raekwon Archives

Listen to Over 170 of the Best Hip-Hop Songs of 2014 in One Playlist (Audio)

2014 was an incredibly diverse year for Hip-Hop, musically and thematically. Many of the sounds that have dominated airwaves and web streams remained, but something returned that had been missing from the culture for quite some time: the voice of the people. In a year that saw more unrest in... Read more

January 5, 2015 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Stream and Download More Than 35 of the Best Mixtapes of 2014 (Mixtapes)

2014 was a year of incredibly diverse mixtape offerings. There were amazing blend projects like Yasiin Gaye which combined Mos and Marvin, beat-jacking tapes like Jon Connor's amazing takeover of Kanye West tracks, albums in disguise like Travi$ Scott's Days Before Rodeo, remix wonders like Soul Cookin's complete re-imagination of... Read more

December 29, 2014 Mixes

Capone-N-Noreaga Reunite With Tragedy Khadafi, Join Raekwon For Flame-Thrower (Audio)

For fans of that militant Queens, New York Hip-Hop, December has been mighty healthy. First Tragedy Khadafi released Pre Magnum Opus, a street album available in full, free stream. Then, Tragedy's star pupils of the mid-1990s, Capone-N-Noreaga revamp their Thugged Out Militainment roster and imprint, and release the digital compilation... Read more

December 27, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Noisey Releases The Biggest Posse Cut Ever Featuring More Than 35 Rappers (Video)

In the quest to put together the ultimate posse cut, Noisey assembled 35+ rappers in Los Angeles, Atlanta and New York for a series of verses to be fused into one song. After seeding verses in pieces for the last few weeks, they have now released the full 42 minute... Read more

December 18, 2014 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Hope for A Better Tomorrow Against a Backdrop of Visual Chaos (Video)

Wu-Tang Clan's "A Better Tomorrow" could not have come at a more relevant time. The group's song about social injustice is the perfect soundtrack to one of the most tumultuous times in American history in the last decade. Set against a backdrop of visual footage from protests for Michael Brown,... Read more

December 6, 2014 Video

Wu-Tang Clan Give Thanks to Fans with a Free Stream of A Better Tomorrow (Audio)

After many fits and starts, squabbles and squashes, Wu-Tang Clan put their differences aside and have come together to release their first album in 7 years. A Better Tomorrow hits stores on Tuesday, but the Wu are giving thanks to fans on Thanksgiving by releasing a full stream of the... Read more

November 27, 2014 Audio

Raekwon Slices Off A Piece Of The New Dej Loaf Single In A Freestyle (Audio)

Chef Raekwon is far from resigned in giving Heads some mid-week freestyle looks. While it was '70s, '80s, and '90s Pop-R&B earlier in the calendar, Rae' is now about the hot street records from new voices. After he and Ghostface Killah gave Troy Ave the nod, Shallah takes aim at... Read more

November 26, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Still Built For Cuban Links…Wu-Tang Clan Dedicates A Cut To The Necklaces (Audio)

Although they sometimes don't get due credit for it, the Wu-Tang Clan are masters of jewelry Rap. It can be easy to forget that Ghostface Killah famously battled his watch (voiced as Raekwon) 15 years ago. The Chef also dedicated his two most revered solo LPs to those who appreciated... Read more

November 19, 2014 Audio, Fresh

30 Of Your Favorite Rappers Are Getting Together On One Track (Video)

Just days after the Shady cXVpher rattled the Hip-Hop nation, traveling to five locations to film one grandiose, show-stopping cypher, a new trend in Hip-Hop may be on the rise. Noisey/VICE have announced Rap Monument. With a trailer released, this video plans to combine 30 artists in their element, for... Read more

November 18, 2014 Fresh, Video

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Like Troy Ave & Hop On His Hit For A Remix (Audio)

With Troy Ave's latest hometown hit "All About The Money" getting that Tristate burn, two of New York City's living Rap legends admired. While Raekwon's collaborative cosign of Brooklyn's BSB MC goes back a ways, Heads know how rare those Ghostface Killah looks can be. As a true nod of... Read more

November 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Following Raekwon, Inspectah Deck Makes A Heartfelt Soul-Inspired Tape (Mixtape)

After Raekwon eloquently concluded his "TBT" R&B/Soul/Pop tribute series with a mixtape, We Wanna Thank You, another Wu-Tang Clan member is paying homage to the soulful songs of yesteryear. Inspectah Deck made Cynthia's Son, a mixtape reworking, sampling, and tapping into songs favored by the Bronx, New York MC's late... Read more

November 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Grafh Makes One Of His Hardest Joints In Years, Alongside Raekwon & Vado (Audio)

Grafh has been a New York City street Rap mainstay for more than a dozen years. Backed and supported by folks like Chaz Williams and Black Hand Entertainment as well as DJ Kay Slay, Grafh has had trusted ears and power-players in his corner. On "Walk In New York," Heads... Read more

November 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of October 2014 (Audio)

October yielded some of the hardest Hip-Hop of the year. Whether it was seasonal, Mercury in retrograde or something in the water, MCs brought their A-games. Here's a playlist of some of the best music of the month. You'll hear tracks from Redman, Big K.R.I.T., Logic, The Lox, Rah Digga,... Read more

November 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage

Get The Sum Of Raekwon’s Soul/R&B 21-Song TBT Series (Mixtape)

For 20 straight weeks, Raekwon the Chef sliced up some of his personal favorite R&B/Soul/Pop delicacies. Rae' left the vocals in tact on songs from the '70s, '80s, '90s, and a tip-toe of 2000s as he hopped on the tracks and proved that he could get a lil' Ghostdeini himself.... Read more

October 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Mixes

Raekwon Gets A Twofer, Honoring Big Bub & Deniece Williams (Audio)

After 20 wonderful weeks, Raekwon closes down his TBT series with a two-fer. Chef heats up Big Bub's cover of The Commodores' "Zoom," and, after, blesses Denice Williams' "Free." These are simple and smooth opportunities for the Staten Island star to truly paint pictures with words, while breaking down his... Read more

October 30, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Wu-Tang Clan Has A History Of Iconic Artwork. How’s A Better Tomorrow Stack Up?

Wu-Tang Clan's album artwork, collectively and as individually artists, has been that of pop culture. Re-popularized on t-shirts, posters, and the like, the images of the New York Rap collective are as timeless as the verses from RZA and the family. It's been revealed that W.T.C's sixth album, A Better... Read more

October 28, 2014 Fresh

Raekwon Phone Taps Into Some Faith Evans & Carl Thomas Heat (Audio)

Raekwon's TBT series rolls on, with an early '00s tilt. Chef looks to Faith Evans & Carl Thomas' "Can't Believe," which is not even his first Faith nod. The song notably swacked the basis of the beat to The Firm's "Phone Tap," made by Rae's friends and collaborators Nas, AZ,... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Throws Back To Mary J. Blige’s My Life Throwback, All Night Long (Audio)

In the late 2014 canon of Raekwon #TBTs (now 18 of them), this remixed rendition of Mary J. Blige's "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" just might be the most fitting. Released 20 years ago next month from My Life, the Puff Daddy & Chucky Thompson-produced cut was in itself a... Read more

October 16, 2014 Audio, Fresh

LL Cool J is in Ripper Mode With Raekwon & Murda Mook on I’m Nice (Video)

LL Cool J's "I'm Nice," featuring Raekwon, Murda Mook and Ron Browz was a return to form for the 30-year veteran. LL is in full Jack the Ripper mode as he, Rae and Mook take turns lacing the grimy cut. Check out the video. Related: LL Cool J Showcases Some... Read more

October 11, 2014 Video

Raekwon Takes on the O’Jay’s Backstabbers for Throwback Thursday (Audio)

For his latest Throwback Thursdays release, Raekwon takes on The O'Jays' "Backstabbers." Rae attacks the soulful classic with aggression, speeding up to near double-time to stay in the pocket. Check it out. Related: Raekwon Flows Over Some Vintage Amerie For This Throwback Thursday (Audio)... Read more

October 9, 2014 Audio

DJ Green Lantern Makes a Soulful EDM Remix of Wu-Tang Clan’s C.R.E.A.M. (Audio)

Wu-Tang Clan and EDM? Sounds nuts, right? DJ Green Lantern takes their classic, C.R.E.A.M., and remixes it to the fullest. He preserves the soulfulness of the original sample (in some ways heightening it) and sprinkles in key soundbites from the hook and verses. The similarity stops there, though. He also... Read more

October 8, 2014 Audio

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop to Drop in September 2014 (Audio)

As we ease into October, here's a look back at some of the amazing music that came out in September 2014. You'll hear songs from DJ Quik, Nas, The Lox, Schoolboy Q, Common, Jay Electronica, MC Lyte, Childish Gambino, Raekwon, Logic, Rapsody, Yelawolf, Diamond D, Elzhi, Talib Kweli, Nature, Rick... Read more

October 7, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

RZA, Raekwon & Ghostface Speak on How They Worked Out Their Differences (Video)

Last Winter, Wu-Tang Clan, specifically Raekwon and RZA, had some very public disagreements. Raekwon in particular lobbed some very vitriolic words toward RZA about the status of Wu-Tang Clan's new music and his concerns about how the Wu brand was being represented. Rae even went as far as to say... Read more

October 3, 2014 Video

Finding The GOAT: Raekwon vs. Black Thought…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 3, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback

Raekwon Flows Over Some Vintage Amerie For This Throwback Thursday (Audio)

Raekwon continues his Throwback Thursday series with a verse over Amerie's "Why Don't We Fall in Love." Rae falls right in the pocket of Rich Harrison's B-Boy production. Check it out. Related: Heard it All Before? Not With a Raekwon Verse…(Audio)... Read more

October 2, 2014 Audio

RZA Says Wu-Tang Clan’s A Better Tomorrow Album Due In November

According to a new interview with Billboard, RZA says that Wu-Tang Clan's first studio album in more than seven years will be for sale next month. The Abbott of the Wu told Billboard's Eric K. Arnold that A Better Tomorrow will release on November 28, which is the retail holiday... Read more

October 1, 2014 Fresh

Heard it All Before? Not With a Raekwon Verse…(Audio)

How fresh is Raekwon's Throwback Thursday series of freestyles over R&B and soul gems? The Chef has been cooking these up for several weeks, taking on Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, The Gap Band, Faith Evans and many more. This week's installment features the sultry tones of Sunshine Anderson. Check out... Read more

September 25, 2014 Audio

Raekwon Revisits Stevie Wonder on His Throwback Thursday Hey Love Freestyle (Video)

From De La Soul to Kwame, MCs have gravitated toward Stevie Wonder's classic, "Hey Love." So, it's not altogether surprising that Raekwon has chosen the sweet and soulful ditty for his latest Throwback Thursday freestyle. Check out Rae's take on the timeless track below. What throwback would you like to... Read more

September 18, 2014 Audio

Raekwon Has Faith In The Way You Used To Love Me (Audio)

Raekwon slides into the early '90s for this week's #TBT (his 13th overall) with Faith Evans' breakthrough 1995 single, "You Used To Love Me." Rae sounds slick on the Puff Daddy & Chucky Thompson-produced gold single, with a cocky verse about livin' good, and spoilin' the apple of his eyes.... Read more

September 11, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of August 2014 (Audio)

August was a banner month for Hip-Hop. Not only was there good music but several artists used their talents to speak out against the killing of Michael Brown and the events that transpired in Ferguson, MO. Though the Summer is fading, the heat generated from the music in August lingers.... Read more

September 6, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage

Ghostface Killah Recalls Recording The Purple Tape During A Mix (Audio)

Getting Ghostface Killah to sit down and give a proper interview is no easy feat. The folks at Red Bull Music Academy succeeded though, getting him to sit through their Fireside Chat series. The Staten Island, New York MC gets incredibly open about his youth, poverty, and the famed Stapleton... Read more

September 5, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Flips Birds As They Appear On This Close To You Cover (Audio)

Do these Raekwon #TBT's keep getting more interesting or what? This week, The Chef heats up Gwen Guthrie's (Rest In Peace) 1986 cover of "(They Long To Be) Close To You." With that signature mid-'80s studio percussion and some flinty vocals, this rendition sounds like it could be a Lex... Read more

September 4, 2014 Audio, Fresh

It’s A Jackson 5 & Beatles Affair In Raekwon’s Latest Throwback (Audio)

Raekwon is quietly getting more and more creative with his Throwbacks on Thursdays. This week, Chef makes dessert with "Got To Be There/The Girl Is Mine." Within this look, Rae' looks into two different decades of Michael Jackson impact. Verbalizin' on Michael Jackson's 1972 Top 5 charting solo hit "Got... Read more

August 28, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Whips Up Another Throwback With The Funky I’ll Be Good (Audio)

Raekwon is back on his Throwback Thursday tip with his latest single, "I'll Be Good." The Wu-Tang clan affiliate spits his verse, albeit a quick one, about a murder in the streets over the soulful, funky single of the same name from René & Angela's 1985 Platinum album, A Street... Read more

August 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Is Yearning For Your Love (Audio)

Keeping in line with his recent Throwback Thursday series and his penchant for love ballads, the Wu-Tang Clan's own Raekwon takes apart a single from The Gap Band with "Yearning For Your Love." Raekwon seems to be in his element with these soul centered cuts, as he's previously attached himself... Read more

August 14, 2014 Audio, Fresh

In The Lineage Of I Shot Ya & 4,3,2,1, LL Cool J Makes I’m Nice (Audio)

Every few years, LL Cool J really drops the gloves on 'em. The onetime Def Jam Records pioneer built his career on the kind of bravado that took on all challengers in the mid-1980s. As LL's base grew to truly celebrate the fact that "Ladies Love" Cool J something special,... Read more

August 13, 2014 Audio, Fresh

DJ Doo Wop Releases Mixtapes Not Dead Pt. 2: This is Anarchy (Mixtape)

DJ Doo Wop has released part 2 of his Mixtapes Not Dead series. Like the first installment, this is primarily a compilation of recent releases from the likes of Rah Digga, M.O.P., Scarface, Cormega, Redman, Action Bronson, Cam'ron, Raekwon, Lil Kim and more. There are also choice exclusives like AZ's... Read more

August 8, 2014 Mixes

Raekwon Tells A Love Story Over Fantastia’s When I See U (Audio)

With the Wu-Tang Clan, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah have historically had a penchant for storytelling, especially surrounding matters of the heart. As Raekwon's "TBT" Throwback Thursday series evolves, the Staten Island supreme lyricist has hopped on a variety of love songs, ranging from Luther Vandross backdrops, to those of Teena... Read more

August 7, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Wu-Tang Clan Opens Up For The Daily Show, Then Premiers Ron O’Neal (Videos)

UPDATED with the recorded version of "Ron O'Neal" below. Jon Stewart presses all eight living members about the Wu-Tang Clan reunion (which isn't a reunion at all, technically speaking) for A Better Tomorrow. Interestingly enough, "The Daily Show" host directs some of the most pressing questions to Raekwon, regarding the... Read more

August 7, 2014 Fresh, Video

Members Of Wu-Tang Clan, Terror Squad & Four Horsemen In Animation (Video)

Fresh off of producing ONYX's WakeDaFucUp, German crew the Snowgoons got to work on "Wulocks," a video single by Aspects, featuring Raekwon, Killah Priest, and Geddy (f/k/a Armageddon). Boasting ties to Wu-Tang Clan, Terror Squad, and Sunz Of Man/Four Horsemen, this star-studded lineup from August 29's Grind Over Matter gets... Read more

August 2, 2014 Fresh, Video

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2014 (Audio)

July brought the heat in Hip-Hop, including new music from Jeezy & Jay Z, Black Thought, Raekwon, G-Unit, Rah Digga, Q-Tip, Cormega, Wale, "Your Old Droog," Elzhi, Chubb Rock, KRS-One, Big K.R.I.T., Wiz Khalifa, Common, Dilated Peoples, Souls of Mischief, Scarface and more. Check out a playlist of the Best... Read more

August 2, 2014 Audio, Featured-homepage, Playlists

Raekwon The Chef Reheats Some Luther Vandross Flawlessly (Audio)

Fresh off of sharing his Top 5 all-time (non Wu-Tang Clan) MCs, Raekwon is right back to his #ThrowbackThursday push. This time, Rae covers the late Luther Vandross' 1988 joint, "For You To Love." With a smooth-style beat that might suit Chef's homie MF DOOM, the Staten Island lyricist sets... Read more

July 31, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Who are the Top 5 Rappers of All Time? Raekwon Names His (Video)

There's nothing quite like a conversation at the barber shop. Raekwon sits down with GQ for a little sharp shop talk. He speaks on his new album (Snoop has a verse), the $5MM Wu-Tang Clan album, what the age limit should be for a rapper and more. He also names... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

Raekwon Gives More Soulful Love on Throwback Thursday (Audio)

Raekwon's Throwback Thursday series has quickly become a weekly highlight. Today, the Chef releases another soulful treat--a quick verse on Sylvia Striplin’s “Give Me Your Love”. Check it out. Related: Raekwon Makes A Spinner On Could It Be I’m Falling In Love (Audio)... Read more

July 24, 2014 Audio

View The Evolution Of Cormega In Mega Philosophy (Album Stream)

In merely a few hours, New York's own Cormega will officially release his LP, Mega Philosophy, to the masses July 22. Take a listen to MARS (Dream Team), featuring AZ, Redman and Styles P, below. The 11 track project itself, which is streaming for free on DJBooth, is entirely produced... Read more

July 21, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Makes A Spinner On Could It Be I’m Falling In Love (Audio)

Raekwon's love of '70s and '80s Soul/R&B continues in the "Throwback Thursday" thematic series. After working with Rose Royce, Horace Brown, The Isley Brothers and Teena Marie, The Chef chops down some bars over The Spinners' 1973 seductive serenade "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love?" for his fifth installment.... Read more

July 17, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Vibes Out Overtop A Teena Marie Classic (Audio)

While Lauryn, Pras, and Wyclef gave Teena Marie's '80s jam "Ooo La La" a classic brush-up back in 1996, another early '90s alum had to carry on tradition. Raekwon's recent rhyming over yesteryear's R&B hits continues, as he flexes his mandible on Teena's 1988 #1 R&B chart-topper. The results are... Read more

July 10, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Takes A Swing At An Isley Brothers Classic (Audio)

Raekwon spits a few bars over The Isley Brother's highly recognizable "Footsteps In The Dark." How does this stack up against Ice Cube's classic version, "It Was A Good Day?" Related: Raekwon Gets Open Over Another Hot 90′s R&B Joint. Stop Trippin’ (Audio)... Read more

July 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Raekwon Gets Open Over Another Hot 90’s R&B Joint. Stop Trippin’ (Audio)

Raekwon has a taste for the "back in the day" goodies. His latest concoction is a verse over Horace Brown's quiet storm staple, "Stop Trippin'." Check it out. Related: Raekwon Puts His Stamp on Rose Royce's Wishing on a Star (Audio)... Read more

June 26, 2014 Audio

Ep. 2 of The Message Documentary Covers East vs. West Beef, The Rise of The South & More (Full Video)

Part 2 of The Message, BET's 4-part documentary chronicling the history of Hip-Hop, covers the Bad Boy vs. Death Row beef, the rise of Southern Hip-Hop, the "bling" era, the attempted censorship of Rap music and more. The episode features commentary from Snoop, Uncle Luke, Master P, Juicy J, The... Read more

June 17, 2014 Video