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.
Range Rover
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want it, I don't want it
Never getting off my grind, cause I
Love you..
[Raekwon]
They call him Mr. Staten Island, gats, New Balance is coming through
Hood hikers smoking them woods, alotta pull lightning
Halibit fishes, with different colored rices
All my niggaz, behind pots, sturring, blocks we serving
Two for five, slide in the building, heard me?
White fishscale, take a whiff, shit's real
Don't ever approach with no whitey's and big bills
The fuck doctor, I only truck jewelry on gold locking
Most of my money is grounded and gwop it
For every gate caking, we gon' collect the model
Respect it, or get your hand chopped off, drowned in Moet
The places I've been, seen alotta faces on the move
Pacing Yankee hats low, what up Allah, stay gracious
Applying refinement, stretched lands, grams in the SoHo Grand
Where I blaze pussies and purple hazes
Sippin' saki, BET'in it, dick Rocky, Bruce Wayne frame
Froms the creator of Versace, yo
Everybody lit, money to split, on birthday's
We call 'em earth days, buy that nigga a whip
So when the D's pull up, we fully equipped
Checkbook credit card, license fifth, my wife just flipped
Puerto Ric' ass, with skinny TV's, cheese in the ceiling fan
Mister Money from all the flips
Raekwon's song "Range Rover" features lyrics that highlight the lifestyle of a hustler. The chorus, "I don't want it, never getting off my grind, cause I love you" suggests that despite the hardships that may come with the hustle, it's a way of life that the singer loves and remains committed to.
In the verses, Raekwon paints a vivid picture of the life of a hustler from Staten Island. He raps about New Balance shoes, smoking woods, and making money through heists. He also references the preparation of Halibit fish with different colored rices, a nod to his love for luxury living. The lyrics "White fishscale, take a whiff, shit's real, don't ever approach with no whitey's and big bills" suggest that the drug business is a serious one and not for those who aren't willing to take risks.
The chorus is repeated throughout the song as a reminder of the love the singer has for the hustle. Despite the dangers and risks, there is a deep love for the lifestyle and the freedom it provides. The song highlights the realities of living a life that may be illegal but provides a means to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
They call him Mr. Staten Island, gats, New Balance is coming through
Raekwon is known as Mr. Staten Island and he's always armed with guns and wearing New Balance shoes.
Hood hikers smoking them woods, alotta pull lightning
People from his neighborhood smoke weed and they're good at rolling it.
Neck, finger icey, peel out of rent, niggaz do them good heistes
Raekwon is wearing a lot of expensive jewelry and he's good at robbing people.
Halibit fishes, with different colored rices
Raekwon enjoys eating halibut fish prepared with different types of rice.
All my niggaz, behind pots, sturring, blocks we serving
Raekwon and his crew are cooking and selling drugs on the streets.
Two for five, slide in the building, heard me?
They sell two drugs for five dollars and Raekwon is asking if you understand.
White fishscale, take a whiff, shit's real
Raekwon has high-quality cocaine and he wants you to smell it to prove it.
Don't ever approach with no whitey's and big bills
Don't come near Raekwon with counterfeit money and large bills.
The fuck doctor, I only truck jewelry on gold locking
Raekwon only transports his valuable jewelry in a locked truck with armed guards.
Most of my money is grounded and gwop it
Raekwon keeps most of his money safe and secure.
For every gate caking, we gon' collect the model
For every successful drug deal, they'll buy a new luxury car.
Respect it, or get your hand chopped off, drowned in Moet
If you disrespect Raekwon, he'll harm you and dispose of your body by drowning you in champagne.
The places I've been, seen alotta faces on the move
Raekwon has been to many places and has interacted with many people while on the move.
Pacing Yankee hats low, what up Allah, stay gracious
Raekwon wears his Yankee hat low and greets his fellow Muslims with respect and kindness.
Applying refinement, stretched lands, grams in the SoHo Grand
Raekwon is enjoying his high-end lifestyle and has cocaine in a luxury hotel.
Where I blaze pussies and purple hazes
Raekwon smokes weed and is intimate with many women.
Sippin' saki, BET'in it, dick Rocky, Bruce Wayne frame
Raekwon is drinking sake, watching BET, having sex and wearing expensive glasses.
Froms the creator of Versace, yo
Raekwon is wearing clothing by the famous designer, Versace.
Everybody lit, money to split, on birthday's
Everyone is happy and has plenty of money to share on their birthdays.
We call 'em earth days, buy that nigga a whip
Raekwon and his friends call birthdays 'earth days' and like to buy each other expensive cars.
So when the D's pull up, we fully equipped
If the police come, Raekwon and his crew are armed and ready to defend themselves.
Checkbook credit card, license fifth, my wife just flipped
Raekwon has multiple forms of payment and his wife just made a large purchase.
Puerto Ric' ass, with skinny TV's, cheese in the ceiling fan
His friend has a girlfriend from Puerto Rico with a nice butt, a skinny TV and cheese stored in the ceiling fan.
Mister Money from all the flips
Raekwon has a lot of money from his various illegal activities.
Contributed by Taylor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.