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.
Thousands To M's
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, send all the workers up to five b man, you know what time it is man
Niggas did good this week man, let′s celebrate
[Raekwon:]
Bottles of crew, bagging in the living room, high noon
Couple rachets, snares, the razors and earmuffs
Walking joints, chirping niggas downstairs in the lobby converting
All in the sets hundreds to thousands, thousands to ms
Then tackle up the rims store, go and buy timbs
Hit the Popeyes, cops got eyes
We breezing through with nothing but fives
Puffing herb, we gon let the sun rise
They don′t know niggas is slingering, what's the lingering?
Niggas ain't fiends, $400 jeans, cooling like it′s England
Rather see me role in a hole, rocking state jeans and sneakers
Square sandwhich, juices and peaches
Not right now dick, this is our valve, we get down dick
None of that clown shit, we built it from a thou
See straight watchers, my niggas sleep, all of my unique poppers
Legends from the eighties came home, we got em eating poppers
Take money, eating steaks, being rude, feeding snakes
This is what get us all the planes and the eights
This is my land like Thailand, why?
Cause I control it and I own it, But some say it′s FBI land
[Chorus x2: Skam2]
Now just gimme that, don't make me take that
The minute I′m finished with it, I go straight back
Re up and reload, keep up my workload
Homeboy this block is mine cause I say so (what)
[Ill Bill:]
Violation of the fequent statue to cash rules
Cocaine is a hell of a drug, the fortune of intelligent thugs
We the ones that they write movies about
Beautiful pounds, got the best doobies in town
Shoot it the fuck out, wash money, wipe the blood off of Benjamin's face
Defenders of the faith, measure the weight
Forever by itself, reaping pleasure from pain
We the best in the game, hit you in the chest and the brain
Now move weight homie and expand like Scarface
Leave you hanging from the chopper like Omar Suave
Ill Bill, suicidal live ayatollah, keeps it liver than Al Qaidia soldeirs
Sign in the name of Allah Jehovah
Portable wars, the blowjobs never stop
Freak bitches won′t stop, snocker till their nose pop
Nose candy enthusiast
Bitches able to swallow an entire one liter bottle, abuser shit
We super gangsta, accurately cruising for bangers
Ya'll in the womb rappers, have to leave ya, remove you with hangers
We move like a federation of terror
Put you under the dirt, cus ain′t no room in the equation for error
[Chorus x2]
The song "Thousands to M's" by Raekwon featuring Skam2 and Ill Bill delves into the world of drug dealing and making money, celebrating the earnings of the week in the first few lines. The imagery in the lyrics is quite vivid, with references to bagging, razors, and guns. The lyrics paint a picture of a world where men carry guns and deal in hundreds to thousands of dollars, and sometimes even millions. The song also touches on the concept of power and control, with Raekwon stating that he controls and owns the land he lives on, likening it to Thailand.
The chorus repeats the phrase "gimme that" and asserts that the block (the neighborhood that they control) is theirs "cause I say so." In contrast, Ill Bill's verse talks about the consequences that come with such a lifestyle, including the risks of being killed or incarcerated. He describes the drug trade as a violent and dangerous world, where one must always be on guard.
Overall, the song boasts of the rewards of drug dealing, including money, power, and respect, but it also highlights the risks and dangers of such a lifestyle. The lyrics show how the drug trade can provide quick and easy riches, but at a high cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, send all the workers up to five b man, you know what time it is man
Let's get ready to celebrate our success by calling all the workers to come together at five b and have a good time.
Bottles of crew, bagging in the living room, high noon
In the living room at midday, we have plenty of champagne and are packaging drugs for sale.
Couple rachets, snares, the razors and earmuffs
We have a few weapons such as guns, knives, and earmuffs to protect ourselves.
Walking joints, chirping niggas downstairs in the lobby converting
We sell drugs in the lobby and nearby people are making deals and buying drugs from us.
There's something next to live wires and goons
There is danger and risk in dealing drugs, with both dangerous electricity and violent people around us.
All in the sets hundreds to thousands, thousands to ms
We are making a lot of money from selling drugs, with profits ranging from hundreds of dollars to thousands, and even millions.
Then tackle up the rims store, go and buy timbs
We visit the rims store to buy new wheels for our cars, and also buy new Timberland boots.
Hit the Popeyes, cops got eyes
We go to Popeyes for food, but must be careful as the police are watching us.
We breezing through with nothing but fives
We are spending our hundred dollar bills quickly without worrying about the cost.
Puffing herb, we gon let the sun rise
We are smoking marijuana and taking it easy, watching the sunrise.
They don't know niggas is slingering, what's the lingering?
People don't realize that we are selling drugs and making money, so what's the problem or concern?
Niggas ain't fiends, $400 jeans, cooling like it's England
We are not addicted to drugs, we are wearing expensive designer jeans and living a luxurious life like in England.
Rather see me role in a hole, rocking state jeans and sneakers
Others would prefer to see us in jail, wearing standard state-issued clothing rather than designer clothes.
Square sandwich, juices and peaches
We eat simple sandwiches with fruit juices and peaches.
Not right now dick, this is our valve, we get down dick
We are busy and don't want to be disturbed, as we are working hard to make money and have a good time.
None of that clown shit, we built it from a thou
We don't want any foolishness, we worked hard to build our business from the ground up.
See straight watchers, my niggas sleep, all of my unique poppers
The people we trust are on the lookout, while our team is resting and those who use our drugs are unique individuals.
Legends from the eighties came home, we got em eating poppers
People who were successful in the past are now back in the game and working with us, making lots of money from selling drugs.
Take money, eating steaks, being rude, feeding snakes
We are taking people's money, living a luxurious life, being unapologetically rude, and supporting other dangerous people and activities.
This is what get us all the planes and the eights
By engaging in these behaviors, we are able to afford luxury planes and cars.
This is my land like Thailand, why? Cause I control it and I own it, But some say it's FBI land
I consider this place to be mine like Thailand, because I have control over it and I own it. However, some may say the FBI is really in charge.
Violation of the frequent statue to cash rules
Breaking the law by earning money illegally from selling drugs.
Cocaine is a hell of a drug, the fortune of intelligent thugs
We are becoming wealthy from selling cocaine, showing our intelligence in running a successful drug business.
We the ones that they write movies about
Our lifestyle and illegal activities are the type that are often depicted in movies.
Beautiful pounds, got the best doobies in town
We have the best quality and most beautiful drugs to sell.
Shoot it the fuck out, wash money, wipe the blood off of Benjamin's face
We violently deal drugs, launder money, and quickly get rid of evidence.
Defenders of the faith, measure the weight
We protect our drug business, and carefully measure and sell the drugs by weight.
Forever by itself, reaping pleasure from pain
Our drug business is separate and self-sustaining, and we enjoy making money despite the pain it might cause others.
We the best in the game, hit you in the chest and the brain
We are the best at selling illegal drugs, and can even harm others with our violent tactics.
Now move weight homie and expand like Scarface
We must continue selling more drugs and growing our business, like the character Scarface in the movie.
Leave you hanging from the chopper like Omar Suave
We are violent and may even harm others by leaving them to hang from helicopters like the fictional character Omar Suave.
Ill Bill, suicidal live ayatollah, keeps it liver than Al Qaida soldiers
I am a rapper named Ill Bill, just like an Ayatollah I will fight to the death for my beliefs, and my music is more vibrant and meaningful than the soldiers of violent terrorist groups like Al Qaida.
Sign in the name of Allah Jehovah
I am signing off in the names of Allah and Jehovah, showing my devotion to both religions.
Portable wars, the blowjobs never stop
We are constantly fighting for our drug business, and people are always eager to please us sexually in return for drugs.
Freak bitches won't stop, snocker till their nose pop
Women who are interested in our drugs will do anything for them, such as sniffing them to the point of their nose bleeding.
Nose candy enthusiast, bitches able to swallow an entire one liter bottle, abuser shit
Some women are obsessed with our cocaine, and are able to consume a large amount orally in a short period of time.
We super gangsta, accurately cruising for bangers
We are extremely violent and are always in search of new targets to harm or kill.
Ya'll in the womb rappers, have to leave ya, remove you with hangers
Other rappers are inexperienced and not as tough as us, and we will physically remove them from the game in a violent way.
We move like a federation of terror
Our drug business is organized and we are committed to causing terror and violence.
Put you under the dirt, cus ain't no room in the equation for error
We will kill you if you make a mistake or get in our way, as there is no room for error in the drug business.
Chorus x2: Now just gimme that, don't make me take that, The minute I'm finished with it, I go straight back, Re up and reload, keep up my workload, Homeboy this block is mine cause I say so (what)
After I take what I want, don't resist or I'll be forced to take it violently. Right after I'm done, I'll come back for more. I'll continue working hard, getting more drugs to sell. This block belongs to me and I am in charge.
Writer(s): Inconnu Editeur, William Braunstein
Contributed by Jack D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.