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.
Jury
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, holdin' my son's arm
Make it through the industry calm Lord
His name Rakim Allah
Wid a wavy threw on shallah
Braveheart nigga from start yo
We all scientific instruments
I got put on math
Running from jakes, running in gates
Check out the main face
We gotta gas and erase
Me not the ambitious one
I rather be there throw a word or two in
We here, I know we worth money yo
Just relax start analyzing
'Fore you start adding your sales tax
Took that tool in ooh 'bout to get large
Fuck that fucking wit see rules
y'all fools, by then 2 rhymes is wrote
Trying to master my flow
Gettin' diamonds on the low
Splash me a boat
[Chorus]
What I'm gonna be
Is something more than anyone could think of me
Do what you want I'm still gon' live my destiny
I've got one chance to live my life
And as long as I'm alive I will make it
Hard work a nigga was sold yo
Just trying to take control rock me a Roll
Glock be the goal take my time and build
Into the thirty six got real people want to see us
The word Steeles, your work reflects your life
Your earth respects you twice
Commodity advice chill wid the ice
That's when I caught on
Sell these niggas the illusion
And plus live it out on spite
Yo the block is draining and scary
A nigga might die out here
Or be in some jail law library
Unlawful entry a century
Fuck I want to live in jail?
I'm already in ghetto penitentiary
Talent made me be involuntary to y'all now
I just add on and teach one of y'all
Don't get exiled caught up in the mix
And loose sight focus burst
And you're forced to go wild yo,
[Chorus]
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Aiyyo
Aiyyo,
Prosperity endangered so many of us
All the bullshit has got away with murder
That's why we can see who's real and who's fake
And who bit off the last nigga tape stole his state
Wake up we running outta plans
The devil inside of him
Tricknology is in one hand
Future's so far to see
The present's how will it be
The past don't even ask just believe
Looking in the dictionary
Trying to spell out hard words
Define 'em and design 'em
I shine and curve
Take this jewel in and conquer me
I blend it in wit ganja
Not for the babies it's a mind sponsor
From the seventeen million God raised
Two million lost slaved
Nineteen million may we all praise
So when we wake up
Let's straighten up and get it together
For real and keep all getting paper
[Chorus]
Do what you want I'm still gon' live my life
The lyrics of Raekwon's song "Jury" revolve around his experiences in the music industry and the challenges he faced along the way. He talks about his son and how he wants to make it through the industry calmly. He names his son Rakim Allah, which suggests his spiritual beliefs. Raekwon also refers to himself as a "Braveheart nigga" and how he and his crew are "scientific instruments," which implies their intelligence and skill in their craft.
Raekwon also touches on the hardships of being a rapper, such as running from the cops and rival crews, navigating through the industry and its sales tactics, and the brutal conditions of the ghetto. He also mentions how he had to sell an illusion to the people, and that the music industry is all about tricknology. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful and determined to succeed despite the odds and wants to lift up others along his journey.
Overall, "Jury" is a reflection on the grit and perseverance required to make it in the rap game, the struggles of the urban lifestyle, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, we came long ways but we got on
We have come a long way and made it to where we are now
Yo, holdin' my son's arm
Holding onto my son's arm
Make it through the industry calm Lord
Survive the music industry in a calm manner
His name Rakim Allah
Referring to Rakim, a prominent rapper with a stage name meaning 'God'
Wid a wavy threw on shallah
Wearing a wave cap with a prayer of thanks to Allah
Braveheart nigga from start yo
A fearless person since the beginning
We all scientific instruments
We all have unique talents or skills that contribute to our group's success
I got put on math
I learned to understand and utilize numbers
Going through ill consequences
Dealing with negative outcomes
Running from jakes, running in gates
Running from police and trying to enter secure areas
Check out the main face
Observe the most important aspect
We gotta gas and erase
We need to replenish our energy and forget about any negativity
Me not the ambitious one
I'm not the overly ambitious one in the group
I rather be there throw a word or two in
I prefer to contribute a few words instead of being in the spotlight
We here, I know we worth money yo
We realize our worth and potential for making money
Just relax start analyzing
Take a moment to calm down and analyze the situation
'Fore you start adding your sales tax
Before you make any assumptions
Took that tool in ooh 'bout to get large
Embracing a new strategy to achieve success
Fuck that fucking wit see rules
Forget about trying to follow strict rules
y'all fools, by then 2 rhymes is wrote
You guys are fools, while I have already written two rhymes
Trying to master my flow
Working on improving my rap flow
Gettin' diamonds on the low
Acquiring valuable items without attracting attention
Splash me a boat
Owning a luxury boat
What I'm gonna be
My future aspirations
Is something more than anyone could think of me
I want to achieve more than what others expect of me
Do what you want I'm still gon' live my destiny
I will continue to fulfill my destiny regardless of others' opinions
I've got one chance to live my life
I have only one opportunity to live my life
And as long as I'm alive I will make it
As long as I am alive, I will work towards achieving success
Hard work a nigga was sold yo
I was raised to value hard work
Just trying to take control rock me a Roll
Trying to gain control and achieve success
Glock be the goal take my time and build
Working patiently towards owning a gun and becoming successful
Into the thirty six got real people want to see us
Entering a successful era, and people want to see our achievements
The word Steeles, your work reflects your life
The phrase Steeles signifies that your work defines your life
Your earth respects you twice
When you work hard, the world will reward you
Commodity advice chill wid the ice
Advice on how to be valuable, stay cool and calm
That's when I caught on
That's when I became aware
Sell these niggas the illusion
Sell others the idea of success without revealing the full picture
And plus live it out on spite
Achieve success due to one's negative feelings or spite towards others
Yo the block is draining and scary
The neighborhood is dangerous and exhausting
A nigga might die out here or be in some jail law library
One may end up dead or in jail while trying to succeed
Unlawful entry a century
Illegal entry resulting in many years of imprisonment
Fuck I want to live in jail?
Why would I want to spend my life in jail?
I'm already in ghetto penitentiary
I'm already restricted by my circumstances
Talent made me be involuntary to y'all now
My natural talent has made me popular involuntarily
I just add on and teach one of y'all
I contribute my skills and knowledge to others
Don't get exiled caught up in the mix
Don't get kicked out of the group by getting involved in unnecessary drama
And loose sight focus burst
Don't lose sight of your goals and remain focused
And you're forced to go wild yo
You may end up doing something extreme if you lose focus
Prosperity endangered so many of us
Many people are at risk of losing their prosperity
All the bullshit has got away with murder
Those who are deceitful or untrue have gotten away with harming others
That's why we can see who's real and who's fake
This is why we can distinguish between truthful and deceitful people
And who bit off the last nigga tape stole his state
Who copied the last person's music and took their popularity
Wake up we running outta plans
We need to start devising new plans to achieve success
The devil inside of him
The bad intentions within someone
Tricknology is in one hand
People use deceit and manipulation to their advantage
Future's so far to see
We cannot predict our futures
The present's how will it be
The current situation will affect our future
The past don't even ask just believe
Don't question the past, just trust that it happened
Looking in the dictionary
Searching for words in a dictionary
Trying to spell out hard words
Attempting to pronounce complex words
Define 'em and design 'em
Understand and create definitions for those words
I shine and curve
I excel and twist my words lyrically
Take this jewel in and conquer me
Accept this idea and use it to succeed
I blend it in wit ganja
I use marijuana to help me think creatively
Not for the babies it's a mind sponsor
Not intended for children, but used to stimulate creativity
From the seventeen million God raised
God blessed many people with unique talents
Two million lost slaved
Two million people did not live up to their potential
Nineteen million may we all praise
We should praise all people, regardless of their success
So when we wake up
When we become aware
Let's straighten up and get it together
Let's become focused and work together towards success
For real and keep all getting paper
Seriously and continue to make money
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave
Written by: AMERICAN CREAM TEAM, CHRIS A. SPHEERIS, COLLIN ANTHONY DEWAR, COREY WOODS, MICHAEL W. JR. DEWAR, SEAN KELLA BAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind