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.
Intro
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Figaro platinum shit, man
Where are you traveling today? It seems you've run out of space on your passport. There's no place to stamp
I'm a soul train, catch me on more clear jets, nigga
Sir
Versace shower sprinklers, nigga
Excuse me, Mister Chef
Suede walls, Bally sneakers from '86
Brooks Brothers shit...
You've run out of space on your passport
...London, nigga, Monte Carlo. The Caymans
I'm sorry sir but we won't be able to allow you to fly to Abu Dhabi today
Nigga we drink that mothafuckin' Dom Perignon
It's been [?], sir
Jeroboam, nigga, 1907 shipwreck, high chief, nigga
Excuse me, you don't have any more room in your passport to stamp, sir
Spike convertibles
Excuse me, we have other people in line
Fly International Luxurious Art
The lyrics in Raekwon's "Intro" speak to the life of luxury and excess that he and his crew have experienced in their travels. The opening line references his passport, implying that he travels frequently and to far-off places, but now there's no more room for new stamps. He continues with descriptions of high-end clothing and accessories, such as Figaro platinum jewelry, Versace shower sprinklers, and Bally sneakers from '86. He name-drops destinations like London, Monte Carlo, and the Caymans, and brags about drinking Dom Perignon, even calling out a specific vintage from 1907.
The lines are full of attitude and swagger, but they also paint a picture of the lavish lifestyle that Raekwon and his crew enjoy. The repeated reference to the full passport suggests that this is a life they've been living for a while now, as if they're almost too cool for the mundane tasks of traveling and getting their passports stamped. The overall effect is both intimidating and thrilling, as if Raekwon is daring his listeners to join him on his adventures and see what it's like to live in the lap of luxury.
Line by Line Meaning
Passport please
The immigration officer is asking for Raekwon's passport
Figaro platinum shit, man
Raekwon is wearing expensive jewelry made of platinum
Where are you traveling today? It seems you've run out of space on your passport. There's no place to stamp
The immigration officer is informing Raekwon that he cannot travel as there's no space in his passport to stamp
I'm a soul train, catch me on more clear jets, nigga
Raekwon is comparing himself to a popular TV show and boasts about traveling in private jets
Sir
The immigration officer is addressing Raekwon respectfully
Versace shower sprinklers, nigga
Raekwon is talking to his friend, who is a chef, about the luxurious shower he had
Excuse me, Mister Chef
Raekwon is addressing the chef who he's talking to
Suede walls, Bally sneakers from '86
Raekwon is describing his luxurious lifestyle and outfits
Chef can you hear me?
Raekwon repeats his question to the chef, who seems to ignore him
Brooks Brothers shit...
Raekwon is continuing to describe his rich wardrobe
You've run out of space on your passport
The immigration officer repeats that Raekwon cannot travel as his passport is full
...London, nigga, Monte Carlo. The Caymans
Raekwon is mentioning the places he wants to travel to
I'm sorry sir but we won't be able to allow you to fly to Abu Dhabi today
The immigration officer informs Raekwon that he cannot fly to his desired destination
Nigga we drink that mothafuckin' Dom Perignon
Raekwon praises his expensive taste in champagne
It's been [?], sir
The immigration officer says that it's been a long day
Jeroboam, nigga, 1907 shipwreck, high chief, nigga
Raekwon boasts about the high qualities of the champagne he drinks
Excuse me, you don't have any more room in your passport to stamp, sir
The immigration officer repeats that Raekwon's passport is full
Spike convertibles
Raekwon is talking about the kind of car he likes
Excuse me, we have other people in line
The immigration officer is saying that there are other people waiting to get their passports checked
Fly International Luxurious Art
Raekwon is promoting his new album
Contributed by Camilla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.