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.
Verbal Intercourse
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No tricks, no tricks y'all (ayy, yo, Rae)
Check it out y'all
It's the science (fly wonderful)
Yeah, y'all
Tony Starks and, um, Lex Diamonds
Tony Starks, my nigga Nas
Cream, my whole team is eatin' off this good shit
Good shit, nigga (I guess we celbratin')
Word to the wise
Keep your eyes open and your wallet in your front pocket
All types of shit, yo, son
These kids mad, teach 'em how to rhyme (yo, you know my story right?)
Yeah, baby (show those crabs how to rhyme)
RZA, Chef, the Ghost and Nas, nigga is the prophet
It's only like five percent out of a hundred
RZA, Chef, the Ghost and Nas, nigga is the prophet
Do it to 'em, baby
Yo, through the lights, cameras and action, glamour, glitters and gold
I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe
When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast
To conquer peace, leavin' savages to roam in the streets
Live on the run, police payin' me to give in my gun
Trick my wisdom with the system that imprisoned my son
Smoke a gold leaf, I hold heat, nonchalantly
I'm raunchy, the things I do is real, it never haunts me while
Funny style niggas roll in the pile
Rooster heads profile on a bus to Riker's Isle
Holdin' weed inside they pussy with they minds on the pretty things in life
Props is a true thug's wife
It's like a cycle, niggas come home, some'll go in
Do a bullet, come back, do the same shit again
From the womb to the tomb, presume the unpredictable
Guns salute life, rapidly, that's the ritual
Perhaps bullets bust niggas discuss mad money
True lies and white guys, we can see it through the eyes
Catch the most on tape, kilos disintegrate
Pyrex pots, we break, fiends lickin' plates
In the building niggas buildin', like little children, starin'
Them older niggas ain't carin'
Sirens circlin', fiends are lurkin' in your baggage
Oh, one's gone now, what? Smack him in his cabbage
In the woodwork, crack sales bubble like Woolworth's
In the projects, richest niggas rockin' all the real worth
Police questionin', rooftop cats invested in
Tradin' in they Lexuses, GS's, sendin' messages
Two and two makes four, Cristal's crazily pour
Gun wars, my crew feel 'em like swords
With the green leathers, hundred pound snakes and cakes
Fiends found in lakes, jealously Jakes we shake
What I strive for is what I live for
Infatuated by material things in this wild life of war
Like somewhere over the rainbow, I see a big pot of gold
Future stacks so I hold
Thousands of cracks bagged up inside the shoebox
Don't keep jack in my lab, don't wanna see 2Pac
Got two spots, a new lot, flooded with rocks
Shoot-outs makin' me hot, crooked cops Bad Tony and the ball drop
In denial, I'm bangin' niggas for slot time
Hurry up, duke, I'm next on line
And what the fuck is you lookin' at?
By the way young blood, hit me off with that Green Bay hat
Watch your back inside the hall, new niggas slide through
Like doors, yo, you're starin' in the mess hall
Your adrenaline runs, cigarette niggas be swindlin'
New jacks surrenderin', come home not rememberin'
Made bail with different size kicks on, a white dress shirt
Lookin' gay in the yard, and you got hurt
Flashbacks, of the day room, mop wringer style
Your faggot-ass got bashed tryna turn the dial
You told your boo you was wilin'
Once you heard Wu, out of the blue, your family's from Shaolin
High class cooks, throw on vests out of phone books
Infirmary niggas are screamin', "I got juxed"
Sharpened toothbrushes, one-ninety mixed with baby oil and shit
Your man's in the kitchen stashin' ice picks
Well I'ma end this with a big red cherry on top
Me, Nas and Rae got the best product on the block
Cream my whole team is eatin' off this good shit
(Word up, throw your hands up)
Good shit, nigga, next time don't overlook shit
(Cock back the MAC, say whatever your Hawaiin style)
Keep your eyes open and your wallet in the front pocket
(Exoticness, fly shit)
RZA, Chef, the Ghost and Nas, nigga is the prophet
(Floatin' on the 95 in the wind)
In "Verbal Intercourse," Raekwon, Nas, and Ghostface Killah paint a vivid picture of life on the streets, with all its harsh realities and the struggles that they have faced. The first verse sees Raekwon discussing fame, fortune, and the impact he's hoping to have through his music. He talks about how he sees his music as a way to unite people across the world and how, even after he dies, his messages will continue to spread. However, he also acknowledges the "beast" that can arise in people, causing them to act savagely and without reason; something he says he hopes to rectify through his art.
The second verse begins with Nas talking about the things he's witnessed in his life, from drug deals to police corruption. He talks about how the "true lies and white guys" are easily seen through the eyes of those in the streets. He discusses the crumbling of drugs in a pyrex pot and how addiction can cause people to deteriorate both physically and emotionally. The passage goes on to depict the harsh realities of life on the streets, with violence and danger lurking around every corner.
Overall, the lyrics of "Verbal Intercourse" paint an image of a world on the edge, where danger lurks always and where the struggle to survive is constant. The harshness of life on the streets is evidenced in the unflinching lyrics, which take the listener on a journey through the very heart of it all.
Line by Line Meaning
Through the lights cameras and action, glamour glitters and gold
Amidst the fame and fortune of stardom, there are still underlying issues
I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe
I spread my wisdom and knowledge to people around the world
When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast
When I die, people will come together to start a revolution
To conquer peace leaving savages to roam in the streets
Even with peace, there will always be those who are wild and reckless
Live on the run, police paying me to give in my gun
I am constantly on the move and the police are trying to bribe me to turn in my weapon
Trick my wisdom with the system that imprisoned my son
The system has used my son as a way to manipulate and control me
Smoke a gold leaf I hold heat, nonchalantly
I casually smoke a fancy cigar while carrying a concealed weapon
I'm raunchy, the things I do is real it never haunts me
I am unapologetic about my actions and their consequences
While, funny style niggas roll in the pile
Some people choose to live in luxury without facing the harsh reality of life
Rooster heads profile on a bus to Riker's Isle
Criminals are being shipped off to prison and their ignorance will not help them there
Holding weed inside they pussy with they minds on the pretty things in life
Drug dealers hide contraband in their intimate parts while focusing on material possessions
Props is a true thug's wife
A true gangster's loyalty goes to their reputation
It's like a cycle, niggas come home, some'll go in
The cycle of crime and incarceration continues
Do a bullet, come back, do the same shit again
Criminals repeat their actions once released from prison
From the womb to the tomb, presume the unpredictable
Life is uncertain from birth until death
Guns salute life, rapidly, that's the ritual
Gun violence is a common and deadly tradition in certain communities
Perhaps bullets bust niggas discuss mad money
Violent confrontations often arise from discussions about money
True lies and white guys, we can see it through the eyes
Corruption is visible through certain lenses
Catch the most on tape, kilos disintegrate
Most illegal activities are caught on camera and the drugs will eventually be confiscated
Pyrex pots, we break, fiends licking plates
Drug addicts will stop at nothing to get their fix
In the building niggas building, like little children, staring
Criminals participate in illegal activities with the same sense of childish wonder that children have
Them older niggas ain't caring
The older generation of criminals do not care about the younger ones
Sirens circling fiends are lurking in your baggage
The presence of police causes drug addicts to become paranoid
Oh, one's gone now, what, smack him in his cabbage
One person has been arrested, so it's time to attack the next target
In the woodwork, crack sales bubble like Woolworth's
Drug sales are happening in secret and at an alarming rate
In the projects, richest niggas rocking all the real worth
Within the poverty of the projects, the richest people are the ones who own the most valuable possessions
Police questioning, rooftop cats invested in
Police are investigating but criminals are still continuing with their activities
Trading in they Lexuses, GS's, sending messages
Criminals are trading fancy cars and making powerful connections through them
Two and two makes four, Cristal's crazily pour
Simple math equates to expensive bottles of champagne pouring
Gun wars my crew feel 'em like swords
My gang is familiar with the violence that comes with gun battles
With the green leathers, hundred pound snakes and cakes
People are showing off their money and flashy possessions
Fiends found in lakes, jealously Jakes we shake
Drug addicts are dying and corrupt police officers are being avoided
What I strive for is what I live for
I live for and work towards material possessions
Infatuated by material things in this wild life of war
I am obsessed with material possessions in this violent world
Like somewhere over the rainbow, I see a big pot of gold
I see an opportunity for great wealth
Future stacks so I hold
I'm saving up for the future
Thousands of cracks bagged up inside the shoebox
Drugs are being stored in a shoebox
Don't keep jack in my lab, don't wanna see 2Pac
I don't keep drugs in my home and don't want any trouble with the police
Got two spots, a new lot, flooded with rocks
I have two locations where I keep my drugs and they are well-stocked
Shoot-outs making me hot, crooked cops Bad Tony and the ball drop
Shootouts are causing suspicion and tension and corrupt cops are making things worse
In the 'nile, I'm banging niggas for slot time
I am fighting other inmates in prison for control of the phone
Hurry up duke I'm next on line
I need my turn on the phone
And what the fuck is you looking at?
Why are you staring at me?
By the way young blood, hit me off with that Green Bay hat
Give me your Green Bay hat, young man
Watch your back inside the hall, new niggas slide through
Be careful, there are new inmates entering the prison
Like doors yo, you're staring in the mess hall
You're looking too long and too hard at the food in the mess hall
Your adrenaline runs, cigarette niggas be swindling
You're excited and people are trying to cheat you out of your cigarettes
New jacks surrendering, come home not remembering
New inmates are giving up and will leave prison changed
Made bail with different size kicks on, a white dress shirt
Someone who just made bail from prison is wearing clothes of mismatched sizes
Looking gay in the yard, and you got hurt
You're looking foolish and now someone has attacked you
Flashbacks, of the day room, mop wringer style
Memories of prison are coming back to the person
Your faggot ass got bashed trying to turn the dial
You were attacked because you were perceived as weak
You told your boo you was wiling
You lied to your girlfriend about your behavior in prison
Once you heard Wu, out of the blue, your family's from Shaolin
After hearing Wu-Tang Clan, you suddenly identify with your family's roots in Shaolin, China
High class cooks, throw on vests out of phone books
Drug dealers are wearing protective gear made from phone books
Infirmary niggas are screaming, 'I got juxed!'
Inmates are yelling in pain after being robbed
Sharpened toothbrushes, 190 mixed with baby oil and shit
Inmates are creating makeshift weapons using toothbrushes and a mixture of other materials
Your man's in the kitchen stashing ice picks
Your friend is hiding dangerous weapons in the kitchen
Well I'ma end this with a big red cherry on top
I'm finishing this off with a powerful statement
Me, Nas and Rae got the best product on the block
Myself, Nas and Raekwon have superior illegal substances for sale
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Corey Woods, David Porter, Robert F. Diggs, Ronnie Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thenotorious4305
Through the lights cameras and action, glamour glitters and gold
I unfold the scroll, plant seeds to stampede the globe
When I'm deceased, by then the beast arise like yeast
To conquer peace leaving savages to roam in the streets
Live on the run, police paying me to give in my gun
Trick my wisdom with the system that imprisoned my son
Smoke a gold leaf I hold heat, nonchalantly
I'm raunchy, the things I do is real it never haunts me
While, funny style niggas roll in the pile
Rooster heads profile on a bus to Riker's Isle
Holding weed inside they pussy with they minds on the pretty things in life
Props is a true thug's wife
It's like a cycle, niggas come home, some'll go in
Do a bullet, come back, do the same shit again
From the womb to the tomb, presume the unpredictable
Guns salute life, rapidly, that's the ritual
Perhaps bullets bust niggas discuss mad money
True lies and white guys, we can see it through the eyes
Catch the most on tape, kilos disintegrate
Pyrex pots, we break, fiends licking plates
In the building niggas building, like little children, staring
Them older niggas ain't caring
Sirens circling fiends are lurking in your baggage
Oh, one's gone now, what, smack him in his cabbage
In the woodwork, crack sales bubble like Woolworth's
In the projects, richest niggas rocking all the real worth
Police questioning, rooftop cats invested in
Trading in they Lexuses, GS's, sending messages
Two and two makes four, Cristal's crazily pour
Gun wars my crew feel 'em like swords
With the green leathers, hundred pound snakes and cakes
Fiends found in lakes, jealously Jakes we shake
What I strive for is what I live for
Infatuated by material things in this wild life of war
Like somewhere over the rainbow, I see a big pot of gold
Future stacks so I hold
Thousands of cracks bagged up inside the shoebox
Don't keep jack in my lab, don't wanna see 2Pac
Got two spots, a new lot, flooded with rocks
Shoot-outs making me hot, crooked cops Bad Tony and the ball drop
In the 'nile, I'm banging niggas for slot time
Hurry up duke I'm next on line
And what the fuck is you looking at?
By the way young blood, hit me off with that Green Bay hat
Watch your back inside the hall, new niggas slide through
Like doors yo, you're staring in the mess hall
Your adrenaline runs, cigarette niggas be swindling
New jacks surrendering, come home not remembering
Made bail with different size kicks on, a white dress shirt
Looking gay in the yard, and you got hurt
Flashbacks, of the day room, mop wringer style
Your faggot ass got bashed trying to turn the dial
You told your boo you was wiling
Once you heard Wu, out of the blue, your family's from Shaolin
High class cooks, throw on vests out of phone books
Infirmary niggas are screaming, "I got juxed!"
Sharpened toothbrushes, 190 mixed with baby oil and shit
Your man's in the kitchen stashing ice picks
Well I'ma end this with a big red cherry on top
Me, Nas and Rae got the best product on the block
@badarmasih9182
NaS verse should be dipped in gold, locked away and preserved in the Library of Congress for eternity. My favorite hip hop artist of all time. Untouchable with his lyrics, his knowledge and his teachings.
@lovememoremeticulous4378
Always was the Genius of Nas, he said things that were eternal, you couldn’t put a time on it, now in 2022 27 years later that verse is still holds up
@GTD9002
Bro that verse is already GOLD
So no need
For it to be dipped
In what its already is...
@ewolffman
put in on the record for voyager 3 for sure
@mikeahrstrom724
One of the most phenomenal verses ever... Nas did his thing 🔥🎶
@Jvive3o5
💯
@suffa07
I don’t regularly listen to hip hop music anymore, haven’t for years. I imagine I outgrew it. But I came across this song again today, and I can definitively express the same sentiment at 48 as I did at 25, 30, and 37, that Nas’s verse on this song is single handedly the most well constructed, effortlessly delivered, intelligently creative pieces of lyricism, song, poetry, or rap the world has ever heard.
I know that Nas has visited Universities and Colleges regarding his songs and his approach to writing. But, it’s amazing to me how a mind that can construct such lyrics as these, on par with writing greats like the Shakespeares, Steinbecks, Hemingways, and Faulkners, not have more notoriety or presence in the literature world.
Nas is truly “Half-Man, Half Amazing” with that pen...
@mibraliy
Very well said, and I totally agree. You have really framed it in the most eye opening manner for all to see. I've always made a similar argument about Nas' writing ability being on par with any great writer throughout history.
@benoplasm
CNN did a piece about nas and crowned him the greatest lyricist of all time, but I think it goes beyond that. Nas is on par with greats like Shakespeare.
@joeljoseph9017
@benoplasm 91_ 97 no mc was touching nas in his prime