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.
Flawless Crowns
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the bulletproof... more cases for ya eyes
Flawless crowns, sevens, bags of black
We kill industry niggaz and build maps
High powered money, blimps with emblems
Pimps, all of my hoes'll spray you under the tints
Yeah, car shows with cases, writing niggaz out in the Beacon
Wide world of sniffers, spiroglyphics, Caesars and blue eagles
I'mma make my music the business
And now for the record, I'm on niggaz, go head, ditech it
I'mma leave you left, freezing and naked
Silverback gorillas, taught to bite tongues out faces
Fleeing in clubs, fly in something silver
Catch me with the Germans, hard body dealing with hard white
Dominican complexion with some hard ice
Can't nothing rock me, I'm legendary
What, what, what, what, what, what, what, what
It's on you bitch... word up...
Back to that ice rocking shit
The muthafuckin' good sneakers on
With the persian muthafuckin' scarfs hanging on
Catch me flying in that muthafuckin' XO
It's on, with the shit on the other side
The steering wheel on the other side, my nigga
You know what it is, it's going down
Cuban Linx man, Part 2, The Purple Tape
It's on, thoro, do it
Throughout the lyrics of Raekwon's song "Flawless Crowns," he paints a vivid picture of his luxurious lifestyle, full of high-powered money, expensive cars, and beautiful women. The lyrics serve as a proclamation of his dominance in the industry and his ability to both kill and build simultaneously. The use of imagery throughout the song, such as "flawless crowns" and "bags of black," emphasizes his opulence and the power he holds. He boasts about his ability to make his music a business, leaving his competition freezing and naked in his wake. The reference to "silverback gorillas" and the ability to bite tongues out of faces adds a violent edge to the lyrics, reflecting the dangerous nature of the industry he operates in.
The lyrics also reference Raekwon's experiences traveling the world and being surrounded by luxury, as he mentions "catch me with the Germans" and "flying in that muthafuckin' XO." The use of multiple references to cars and planes further emphasizes the level of success he has achieved. The closing lines, "Cuban Linx man, Part 2, The Purple Tape / It's on, thoro, do it," serve to reinforce his dominance and the success of his previous album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx."
Line by Line Meaning
Uh... lay back.. word up, just bless 'em
Relax, pay attention, and let me impart some wisdom upon you.
With the bulletproof... more cases for ya eyes
Allow me to present a shield to protect yourself in this dangerous world, so you can recognize the truth.
Flawless crowns, sevens, bags of black
Perfect jewelry, excellent alcohol, and large amounts of money.
We kill industry niggaz and build maps
We destroy our rivals in the music industry and create new opportunities for ourselves.
High powered money, blimps with emblems
Large sums of cash and fancy airships with logos.
Pimps, all of my hoes'll spray you under the tints
My prostitutes will attack you under the windows of my luxurious vehicles.
Yeah, car shows with cases, writing niggaz out in the Beacon
Attending auto shows with suitcases full of money and signing contracts that will ruin my competition.
Down in the antics, Lex, you should take it
Participating in wild behavior and making money, Lex should join in.
Wide world of sniffers, spiroglyphics, Caesars and blue eagles
A diverse group of people who indulge in drugs, hieroglyphs, and gambling including wealthy and powerful individuals.
I'mma make my music the business
I intend to turn my musical talents into a lucrative enterprise.
And now for the record, I'm on niggaz, go head, ditech it
For the record, I am superior to my competitors, go ahead and analyze it.
I'mma leave you left, freezing and naked
My opponents will be left alone, exposed, and vulnerable.
Silverback gorillas, taught to bite tongues out faces
My associates are tough and violent, they will bite out tongues and damage faces if necessary.
Fleeing in clubs, fly in something silver
Running away from danger in nightclubs and escaping in a silver vehicle.
Catch me with the Germans, hard body dealing with hard white
My connections include German individuals, and I have a strong and uncompromising approach to dealing with illegal drugs.
Dominican complexion with some hard ice
I have a skin complexion commonly found in the Dominican Republic and my jewelry is very valuable.
Can't nothing rock me, I'm legendary
Nothing can shake my confidence, I am a legend in my field.
What, what, what, what, what, what, what, what
An exclamation of excitement and anticipation.
It's on you bitch... word up...
The situation is now your responsibility, pay attention.
Back to that ice rocking shit
Returning to the topic of expensive jewelry and belongings.
The muthafuckin' good sneakers on
Wearing high-quality shoes.
With the persian muthafuckin' scarfs hanging on
Sporting stylish Persian scarves.
Catch me flying in that muthafuckin' XO
You will find me cruising in a luxurious XO brand vehicle.
It's on, with the shit on the other side
The situation has escalated, and there is trouble from another group.
The steering wheel on the other side, my nigga
The vehicle I am driving has its steering wheel on the opposite side of what is normal in the United States.
You know what it is, it's going down
You are aware of the situation, it is about to happen.
Cuban Linx man, Part 2, The Purple Tape
Referring to his album Cuban Linx II, also known as The Purple Tape.
It's on, thoro, do it
The situation is in full force, be strong and take action.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
William McBee
Seriously. I've been a fan of this song & only heard HALF of it for like 5-6 years. To hear the complete thing, I can't say no more but... thanks for posting the entire damn thing. And to hear that DJ Mondee produced it!? After TCK & the stuff you produced for Yak, I ain't surprised. More. Please. This is genius that should have been on the Cuban Linx 2 album.
venom2k2
I am so happy I got my 7" copy. This is one of the best Raekwon tracks. The beat is too crazy.
Josh Cooper
Big fan of this since the short version was on RAGU. Illest beat ever brother 🤘🖖
A1X Stewit
the beat is so calming
Kirill Kusnetzow
Reakwon fits to hip hop so elementary that you never would call it into question.
Supreme19
FIRE!!!! I had a snippet of this years ago, glad to have the full version now. DJmonDee, you did your thing bro!!! Keep em comin!
kombatfrank
This track is perfect
phraynkh
ive listen 2 this a least 20 times today never gets old
Charlotte Gasolina
Sample? This track is timeless....
Never Mainstream Media
Fist of legend 2 iron bodyguards o the wu tang collection kung fu DVDs