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.
Yae Yo
Raekwon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh shit!
What the fuck happened
Nah man, Nah
Nah this what I'm a do
I'm a get on the phone one time
Stupid, yo, eh yo
Eh yo
Why this shit ain't cooking up right
Papi told me this is solid white
Fuck it wrap it up take it back up
Still in all it's a play out
Tired of spending money
Might get them niggas laid out
Yo, yo Fernando sent me yo
Stop acting hostile yo
And yo don't point that shit at me
Bad enough I gotta come in the crib
Wid Spanish niggas using languages and shit
I'm feeling like a dick
Left the crib wit my hand brolic
This is some bullshit
Might get knocked take the wrist coward
Yo Fernando what happened?
Shit cooking up backwards
Light up a Back wood
Don't make me backtrack
Blew it dime it the llelo lay low
Saying in my mind
Fuck that papi gotta pay off
Cash rules the Power-Wu chant it
Yo Louis this ain't our product
This is Carlos family
Oh y'all want to play me like a smoker
Coming out my ice choker
My man in the back, looking colder
Papi yo why y'all want to jucks me
Yo listen B, we got the best clientele since '83
Fuck it, pull out the pot let's cook it
Light the stove up
Julie go to the store get some flour
Sat back burning a big dutch
With the crisp 18 shot glock, stashed in my nuts
Poured it in the Pyrex sizzling
Now it start drizzling
Rainy day murder black won't miss him
Still I'm yelling this shit is business
But they still ain't gon' violate
What I stand for wid these drizzers
He took it off the stove run the water
Trying to work me yo
Knew I shouldn'ta hit the nigga's daughter
He mighta showed more love
Than went in the freezer
Broke the ice down, pour it in
We both looking at it on the twirl around particles grew
Fly Khaluas is mad sliding Coronas through
Feeling like Castro's cousin
Gave them niggas all of my life
All of my paper all my judgement
It droppa only like an ounce worth
Should I just come out my shirt
Go berserk and let the Macks burst
Skate off body in the Bronx
Same shit Gotti was on
Shallah they gonna get yours play it calm
Seventeen five was the total plus the five,
Hundred for the cab driver that was rolling
In "Yae Yo," Raekwon and his friends are cooking up drugs, specifically cocaine, but they are having trouble with the quality of the product. They realize that it might not be pure and are worried about what their supplier might do if they return it. They are also frustrated because they have spent a lot of money already and are considering violent retaliation against their supplier’s people. Nonetheless, they decide to cook it up again and make the best of their situation.
Raekwon’s lyrics include a lot of slang and references to the drug trade, making the subject matter very clear. In the beginning, Raekwon’s character is frustrated because the drugs aren’t cooking up properly so he calls someone for advice. As he continues to try to fix the situation, he becomes increasingly nervous about what could happen if things go wrong. The narrative of the song is a tense one, with Raekwon and his friends feeling constantly threatened.
Line by Line Meaning
We doing this baby,
Let's get to work.
Oh shit!
Something went wrong.
What the fuck happened
Asking for an explanation.
Nah man, Nah
Disagreement, it's not going to happen.
Nah this what I'm a do
Making a new plan.
I'm a get on the phone one time
Making a phone call to solve the problem.
Stupid, yo, eh yo
Expressing frustration and annoyance.
Eh yo
Listen up, pay attention to what I'm about to say.
Why this shit ain't cooking up right
The plan isn't working out as intended.
Papi told me this is solid white
Referring to cocaine's quality and purity.
Fuck it wrap it up take it back up
Disposing the product and starting over fresh.
Still in all it's a play out
It's still a profitable business.
Tired of spending money
Getting fed up with the costs of running the business.
Might get them niggas laid out
Taking out the competition.
Yo, yo Fernando sent me yo
Receiving a message from a colleague.
Stop acting hostile yo
Telling others to remain calm and not be hostile.
And yo don't point that shit at me
Being cautious and careful not to get shot.
Bad enough I gotta come in the crib
Being uncomfortable in someone else's territory.
Wid Spanish niggas using languages and shit
Being surrounded by people who speak different languages.
I'm feeling like a dick
Feeling foolish and regretful.
Left the crib wit my hand brolic
Leaving with strength and power.
This is some bullshit
Expressing annoyance and frustration again.
Might get knocked take the wrist coward
Being prepared to take the risk or be punished for breaking the law.
Yo Fernando what happened?
Asking about the state of operations.
Shit cooking up backwards
The cocaine isn't coming out well.
Light up a Back wood
Smoking a cigar with weed.
Don't make me backtrack
Urging others not to make mistakes.
Blew it dime it the llelo lay low
Hiding and waiting to conduct more business.
Saying in my mind
Thinking to oneself.
Fuck that papi gotta pay off
The money needs to be collected.
Cash rules the Power-Wu chant it
Embracing the Wu-Tang Clan's motto.
Yo Louis this ain't our product
Recognizing that something isn't right.
This is Carlos family
Identifying the source of the problem.
Oh y'all want to play me like a smoker
Feeling deceived or taken advantage of.
Coming out my ice choker
Showing off expensive jewelry.
My man in the back, looking colder
Having someone who is ready to fight or defend oneself.
Papi yo why y'all want to jucks me
Questioning the other party's motive or intent.
Yo listen B, we got the best clientele since '83
Stating that they have built up good business over the years.
Fuck it, pull out the pot let's cook it
Deciding to go forward with the business despite the risks.
Light the stove up
Starting the process of cooking cocaine.
Julie go to the store get some flour
Making a purchase to complete the process.
Sat back burning a big dutch
Relaxing and smoking a cigar.
With the crisp 18 shot glock, stashed in my nuts
Carrying a concealed weapon for defense.
Poured it in the Pyrex sizzling
Putting the cocaine on the stove and watching it simmer.
Now it start drizzling
The cocaine is starting to cook properly.
Rainy day murder black won't miss him
Will not be caught or blamed for the illegal activity.
Still I'm yelling this shit is business
Asserting that there is nothing personal about the drug trade.
But they still ain't gon' violate
Confident that they will not be caught.
What I stand for wid these drizzers
Referring to the drug trade once again and what it represents.
He took it off the stove run the water
Quickly stopping the cooking process and washing the cocaine to cool it down.
Trying to work me yo
Feeling deceived or tricked by someone.
Knew I shouldn'ta hit the nigga's daughter
Regretting a past action that may have caused problems.
He mighta showed more love
Thinking that someone was not appreciated enough despite helping out.
Than went in the freezer
Putting the cocaine in the freezer to chill.
Broke the ice down, pour it in
Crushing the cooler cocaine and adding it to the rest.
We both looking at it on the twirl around particles grew
Watching as the cocaine comes together in its final, refined form.
Fly Khaluas is mad sliding Coronas through
Having a good time smoking and drinking after a successful job.
Feeling like Castro's cousin
Feeling powerful and unstoppable.
Gave them niggas all of my life, all of my paper all my judgement
Investing a lot of time and money into the drug trade.
It droppa only like an ounce worth
The amount of cocaine left isn't much, but it's still valuable.
Should I just come out my shirt
Thinking about resorting to violence or aggression.
Go berserk and let the Macks burst
Taking out anger and frustration with a gun.
Skate off body in the Bronx
Getting away quickly and not being caught in a certain New York borough.
Same shit Gotti was on
Doing what mobster John Gotti notoriously did in similar circumstances.
Shallah they gonna get yours play it calm
Staying confident and collected despite potential danger.
Seventeen five was the total plus the five, Hundred for the cab driver that was rolling
Adding up the profits and expenses of the drug trade operation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CARLOS BROADY, COREY WOODS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind