FEATURES
Raekwon
Caught Up In The Game
In late 2006, Wu-Tang Clan founding member Raekwon reportedly signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records, adding to the anticipation for his long-delayed fourth solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. With the good doctor at the helm, The Chef’s sequel appeared to be on the right path to living up to his 1995 classic debut. Word of RZA and the late great J Dilla contributing beats as well added to the buzz. But almost a year later, there’s still no sign of the album, which some have said has been complete for months. After two disappointing LPs—1999’s Immobilarity and 2003’s The Lex Diamond Story—the success of his next project could play a major role in Rae’s career.
Before Cuban Linx II hits stores, Rae will work with his Wu-Tang brother once again on Wu’s next reunion LP, The 8 Diagrams, which is slotted for a November release. XXLMag.com caught up with Lex Diamonds during the West Coast leg of the Rock the Bells tour to get the lowdown on what’s been holding up the next purple tape, the science behind The 8 Diagrams and his relationship with Ghostface.
What’s the current status of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II?
I’m just leanin’ right now. I gotta feel comfortable with whatever distribution place I’m gonna put it out on. I gotta feel that [my] house is a home, and not feel like I’m just giving it to some muthafuckas who really don’t understand it. I really worked hard on it and I wanna have the best push that I can have. It’s like, right now, these companies tryin’ to puppet a nigga to make a nigga believe or do what they feel is real. I know, in all reality, this right here is a different level of respect. When you think of this record, you think of Scarface 2. Therefore, it has to get treated with that kinda power. You just can’t take my record and say, “Yo, we’re going to throw it out in three months,” and nobody knows it’s coming. I’m not allowing that on such a classic project. I’m not selling myself short for nothin’. I ain’t asking to get my dick sucked. I’m asking a nigga to just treat me accordingly and respect what I’m dealing with. If you coming up with all these excuses and acting like it’s a new day and all this shit, and I gotta suck dick? Nah, my mouth is too little to suck dick, pa.
So Aftermath/Interscope Records isn’t giving you creative control?
Like I said, we ain’t them type of rappers where a nigga can control what we’re dealing with. We gonna work as a team, but I don’t got no bosses that’s gon’ tell me how this record needs to be made. Before I give this shit to a sucker ass label, I’ll throw this shit out on the Internet and tell niggas, “Yo, that’s yours, man.” If I feel like niggas is playing me, I’ll throw that shit out on my own, man. This one is for the people. It ain’t for no bullshit, Hollywood purposes. I’m not sucking my own dick. I’m just recognizing the power that I got on this record.
If the product is so dope, what’s the problem in getting it out on the streets?
I don’t even get caught up in it like that. It ain’t nobody’s problem. I guess it ain’t pop off at the moment ’cause [Dr.] Dre is busy. And then I look [at] the reality of that [and] it’s like, if a nigga is too busy to stop and see what I’m dealing [with], how much does it really mean to a nigga? I don’t give a fuck how busy you is. If we gon’ work on something that people lookin’ at as a classic, we gotta respect each other’s movements. I’m a big fan of Dre, but sometimes I may get spooked ’cause it’s like, yo, you doin’ a lot of shit my nigga. So that’s why that ain’t really kick off at the moment we wanted it to. At the end of the day, I’m a big Dre fan, Dre is a big Rae fan, [but] we both have to feel comfortable. We don’t wanna fuck our friendship up [by] doing wack business. It’s about communication.
Do you regret signing with Aftermath, then?
Nah, I don’t regret [it]. I never got to the point… a lot of shit was based on hype. We was working the paperwork out, but I never signed nothin’ because I gotta feel real good about what we’re dealing with. It was feeling good for a second, but it gotta feel real good for me to sign it, baby.
What if you guys can’t resolve this issue? Is there a breaking point where you’ll just put it out on your own?
My breaking point is definitely [next] summer. I was going to do it last year, but the timing wasn’t right. We had to get a lot of shit cleared and all that. [But] I don’t ever wanna rush something and just deal with it ’cause people is rushing me. That’s like somebody is rushing you to run out there and give somebody some crack, and the next thing you know, it’s hot outside and you get bagged. Like, yo, I gotta feel comfortable but at the same time, serve the people. Nigga been in the game too long to let a muthafucka talk him out of what he knows is real. When I came in this shit, I was dictating what I knew. Now you trying to dictate it for me? And you talkin’ some other shit? It don’t add up, baby. I’m a G for real. That G stands for general. I’m not no fuckin’ goofball. [So] it’s gonna strike in the summertime [of ’08] by hook or by crook. If it’s on a label, it’s on a label. If it comes out through the Internet, you’re gonna have it. So I ain’t even worried about it.
Let’s talk about the new Wu-Tang Clan album, The 8 Diagrams. You guys have been playing some of the new tracks during your European tour, specifically the ODB tribute. Was it real emotional for you all to record that song?
In my eyes, we should have been put [that song] out around the time we was mourning. But RZA, he decided to put it on the [album]. It’s a renaissance record. It ain’t necessarily trying to be on a sad note. This is more like a real memorial tribute to him. Brothers speaking they mind, saying, “[We] miss you Russell.” ’Cause now it’s about who he really is. Before all of that other shit, his old earth birthed him as Russell. So you might have a brother like Inspectah Deck say something in a rhyme like, “I miss you Russell/Hope you forgive me, Dirty.” Just speaking from the heart, man. It’s well written. The record is going to be on the Wu album as a bonus cut. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t be doing it this long like this. He had a lot to do with our success. I don’t give a fuck how wild he was. I don’t even wanna get all crazy over this shit right now. Fuck around and have me start tearing out this bitch. Overall, the record is something that we wanted to let the world know how we felt about him. The beat is crazy and it’s something that’s going to make you vibe, open your mind up and remember him.
The diehard fans were worried that Ghostface wasn’t going to be heavily involved in the Wu album. Do you think people blew that out of proportion?
People make it bigger than what it is. Ghost already knows what he gotta do because that’s his backbone. Sometimes shit probably doesn’t get the chance to pan out ’cause everybody got different things they dealing with. But it’s never intentional not to get on a Wu record. Come on, I could be mad busy with other shit, but to just act like I’m not getting on a Wu-Tang album, that’s just pure dumb shit to me. So I think a lot of people misunderstood the perception of whatever was going on at the time when Ghost wasn’t available. But he knows better. He knows what he gotta do. We all recognize that with whatever we do collectively, it’s for the strength of the people.
Is it frustrating that the fans always see you and Ghost as one unit and expect you two to constantly collaborate?
Yeah, [’cause] when we came into this business, we told you we all had something different to offer. So as far as people loving what they love, hey, it’s all real. We respect that, but at the end of the day, he’s a grown man [and] I’m a grown man. When it’s time to do other things outside of doing work with one another, that’s just what it is. People gotta get it through their head and know that this is what niggas already said from the door it was going to be. I love the fact of rhyming with my brother, but hey, if it don’t happen, it don’t happen. The show still goes on, man. We wanna be able to get a lil’ bit of Rae and Ghost together. Then, get a lil’ bit of Rae, then a lil’ bit of Ghost. That’s three fucking pieces of meals right there. So why not eat it? You ain’t always gotta eat marble cake. Eat a fuckin’ lemon cake or a pineapple cake and cool out. But that’s to the diehards that really don’t get it. All you doing is getting different elements. Take it for what it is. We don’t wanna bore y’all niggas out. So if you’re a real fan, don’t deal with favoritism, just deal with the reality of it.
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September 5th, 2007
at 10:04 am
ben says:
I will and have always respected Rae’s mustache….
Reply
December 5th, 2007
at 8:53 pm
onassiss says:
the chef is still my nigga
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 10:21 am
triplesixninja says:
LEX DIAMONDS IN THIS PIECE!
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 10:32 am
HAWAIIAN says:
yo chef, bring that heat as soon as possible!
it could be a hell of a Wu winter if he drops at the end of this year or early 1st quarter 08.
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 10:34 am
Nah Right » Blog Archive » Raekwon Interview @ XXLMag.com says:
[...] We just threw up an interesting Raekwon interview over at the XXL site. He makes at least 3 references to fellatio while discussing 8 Diagrams, OB4CL2 and his relationship with Ghost. [...]
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 10:35 am
lyricaloj says:
This was a good interview long live tha Wu.
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 11:02 am
Raekwon Interview - Entertainment Talk says:
[...] Raekwon Interview Just yesterday when i was watching Mtv Vibes they had flash back videos and i saw Wu tang Triumph Song and we all wondered what Raekwon was up to. Well He had an interview with xxlmag.com Enjoy XXLmag.com | Hip-Hop On A Higher Level | Raekwon Caught Up In The Game Quote: [...]
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 12:20 pm
SuperC says:
good stuff
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 12:31 pm
Aoortic.com >> Devoid of a Funny Tagline » Raekwon Interview @ XXLMag.com says:
[...] We just threw up an interesting Raekwon interview over at the XXL site. He makes at least 3 references to fellatio while discussing 8 Diagrams, OB4CL2 and his relationship with Ghost. [...]
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 12:32 pm
LOL says:
IF CONGRESS, BILLY O’RIELLY , AND BILLY X SUNDAY WIN, HIS ALBUM WILL NEVER COME OUT.
THINK ABOUT IT PEOPLE!
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 1:39 pm
fireforreal says:
Fuck the bullshit. Raekwon won’t drop on aftermath until maybe april if that.Now is 50’s time than maybe detox than I guess Rae or Em.Rae is not a priority because aftermath/interscope is about sells first.Look at the albums released and Busta was the first aftermath artist to under perform having like 4 videos and only selling 600,000.Rae does’nt have the apeal that busta has so he needs to go another route.He may only do like 300-550k
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 1:47 pm
Pronay says:
so Dre is overly busy doingggggggggggg? Shitty beats on Jay, 50, and whoever’s last albums? Working on an album that’s been in flux for years… christ, Rae’s project is DONE, it’s completed… give it that push.
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 1:54 pm
ddubbzz says:
Damn LOL get of Billy’s dick
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 2:37 pm
wu says:
@fireforreal
i cldnt agree more.
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 3:01 pm
DJ NP says:
Check out Dj NP’s Remix.. Legal Coke-Raekwon Feat. Deap
badlandrecords.imeem.com
http://www.myspace.com/npbadlandz
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 3:33 pm
Were Read 2 Def says:
It doesnt matter what Aftermath/Interscope is doin cuz aint signin 2 them. Cant u read?
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 3:35 pm
BlackSteel says:
I understand what Rae is speaking on and respect that but nothing sounds better than Ghost and Rae going line for line.One thing that bothers me is this nigga Dre is so busy man fuck that nigga and take that classic back home and fuck with the Fam that nigga will never understand what Wu is all about plus the shit he’s been dropping ain’t worth the bullshit.Sometimes you gotta go back to go foreward.Peace to the Gods,the Gods are here.Wu-Tang forever.
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 5:03 pm
Freddy(Vega$) says:
Its sucks that whoever has control over this albums release is doin nothing with it, when word got out that Rae signed w/ Dre it was a wrap. this nigga buzz was huge then to find out Rza and Dilla got tracks on there the people were salavating for the Album to drop… a year later this nigga buzz is dyin cause no one heard Rae’s Album, I know its crack the streets gotta here it before its too late… RIP OBD…….
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 5:05 pm
V-D-B: The Wu-Tang Mountain » Blog Archive » Raekwon: Caught Up In The Game says:
[...] A new day, a new Raekwon interview. Yup, Rae is on his grind right now!XXLmag catched up with The Chef for nice lil’ chat. Read below. In late 2006, Wu-Tang Clan founding member Raekwon reportedly signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records, adding to the anticipation for his long-delayed fourth solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. With the good doctor at the helm, The Chef’s sequel appeared to be on the right path to living up to his 1995 classic debut. Word of RZA and the late great J Dilla contributing beats as well added to the buzz. But almost a year later, there’s still no sign of the album, which some have said has been complete for months. After two disappointing LPs—1999’s Immobilarity and 2003’s The Lex Diamond Story—the success of his next project could play a major role in Rae’s career. [...]
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 7:45 pm
Dr. Dre. says:
Ring ding dong ringga ding ding dong…suck it internet fans…go play somewhere I’m busy!
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 9:57 pm
az$$rugerman says:
This mu’fucka Dre doesn’t even have enough time to put out Deteox, so what the hell makes you think he’s in a hurry to get a start on this album, And plus Rae already sed he ain’t suckin’ no DICK!! (my mouf too little?)… WTF?.. so i guess we are all left to anticipate how dope the next Cuban Linx album wil be>>
WU-TANG clansmen droppin soon, 8DIAGRAMS BITCHES!!!!
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 11:05 pm
mike says:
Dre is ass.
Reply
September 5th, 2007
at 11:07 pm
JohnBlack says:
sounds like dre be on some shit. creative differences with rakim? the whole detox shit? now this? evrything is not always how it seems but it seems like dre be on some shit. but wtf do I know?
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 1:19 am
teddy says:
lose some weight fat mother fucker looks like your due for a heart attack soon you look like a baboon gorilla
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 4:10 am
rico says:
I’m waiting and anticipating both th eraekwon album and the new wu album. iliked ghosts last album.too much good hip-hop is getting slept on now days.It’s not even hip-hop anymore it’s pop.you got rappers doing song with brittany spears and othe pop acts.
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 4:11 am
rico says:
I’m waiting and anticipating both th eraekwon album and the new wu album. iliked ghosts last album.too much good hip-hop is getting slept on now days.It’s not even hip-hop anymore it’s pop.you got rappers doing song with brittany spears and othe pop acts.
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 6:54 am
Real HipHop says:
I usually Download albums, But i will go and Kap this one and The 8 Diagrams. Wutang 4 eva!!!
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 7:30 am
Underground Things » Blog Archive » Aesop Rock/Wajeed/Raekwon says:
[...] Raekwon Interview [...]
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 8:53 am
Lil Brazil says:
they call me raekwon in the kitchen hahaha
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 10:09 am
Severe says:
the whole interview he is talking about sucking dick. his mouth too small to suck, he aint suckin his own, he aint suckin theirs, they aint suckin his….lol…whats his problem?
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 4:22 pm
Angie Ro says:
Its good to see Rae hungry again. And it would NOT be a Wu album without Ghost, period-point blank. But it would only be proper to release “8 Diagrams” when its cold outside…36 Chambers, reminisce.
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 5:51 pm
» Raekwon talks 8 Diagrams, Cuban Linx II » Blog Archive » Prefixmag.com says:
[...] Raekwon Caught Up in the Game [XXL Mag] Share This: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 7:20 pm
Holla says:
“Nah, my mouth is too little to suck dick, pa.” Quote of the CENTURY - LMAO
Reply
September 6th, 2007
at 9:11 pm
RC says:
i agree with Pronay. his primary job is too make music but we ain’t hearing shit from that isn’t co-produced with someone else. the whole aftermath is busy putting out uninspired music (curtis, the re-up, big bang, encore). Then I don’t see Dre with a clothing line, no movies, no alcohol, no formula water, nothing!
Reply
September 7th, 2007
at 7:57 am
Aoortic » Raekwon Interview @ XXLMag.com says:
[...] We just threw up an interesting Raekwon interview over at the XXL site. He makes at least 3 references to fellatio while discussing 8 Diagrams, OB4CL2 and his relationship with Ghost. [...]
Reply
September 7th, 2007
at 12:14 pm
smalls says:
he might wait till next summer? ive been waiting so long for this shit to drop man, just put it out!
Reply
September 7th, 2007
at 1:19 pm
roccocaine says:
fuck dre !!!! all he does is pimpin dem artists …. rae u need to do it with rza wutang 4 eva !!!!!!
Reply
September 7th, 2007
at 2:46 pm
bashin says:
Dre!!!!?
WTF are you doing with these artists?
How long are we gonna keep waitin for all them dudes to drop albums?
We all got mad respect for u but u keep lettin us down and shit.All da street ni99as is waitin for rae to drop that shit.
What u sacred of the world or something?
Big homie, u need to let everyone get there shine even if it aint up to ur standards or else ni99as are gonna keep hatin and waitin, it dont add up.
Hurry up alreay, hip-hop is almost completely dead.We need Aftermath to save this shit.
Reply
September 7th, 2007
at 10:32 pm
DEFGRIP says:
[...] Ricky Feather bike check courtesy of United. Some nice Chris Doyle clips on the Square One site. Hit up that jam too if you are in the area. Sunday! UK green kit. Team SHRALP/Goods bmx blog. Defgrip reader Matt Rubin’s blog site HERE. Alistair Whitton travel essentials. Daniel Etter emailed about some prints he has for sale HERE. Etnies team update. Raekwon interview. Someone by the name of Johnny emailed about the new Mongoose site he just finished. Sweet Rich Hirsch turndown courtesy of Subrosa. Some pics of the mexican X-Games on the Skavenger site. Josh Keyes art. [...]
Reply
September 8th, 2007
at 12:30 pm
durt says:
Rae is the man, I will wait for that project. If you gotta wait for that right moment, then by all means, do you. Jus because he got dilla and dre and rza on it don’t mean you gotta panic and throw it out there, make sure your paper is straight and the people can get to it and love it, so take your time bro.
Reply
September 8th, 2007
at 5:36 pm
Ray says:
raekwon been spttin that sraight wu shit since day one.. thats what i like about him and ghostface no homo. they kept there shiut hood from day one
Reply
September 10th, 2007
at 8:33 pm
G' says:
1. The entire Wu (minus ODB, but his son was on hand) were at the San Francisco Rock the Bells show so Ghost seems to be right with the Wu
2. Dre is notrious for holding albums back….Detox, Big Bang, The 7th seal/Oh My God, Here I Am…just a hand full of LPs not released. Even fuckin’ 2pac said the same shit about Dre taking forever to put out shit (see intervies with Vibe and on the set of “California Love”). Maybe Dre should spend less time hitting the gym (see VMAS from last night) and more time promoting his artist right.
3. Rae on some mad homo shit though…and he needs to WAKE HIS FLOW UP. But all that aside, OB4CL was a classic and this will be a good LP in comparision with the rest of this bunk being dropped by “it” rappers”
Reply
September 11th, 2007
at 11:42 am
Nah Right » Blog Archive » Behind the OB4CL2 Delay says:
[...] I guess it ain’t pop off at the moment ’cause [Dr.] Dre is busy. And then I look [at] the reality of that [and] it’s like, if a nigga is too busy to stop and see what I’m dealing [with], how much does it really mean to a nigga? - Rae [...]
Reply
September 12th, 2007
at 2:54 pm
Behind the OB4CL2 Delay at aoortic! dot com says:
[...] I guess it ain’t pop off at the moment ’cause [Dr.] Dre is busy. And then I look [at] the reality of that [and] it’s like, if a nigga is too busy to stop and see what I’m dealing [with], how much does it really mean to a nigga? - Rae [...]
Reply
September 12th, 2007
at 5:24 pm
DURTY says:
LOL @ BEN, 4 REAL THOUGH IF RAE WANNA GET HIS SHIT OUT THE WAY HE WANTS. HE GONNA HAVE TO ADVERTISE CREATIVELY, EITHER THROUGH HOOKS, VIDEOS, ETC. AND MAKE THE BUZZ HIMSELF, FUCK RELYING ON AFTERMATH TO DO THINKING 4 HIM LIKE HE QUOTED
Reply
October 16th, 2007
at 3:53 am
After-Thought says:
Da hells going on? Da hell is dre making beats for rae fo? Why isnt the wu-elements handling this, i mean who else is familiar with the wu sound, as meth said: ‘…when it comes to rza tracks, i don know how to act..’ i’m just disillusioned man. I know the man is signed to aftermath, but that dont mean come with the aftermath sound, wanna know what suckin dick and lickin boots is, letting dre do even one beat for a wu runner. thats wack. just like iron flag, letting those other producers on there when rza and the wu-elemnts(tru,4th,math and moongod?) has more talent(in my humble opinion). aight
Reply