Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), a.k.a. Raekwon (/ɹeɪˈkwɒn/), is an Ame… Read Full Bio ↴Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), a.k.a. Raekwon (/ɹeɪˈkwɒn/), is an American rapper, one of the nine Wu-Tang Clan members. Raekwon joined Wu-Tang Clan, a hip hop group based in Staten Island, New York in 1992. When the time came for him to release his first solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995), hip-hop, once again, underwent a momentous transformation. The album moves from track to track like a film moves from scene to scene. With its invigorating instrumentals and dramatic lyrical tales, Raekwon painted vivid pictures and presented powerful imagery through his enchanting verbal expression.

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.

Rakim Tribute
Raekwon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Intro: Raekwon]
Yeah, what, what, yeah
Shout out the 18th letter, you know?
Word up... we gon' do it like this
And pay homage to the most livest
Yeah.. yo...

[Raekwon]

I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic smoke
Now I slam it when I'm done, give me my ten G coat
To perform another song, cuz I won't let
Nobody press up and mess up, the scene I wet
I like to stand in the crowd, and watch niggas wonder
Damn, then think about, then you wonder
Clan, they just rag shit, rip shit, bruise shit
Maybe that's the rap shit, I gotta prove shit
Even if it's jazz or the quiet storm
Now flip the beat up, convert it to a hip hop joint
Write a rhyme and graffiti in, every show you see me in
Deep concentration, swift like the beamer, kid
Go with the crowd, while my lyrics spit flames
I flow-tate the vowel, cuz it's all in my veins
Another remedy, fly niggas is enemy
Cuz I'm live as some rap niggas with energy
Now do it, cuz I'mma put the nine on pause
My sharks beaming, catch you on the side of the store
Call your bluff, make you stare in my face, ya team suck
Remember me? The one you got your ideas from
How soon you start to suffer, until you get stuck up
When you start to fuck up, that's when you get bucked up
Bitin me, you think you dope, I smash your boat, with bad coke
You should of wrote, because I ain't no joke

[Chorus 2X: Ultra]
It's been a long time, I shouldn't have let you
Without a re-up to connect to
Think of all the weak product you slept through
Time's up, I'm sorry I kept you

[Raekwon]
I was a fiend, before I was seventeen
I melt the microphone like blowing some evergreen
It's all in the making, from where hip hop was originated
Peace to the streets, the bubblers, mark & dated
Cuz I grab the mic, now I say "yes ya'll"
Ya'll yell 'scrape it', then I'mma say 'let's ball'
Come on, cool, cuz I'mma get on rep
Twist a 'dro on the speaker, pull the snub and then flex
Back to them crabs, ya'll niggas had ya'll laughs
And then I spaz on the rhymes I splashed
From back to your brother gun, then I grab the double pump
Then this the opposite, and ask if another come
Cuz I'mma get busy, get dough with my team, yup
I don't need a cigarette, know what I mean?
I'm raging, rip up the stage and don't it amazing
Cuz every line is laid in
Caught up, thoughts are sort a, an addiction
Bags of pies, smell of bricks, kid
Vocals vocabulary, the stage is a suction
The mic is a draino, volcanos erupting
Lines overblowing, gradually glowing
Every thing is written in the cold, slick & coin'
Slide.. my thoughts'll glide
Forty-eight MAC's and knives
The invincible, microphone fiend, Raekwon

Spread the word, cuz it's on
B-E-R-E-A-L, a smooth operator with notorious crack sales

Overall Meaning

In "Rakim Tribute," Raekwon pays homage to one of rap's greatest legends, Rakim. The title itself suggests that the song is a tribute to Rakim, who is often referred to as the "18th letter" in the industry. The lyrics in the song represent everything that Rakim embodied - precision, confidence, and the ability to command the mic with ease. Raekwon also reminisces about his own journey in the rap game, reflecting on how he used to be a fiend, but now he melts microphones and raps effortlessly.

In the first verse of the song, Raekwon raps about how nobody can mess up the scene he has wet, indicating how he is at the top of his game. He also talks about the power of his lyrics, which spit flames and energize rap fans. Raekwon reminds the rap game that he is one of its most talented and threatening players, who can never be underestimated. The chorus is performed by Ultra, who tells the listener that it's been a long time, and they shouldn't have slept on Raekwon.

The second verse of "Rakim Tribute" sees Raekwon talk about how he was a fiend before he turned seventeen, implying that he was consumed by his love for rap music. He talks about how his lyrics are all toward the making, and acknowledges where hip hop was originated. He also raps about how he developed his unique style and commands the microphone with ease. Raekwon goes on to explain how he's rage, tears up the stage, and every line he lays is amazing. He proclaims his invincibility and celebrates his status as a microphone fiend, spreading the word about his notorious crack sales.

Line by Line Meaning

I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic smoke
I used to take my rapping lightly, but now I've gotten better and take it more seriously.

Now I slam it when I'm done, give me my ten G coat
I'm so confident in my performance that I demand to be paid handsomely for it.

To perform another song, cuz I won't let nobody press up and mess up, the scene I wet
I need to perform again because I don't want anyone else to ruin the high-energy atmosphere that I've created.

Clan, they just rag shit, rip shit, bruise shit, Maybe that's the rap shit, I gotta prove shit
My Wu-Tang Clan affiliates and I are known for our hard-hitting, aggressive style, which sets us apart from other rappers.

Now flip the beat up, convert it to a hip hop joint
I can take any sound and turn it into a hip-hop beat.

Deep concentration, swift like the beamer, kid
I am highly focused and skilled in my craft, much like a BMW car.

Call your bluff, make you stare in my face, ya team suck
I can see through your lies and your team is weak compared to mine.

Remember me? The one you got your ideas from
I'm one of the pioneers of rap music and newer artists have been inspired by my work.

It's been a long time, I shouldn't have let you
It's been too long since I released new music and I apologize for making fans wait.

Without a re-up to connect to
I haven't had access to new drugs to sell, which has affected my business.

I was a fiend, before I was seventeen
I was addicted to drugs at a young age.

It's all in the making, from where hip hop was originated
Hip-hop music and culture has a rich history and I'm a part of it.

Caught up, thoughts are sort a, an addiction
Music and the lifestyle that comes with it can become addicting.

The invincible, microphone fiend, Raekwon
I am unbeatable on the microphone and fully dedicated to my craft.

B-E-R-E-A-L, a smooth operator with notorious crack sales
I'm known for selling large amounts of drugs and still being able to operate smoothly and discreetly.

Contributed by Isabella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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