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.
Heaven & Hell (feat. Ghostface
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jumpin' in the shower, peace about to make
(Moves and slide like greese)
What? I'm all about tecs and checks and nuff respect you front
I'm slammin' you like the lex
So now I'm out in the ninety-five
Rockin' that real nigga don't die
Guess down
But yo I'm makin' a pit stop
Go and buy a box of glocks, til he rolled up and yo
(What up hobbes?, yo, remember that kid that we vicked
He made a half of mil for real, he brought about fo' bricks)
Yo, so now we connect doors, meet me at the airport
Tell golden arms maintain the fort
(get in touch with that west coast cali crab you stabbed, and meet me at the bitch lab)
So word up kid, we slid like a fat four to twelve bid and shit
(couldn't even rest, I need the vic)
And when I slept, I dream g's, son I need some (keys won't sell, call up son)
I heard pook and tyriq caught a beef over some real shit
(a fake nigga faked and they killed his click)
Gimme a minute and I'm with it (yo niggas done did it) rock your vest
(keep your whip tinted, so now we see him up in bojangles
Stranglin' a forty ounce, with ten g's worth of gold bangles)
Diamonds, what, all up in his face
(with his man's mace, medallions the size of dinner plates
Yo, he knew we knew him so we blew him
Took thirty g's worth of jewels of that nigga)
Do him! (so now I'm lampin' in my man's land)
Streets is hot like sand (jesus rollin' in my right hand)
Yup, you know the steezo black, got to go down like that (shallah)
Cigars (and ball hats)
Ninety-four, takin' niggas to war, yo, yo
What do you believe in? heaven or hell?
You don't believe in heaven cause we're livin' in hell
You don't believe in heaven cause we're livin' in hell
So it's your life
(What a chamber, fuckin' with mad strangers
Yeah, you know how it runs baby, straight up yo
Money clothes, designer hoes and shows y'all
That's how it goes whatever)
What do you believe in? heaven or hell?
You don't believe in heaven cause we're livin' in hell
(31st chamber y'all) so it's your life
Niggas ain't even know son, only half is sewed cash
They haven't yet sold their weight
(Question, shit is real, you know what I'm sayin')
Niggas think it's all about a real live allah
A little hundred dollars and that make you a man
Know what I'm sayin'
The lyrics to Raekwon Ft. Blue Raspberry's song "Heaven & Hell" paint a vivid picture of the gritty realities of street life. The song opens with a description of the singer's daily routine, which includes showering and getting ready for his day. He then asserts his allegiance to materialistic pursuits, such as money, power, and respect. He proudly proclaims that he is "all about tecs and checks and nuff respect," indicating that he is not afraid to resort to violence to achieve his goals.
The song's chorus poses a philosophical question: "What do you believe in? heaven or hell?" This question is answered in the verses of the song, which describe the harsh realities of life in the streets. The singer engages in activities such as buying guns and drugs, meeting with contacts, and exacting revenge on enemies. The song's nihilistic theme is summed up by the lines "You don't believe in heaven cause we're livin' in hell / So it's your life."
Overall, "Heaven & Hell" is a powerful and unflinching examination of the dark side of human nature. It offers no easy answers or uplifting messages, but instead presents an unvarnished portrait of the struggle for survival in a harsh and unforgiving world.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, yo, wakin' up about ten kid
Starting the day around 10AM
Jumpin' in the shower, peace about to make
Preparing for the day ahead
(Moves and slide like greese)
Feeling confident and smooth
What? I'm all about tecs and checks and nuff respect you front
Focused on money and respect
I'm slammin' you like the lex
Will defeat anyone who challenges me
So now I'm out in the ninety-five
Driving around in a 1995 car
Rockin' that real nigga don't die
Embracing a dangerous lifestyle with confidence
Guess down
Wearing underwear by Kani
But yo I'm makin' a pit stop
Taking a quick break
Go and buy a box of glocks, til he rolled up and yo
Purchasing guns
(What up hobbes?, yo, remember that kid that we vicked
Reminiscing about a past crime
He made a half of mil for real, he brought about fo' bricks)
Reflecting on the success of a past crime
Yo, so now we connect doors, meet me at the airport
Meeting at the airport with others involved in illegal activity
Tell golden arms maintain the fort
Instructing someone to watch over a safe place for illegal activity
(get in touch with that west coast cali crab you stabbed, and meet me at the bitch lab)
Communicating with someone about arranging a meeting
So word up kid, we slid like a fat four to twelve bid and shit
Leaving quickly after the meeting was arranged
(couldn't even rest, I need the vic)
Not being able to relax or rest, still focused on illegal activity
And when I slept, I dream g's, son I need some (keys won't sell, call up son)
Thinking about money even while sleeping
I heard pook and tyriq caught a beef over some real shit
Learning about people getting involved in conflicts over serious issues
(a fake nigga faked and they killed his click)
A group of people were killed because of a fake person's actions
Gimme a minute and I'm with it (yo niggas done did it) rock your vest
Getting ready for violence
(keep your whip tinted, so now we see him up in bojangles
Being cautious to avoid being recognized in public places
Stranglin' a forty ounce, with ten g's worth of gold bangles)
Someone seen in public with expensive items
Diamonds, what, all up in his face
Wearing a lot of diamonds on the face
(with his man's mace, medallions the size of dinner plates
Wearing large medallions and carrying pepper spray
Yo, he knew we knew him so we blew him
Killing someone because they were recognized
Took thirty g's worth of jewels of that nigga)
Stealing $30,000 worth of jewelry from the victim
Do him! (so now I'm lampin' in my man's land)
Killing someone and then relaxing in a safe place
Streets is hot like sand (jesus rollin' in my right hand)
The streets are dangerous and violent, carrying a gun for safety
Yup, you know the steezo black, got to go down like that (shallah)
Being confident about facing dangers in life
Cigars (and ball hats)
Enjoying cigars and wearing baseball hats
Ninety-four, takin' niggas to war, yo, yo
Dealing with a lot of violence in 1994
What do you believe in? heaven or hell?
Asking a philosophical question about the afterlife
You don't believe in heaven cause we're livin' in hell
Believing that life is already full of suffering and difficulty
So it's your life
Believing that you have control over your life
(What a chamber, fuckin' with mad strangers
Dealing with dangerous and unpredictable people
Yeah, you know how it runs baby, straight up yo
Familiar with the harsh realities of life
Money clothes, designer hoes and shows y'all
Focusing on materialistic things
That's how it goes whatever)
Accepting the harsh realities of life
Niggas ain't even know son, only half is sewed cash
Some people don't even realize how much money they have
They haven't yet sold their weight
Still in the process of selling illegal substances
(Question, shit is real, you know what I'm sayin')
Acknowledging the harsh realities of life and the dangerous lifestyle being led
Niggas think it's all about a real live allah
Some people believe that money and power are everything
A little hundred dollars and that make you a man
Believing that wealth and respect make someone a man
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEX ZANETIS, ROBERT DIGGS, COREY WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alangreen7050
Only Raekwon and Ghostface Killah can make a story about robbing a drug dealer sound like a poetic love song 😂 Rap doesn’t give you this feeling anymore
@Ricosumpter
Nah fr 😂😂😂😂
@troyjames7581
You get an A+ for that
@vincentvega9747
🤣🤣🤣
@jayste9334
Wat u said...this kinda rap created fond memories
@StylezUnique
Straight up
@mfmerchan3855
The way Ghostface walks into the club is one of the most gangsta shit I've ever seen
@spiritualNaz
Facts he walks in so confident.
@smiauu
how about rae walking out of bed with tims on
@spiritualNaz
@@smiauu Lmao word