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.
State Of Grace
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's those guys, man
It's the fucking bankers, the politicians
They the ones, don't wanna make coke illegal
So they can make the fucking money
And then they get the fucking votes
You fighting the bad guys, they the bad guys!
Trash... yes!
(And close the fucking door, man) Wu-Tang!
(Fucking idiots, man) Aiyo, Chef, bodododododododododododo....
(Stand... shit man, fuck these motherfuckers, come on, man)
Nigga what!
[Raekwon]
CREAM vanquish, my queen keeps it's stainless
Cracks and Brussels, screwing everything famous
Love to hustle, my ring, call it big Uranus
Cats that scuffle, crawl on you and break fingers
That's what's up, some saw me in them bone rangers
Me and my homey, we bought like forty things up
Long as you owe me, you won't get a damn thing, son
Shoot off your kangol, while you in the plane, fronting
Stop, admire me, ya'll should of fired me
Cause when I come back, it's me and my diary
None of that bullshit, few men got tired of me
My niggaz is wrong, they hated, and they lied to me
Explain the saga, fuck yo, your chain liver
Fuck the blinging, have my money by five, to me
Ya'll 'pose to bring it, fuck you and your whole variety
I'm bringing my hammers, I beat it like, five to three
[Chorus: Raekwon]
Jealous ass niggaz can't see they man prosper
They'd rather see me in a broke down fuckin' Mazda
Don't disrespect me, son, you will get popped up
My resume's off the hook, now, check mi casa
Yeah, call it, what you wanna call it
My bread is larger, nigga, you can never spoil it
Thought you was loyal, now a nigga can't support you
Blastin' you up, and off me, now you look rewarded
[Raekwon]
What's that smell? Rat piss and possum pussy
Bitch don't yell, I'm not impressed, don't push me
I'm back with some haters, they wipe shit and blast pussies up
Bloody ya blazer, take all your man cush weed
Yeah, I'm coming just to claim a title
Rap is boring, niggaz need another idol
When I'm gone, just let off like forty rifles
Aiming at rappers, biting off the God's bible
I destroy you, lyrically, I spit oil
This is war, you can never escape, conio
Ya'll some lamesters, never seen a yard soiled
When it's on, now we gon' see who's loyal
Yeah, yeah, I'm coming, yo, to get it from you
Place that crown in the garbage, or you sitting on
A few things mattered, you was just a corner don
That got shot dead like Malcolm in the Audubon
[Chorus]
The lyrics to the song “State of Grace” by Raekwon are quite complex and require some deep understanding to interpret. The song begins with a sample from the famous movie “Scarface” where Tony Montana talks about the politicians and bankers who profit from drug trafficking. The lyrics then go into tales of Raekwon’s street life, where he talks about his involvement in drug trafficking, his love for hustling, and his disdain for those who try to deceive him.
In the chorus, Raekwon talks about the jealousy and hate that some people have towards him and how they would rather see him fail than succeed. He talks about his admiration for his own achievements and the fact that he cannot be stopped because his bread is larger than that of his detractors. The song talks about loyalty and the importance of staying true to oneself and to those who support you.
Overall, the message of the song conveys the struggles of life in the hood and the importance of remaining steadfast in the face of adversity. It also highlights the pitfalls of fame and how people can turn on you when they see you succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
CREAM vanquish, my queen keeps it's stainless
I make a lot of money and protect it well
Cracks and Brussels, screwing everything famous
I sell drugs and sleep with famous people
Love to hustle, my ring, call it big Uranus
I enjoy selling drugs and my ring is very large
Cats that scuffle, crawl on you and break fingers
People who fight with me will suffer serious consequences
Long as you owe me, you won't get a damn thing, son
If you owe me money, I won't give you anything until you pay me back
Ya'll 'pose to bring it, fuck you and your whole variety
You were supposed to bring me something, but now I don't want it anymore and don't like anything you have to offer
Jealous ass niggaz can't see they man prosper
People are jealous of my success
Don't disrespect me, son, you will get popped up
Don't disrespect me or I'll hurt you
My bread is larger, nigga, you can never spoil it
I have a lot of money and no one can ruin it
Blastin' you up, and off me, now you look rewarded
I've shot and killed someone who betrayed me and now I feel like justice was served
What's that smell? Rat piss and possum pussy
There is an unpleasant odor present
I'm back with some haters, they wipe shit and blast pussies up
I'm with some violent people who are willing to fight and shoot others
Yeah, I'm coming just to claim a title
I'm trying to establish myself as the best at what I do
When I'm gone, just let off like forty rifles
After I die, my legacy will be celebrated with gunfire
Aiming at rappers, biting off the God's bible
I'm going after other rappers who copy my style
I destroy you, lyrically, I spit oil
I am very talented at rapping and can destroy other rappers with my lyrics
Ya'll some lamesters, never seen a yard soiled
You guys are weak and have never been in real trouble
When it's on, now we gon' see who's loyal
In times of danger, we will find out who truly supports us
Place that crown in the garbage, or you sitting on
Give up your claim to power or suffer the consequences
A few things mattered, you was just a corner don
You were not really important or powerful
That got shot dead like Malcolm in the Audubon
You were killed like Malcolm X in a public place
Contributed by Luke T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Randy Sanders
Its a damn shame shit like this don't get radio play.... Kills anything thats out now.... Real hiphop!!!
Pedro Gonzalez
100000000000000000000000000% FACTZ G
Dogmannx
Rae is a lyrical phenom real talk, this was my shit real hip hop
Maal7
Raekwon in my top 5 favorites for a reason. Lyrical beast.
Dale Cumberbatch
I got him #2
Sean Dacosta
Absolute fricking wobbler 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Damn Mixes
This is some serious music right there, Rae one of the most consistent emcess you will find since cuban linx.
theyoozernaim
This was actually the first single released for Cuban Linx 2 when Wu Music Group was supposed to drop it Like 4 years before it came out without this track even on it. It took Rae FOREVER to bring CL2. It was fire when he did though. This track is sick as fuck.
Anton Hosley
I luv this damn beat ...
Lerebele 1
The horns! The whole fuckin beat. Still rock this tune to this day.