Raekwon

Raekwon (born Corey Woods, January 12, 1970, Brooklyn, New York) is an African American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Though not as well known as other Wu-Tang members like Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard or RZA, his 1995 album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is widely considered to be one of the best Wu-Tang solo albums, and one of the finest and most influential hip hop albums of the 1990s.

Biography

Raekwon joined the Wu-Tang Clan in time to participate on Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), the group's massively successful debut. He later signed a solo deal with Loud Records and released his first solo LP, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (originally to be titled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Niggaz) in 1995 to rave reviews, though the album's sales were sluggish. Working with Ghostface Killah, Raekwon's solo album is widely considered to be one of the masterpieces of rap in the 1990s (it was one of 16 hip hop albums in Pitchfork Media's Best Albums Of The 90s Redux list as well as one of 33 hip hop/R&B albums in Rolling Stone's Essential Recordings Of The 90s list, while Stylus Magazine called it one of the greatest hip-hop LPs ever http://www.stylusmagazine.com/review.php?ID=1566, Allhiphop.com calls it "incredible" http://www.allhiphop.com/features/?ID=306 and fellow rapper Busta Rhymes regards it as "one of the best albums ever" http://www.allhiphop.com/hiphopnews/?ID=4201), and it is still remembered by many fans as perhaps the greatest Wu-Tang solo LP thus far (the All Music Guide calls it "a serious contender" for that title). Raekwon's storytelling abilities on tracks such as Spot Rusherz led to many a comparison with Kool G Rap, and the album as a whole is often credited for popularizing the use of Mafia and gangster movie motifs in rap music. Raekwon participated on Wu-Tang Forever with the rest of the group, and then released Immobilarity in 1999, to somewhat more mixed reviews than Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Many fans disliked his decision to use inexperienced, up-and-coming producers rather than the Wu-Tang's in-house producers, though the album went gold. Raekwon is also featured heavily on Ghostface Killah's albums Ironman, Supreme Clientele and Bulletproof Wallets, as well as featuring on high-profile singles from Fat Joe (John Blaze) and Outkast {Skew It On The Bar-B).

Related Topics:
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - Loud Records - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Ghostface Killah - 1990s - Pitchfork Media - Rolling Stone - Busta Rhymes - All Music Guide - Kool G Rap - Wu-Tang Forever - Immobilarity - 1999 - Gold - Ironman - Supreme Clientele - Bulletproof Wallets - Fat Joe - Outkast

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His most recent album, The Lex Diamond Story, was released on December 13, 2003, on the Universal Records label, to mixed reviews (generally lukewarm critical reviews and wildly varying public reviews) and moderate success. Raekwon's success has given him the chance to branch into business, become a Creative Officer of a major label and begin the creation of his own hip-hop team, Ice Water Inc. He plans to release the long-delayed sequel, Cuban Linx II in 2005, to be executive produced by Busta Rhymes & featuring contributions from Dr. Dre (it has been confirmed he has produced two tracks for the album). Cuban Linx II will be preceded by two singles: one solo track and one featuring an unannounced guest lineup from the Clan.

Related Topics:
The Lex Diamond Story - December 13 - 2003 - Universal Records - 2005 - Busta Rhymes - Dr. Dre

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~