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.
Live From New York
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is you watchin
What's on my motherfuckin neck nigga
Li-li-live from New York (Repeat x2)
Live from New York
Yo yo
All white bolon
Kept his fade low
Rocked swade in the snow
Blue Tahoe
A wizard on the keyboard
Eyes look bloodshot lord
Nevermind that
Claim the award
In the system we just missed 'em
Came through bangin nuthin but Wu
The crowd blitzed'em
Much love
Autograph
Carryin the champaigne glasses
Crazy asses
Niggas on his neck like ski masks
Chill step on me
Axe slash through a little fifty
And crash
I want to drink knew shed pocket the cash
Buck Samonite hype nigga
Iron Man blowin the mic
You motherfucken right
Live highlight then I seen him
Nigga was raw, stepped in
Bitches flexin' next to him
Bad Mexicans
What up showin' you love
You got a real style
Where you from
The Ow
That's Staten Isle love no doubt
Oh God he had a take bout a hundred
Some strange nigga thought he had arranged
God gone blunted
Pay attention its cinch like sacks and macks
He did the knowledge
Ran to the bar and grabbed stacks
Now the whole parties bubblin'
Niggas got love his bug
He had on one glove
Rollin' up drugs
Him and his Vikings ran through
Stopped played the back
Then they walked through
Live from New York
When niggas hug you
(Chorus: x2)
Gettin money and laced up
Live from New York
Gettin' reefer to blaze up
Live from New York
Gettin' Niggas to dance
Aiyyo and throw both hands up
Won't pull their pants up
Live from New York
Yo yo
Madonna money in our pocket
Boating in a rocket
Bout to blast off
We charged like a socket
Whips be cleaner than a fuck
Jewels basically struck
Strait up Brolox style
Layin in the cut
Bottles strictly done
Ring the alarm
Rollie on the arm
Arms crossed two sneakers on
Fly shit
Nikes the majority
NYC state of mind
And we talk with authority
Five borrows is sterile
Still out of town playin mellow
I thought I seen Shalon swade yelow
Rippin' it
New six flippin' it
Shorty is drip dippin' in it
When she sit through dick in it
Came to conclusions
What's the solution when your losin'
Respect mine
Now from the foul line
Streets is a part of us
Teaching the seeds through the heart of us
Some get locked that's a scar on us
(Chorus: x3)
"Live from New York" by Raekwon is a song that he uses to showcase his love for the city that never sleeps. In the beginning, Raekwon gets the listener to focus on his jewelry as he says, "Is you watchin, what's on my motherfuckin' neck, nigga." He goes on to create an atmosphere of New York City, painting pictures of the blizzard with "Kept his fade low, Rocked swade in the snow."
Raekwon talks about his adventures at a party and is enjoying his time. The song is braggadocious as he boasts his lyrical prowess and charm to the women at the party. He mentions rappers from different New York City boroughs and assimilates with their unique style. Raekwon and his squad are living in excess as he says, "Madonna money in our pocket, boating in a rocket, about to blast off."
The recurring chorus of "Live from New York" emphasizes his pride and love for the city that shaped him into who he is now.
Line by Line Meaning
Li-li-live from New York
Announcing the start of the performance in New York.
Is you watchin
Asking if the audience is paying attention.
What's on my motherfuckin neck nigga
Asking if people notice the rapper's jewelry.
Live from New York
Reiterating that this is a live performance in New York.
All white bolon
Referring to a white fur coat.
The allie pulled on
Wearing an ally jacket.
Kept his fade low
Hair kept short.
Rocked swade in the snow
Wearing suede shoes in cold weather.
Blue Tahoe
Driving a blue Tahoe car.
A wizard on the keyboard
Good at playing musical instruments.
Eyes look bloodshot lord
Red eyes indicative of drug use.
Nevermind that
Ignoring the drug use and focusing on the music award.
Claim the award
Winning an award for their music performance.
In the system we just missed 'em
Referring to those who were missed by the justice system.
Came through bangin nuthin but Wu
Performing only music from their group Wu-Tang Clan.
The crowd blitzed'em
The audience loved their performance.
Much love
Feeling appreciated by the audience.
Autograph
Signing autographs for fans after the performance.
Carryin the champaigne glasses
Holding champagne glasses in celebration.
Crazy asses
Referring to enthusiastic fans.
Niggas on his neck like ski masks
Having many people trying to get close to him and grab his jewelry.
Chill step on me
Asking people to calm down and stop crowding him.
Axe slash through a little fifty
Smashing a small amount of drugs with an axe.
And crash
Leaving the scene quickly.
I want to drink knew shed pocket the cash
Planned to take some money from a woman's purse to buy drinks.
Buck Samonite hype nigga
Feeling excited and energized.
Iron Man blowin the mic
Performing with incredible skill like the Marvel superhero Iron Man.
You motherfucken right
Agreeing with a statement, using an expletive for emphasis.
Live highlight then I seen him
Seeing someone interesting during the live performance.
Nigga was raw, stepped in
A talented performer entered the stage.
Bitches flexin' next to him
Women showing off their bodies near the performer.
Bad Mexicans
Attractive Latina women.
What up showin' you love
Greeting fans with respect and appreciation.
You got a real style
Complimenting someone on their unique fashion sense.
Where you from
Asking where someone is from.
The Ow
The acronym for Staten Island (S.I.).
That's Staten Isle love no doubt
Feeling proud and connected to one's home city.
Oh God he had a take bout a hundred
A stranger wanted to bet on something for $100.
Some strange nigga thought he had arranged
A random guy tried to make a deal with them.
God gone blunted
God was high on drugs.
Pay attention its cinch like sacks and macks
Pay attention because it is easy like stealing money from bags and trucks.
He did the knowledge
He understood the situation and took advantage of it.
Ran to the bar and grabbed stacks
Quickly going to the bar and taking cash to use for their benefit.
Now the whole parties bubblin'
The party was now lively and exciting.
Niggas got love his bug
People respected his enthusiasm and passion.
He had on one glove
Wearing only one glove like Michael Jackson.
Rollin' up drugs
Prepping illegal narcotics.
Him and his Vikings ran through
Performing well and confidently like a group of Vikings.
Stopped played the back
Stopping to observe and enjoy the scenery in the background.
Live from New York
Closing the song with the title of the song.
Gettin money and laced up
Earning money and staying in style.
Gettin' reefer to blaze up
Getting high on marijuana.
Gettin' Niggas to dance
Encouraging people to dance to the music.
Aiyyo and throw both hands up
Encouraging people to put their hands up in the air.
Won't pull their pants up
People are not concerned about proper dress and casual attire is acceptable.
Madonna money in our pocket
Having a lot of money in one's pocket.
Boating in a rocket
Driving a very fast car.
Bout to blast off
About to become very successful.
We charged like a socket
Moving fast and energetically.
Whips be cleaner than a fuck
Cars are clean and well-taken care of.
Jewels basically struck
Having very valuable jewelry.
Strait up Brolox style
Dressing like someone from the Bronx.
Layin in the cut
Hiding and biding their time until the right moment.
Bottles strictly done
Drinking only expensive and exclusive alcoholic drinks.
Ring the alarm
Celebrating and making noise.
Rollie on the arm
Wearing a Rolex watch on the arm.
Arms crossed two sneakers on
Standing with arms crossed and wearing two sneakers.
Fly shit
Wearing expensive and fashionable clothes.
Nikes the majority
Wearing mostly Nike brand shoes.
NYC state of mind
Having an attitude and mentality that is specific to NYC.
And we talk with authority
Having confidence when speaking.
Five borrows is sterile
Referring to the safety and cleanliness of the 5 boroughs in NYC.
Still out of town playin mellow
Going out of town to relax and unwind.
I thought I seen Shalon swade yelow
Thinking they saw someone familiar wearing yellow.
Rippin' it
Performing and doing it well.
New six flippin' it
Buying and flipping (selling) New Era 59fifty hats for profit.
Shorty is drip dippin' in it
Seeing an attractive woman wearing fashionable clothes and jewelry.
Came to conclusions
Thinking about a situation carefully before making decisions.
What's the solution when your losin'
Thinking about how to overcome difficulties.
Respect mine
Demanding respect from others.
Now from the foul line
Making a reference to basketball, taking a shot from the free-throw line.
Streets is a part of us
Growing up and belonging to the streets.
Teaching the seeds through the heart of us
Passing wisdom and knowledge on to the younger generation.
Some get locked that's a scar on us
Feeling bad about friends or family that have been incarcerated.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: AMERICAN CREAM TEAM, CHRIS SPHEERIS, COLLIN DEWAR, COREY WOODS, MICHAEL DEWAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind