raekwon Archives

Raekwon Flexes on a Hot Reggae Track & the Result is Straight Fire (Audio)

On his 46th birthday, Raekwon can be heard destroying the mic on a track that doesn't sound like much else that he's released over the course of his prolific career. The Wu-Tang Clan's resident Chef was last heard on Busta Rhyme's Christmas-Day mixtape, The Return Of The Dragon (The Abstract... Read more

January 12, 2016 Audio

Wu-Tang Clan Album Owner Martin Shkreli Details Conflict With RZA & Issues Warning.

Last week, reports emerged of the buyer-seller conflicts surrounding Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album. The seventh Clan LP, released as one single copy, was revealed to be purchased by controversial pharmaceutical mogul Martin Shkreli. Wu's abbot, RZA began to criticize the purchase after discovering the 32... Read more

December 16, 2015 News

Here Are The Top 10 Rap Albums of the 90s That You Determined. Get Ready For The 2000s…

Today (December 13) closes Round 2 of the 1990s bracket of Finding The GOAT Albums. With two battles coming down to a photo finish, this was the most dramatic march to the end thus far. You—the voter—definitively decided which 10 albums go forth to the final 32 albums across all... Read more

December 13, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Ghostface Killah’s Ironman vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

December 11, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) vs. Mobb Deep’s The Infamous. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

December 8, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Raekwon Politics On Classic Breakbeats In This 1995 Tim Westwood Freestyle (Audio)

Tim Westwood keeps his newly-established tradition of weekly freestyles going strong. Just over one month after sharing his 1995 Method Man freestyle (that would later become elements of some compilation work), the London DJ moves over to another 20 year-old freestyle from Chef Raekwon. Here, Rae' hops on Marley Marl's... Read more

December 3, 2015 Audio, Throwback

Method Man, Raekwon & Inspectah Deck Pop The Purple Tape Into 2015 (Video)

This summer, Method Man opened up his Meth Lab as the first release in nearly nine years. On the Tommy Boy Entertainment effort, Mr. Mef' made a standout cut in "Purple Tape." Although it's a Johnnie Blaze affair, Raekwon (the true "purple tape" architect) joins the fray, as does another... Read more

December 2, 2015 Video

One Wu-Tang Photographer Aims To Put The Clan In The Front (Video)

For more than 20 years, English photographer Eddie Otchere has been documenting the Wu-Tang Clan. His camera lens has captured the nine founding members, along with Cappadonna, who Eddie, an insider, considers a certified tenth. In 2016, Otchere hopes to create a Wu-themed photography exhibit in Brixton East, London. On... Read more

December 2, 2015 Video

Wu-Tang Clan’s “Once Upon A Time In Shaolin” Has Its Millionaire Buyer

More than a year and a half since fans learned of its existence, Wu-Tang Clan's Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album has reportedly sold. Following offers reportedly above the $5 million mark, the legendary Hip-Hop collective has found a buyer for the LP recorded in Morocco, and produced by... Read more

November 24, 2015 News

These 1990s Hip-Hop Albums Reach Round 2, With Two Battles Left To Be Decided

Beginning in September, Ambrosia For Heads returned to “Finding The GOAT,” our annual voting series that polls readers and fans to determine the Greatest Of All-Time. Following 2014-2015’s quest to use votes to determine the GOAT MC, we are asking readers to determine the greatest of all-time Hip-Hop album. “Finding... Read more

November 22, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) vs. De La Soul’s De La Soul Is Dead. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

November 16, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… vs. O.C.’s Word…Life. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

November 11, 2015 Finding the GOAT

An Attorney Is Seeking to Re-Open an Investigation of RZA & Raekwon For Murder

In 1999, two reported Staten Island, New York drug dealers, Jerome "Boo Boo" Estella and Corey "Shank Bank" Brooker were murdered in unrelated incidents. Two rival drug dealers, Anthony and Harvey Christian have been convicted of running a 20-year drug empire, as well as ordering the fatal Estrella attack. According... Read more

November 4, 2015 News

The Wait Is Over. Method Man’s First Album in 9 Years is Here (Album Stream)

Today, Method Man has released his first album in nine years. Though he has stayed active throughout with guest verses, Wu-Tang Clan projects and more, The Meth Lab is the first Method Man album since 2006's 4:21... The Day After. After an active campaign of singles, videos and even animated... Read more

August 21, 2015 Audio

If Raekwon Was a Super Hero, He Would Help People Help Themselves (Video)

"Give a person a fish and you feed him or her for a day. Teach a person to fish and you feed him or her for a lifetime." To many, Raekwon is already a super hero, at least as an MC. But, what would the Wu-Tang Clan veteran do if... Read more

August 11, 2015 Video

Method Man, Raekwon & Inspectah Deck Pay Homage To The Purple Tape Era (Audio)

Two weeks removed from The Meth Lab (August 21), Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man, Raekwon, and Inspectah Deck team up. Optimally timed, "Purple Tape" arrives following the 20-year anniversary of Rae's benchmark solo debut, which Meth' and Rebel I.N.S. both worked on as well. The 2015 track uses '95 as inspiration.... Read more

August 6, 2015 Audio

RZA Says That Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Made It Possible For Rick Ross To Be Cool

Hip-Hop has a long discography when it comes to albums themed around hustling. Iconic releases such as Jay Z's Reasonable Doubt, E-40's Federal, The Clipse's Lord Willin', and Young Jeezy's Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 are etched in the face of Rap history. However, 20 years past its birthday,... Read more

August 5, 2015 News

Don’t Wear Purple Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Sneakers On Rainy Dayz…

This past weekend, Raekwon's solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... celebrated its 20th anniversary. The Staten Island, New Yorker and co-founder of the Wu-Tang Clan released his Loud/RCA Records debut to Top 5 fanfare and an eventual gold plaque. Famously called "The Purple Tape," the RZA-produced effort was manufactured... Read more

August 5, 2015 Fresh

Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge’s Twelve Reasons To Die II Has A Vendetta (Album Stream)

Five days before its release, Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge have shared Twelve Reasons To Die II. The follow-up album to the 2013 Top 40 Soul Temple release is available through The New York Times' "Press Play" early listen feature. The July 10 Linear Labs Records release boasts appearances by RZA, Raekwon, Vince Staples, Scarub,... Read more

July 3, 2015 Fresh

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon Are Back To Back-And-Forth Character Raps (Audio)

Few MCs can break into character quite like Ghostface Killah and Raekwon the Chef. The two Staten Islanders, and Wu-Tang Clan lyrical mercenaries have played the parts of a man battling his diamond-encrusted watch, a just-released convict home after three years up-state, or adding to their favorite Martin Scorsese or... Read more

July 2, 2015 Audio

Imagine Classic Rap Records In A Vinyl Jukebox? It’s Happening (Video)

Regardless of whether it's a cocktail lounge or a dive-bar, jukeboxes have been a staple of nightlife for more than 80 years. Like a DJ or a curated playlist, these public vending machines are great ways to expose yourself and others to new music, while hearing exactly the music you... Read more

June 17, 2015 Throwback

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon Are In Vintage Form Over a Dusty Adrian Younge Track (Audio)

Ghostface Killah is hard at work on his third album in 12 months, fourth if his contributions on Wu-Tang Clan's A Better Tomorrow are counted. His latest project is the second installment of his acclaimed Twelve Reasons to Die series with artist and producer, Adrian Younge. Younge's reputation has grown... Read more

June 10, 2015 Audio

Lost Ones: How A Flood Destroyed Inspectah Deck’s RZA-Produced Solo Debut (Video)

Listen to Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Like, really listen hard. Then, listen to Wu-Tang Forever. All of it, both discs. Revisiting those 1990s Rap gems should not come as a menial task to many. However, the contents of those two Loud Records releases are rich soil for debate. Often... Read more

June 9, 2015 Food for Thought

Ghostface Killah Explains Why His Jay Z Collab Fell Through and Why He Won’t Release His Verse (Video)

Ghostface Killah is the Iron Man. That being said, even Tony Starks has his limits. When recently asked why his reported collaboration with Jay Z and Raekwon for 2013's "Heaven" fell through, Ghost admitted taking too long to get the verse to Jay. The song was originally slated to appear... Read more

May 28, 2015 Video

Ghostface Killah, Adrian Younge, Raekwon & RZA Offer Twelve More Reasons To Die (Audio)

Ghostface Killah seemingly does not stop. Now in his mid-forties, the Staten Island, New York "wally champ" is looking at his fourth album in less than nine months. To kick off the new week, the Wu-Tang Clan member announced a sequel to 2013's Twelve Reasons To Die. Planned for July,... Read more

May 18, 2015 Audio

Canibus Hosts An All-Star Track With Raekwon, Kurupt & Craig G (Audio)

Canibus is a well-connected lyricist. For his just-released Time Flys, Life Dies...Phoenix Rise album (with producer Bronze Nazareth), 'Bis brought in his troops. From the HRSMN collective (f/k/a 4 Horsemen), Canibus taps Kurupt for "The Kings Sent For Me." Along with the HRSMN link, an MC who influenced Canibus' ferocious... Read more

May 15, 2015 Audio

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Take The Purple Tape Anniversary Celebration On The Road

On August 1, Raekwon's solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... turns 20 years old. The gold-certified RCA/Loud Records release is acclaimed for its intricate lyricism, groundbreaking lexicon, and gritty RZA production. With its "co-starring" credit going to Ghostface Killah (who followed one year later with his own acclaimed solo... Read more

May 12, 2015 News

Raekwon & Snoop Dogg Are Still B-Boys, Celebrating Hip-Hop’s Elements (Video)

Raekwon and Snoop Dogg may be in Rap's ruling elite. However, these early 1990s alums still capture the music as they fell in love with it. "1,2 1,2" is a standout moment from The Chef's just-released F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art). Produced by Get Busy Committee's Scoop Deville, the Isaac... Read more

May 11, 2015 Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Raekwon Discusses His New Album & Wu-Tang Clan’s Complicated History With Ice-T (Audio)

In his recent Final Level Podcast episode (#34) Ice-T (joined by co-host Mick Benzo) welcomes Raekwon to the show. The Wu-Tang Clan co-founder previously made an appearance in Ice's touted Hip-Hop documentary Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap. The podcast begins with small-talk, as the three discuss their favorite sports teams,... Read more

May 4, 2015 Audio

Raekwon Breaks Down the Lyrics to Criminology & Details Some of Its True Stories (Video)

Raekwon sat down with DJ Booth as part of their "Inside The Verse" series and broke down the lyrics to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx's "Criminology." Rather than a standard word for word dissection of the song, Rae' chose select bars and talked about some of the realities on which... Read more

April 30, 2015 Throwback

Whatever Happened to That Jay Z & Raekwon Collaboration? Raekwon Speaks (Video)

Back in May of 2013, a photo of Jay Z and Raekwon in the studio leaked and set the Internet ablaze. The instagram photo was released prior to the announcement of Jay Z's Magna Carta Holy Grail album, leaving Heads to speculate wildly about what Hov and The Chef might... Read more

April 29, 2015 Video

Mobb Deep’s Infamous 20 Years Later is Still 1 of Hip-Hop’s Grittiest Classics (Food For Thought)

In the late 1980s, artists like Just-Ice, ScHoolly D, the Geto Boys, N.W.A., Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, and Public Enemy started testing the power of their words, profane and dense alike. The human condition was explored, and Hip-Hop planted a flag in the ground that stated—to quote Ice... Read more

April 25, 2015 Food for Thought, Throwback

The People Talk to Raekwon About Ice Cream on YouTube. The Chef Talks Back (Video)

It's been a long 20 years, but Raekwon's "Ice Cream" is still cold. The Wu-Tang Clan posse cut celebrating the ethnic diversity of female fans remains a popular draw on YouTube. Chef Rae joins Noisey to respond to some thirsty comments from the video site. Comments range from the deep,... Read more

April 23, 2015 Video

Raekwon Performs a New Song on Revolt Live (Video)

Raekwon kept busy last year with his Throwback Thursday Freestyle series and the A Better Tomorrow album with Wu-Tang Clan. It's been four years, however, since the Chef released a solo studio album. All that will change later this month when Rae releases F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art). Raekwon stopped... Read more

April 16, 2015 Video

Raekwon & Ghostface Take the 2015 Coachella Stage and Rock Like Veterans (Video)

The first weekend of the 2015 Coachella Festival is taking place this weekend in Indio, CA. The stages and tents will be filled with performers and DJs all weekend long, but fans got a real treat earlier today when Raekwon and Ghostface Killah rocked a 30+ minute set filled with... Read more

April 11, 2015 Video

Lloyd Banks Sounds Like He Was Built to Flow on This Raekwon Classic (Audio)

Lloyd Banks is on a mission with these takeovers of classic 90s Hip-Hop beats. After rocking out over Black Moon's "How Many MCs" earlier in the week, Banks serves up some icy cold lyrics over the "Criminology" beat RZA concocted for Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx second single. Banks,... Read more

April 10, 2015 Audio

DJ Kay Slay’s New Mixtape Features Big K.R.I.T., Freeway, Styles P, Raekwon & More (Mixtape)

After several hot leaks over the last few months, DJ Kay Slay releases his latest mixtape, The Industry Purge. The project features a host of guest MCs, including, Raekwon, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., Jon Connor, Freeway, Lil Fame, Young Buck, Sheek Louch, Papoose, Chris Rivers, Locksmith, Troy Ave and more.... Read more

April 8, 2015 Mixes

Raekwon & Snoop Dogg Sound Illustrious In This F.I.L.A.-Fresh Moment (Audio)

Raekwon laces his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxury Art) with a smashing look from the April 28 release. Reuniting with Snoop Dogg, Chef marinates a Scoop Deville chop of Isaac Hayes, with a medley of dope drums for "1,2 1,2." While both Rae' and Snoop have found success throughout their career... Read more

April 7, 2015 Audio

Ever See This Early 90s 8-Minute Wu-Tang Clan Cypher? You Should…(Video)

When rhymes are razor sharp, there's no need for a track, a beat or even a hand clap. Wu-Tang Clan make that abundantly clear in this eight minute, a cappella cypher from their days in the early 90s. Video Fusion caught up with The Clan in what looks to be... Read more

March 28, 2015 Throwback

Does Raekwon’s F.I.L.A. Have New Direction? The Tracklist & Personnel Say A Lot

Since 2009's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II, Raekwon the Chef has found a revival in acclaim, chart position, and in feature work. The Staten Island, New York MC veteran went backwards to go forwards, transitioning poor marks in sales and reviews in 2003's The Lex Diamond Story into giving... Read more

March 16, 2015 News

Raekwon Needs Help Finishing The Purple Tape Film. Hip-Hop Stand Up (Video)

Back in January, Raekwon debuted a trailer for what looks like an amazing documentary celebrating the 20th anniversary of his classic album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...guest starring Ghostface Killah as Tony Starks. The Purple Tape Files film features Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, U-God, Xzibit, DJ Muggs (of Cypress... Read more

March 9, 2015 News

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of February 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February had less days, but it was not short on good music. The tight four weeks brought new songs from Kendrick Lamar, Ghostface Killah, Scarface, Method Man, Redman, Talib Kweli, Logic, Big K.R.I.T., Slum Village, Rah Digga, Action Bronson, Kanye West, Cannibal Ox, Drake, GZA, Fashawn, Nas,... Read more

March 4, 2015 Audio

Raekwon Explains Ghostface’s Biggie Diss on The Purple Tape. Goes Deep on Wu History (Video)

After more than 20 years in Hip-Hop, Raekwon has some stories...lots of them. He sat down with Sway and had as deep of a conversation as you will ever hear from the Wu-Tang Clan killer bee. The OGs covered a lot of ground, starting with how the Wu changed the... Read more

February 28, 2015 Video

Raekwon Goes Wall to Wall with Busta Rhymes & French Montana (Audio)

After releasing twenty-one freestyles over Soul classics last year, as part of his Throwback Thursday series, Raekwon is gearing for a new solo album. The LP is titled F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxury Art) and the latest single, "Wall to Wall," features guest appearances from French Montana and a typically animated... Read more

February 23, 2015 Audio

Raekwon, Styles P, Sheek Louch & Vado Line Up The Lyrics For DJ Kay Slay (Audio)

DJ Kay Slay's Rolodex weighs a ton, and the Hip-Hop mainstay is never afraid to use it. The Drama King "declares war" calling in 2/3 of The LOX, along with Raekwon, Vado, and Rell. "I Declare War" is four MCs, one singer, and an iconic mixmaster/radio personality. Coming from The... Read more

February 19, 2015 Audio

Do Remember: Fat Joe, Nas, Big Pun, Raekwon & Jadakiss’ John Blaze (Video)

1998 was a critical turning point for Fat Joe. Two albums deep, the Bronx, New Yorker had made Represent and Jealous Ones Envy with the hardcore Hip-Hop Head in mind and in spirit. With Joe's brazen delivery, sharp cadence, and keen ear for intricate sample-based production, he had risen the... Read more

January 29, 2015 Throwback

Ghostface Killah & Raekwon Perform Daytona 500 at Vice’s 20th Anniversary Party (Video)

It's been a big couple of days for Wu-Tang Clan fans. Yesterday (1/25), Ghostface Killah celebrated the 15th anniversary of his Supreme Clientele album and, over the weekend, Raekwon and Ghostface premiered the trailer for The Purple Tape Files, a forthcoming documentary on the making of The Chef's Only Built... Read more

January 26, 2015 Video

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Premiere the Trailer for a Documentary on The Purple Tape (Video)

Nas' Illmatic was not the only Hip-Hop classic worthy of a documentary. Over the weekend at The Sundance Film Festival, a trailer was premiered for The Purple Tape Files, a forthcoming film about the making of Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., guest starring Ghostface Killah as Tony Starks. The... Read more

January 26, 2015 Throwback

Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon A Time In Shaolin Going To January Online Auction

Even after a reported (by RZA) $5 million offer, the Wu-Tang Clan wants to see if their guarded, completed album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin can draw more interest. Dazed Digital reports that the Clansmen will take the single-copy LP, recorded in Marrakesh, Morocco, produced by Cilvaringz, will appear... Read more

January 13, 2015 Fresh