented powerful imagery through his enchanting verbal expression.

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.

Criminology (feat. Ghostface K
Raekwon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Intro: Raekwon (plus sample of Tony Montana having an argument)

Alejandro Sosa: I told you a long time ago, you fucking little monkey, not to fuck me!
Tony Montana:Hey, hey who the fuck you think you're talking to huh? You wanna fuck with me? Who the fuck you think I am, your fucking bellboy? Come on, you wanna go to war, we take you to war, okay?'

Comin up on half a mil, we build
Get real God, taking you on another one, Son
Uhh, Julio Iglesias

Makin CREAM like that nigga

Verse One: Ghostface Killah
Yo, first of all son, peep the arson
Many brothers I be sparkin and bustin mad light inside the dark
Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture
I handglide, holdin on strong, hard to capture
Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it's militant
Then I react like a convict and start killin shit
It's manifested, the Gods work like appliances
Dealin in my cypher I revolve around science
The 9th chamber, leave you trapped inside my hallway
You try to flee but you got smoked up by the doorway (blaow! blaow! blaow!)
No question, I send your ass back right to the essence
Your whole frame is smothered in dirt, now how you restin
While I'll be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops
Throwin niggaz off airplanes cause +Cash Rules
Everything Around Me+ black, as you can see
Swallow this murder one verse like God Degree
Then analyze my soundtrack for satisfaction
You adapt like a flashback chain reaction

Verse Two: Raekwon the Chef
Just a minute son...
AK's black bust back like seventy Macs
I'm all that, street niggaz knowin my steez black
Ron G, you know he coincide with me see
Marvelous, Menace fo' Society
But anyway, let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost
I max the most shotguns through the nose
Fuck rap, Hip Hop for me off top
'Lo wears, and Tommy Hil fly shit with a knot
The witty unpredictable live shit, drive by shit
Do or die shit, I'll take your life and shit
And then you know, I'm runnin through the penal, foul
Four-toothed child was wild
The old lady snitched, but fuck it, you know it, one love kid
No I'm not doin a bid
Too much to get for what cause six niggaz got
stuck, and the nigga chain was truck
Yo fuck that, Criminology rap
Speakers stay jet black floatin in the flyest Ac'
Nigga... bring it! Yeah..

Outro: Raekwon

Much love go to New York City
All my Tommy Hil' ice rockin niggaz

Overall Meaning

The song "Criminology" by Raekwon featuring Ghostface K is a classic hip-hop song with both rappers showcasing their lyrical abilities. The song starts with a sample of an argument between Tony Montana and Alejandro Sosa from the movie Scarface. The intro sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is about living a life of crime and being willing to go to war to protect oneself.

In the first verse, Ghostface Killah talks about his criminal activities and compares himself to a dough snatcher. He boasts about being extravagant and militant, and how he reacts like a convict when he's killing someone. He also talks about his knowledge of science and how he leaves his victims trapped inside his hallway. He ends his verse by telling the listener to analyze his soundtrack for satisfaction and adapt like a flashback chain reaction.

In the second verse, Raekwon the Chef talks about his street smarts and how he maxes out the most shotguns through the nose. He also wears high-end fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and talks about his unpredictable live performances. He raps about his willingness to do anything to protect himself and his loved ones, even if it means taking someone's life. He ends his verse by telling the listener to bring it and declaring his love for New York City and his Tommy Hil' ice rockin niggaz.

Line by Line Meaning

Comin up on half a mil, we build
We're halfway to making a million dollars, and we're still working hard at it

Get real God, taking you on another one, Son
Get ready, because we're about to drop another great song

Uhh, Julio Iglesias
This is going to be a great song, just like Julio Iglesias's music

Yo, first of all son, peep the arson
First things first, check out the fire that I'm starting

Many brothers I be sparkin and bustin mad light inside the dark
I'm lighting up the darkness and bringing illumination to those around me

Call me dough snatcher, just the brother for the rapture
I'm great at making money, and I'll be one of the chosen ones when the time comes

I handglide, holdin on strong, hard to capture
I move gracefully through life and it's hard to catch me because I'm always on the move

Extravagant, RZA bake the track and it's militant
The beat is amazing and RZA did a great job producing it; it's powerful and strong

Then I react like a convict and start killin shit
I get aggressive and start showing off my skills as a lyricist

It's manifested, the Gods work like appliances
The universe is following a plan, and everything is working together like a machine

Dealin in my cypher I revolve around science
I'm constantly analyzing and observing my surroundings and using that knowledge to improve myself

The 9th chamber, leave you trapped inside my hallway
If you mess with me, you'll be stuck in my territory and unable to escape

You try to flee but you got smoked up by the doorway (blaow! blaow! blaow!)
You thought you could escape, but I caught you by surprise and took you out

No question, I send your ass back right to the essence
I'll make sure you return to your natural state after I'm through with you

Your whole frame is smothered in dirt, now how you restin
I killed you and buried you, so there's no way you're comfortable or at peace

While I'll be trapped by sounds, locked behind loops
I'm stuck in my own head, constantly thinking about my craft and improving my rhymes

Throwin niggaz off airplanes cause +Cash Rules
I'm willing to do anything to get money, including committing violent acts

Everything Around Me+ black, as you can see
My life is all about making money, and it's evident in everything I do

Swallow this murder one verse like God Degree
Listen closely to this powerful verse I'm about to lay down, it's like divine knowledge

Then analyze my soundtrack for satisfaction
Listen to the song as a whole and you'll be impressed with how everything fits together

You adapt like a flashback chain reaction
You'll be instantly drawn in by my music, and it'll leave a lasting impression on you

Just a minute son...
Hold up, let me get ready to start my verse

AK's black bust back like seventy Macs
My guns are deadly, and they'll hit you hard like multiple machine guns

I'm all that, street niggaz knowin my steez black
I'm the man, and everyone on the street knows it

Ron G, you know he coincide with me see
Ron G and I work together perfectly and make great music

Marvelous, Menace fo' Society
I'm an amazing rapper and my music represents the struggles of society

But anyway, let's toast, champagne thoughts with Ghost
Let's raise our glasses and celebrate, while also reflecting on the deep thoughts in our music

I max the most shotguns through the nose
I'm the best and I prove it by using multiple shotguns at once

Fuck rap, Hip Hop for me off top
I don't care for generic rap, real Hip Hop is what I love and represent

'Lo wears, and Tommy Hil fly shit with a knot
I wear expensive clothing from brands like Polo and Tommy Hilfiger, and I have a lot of money

The witty unpredictable live shit, drive by shit
My rhymes are clever and entertaining, but I can also get dangerous in the streets

Do or die shit, I'll take your life and shit
I'm not afraid of anything, and I'm willing to kill if necessary

And then you know, I'm runnin through the penal, foul
I'm a fugitive on the run, trying to avoid the law

Four-toothed child was wild
I was a reckless kid back in the day, but now I'm all grown up

The old lady snitched, but fuck it, you know it, one love kid
Even though someone I trusted betrayed me, I still believe in love and forgiveness

No I'm not doin a bid
I'm not going to jail, I'll stay free and keep making music

Too much to get for what cause six niggaz got stuck, and the nigga chain was truck
I have too much to lose by getting caught up in violence, especially when it's over something as small as a stolen necklace

Yo fuck that, Criminology rap
I'm not glorifying crime, I'm just telling it like it is in the streets

Speakers stay jet black floatin in the flyest Ac'
My music is powerful and my sound system is top-notch

Nigga... bring it! Yeah..
I'm ready for anything, so bring it on!

Much love go to New York City
I have respect for my hometown and everyone in it

All my Tommy Hil' ice rockin niggaz
Shoutout to all my friends who rock Tommy Hilfiger clothing and jewelry

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

BisiLIFE

2y↑4

I never understood why they never added this to the Wu Massacre album (which is 🔥🔥🔥🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿) 😞

Each MC absolutely DESTROYED it!!!!

Would love to see the events that led upto them laying this track down first time!!!
🔥🔥🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

Wu-Tang truly FOREVER from an older God - one who remembered (and BOUGHT 😎😉) the first wave of album releases releases from 93 - 95!!!

For me,
The greatest years in hip hop!!!

And Wu were Kings!!!!

Suuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!