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Raekwon

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Raekwon
Raekwon performing in 2011
Raekwon performing in 2011
Background information
Birth nameCorey Woods
Also known asThe Chef, Shallah
Born (1970-01-12) January 12, 1970 (age 54)
OriginNew York City, New York, United States
GenresHip hop
Years active1992–present
LabelsLoud/Universal
Aftermath/Interscope
Ice H2O/EMI
Websitewww.raekwonchronicles.com

Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970),[1][2] better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded numerous solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with other hip hop artists.

Raekwon is often cited as one of the pioneers of the Mafioso rap sub-genre.[3] In 2007, The editors of About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).[4] The Miami New Times described Raekwon's music as being "street epics" that are "straightforward yet linguistically rich universes not unlike a gangsta Iliad."[5]

Music career

Wu-Tang Clan

Main article: Wu-Tang Clan

Corey Woods joined the Wu-Tang Clan, a nine-member hip hop group based in the Staten Island borough of New York City, in 1992. He went under the stage name Raekwon the Chef and aliases Raekwon, Shallah Raekwon, and Lex Diamonds.[6] Wu-Tang Clan debuted one year later with Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. Singles from the album included "Protect Ya Neck" and "C.R.E.A.M.", the latter of which reached #8 on the Billboard rap chart.[7] Wu-Tang Forever followed in 1997 and was certified four times platinum by the RIAA, quadruple the certification given Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).[8] Alongside other solo albums by its members, Wu-Tang continued recording as a group, releasing The W in 2000, Iron Flag in 2001, and 8 Diagrams in 2007.[6]

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

In 1994, Raekwon signed a solo deal with Loud Records and released his debut single "Heaven & Hell" for the soundtrack to the movie Fresh. His first solo LP, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., was released in 1995 to rave reviews, though not to as much commercial success as fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man's Tical.[9] According to Steve Huey of allmusic, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... contained a narrative album format revolving around cocaine trafficking, criminal activity, and a rise through the ranks of the illegal industry." Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah appeared on over half of the album's tracks, with Wu-Tang member RZA producing the album in its entirety.[10]

Immobilarity and The Lex Diamond Story

After Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., Raekwon appeared on a track by the R&B group Allure from the group's self-titled debut in 1997.[11] He also appeared on Fat Joe's song "John Blaze" alongside Nas, Jadakiss, and Big Pun; "John Blaze" also had a music video.[12] Raekwon's next effort, Immobilarity, came out in 1999 to mixed reviews, which were mainly attributed to the absence of RZA and Ghostface Killah.[9] The Lex Diamond Story followed in 2003 on Universal Records, to mixed reviews as well (generally lukewarm critical reviews and wildly varying public reviews) and moderate success. Raekwon later voiced his dis-taste for the albums lack of promotion and budget and vowed that future releases would not suffer the same fate.[13]

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II

Raekwon planned to release the long-delayed sequel to his debut, entitled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II in 2007 through Aftermath Entertainment. The album was informally executively produced by Busta Rhymes, whom Raekwon cited as getting him in the "Cuban Linx mindset",[14] and RZA, with RZA handling most of the production. Dr. Dre, Scram Jones, and J Dilla were other producers that were announced early on as working on the album. RZA explained the collaboration between him and Dr. Dre as "yin and yang" when it came to their styles.[15]

Raekwon and EMI both confirmed at one point that Only Built For Cuban Linx... Pt. II would be released in the summer of 2009 with EMI serving as the distribution label[16] for the album, which was officially released on Raekwon's ICEH2O label.[17] However, Raekwon and EMI later announced that the album would be pushed back to September 8, 2009 due to sample clearance issues, and the leak of a song from the album entitled "Surgical Gloves."[18] On September 8, 2009, Only Built For Cuban Linx... Pt. II was released after many delays. The album features many Wu-Tang members and affiliates, as well as Slick Rick, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Beanie Sigel and more. On September 28, 2009 Raekwon was named the #10 Hottest MC in the game by MTV. He also converted to Islam in 2009.[19]

In December 2009, major hip hop site HipHopDx released their 2009 Awards, with Only Built For Cuban Linx... Pt. II being chosen as 'Album of the Year'. Dx described it as "...the Hip Hop equivalent to The Godfather 2, with Rae as revitalized as Marlon was...". In addition, Raekwon was selected as 'Emcee of the Year' (fellow New Yorker Nas had won in 2008). Their staff justified this pick with this description of Raekwon's career in 2009:

Raekwon brought it back to lyrical, dope rap. He released an album that spoke to teens, twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, and beyond. Without compromising, the Chef made an edgy Hip Hop record that refused to bastardize the catalog he laid down 15 years ago. On top of that, Rae (along with Ghostface) was a go-to for numerous rappers making albums, ranging from the Playaz Circle to Jadakiss to BK One. That's beyond real, as was a year filled with performing in arenas, clubs and even churches. When it came to mastering the ceremony, Rae had 'em all following the leader.[20]

— HipHopDX

Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang

After the critical and relative commercial success of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, Raekwon collaborated with Method Man and Ghostface Killah for Wu-Massacre, a short trio album designed to showcase unity within the group. Following this release, Raekwon resurrected talk of Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, a project announced in 2007, originally planned as a Wu-Tang album, minus RZA, due to his response to the previous group album 8 Diagrams. Raekwon forwarded his projects continuously thru his growing label Icewater. He both worked on his own project while signing other underground artists. Raekwon's son is rumored to be heavily involved in his father's label.

Though not a Wu-Tang Clan project, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang was released in March 2011, serving as Raekwon's fifth solo LP. As originally planned, RZA did not participate on the project,[21] however, several other Wu-Tang members made appearances, as well as Black Thought, Nas and Rick Ross,[22] among others. Shortly after Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang was completed, Raekwon revealed that he intends on eventually releasing a third installment to the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… albums.[23]

Discography

Albums

Year Title Chart positions Certifications
U.S.
[24] 		U.S. R&B
[24] 		U.S. Rap
[24]
1995 Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… 4 2 *
1999 Immobilarity 9 2 *
2003 The Lex Diamond Story 102 18 *
2009 Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II 4 2 2
2011 Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang 12 3 2

Collaboration albums

Year Title Chart positions
U.S.
 U.S. R&B
 U.S. Rap
2007 Raekwon Presents Ice Water Inc
2010 Wu-Massacre (with Method Man & Ghostface Killah)
  • Released: March 30
  • Label(s): Def Jam
 12[26] 6[27] 2[28]
2012 Wu-Block (with Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna & The L.O.X.)[29]
  • Released: TBA
  • Label(s): TBA
 TBA TBA TBA

Mixtapes

  • 2006: The Vatican Mixtape Vol.1 hosted by DJ Riddler
  • 2006: The Vatican Mixtape Vol.2 The DaVinci Code
  • 2006: Heroin Only hosted by DJ Thoro
  • 2007: The Vatican Mixtape Vol.3 House of Wax
  • 2009: Blood on Chef's Apron hosted by DJ Absolut
  • 2009: Staten Go Hard Vol.1 hosted by Brinks Boys
  • 2010: Cocainism Vol.2 hosted by Brinks Boys
  • 2010: Coke Up in da Dollar Bill hosted by DJ Whoo Kid & DJ Scream
  • 2011: Trouble Makers hosted by DJ Love Killed Kurt
  • 2012: Unexpected Victory

Compilations

  • 2009: Raekwon Babygrande Recordings (with Ice Water Inc.)

Singles

Year Title Chart positions Album
U.S.
[30] 		U.S. R&B
[30][31] 		U.S.
Rap
[32][30][33]
1994 "Heaven & Hell" (featuring Ghostface Killah) — 102 32 Fresh Soundtrack and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
1995 "Incarcerated Scarfaces" / "Ice Cream" (featuring Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Cappadonna) 37 37 5 Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
"Glaciers of Ice" (featuring Ghostface Killah, Masta Killa, and Blue Raspberry) / "Criminology" (featuring Ghostface Killah) 43 32 5
1999 "Live From New York" — — 30 Immobiliarity
2003 "Smith Bros." — 115 — The Lex Diamond Story
2004 "The Hood" (featuring Tiffany Villarreal) — — —
2009 "New Wu" (featuring Ghostface Killah and Method Man) — — — Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Part II
"House of Flying Daggers" (featuring GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah) — — —
"Catalina" (featuring Lyfe Jennings) — — —
2010 "Butter Knives" — — — Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
2011 "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang" — — —
Year Title Chart positions Album
U.S. R&B U.S. Rap
1996 "Firewater" (Fat Joe featuring Big Pun, Raekwon, and Armaggedon) 114 — Endangered Species
1998 "Wu-Tang Cream Team Line Up" (Funkmaster Flex featuring Raekwon, The Harlem Hoodz, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, and Killa Sin) 85 32 The Mix Tape, Vol. 3: 60 Minutes of Funk, The Final Chapter
1998 "Skew It on the Bar-B" (OutKast featuring Raekwon) — — Aquemini
1999 "Rap Life" (Tash featuring Raekwon) 86 45 Rap Life
2000 "Apollo Kids" (Ghostface Killah featuring Raekwon) 121 32 Supreme Clientele
2001 "Never Be the Same Again" (Ghostface Killah featuring Carl Thomas and Raekwon) 65 21 Bulletproof Wallets
2004 "What's Fuckin' Wit Us" (CHOPS featuring Raekwon) — — Virtuosity
2007 "Something To Say" (Paraziţii featuring Raekwon The Chef) — — Slalom Printre Cretini
2008 "Royal Flush" (Big Boi featuring Andre 3000 and Raekwon) 68 — non-album single
2010 "Gorgeous" (Kanye West featuring Kid Cudi and Raekwon) — — My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Other appearances

Music videos

Year Title Director(s)
1994 "Heaven & Hell" Ralph McDaniels
1995 "Criminology" Froi Cuenta & Guy Guillet
"Glaciers Of Ice" Froi Cuenta
"Ice Cream" Ralph McDaniels
"Incarcerated Scarfaces" Ralph McDaniels
2000 "100 rounds"
2006 "Rap Killers" (feat Mink) J.G Biggs
"De 91 a Park Hill" (with Ol'Kainry) J.G Biggs
2009 "New Wu" Danny Hastings[35]
"House of Flying Daggers" Erick Sasso and Brian Wendelken
"Walk Wit Me" G. Visuals
"Have Mercy" Littles & Wilc
"Catalina" G. Visuals
"Surgical Gloves"
"Pyrex Vision" G. Visuals
2010 "Canal Street" LaMarck
"Ason Jones" Kris Kinetik
2011 "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang" Konee Rok

References

  1. ^ "Official Site of the Wu-Tang Clan". Wu-Tang Corp. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  2. ^ RZA, 2005, The Wu-Tang Manual, p. 18.
  3. ^ http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/32329/Raekwon-Only-Built-4-Cuban-Linx...-Pt-II/
  4. ^ http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_4.htm
  5. ^ http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/crossfade/2011/09/raekwon_the_chef_and_ghostface_rock_the_bells_miami.php
  6. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2007). "Wu-Tang Clan Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-09-18. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Wu-Tang Clan > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  8. ^ "Gold & Platinum – Wu-Tang Clan". RIAA. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  9. ^ a b Huey, Steve (2002). "Raekwon > Biography". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  10. ^ "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx > Overview". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  11. ^ "Allure Still Waiting To Meet Raekwon Despite Working Together". MTV News. 1998-03-26. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  12. ^ "Fat Joe Enlists Big Pun, Nas, Raekwon For Solo Album". MTV News. 1998-08-13. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  13. ^ Arnold, Paul W. (2007-07-27). "Raekwon: Hell's Kitchen". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2009-09-18. [dead link]
  14. ^ Music.com || Unexpected error
  15. ^ World's Best Source For That Ol' Boom Bap
  16. ^ Raekwon Announces EMI Record Deal - Video. WeLiveThis.com. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  17. ^ Raekwon and EMI Confirm Summer 2009 release for Only Built For Cuban Linx II. WeLiveThis.com. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
  18. ^ "Raekwon pushes back Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II album release date to September 8, 2009". WeLiveThis.com. Retrieved July 1, 2009. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  19. ^ Sparks, Marvin (2009-11-03). "Marvin Sparks x Raekwon interview". Marvin Sparks. Retrieved 22 November 2009.
  20. ^ "2009 HipHopDX Awards | Discussing Lil' Wayne, Drake & Many More Hip Hop Artists". HipHopDX. 2009-12-22. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  21. ^ "Raekwon On New Album: Ghost, Meth, Black Thought In; No RZA". VIBE. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  22. ^ Raekwon brings Nas, Eminem into his kitchen for new album
  23. ^ "Raekwon Raekwon making "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. III". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
  24. ^ a b c "Raekwon > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-09-18.
  25. ^ a b "American certifications – Raekwon". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2008-09-08.
  26. ^ Wu Massacre and E-40 Chart with Albums. Current.com. Retrieved on 2010-04-08.
  27. ^ Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 4/4/2010. HipHopDX. Retrieved on 2010-04-10.
  28. ^ Rap Albums: Week of April 17, 2010. Billboard. Retrieved on 2010-04-10.
  29. ^ NEWS: Ghostface Killah Still Reps The Wu-Block, "We'll Be On The Streets" SOHH.
  30. ^ a b c "AllMusic - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx > Charts & Awards > Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  31. ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (1995-01-14). "Bubbling Under Hot R&B Singles". Billboard. 107 (2): 19. {{cite journal}}: |author1= has generic name (help)
  32. ^ "Raekwon > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  33. ^ "Immobilarity > Charts & Awards > Singles". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  34. ^ Kanye Drops Track With Mos Def, Raekwon. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 2010-09-19.
  35. ^ "Raekwon – The New Wu". YouTube. EMI Music. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 22 November 2009.

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