rae-icewater.jpgWu-Tang vet Raekwon is preparing to release the new album, Polluted Water, from his Staten Island based Ice Water crew this August on Babygrande Records. After making appearances on Rae's 2002 LP, The Lex Diamond Story, and joining the Chef on his nationwide tour, the four-man crew is finally ready to bring their work to a broader audience. According to Rae, he has spent the past few years grooming MC's Polite, Stomach, Paulie Caskets and Donnie Cash for primetime and now he feels the time is right. “I'm training these pits,” Rae said in a statement. “I've got them on the treadmill, and I'm beating 'em, feedin' 'em hot sauce and steaks, so they're ready for this industry.” Polluted Water is due in stores on August 28, and features appearances from Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Remy Ma and Three 6 Mafia.In related news, The RZA recently shared some details about the highly anticipated Wu-Tang album 8 Diagrams with Billboard.com. Although he usually handles the bulk of the production work for the Wu's projects, the Abbot explained that he has employed some outside production talent for the new LP, but declined to reveal just who he had been sharing the boards with. He also mentioned that 8 Diagrams will include a tribute to ODB called “Life Changes,” and possibly a vintage skit featuring the late Wu member that was recorded during the Enter the 36 Chambers sessions. Other tracks to look out for are a still untitled joint featuring Q-Tip that could be the album's first single, and “Thug World,” for which RZA recruited System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian. “Campfire,” “We Got This” and “You Can't Stop Me Now” are also tracks that will appear on the album.

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