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.
Power
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take it off
We gon' take it from the east to the west
To the north to the south
Show y'all what it's about
Don't make me throw no gun in your mouth
You know?
How long is your cream? this long?
Eh yo, his belt got karats in it
Swift description, e-320 nigga pitchin'
Rock a raw dinosaur chain, hang to his thing
It's like, he pump isolated, still cashin' in cream
Niggas in the hood hate him, drew a vase of him
Blaze 'em, he actin like shallah raisin him
This is hydrogen, son ain't live as him
He like maguyver, chin 4 spies with him
Roll relentless, desert that he hold is a gift wish
Shash the list, give his miss dick
Technique, operation: tech scream
Bet cream, them alligators jet like a vet swing
Nigga like nicolas cage with the gauge in your braids
2 cannons that'll spray, rockin' banana suede
Suck this drunk alcohol dick
Fuck y'all niggas with hits
We bout to shit on y'all shit
Y'all brothas want to call us out?
Name names, otherwise it'd be the best to shut the fuck up
Get pimp-smacked up, jacked up and macked up
You're scared and froze of bein' exposed
I own Harlem, I bone harlem, call me the mayor
It's my borough, you don't want no problems
I'm on now, you dead pop, all jokes aside
I ride the top, you glide the bottom
Pitfall, 5 foot 9, my dick, balls
Shit y'all, leave flat line to stick your's
We flip off basic and brace it
8 kills, 47 ways to taste it
Never understand what you never been told
You did your book bitin' off of my scrolls
We hit man, Colombo, coats and hats to match
Bust off quick, and then, guns go back
I move like Arthur ash against god
Four raquets, eight balls and no practice
Every cypher's a heated discussion
The industry was like a beat that needed percussion
I brun the music, shit that make crews flip
State that I'm the illest, this is qu shit
I used to heat-hole, now I'm takin' over like the repo'
Bitches that roll, cee-lo that'll sniff a kilo'
We went from frank's and greens to shanks and beans
Now we drive our navigators to banks in queen's
Y'all can't fuck around, your words ain't right
Every time I touch the mic, they say "perb ain't right"
But that's the truth though, d'oh, infact that's it
When they drop this shit, I'm gon' cop that shit
The new star, you want me? I'm at the juice bar
Y'all once hap' niggas, give me two stars
I heard what y'all rappin' about, but bring your stash out
You shouldn't throw rocks if you livin' in glass house
Sneak your weak shit at us, on the low though
Where these cats come from, speakin' about po'
He got cash to cop and I'm crashin'
But half of y'all cats just catchin' up to rae' last year
Got guns in the jungle, call 'em Jurassic
The chrome, the steel, the 20-shot plastic
While y'all niggas cop jars, me and my niggas cop bars
Gettin' head from rock stars
We blowin' everything apart, I'm smashin' the charts
How I see it? (yo, how you see it?)
[chorus]
Eh yo, what you want to be when you grow up?
Yo, I want to be a leader
Slow your speed up and stop tryin' to be us
Say somethin' always, got a future? stay out the hallways
And get yourself right, a one hundred more ways
Fly like iceberg, nice with verbs, precise words
Bentley swerve, hit the curb, jump out, cock back, spit out
Shut your block down, get out, criminal route
Gangsta shit, can't talk now, gun in your mouth
Cream team killas, cocoon cats like caterpillars
Giant size gorillas, break niggas backs from the skrilla
Scratch, greenback track, fed's berserk
That's my word, disrespect recca, get what you deserve
Inferno, melt down mic's, millionaire in my afterlife
Broke bread with Christ on the last night
Apocalypse, sleep with 4-5th, two clips
Passport, cellphone with the removable micro-chip
Specialist, 40-karat Sicilian necklace
Matching bracelet, cream team crisp the basic
The lyrics of "Power" by Raekwon featuring American Cream Team are about the power and wealth that comes with being a successful rapper. The song talks about how the singer has attained success despite the haters in his neighborhood, who are envious of the wealth and power he has achieved. The song features a recurring theme of wealth and glory, with the lyrics describing the riches the singer has acquired through his success.
It is highlighted that the singer is an expert in the field of rap, with excellent rhyming skills and the ability to move crowds. He is depicted as confident and fearless, demonstrated by his ability to switch flows and rock the stage, all while accumulating wealth and power.
The lyrics also feature a warning to those who would try to sabotage their success. The singer warns that he will not hesitate to respond with force, and demonstrates this by threatening to throw a gun in the mouth of anyone who tries to interfere.
In summary, the lyrics of "Power" are a declaration of the singer's success, confidence, and the lengths he is willing to go to maintain that success.
Line by Line Meaning
Take it off, sho' 'nough kid
Remove your facade, for real, kid
Take it off
Strip away your lies and show your true self
We gon' take it from the east to the west
We're going to spread our influence across the country
To the north to the south
In every direction
Show y'all what it's about
We're going to demonstrate our skills and talent
Don't make me throw no gun in your mouth
Don't provoke me or I'll resort to violence
You know?
Do you understand?
How long is your cream? this long?
How much money do you have? This much?
Eh yo, his belt got karats in it
His belt is adorned with expensive jewels
Swift description, e-320 nigga pitchin'
He's smoothly describing himself, a skilled rapper
Rock a raw dinosaur chain, hang to his thing
He wears a large, unique chain around his neck
It's like, he pump isolated, still cashin' in cream
He separates himself from others, yet still makes money
Niggas in the hood hate him, drew a vase of him
People in his neighborhood dislike him, drew a negative image of him
Blaze 'em, he actin like shallah raisin him
They want to harm him, he behaves like he's invincible
This is hydrogen, son ain't live as him
He's explosive, no one can match his energy
He like maguyver, chin 4 spies with him
He's resourceful, always surrounded by spies
Roll relentless, desert that he hold is a gift wish
He moves forward relentlessly, his gun is like a desired present
Shash the list, give his miss dick
He crosses off enemies, satisfies his woman
Technique, operation: tech scream
His technique is flawless, his rap screams power
Bet cream, them alligators jet like a vet swing
He bets money, his alligator shoes show his sophistication
Nigga like nicolas cage with the gauge in your braids
He's like Nicolas Cage, armed and ready to attack
2 cannons that'll spray, rockin' banana suede
He has two guns that will shoot, wearing stylish clothing
Suck this drunk alcohol dick
Submit to me, give in to my power
Fuck y'all niggas with hits
I don't care about your success in music
We bout to shit on y'all shit
We're going to surpass and dominate your music
Y'all brothas want to call us out?
Do you guys want to challenge us?
Name names, otherwise it'd be the best to shut the fuck up
If you can't back it up with names, be quiet
Get pimp-smacked up, jacked up and macked up
You'll get violently beaten
You're scared and froze of bein' exposed
You're afraid and paralyzed by the truth being revealed
I own Harlem, I bone Harlem, call me the mayor
I have control over Harlem, I have sexual relationships with women from Harlem, I hold power like a mayor
It's my borough, you don't want no problems
I'm in charge here, you don't want any issues
I'm on now, you dead pop, all jokes aside
I'm successful now, you're irrelevant, let's get serious
I ride the top, you glide the bottom
I'm at the peak of success, you're at the bottom
Pitfall, 5 foot 9, my dick, balls
I'm surrounded by danger, I'm 5 foot 9, I have power and control
Shit y'all, leave flat line to stick your's
You guys are insignificant, don't even try to fight back
We flip off basic and brace it
We turn away from normality and embrace our unique style
8 kills, 47 ways to taste it
I have numerous methods to defeat my enemies
Never understand what you never been told
You can't comprehend what you haven't experienced
You did your book bitin' off of my scrolls
You copied your lyrics from my writings
We hit man, Colombo, coats and hats to match
We're like hitmen, well-dressed and coordinated
Bust off quick, and then, guns go back
We shoot rapidly, then quickly hide our guns
I move like Arthur Ash against god
I have confident and skillful movements, like a tennis player against a formidable opponent
Four raquets, eight balls and no practice
I have multiple tools and resources, but I don't need practice
Every cypher's a heated discussion
Every rap session is intense and filled with argument
The industry was like a beat that needed percussion
The music industry lacked energy and rhythm
I burn the music, shit that make crews flip
I create music that excites and impresses people
State that I'm the illest, this is qu shit
I proudly proclaim that I'm the best, this is my style
I used to heat-hole, now I'm takin' over like the repo'
I used to be armed and dangerous, now I'm seizing control just like a repossession
Bitches that roll, cee-lo that'll sniff a kilo'
Women who are with me, gambling and doing drugs
We went from frank's and greens to shanks and beans
We upgraded our lifestyle, from low-quality food to weapons
Now we drive our navigators to banks in queen's
Now we're wealthy, driving luxury cars to banks in Queens
Y'all can't fuck around, your words ain't right
You can't compete with us, your lyrics are weak
Every time I touch the mic, they say 'perb ain't right
Every time I rap, they recognize my excellence
But that's the truth though, d'oh, in fact that's it
That's the reality, indeed, that's all there is
When they drop this shit, I'm gon' cop that shit
When they release this music, I'm going to buy it
The new star, you want me? I'm at the juice bar
I'm the latest sensation, you want me? I'm easily accessible
Y'all once hap' niggas, give me two stars
You used to be popular, but now I'm the one who deserves recognition
I heard what y'all rappin' about, but bring your stash out
I know what you're talking about, but show me your wealth
You shouldn't throw rocks if you livin' in a glass house
You shouldn't criticize others if you have flaws yourself
Sneak your weak shit at us, on the low though
Don't come at us weak, do it secretly
Where these cats come from, speakin' about po'
Who are these guys talking about drugs?
He got cash to cop and I'm crashin'
He has money to buy drugs, and I'm going hard
But half of y'all cats just catchin' up to rae' last year
But most of you are just reaching the level I was at last year
Got guns in the jungle, call 'em Jurassic
We have powerful guns, we nicknamed them Jurassic
The chrome, the steel, the 20-shot plastic
We have chrome and steel guns, with large capacity magazines
While y'all niggas cop jars, me and my niggas cop bars
While you guys buy drugs, my crew buys entire shipments
Gettin' head from rock stars
Receiving oral sex from famous women
We blowin' everything apart, I'm smashin' the charts
We're dominating everything, I'm topping the music charts
How I see it? (yo, how you see it?)
What's my perspective? (yo, what's your perspective?)
Fly like iceberg, nice with verbs, precise words
I'm smooth and cool, skilled with my words
Bentley swerve, hit the curb, jump out, cock back, spit out
Driving a Bentley, making a quick stop, getting out, preparing to shoot
Shut your block down, get out, criminal route
Taking control of the neighborhood, forcing people to leave, engaging in criminal activity
Gangsta shit, can't talk now, gun in your mouth
Engaging in gang-related activities, can't talk because a gun is in your mouth
Cream team killas, cocoon cats like caterpillars
We, the Cream Team, are deadly, transforming weak individuals into formidable opponents
Giant size gorillas, break niggas backs from the skrilla
We're powerful, capable of defeating anyone for money
Scratch, greenback track, fed's berserk
We leave a mark, our criminal activities attract attention from law enforcement
That's my word, disrespect recca, get what you deserve
I mean what I say, if you disrespect me, I will give you what you deserve
Inferno, melt down mic's, millionaire in my afterlife
I'm like a raging fire, destroying microphones, and I'll be rich even after death
Broke bread with Christ on the last night
I shared a meal with Jesus on his final night
Apocalypse, sleep with 4-5th, two clips
I'm prepared for the end of the world, I sleep with a gun and extra ammunition
Passport, cellphone with the removable micro-chip
I have a passport, my cellphone has a removable micro-chip for secrecy
Specialist, 40-karat Sicilian necklace
I'm an expert, wearing a 40-karat necklace with a Sicilian theme
Matching bracelet, cream team crisp the basic
I have a matching bracelet, the Cream Team excels at the basics
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: COREY WOODS, SEAN KELLY, THADDEUS BIRKERT, DELMAR COWARD, JAMEL FAHEEH CUMMINGS, BRUCE MAYFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind