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.
Wake Up
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
(One) Gun go off, showin' everything is lost
(Two) Hold between me and you, these the rules, see'mon
(Three) Yo, we gotta stand together to take cream'n
(Four) Without me and you the crew just could never be
Imaginative mental, blood flyin'
The most hardest niggas cock they iron
Listen to the streets and your gun go off
Sorta like a show off
Jungle way of livin', hittin' dro off
Lifestyle changes niggas see that
They gettin' anxious just to throw one in your ski hat
Watch your language, yeah, you fresher than a Million bucks
You got a new hustle, you hardly knew niggas would envy lust
They gettin' hungrier and niggas bust
They lit a bigger dutch
Fixin' them Calicos to dig your guts
Detectives roam
Niggas come home and got a bigger dome
Ready to zone on what a nigga own
Caught in the mischief
How can you live when it's a sickness
That sorrounds that projects and the trenches
Walkin' through the bushes at night
You gotta be sharp like a butcher knife
Subtly show up when the jooks is right
And everything will have a major like
Whether it's black or white
Nobody knows until they snatch your life
Wake up son, the season's just a thing the mind make up
It's only real kid, ha, wake up!
[Chorus x 2]
The meat market pardon me, the heat market
Chill, we got it on lock, the nigga got to sweet talkin'
I gotta eat and got the beast targeted
Relax, my Brothers on 'role, niggas got police barkin'
They want us killed, seize the sargent
Blowin' each cartridge
We ill, realer in each market
Feel the leather jacket, sleek ostrich
Unleash the arsonist, just popped the wig off of each hostage
Make it real and make his niece watch it
Yokin' Grandmothers up, we kill until his peeps squash it
Verse is somethin' mean regardless
A green jar of harvest
Just smoke, niggas got the green Garcia's
A terrifying team of heartless
Move on the Narcs's
We only on it for extreme profits
And anyway we dream darkness
I saw it through the Jean Paul Gotier mint green gleam optics
So wake up Son, the season's just a thing the mind make up
It's only real kid, ha, wake up.
[Chorus x 2]
A message from Elijah's kids
My eyes opened, got wise on the biz
Start risin' my wig
Seen everything I saw before
Had dreams behind a wall
All I wanted was to balance my all
Make it through feedin' my kind
Readin' the lines
On how the dollar bill is shaped and designed
Taught from the Eighties
Talk, build, and protect all Babies
Strong shelters with strong Ladies
A nigga died, died amongst Daisies
He did it for the Babies
That's peace, feed 'em if they gettin' lazy.
[Chorus x 2]
Gun go off, showin' everything is lost
When violence erupts, it signifies a complete loss of hope and control.
Hold between me and you, these the rules, see'mon
We must adhere to the unspoken rules and principles between us.
Yo, we gotta stand together to take cream'n
We need unity to achieve success and financial prosperity.
Without me and you the crew just could never be
Our crew is only complete and capable with both of us.
Imaginative mental, blood flyin'
In a state of creative and aggressive thinking.
The most hardest niggas cock they iron
The toughest individuals are preparing their weapons.
Foul, live like a Lion
Living a dangerous and predatory lifestyle.
Listen to the streets and your gun go off
Be aware of the environment and anticipate violent confrontations.
Sorta like a show off
It's almost like displaying one's prowess and strength.
Jungle way of livin', hittin' dro off
This lifestyle is similar to surviving and indulging in illicit activities in the wild.
Lifestyle changes niggas see that
People notice the shifts in our way of life.
They gettin' anxious just to throw one in your ski hat
They become eager to harm or betray us without hesitation.
Watch your language, yeah, you fresher than a Million bucks
Be cautious of what you say because you are more valuable and desirable than a large sum of money.
You got a new hustle, you hardly knew niggas would envy lust
Your new venture attracts envy and desire from those you didn't expect.
They gettin' hungrier and niggas bust
They are becoming more desperate and resorting to violence.
They lit a bigger dutch
They escalated the situation or conflict.
Fixin' them Calicos to dig your guts
Preparing firearms to inflict serious harm or even death.
Detectives roam
Police investigators are actively present in the area.
Niggas come home and got a bigger dome
Returning individuals have a changed mindset or increased knowledge.
Ready to zone on what a nigga own
Eager to target and take possession of someone's belongings.
Caught in the mischief
Trapped in illegal or immoral activities.
How can you live when it's a sickness
Surviving becomes difficult in a society plagued by corruption and wrongdoing.
That sorrounds that projects and the trenches
The negative influence and environment of the impoverished neighborhoods.
Walkin' through the bushes at night
Navigating through dangerous areas under the cover of darkness.
You gotta be sharp like a butcher knife
Constant vigilance and awareness are necessary for self-protection.
Subtly show up when the jooks is right
Appear inconspicuously when the opportunity for illicit activities arises.
And everything will have a major like
Every action or decision could have significant consequences.
Whether it's black or white
Regardless of race or circumstances.
Nobody knows until they snatch your life
The unpredictability of death until it tragically occurs.
Wake up son, the season's just a thing the mind make up
Realize that the changes in life are mere illusions created by the mind.
It's only real kid, ha, wake up!
Acknowledge that the harsh reality is the only truth.
The meat market pardon me, the heat market
Apologize for the crude analogy, but this refers to the illegal weapons trade.
Chill, we got it on lock, the nigga got to sweet talkin'
Stay calm, we have control and authority, while our opponent tries to deceive us.
I gotta eat and got the beast targeted
I need to survive and aim to bring down my prey or competition.
Relax, my Brothers on 'role, niggas got police barkin'
Stay calm, as my friends are on guard, causing the police to become suspicious.
They want us killed, seize the sargent
They desire our deaths, so we must neutralize the leader or authority figure.
Blowin' each cartridge
Expelling ammunition and demonstrating our firepower.
We ill, realer in each market
We are dangerous and highly respected in various illegal industries.
Feel the leather jacket, sleek ostrich
Sense the luxurious and smooth texture of a high-quality jacket made from ostrich leather.
Unleash the arsonist, just popped the wig off of each hostage
Release the individual who enjoys causing destruction, removing the disguise or control from captives.
Make it real and make his niece watch it
Make the situation genuine and force the captive's relative to witness it.
Yokin' Grandmothers up, we kill until his peeps squash it
Assaulting elderly women until the perpetrator's associates intervene.
Verse is somethin' mean regardless
The lyrics are harsh and impactful regardless of interpretation.
A green jar of harvest
A container holding an abundant yield of marijuana.
Just smoke, niggas got the green Garcia's
Simply indulge in marijuana, as individuals possess superior quality strains.
A terrifying team of heartless
A group that instills fear and lacks compassion or mercy.
Move on the Narcs's
Take action against law enforcement agents or informants.
We only on it for extreme profits
Our motivations solely revolve around earning significant financial gains.
And anyway we dream darkness
Our aspirations and desires are rooted in immoral or destructive actions.
I saw it through the Jean Paul Gotier mint green gleam optics
I witnessed it clearly, envisioning the vivid green reflection of light through Jean Paul Gaultier sunglasses.
So wake up Son, the season's just a thing the mind make up
Realize that the changes in life are mere illusions created by the mind.
It's only real kid, ha, wake up.
Acknowledge that the harsh reality is the only truth.
A message from Elijah's kids
A communication from those who have inherited the legacy of Elijah Muhammad.
My eyes opened, got wise on the biz
My perception sharpened, becoming knowledgeable about the business.
Start risin' my wig
Embracing the understanding and expanding my consciousness.
Seen everything I saw before
Experienced events or situations that appeared familiar.
Had dreams behind a wall
Had aspirations that were hindered or concealed.
All I wanted was to balance my all
My desire was to achieve overall equilibrium and harmony.
Make it through feedin' my kind
Survive and provide for my community or family.
Readin' the lines
Analyzing and deciphering the hidden messages or agendas.
On how the dollar bill is shaped and designed
Studying the symbolism and influence of money.
Taught from the Eighties
Influenced and educated during the 1980s.
Talk, build, and protect all Babies
Communicate, create, and safeguard the younger generations.
Strong shelters with strong Ladies
Establish secure environments with powerful and resilient women.
A nigga died, died amongst Daisies
An individual perished, ending up buried among flowers.
He did it for the Babies
His actions were motivated by the well-being and future of the younger generation.
That's peace, feed 'em if they gettin' lazy.
That's a peaceful approach, support and nurture them if they become idle or unmotivated.
Wake up son, the season's just a thing the mind make up
Realize that the changes in life are mere illusions created by the mind.
It's only real kid, ha, wake up!
Acknowledge that the harsh reality is the only truth.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, O/B/O DistroKid, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEMETRIUS DUNCAN, JAISON HARRIS, SHAMEER MATTOX, MARKOUS ROBERTS, DONQUEZ WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind