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.
Purple Brick Road
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn't about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It's who we are
It's who we are
DNA is worth a fortune but I've still seen a life of peasants
I gave y'all style taugh you how to be fly
Go 'head and grace the sky
Gave you wings to soar like you oughta
Forever may not exist in the flesh but my music will
All praises due to the most high
With my toast shocked the world
Wasn't Casper when I said I came through when I rose to blow half a billy goat
Just because I'm living this life I'm accustomed to it
Floatin' in them fly cars damn I'm supposed to do it
Pretty women fall in love with my expensive taste, luxury, lust
Physical touch by this ace, handcuff 'em
That's a no no 'cause I don't trust them as far as I can throw though
Gold diggin' vixens who's in love with the coco
But fuck it, you know I'm here for this dough though
Let's pop another bottle of Dom and watch our gross grow
I love it
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn't about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It's who we are
It's who we are
Clarity, stones in my bracelets, watches and rings
From a rich nigga's perspective you know what that brings
Hatred, what am I supposed to do when I'm so used to shittin' on 'em
Do I stop because a jealous ass coward wants me to
Or do I go harder and buy more diamonds and blind his crew
Fuck it, I guess I do that 'cause I love to make 'em blue
Gettin' 'em back stayin' fly, stayin' high
Do what I wanna, no more strugglin' just to get by
Yes, fresher than a new born baby's ass
New money, got my ex wishin' she was never in my past
I laugh, enjoy these fruits from my labor
But still feel the strain and pain that be from my labor
Spent my time to achieve all of the fortune and fame
And for myself makin' a name
But deep inside I try to cover up the scars to be a shinin' star
I guess that's just who we are
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn't about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It's who we are
It's who we are
Forever may not exist but who else is as hot as this
I played the beat then I tried at this
Cuban links on my neck and I just put a presidential on my wrist
This year you haters gonna acknowledge this
It's G-Rapo and Raekwon
Told the homies this wouldn't take long
My verses always just as real as a true story it's based on
Chopped the blow on the table plenty times
In the lines that she puts her face on
And this is not by accident
Anything can happen if you simply imagine it
My OG put a torch to the blunt then he's passin' it
Believe in something, stand for it, or take a knee and stand like Kaepernick
Anything to get the point across makin' a statement
You'll only go as far as you take it
20 years later and we're still slappin' that purple tape shit
Greatness so close I can taste it, face it
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn't about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It's who we are
It's who we are
The lyrics to Raekwon's song Purple Brick Road are an introspective meditation on the fleeting nature of time and the persistence of scars that define and shape us. Raekwon reflects on his success and fame, the wealth he's acquired, the haters he's made, and the price he's paid for it all. The song is a testament to the power of music to transcend time and the limitations of the flesh, and to leave a lasting legacy that endures beyond death. The title Purple Brick Road is a reference to the famous yellow brick road in the Wizard of Oz, but the color purple has a deeper significance as a symbol of royalty, power, and mystery.
The imagery in the song is vivid and provocative, with references to DNA, fly cars, expensive tastes, luxury, lust, handcuffs, gold diggers, and champagne. Raekwon celebrates the fruits of his labor, but also acknowledges the strain and pain that come with achieving fortune and fame. He recognizes that scars are part of who we are, and that they can be a source of strength and resilience. The chorus repeats the idea that forever may not exist, but that man has his moments, and that making a name for oneself is not about money or fame, but about leaving a legacy that endures.
Overall, Purple Brick Road is a complex and nuanced piece of art that explores themes of mortality, legacy, and identity. The lyrics are both introspective and provocative, and the beat is hypnotic and driving. The song is a testament to Raekwon's skill as a rapper and his enduring legacy in the world of hip hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Forever may not exist
The concept of forever might not exist, but we have priceless moments in our lives
But man do we got our moments
We have moments that make our lives unique and memorable
Killing time making a name
We dedicate our time to build our identity and reputation in life
Wasn't about money or the fame
Our pursuit of success was not solely driven by money or fame
Why hide scars?
We shouldn't hide our scars as they are a part of who we are
It's who we are
Our scars shape our identity and make us who we are today
Purple cloths is on me salute my presence
I wear purple clothes to honor my own presence and significance
DNA is worth a fortune but I've still seen a life of peasants
Even though I come from a family with great potential, I have still experienced hardship and struggle
I gave y'all style taugh you how to be fly
I shared my unique style and taught others how to be fashionable and confident
Go 'head and grace the sky
Go ahead and reach your full potential and achieve success
Pretty women fall in love with my expensive taste, luxury, lust
Attractive women are attracted to my wealth and luxurious lifestyle
Just because I'm living this life I'm accustomed to it
I'm used to living a lavish lifestyle, so it's natural for me to continue doing so
Gold diggin' vixens who's in love with the coco
Women who are only interested in my wealth and lifestyle, but not me as a person
Let's pop another bottle of Dom and watch our gross grow
Let's celebrate our success and drink expensive champagne while our wealth continues to grow
Clarity, stones in my bracelets, watches and rings
My luxurious jewelry is made with high-quality diamonds and precious stones
From a rich nigga's perspective you know what that brings
From the point of view of a wealthy person, you can imagine the privilege that comes with it
Or do I go harder and buy more diamonds and blind his crew
Should I show off my wealth more and make the envious people more jealous
Yes, fresher than a new born baby's ass
I feel fresh and clean, with a sense of new beginnings
But still feel the strain and pain that be from my labor
Even though I achieve success, I still feel the hard work and struggle that came with it
My verses always just as real as a true story it's based on
My rap lyrics are authentic and based on my real-life experiences
And this is not by accident
My success is not a coincidence, but a result of my hard work and effort
Believe in something, stand for it, or take a knee and stand like Kaepernick
We should believe in something we stand for, even if it means facing opposition and backlash
20 years later and we're still slappin' that purple tape shit
20 years later, people are still listening to our classic album and enjoying our music
Greatness so close I can taste it, face it
I'm so close to achieving greatness, I can almost taste it. It's time to face and overcome any obstacles in my way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Gerald Gillum, Tiffany Giardina, Kenny Bartolomei, Corey Woods, Kevin Crowe, Erik Ortiz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tropicwave1
Purple Brick Road
Raekwon
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Purple cloths is on me salute my presence
DNA is worth a fortune but I've still seen a life of peasants
I gave y'all style taugh you how to be fly
Go 'head and grace the sky
Gave you wings to soar like you oughta
Forever may not exist in the flesh but my music will
All praises due to the most high
With my toast shocked the world
Wasn't Casper when I said I came through when I rose to blow half a billy goat
Just because I'm living this life I'm accustomed to it
Floatin' in them fly cars damn I'm supposed to do it
Pretty women fall in love with my expensive taste, luxury, lust
Physical touch by this ace, handcuff 'em
That's a no no 'cause I don't trust them as far as I can throw though
Gold diggin' vixens who's in love with the coco
But fuck it, you know I'm here for this dough though
Let's pop another bottle of Dom and watch our gross grow
I love it
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Clarity, stones in my bracelets, watches and rings
From a rich nigga's perspective you know what that brings
Hatred, what am I supposed to do when I'm so used to shittin' on 'em
Do I stop because a jealous ass coward wants me to
Or do I go harder and buy more diamonds and blind his crew
Fuck it, I guess I do that 'cause I love to make 'em blue
Gettin' 'em back stayin' fly, stayin' high
Do what I wanna, no more strugglin' just to get by
Yes, fresher than a new born baby's ass
New money, got my ex wishin' she was never in my past
I laugh, enjoy these fruits from my labor
But still feel the strain and pain that be from my labor
Spent my time to achieve all of the fortune and fame
And for myself makin' a name
But deep inside I try to cover up the scars to be a shinin' star
I guess that's just who we are
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Forever may not exist but who else is as hot as this
I played the beat then I tried at this
Cuban links on my neck and I just put a presidential on my wrist
This year you haters gonna acknowledge this
It's G-Rapo and Raekwon
Told the homies this wouldn't take long
My verses always just as real as a true story it's based on
Chopped the blow on the table plenty times
In the lines that she puts her face on
And this is not by accident
Anything can happen if you simply imagine it
My OG put a torch to the blunt then he's passin' it
Believe in something, stand for it, or take a knee and stand like Kaepernick
Anything to get the point across makin' a statement
You'll only go as far as you take it
20 years later and we're still slappin' that purple tape shit
Greatness so close I can taste it, face it
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Written by: GERALD GILLUM, TIFFANY GIARDINA, KENNY BARTOLOMEI, COREY WOODS, KEVIN CROWE, ERIK ORTIZ
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Laxmi
Lyrics
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Purple cloths is on me salute my presence
DNA is worth a fortune but I've still seen a life of peasants
I gave y'all style taugh you how to be fly
Go 'head and grace the sky
Gave you wings to soar like you oughta
Forever may not exist in the flesh but my music will
All praises due to the most high
With my toast shocked the world
Wasn't Casper when I said I came through when I rose to blow half a billy goat
Just because I'm living this life I'm accustomed to it
Floatin' in them fly cars damn I'm supposed to do it
Pretty women fall in love with my expensive taste, luxury, lust
Physical touch by this ace, handcuff 'em
That's a no no 'cause I don't trust them as far as I can throw though
Gold diggin' vixens who's in love with the coco
But fuck it, you know I'm here for this dough though
Let's pop another bottle of Dom and watch our gross grow
I love it
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Clarity, stones in my bracelets, watches and rings
From a rich nigga's perspective you know what that brings
Hatred, what am I supposed to do when I'm so used to shittin' on 'em
Do I stop because a jealous ass coward wants me to
Or do I go harder and buy more diamonds and blind his crew
Fuck it, I guess I do that 'cause I love to make 'em blue
Gettin' 'em back stayin' fly, stayin' high
Do what I wanna, no more strugglin' just to get by
Yes, fresher than a new born baby's ass
New money, got my ex wishin' she was never in my past
I laugh, enjoy these fruits from my labor
But still feel the strain and pain that be from my labor
Spent my time to achieve all of the fortune and fame
And for myself makin' a name
But deep inside I try to cover up the scars to be a shinin' star
I guess that's just who we are
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Forever may not exist but who else is as hot as this
I played the beat then I tried at this
Cuban links on my neck and I just put a presidential on my wrist
This year you haters gonna acknowledge this
It's G-Rapo and Raekwon
Told the homies this wouldn't take long
My verses always just as real as a true story it's based on
Chopped the blow on the table plenty times
In the lines that she puts her face on
And this is not by accident
Anything can happen if you simply imagine it
My OG put a torch to the blunt then he's passin' it
Believe in something, stand for it, or take a knee and stand like Kaepernick
Anything to get the point across makin' a statement
You'll only go as far as you take it
20 years later and we're still slappin' that purple tape shit
Greatness so close I can taste it, face it
Forever may not exist
But man do we got our moments
Killing time making a name
Wasn’t about money or the fame
Why hide scars?
It’s who we are
It’s who we are
Songwriters: Gerald Gillum / Tiffany Giardina / Kenny Bartolomei / Corey Woods / Kevin Crowe / Erik Ortiz
Purple Brick Road lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
ryublueblanka
the wild is such a nice album. Raekwon still brilliant and always will be.
Darian Birckett
Great album
Brenko Christiaens
It's great to see such an strong collab between generations...
HAFS JAY
Raekwon is on a 10 year run of straight FIRE 🔥 #WTC
HeWhoEnlightens
Double that champ
BraBra
Dear son Rae use to rap, at 1987 on streets of Shaolin and NY
Rust Cohle
Jay Sab u must've started listening to hip-hop 10 years ago
B.F.
Jay Sab 10? more like 24
marcbronze1
Must agree, G verse was best for last on this track. Raekwon album is a certified banger. Nostalgia meets the millennials. Thank the ones who are pushing this through.
DapperDan
The beat is pretty sick and I think G-Eazy was a great choice for the second verse,you can just tell it really resinates with him and he knows exactly where that verse is coming from because he knows all about the journey and getting to this point in his life,I think putting him on this track was a great idea and it really shows how far he has come and what he's yet to do,easily a hit with the two working together👏