Published: Wednesday - January 12, 2005
Words by Matt Barone
Raekwon (Photo: BallerStatus (file))
As 2004's comes to a close, the New Year is set to usher in the next chapter of hip-hop's steadily growing history books. Flip back through the pages of the culture's 1995 section, though, and one album will stand out as a true rap classic, Wu-Tang Clan's master chef Raekwon's seminal masterpiece of Mafioso influence and New York City street logic, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Along with the album's co-pilot Ghostface Killah, Raekwon took listeners on a revolutionary trip, featuring rap's first full-scale exercises in Gambino-styled verses that were deeply rooted in the urban psyche. Shortly after its release, artists the likes of Nas and Jay-Z began adopting the Mafia slant into their music, clearly as a result of Raekwon's Cuban Linx.
While that album's influence still carries on today, Raekwon has endured through the skepticism and constant nostalgia that Cuban Linx indirectly brought with it. His 1999 sophomore effort, Immobilarity, was received with heavy criticism, attacking the record's lack of Rza production and Wu-Tang assistance. In 2003, his third solo disc, The Lex Diamond Story, was met with more positive reception, yet fans still let their disappointments be known, yearning for a return to the sounds heard on Cuban Linx.
With a Wu-Tang Greatest Hits album, as well as the Clan's recent reunion concert, accompanying DVD and live CD, bringing the Wu back into hip-hop's short attention span, the time is right for Raekwon to release his next dose of potent mind spray. He's currently cooking up his next solo project, which he promises will give his famished die-hard fans the 1995 vintage meal they have been craving for the past decade. Details on the album's features and angles are being kept quiet for now, but one thing is for sure: Raekwon seems more focused than ever these days, dedicated to proving to the youth that this veteran's day of redemption is truly near.
(This interview was conducted before the unfortunate passing of Russell Jones, aka Ol' Dirty Bastard.)
Ballerstatus.com: Back in 1995 when Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was released, the album had such a huge impact on rap music, and it's influence is still felt today. But, it seems like that album isn't recognized as widely as it should be. Do you feel like Cuban Linx is give its proper acknowledgement?
Raekwon: Absolutely. That's like a street Bible. You had your early 80's cats talking about what we were talking about on that album, but the way we were expressing it, n----s was broke rich. It just shows that on the creativity side, you can go wherever you want to go, as long as you are representing self. I think that's what we were doing. We were just bringing a side to it that people were able to adapt to and be able to respect. It just happened to have the swagger on it that I guess 85% of the game is wanting to live. That album is incredible, man.
Ballerstatus.com: Do you think the younger audience really understands what that album is about?
Raekwon: Nah, not the younger audience. Each generation acquires its own type of audience. I think, around our time, it was the time when people were really growing up. You had Puffy, he was a young dude then doing what he was doing. You had many young guys who weren't even over the age of 25 that were respecting the principles on how to do things. Other kids that didn't grow up with that kind of spoon in their hand can't identify with things the way we can. It's like how we can't identify with older people on how they love their soul music, but the one who respect soul music, can identify. So, it's to each his own.
Ballerstatus.com: How about within the industry? Do younger artists ever approach you and show love to the influence you've had on them?
Raekwon: A lot of my peers respect what I did. Like I said, I'm only just coming from that era which is a golden era to me, because of all the sh-- we done been through. We get a lot of salutes behind that, 'cause I think a lot of people can identify. I think it's just all about being real. I'm the same way; I'll big a n---- up to if I think he did something that I can relate to to the fullest. So, we get that a lot.
Ballerstatus.com: These days, you're working on this new album that people are hoping can bring back the sound you had on Cuban Linx. Can you talk about this new project?
Raekwon: It's going to be an exciting album. This is the album that everybody is so-called "waiting for." Right now, I'm not even going political with this one. It's going to be what it is, and I don't want to let the press know too much about it yet. When it drops, though, just be ready. You know how I get down, and I will be servicing the airwaves and throwing little hints out to the people. It's coming, though, so just be ready. I'm working real hard, man.
Ballerstatus.com: Your last two albums have been met with mixed reactions, with loyal fans appreciating them and others feeling disappointed that they don't measure up to your past work. How do you feel when people constantly compare each of your albums to Cuban Linx?
Raekwon: It gets annoying sometimes because can be really fickle, and they don't know what they really want. Generations are changing, and people getting older and audiences are getting younger. I guess when you make something so great, you're going to always have that challenge. To me, though, it's just another stone that I'm going to throw. I take it in good stride, 'cause it only brings the best out of me. I try not to really worry about how people are going to accept me anymore. At the end of the day, my respect is still overwhelming.
Ballerstatus.com: Is there still a possibility for a Raekwon and Ghostface album?
Raekwon: Ghost and I talk about it. We're definitely both excited to work with one another on that level again. It's going to happen. That's what he told me. You know from my side it's gotta happen, but for his side, he agreed. It's supposed to be like that. So, people are going to get it. They're going to get their food, man. [Laughs]
Ballerstatus.com: Finally, do you think New York will be able to take control of the rap game again? Back when Wu-Tang first came out, New York was dominating, but these days, the South has the strongest hold on the game.
Raekwon: I think people just gotta respect what it is and root for your men to win. There is too much criticism going on, where it is out of control now. People are having bad logic on it. I think right now people just really gotta respect what dudes do, and be willing to open their eyes to it. It's like, sometimes motherf---ers are too caught up with the "back in the days" of it. You got to respect that there a lot of niggas that still make it go down in New York, and their rhyme games are still up to par. It's just about the music. Try to get where a n---- is coming from. Not only with myself, but with whoever. You can't give up on the greatest. That's like me saying I'm gonna give up on Rakim. I'm never gonna give up on Rakim, 'cause first, he's an icon. He is something to me in my life. I think for everybody's greatest artist in New York City, if you respect them, then you got to keep them alive. That's how I see it. Just keep the faith in the real niggas, man. Real niggas are still around.
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