Raekwon 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang' NYC Listening Session Report

Raekwon Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang on Ice H20/EMI arrives March 8, 2011

via The Boombox

On Wednesday night, Raekwon mingled with media while previewing his latest project 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang,' due everywhere on March 8. Originally positioned as Wu-Tang Clan's RZA-less followup to '8 Diagrams,' Raekwon, who takes credit for the name of the project, grabbed his title and ran with it. Good thing, too.

Listening to the 17 cuts (not including the bonus tracks) on the album, Rae does justice to the kung fu theme with soundbites from vintage martial art films and theatrical beats that segue songs titled 'Chop Chop Ninja,' 'Butter Knives' and 'The Scroll.' While Rae is the clear star, he isn't scared to share the stage with a laundry list of guests, including Nas, Rick Ross, Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Jim Jones, Lloyd Banks, Raheem DeVaughn, Estelle, Black Thought and, as expected, Wu's Ghostface and Method Man. Ghost teams up with Rae on four tracks begging the question: When will we see a Chef and Ghost collaborative album?

As the room of bloggers and journalists chatted among themselves, took notes and tweeted, Rae stayed close to the speaker, eyes closed at times, and rapped his verses while bobbing his head to each track.

"We were tryna show y'all a little movie," Rae says of 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang.' The emcee succeeded. The conceptual project seems to work best through Rae's eyes making it easy to forgive the Clan for not releasing this as a group effort.

Tracklisting:
01. Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (prod. Scram Jones)
02. Every Soldier In the World ft. Method Man (prod. Erick Sermon)
03. Silver Rings ft. Ghostface Killah (prod. Cilvaringz)
04. Chop Chop Ninja ft. Ghostface Killah & Estelle (prod. Bluerocks)
05. Butter Knives (prod. Bronze Nazareth)
06. Snake Pond (prod. Selasi)
07. Crane Style ft. Busta Rhymes
08. Rock N Roll ft. Ghostface Killah & Jim Jones (prod. DJ Khalil)
09. Rich & Black ft. Nas (prod. Sean C & LV)
10. From the Hills ft. Method Man & Raheem DeVaughn (prod. Kenny Dope)
11. Last Trip to Scotland ft. Lloyd Banks (prod. Scram Jones)
12. Ferry Boat Killaz (prod. Alchemist)
13. Dart School (prod. Allah Mathematics)
14. Molasses ft. Rick Ross & Ghostface Killah (prod. Xtreme)
15. The Scroll (prod. Evidence)
16. Masters of Our Fate ft. Black Thought (prod. Tommy Nova)
17. Wu Chant (Outro)

(video courtesy of The Urban Daily)

Wu-Tang Clan Dallas, TX Concert Recap

As reviewed by Jesse Hughey at the Dallas Observer. photo courtesy of Kevin Todora

(Friday, December 10th) The night started with Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) interspersed with Raekwon and GZA solo material, but frequently returned to the obvious crowd favorite 36 Chambers material. They even did "Method Man" in Method's absence, and the crowd didn't seem fazed.

Another highlight was a cameo by Erykah Badu, who stepped on stage long enough to soak in the roar of approval from the crowd but sadly didn't touch the mic. Still, the moment was enough to add to the love-fest, family reunion vibe. As did the appearance from Young Dirty Bastard, son of the late Ol' Dirty Bastard, who led the group through verses of "Shimmy Shimmy Ya" and "Baby I Got Your Money" in tribute to his father. Which might be why the group's sorta-sincere cover of the O'Jays "Family Reunion" went over so well.

Closing the set with 36 Chambers classics "C.R.E.A.M." and "Protect Ya Neck," the Wu departed in a swarm, leaving some random MCs on the stage to lead the crowd through chants of "Wu! Tang!" until the shouts gradually and awkwardly died down as the realization set in that yup, that was it.

read the full review HERE

Photos from the show HERE

Also read Dallas News review HERE



More video footage HERE

(above video courtesy of Ryan Richardson)

Wu-Tang Clan London, UK Concert Recap

via NME

Wu Tang Clan covered The Beatles classic 'Come Together' as they rounded off their UK tour in London tonight (Wednesday, August 4).

Lead singer RZA rapped over the opener to the Fab Four's 1969 album 'Abbey Road' at the end of their show at Brixton Academy for the band's first show in three years.

The rap collective played a host of tracks from their back catalogue with much of their material leaning towards their 1993 debut album 'Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)'.

Setting out their stall early on, RZA declared: "It is the year 2010 and Wu Tang Clan are on tour. Manchester was off the hook last night (August 3). This is the last night of our tour so we're going to save the best for last."

The tour was their first since 2007 and was meant to include the full line-up. But Method Man pulled out due to filming commitments for an episode of CSI. The rapper previously appeared in The Wire as Calvin 'Cheese' Wagstaff.

RZA acknowledged his absence, apologising to the throng towards the end. "We're sorry Method Man couldn't make it," he said. "He's in Hollywood. We're going to let him know how loud you were though."

RZA also announced his own forthcoming movie project The Man With The Iron Fist to the crowd.

Earlier the band paid tribute to late member Ol' Dirty Bastard, who died of an accidental drug overdose in 2004, by asking the audience to lift up lighters and mobile phones in his honour.

But the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for their only UK hit single 'Gravel Pit', which you can watch below.

Wu Tang Clan played:

'Protect Ya Neck'
'Clan In Da Front'
'Bring Da Ruckus'
'Tearz'
'Triumph'
'Ice Cream'
'Liquid Swords'
'U God'
'Reunited'
'It's Yourz'
'One Blood Under W'
'Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta Fuck Wit'
'Da Mystery of Chessboxin'
'C.R.E.A.M.'
'Baby C'mon'
'Can It All Be So Simple'
'Gravel Pit'
'Come Together'

(video courtesy of kateit17)

Capone-N-Noreaga - 'The Reserves' Ft. Raekwon

Capone-N-Noreaga War Report II on Ice H20/EMI arrives July 13.

Wu Massacre One Of A Kind Customized Sneakers By Break Your Neck

Wu Massacre Custom Blazers by Break Your Neck Urban Customs

Mike Norris at Break Your Neck Urban Customs shop on Melrose has out done himself this time, with a one of a kind Wu Massacre Custom Blazers promotional (as in not for sale, sorry folks) sneaker. Utilizing the illustrious artwork from Meth, Ghost & Rae's Wu Massacre release on Island/Def Jam which is in-stores now!

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Nokia Theatre NYC 'Wu-Massacre' Concert Recap

via Entertainment Weekly

Wu-Massacre, the album that Method Man, Raekwon, and Ghostface Killah are dropping March 30, whittles down the Wu-Tang Clan to three of its finest. Last night, that line-up was pared further to just Raekwon and Ghostface, for what was billed as an early Wu-Massacre release celebration at the Nokia Theater in NYC’s Times Square (Friday, March 5). There was some sense in making the trio a duo. Rae and Ghost, in particular, have often felt like a group within a group on the Clan’s releases. These guys go together like peanut butter and jelly, or pasta and tomato sauce — speaking of which, they collaborate often enough to have come up with the acronym R.A.G.U. (for “Rae and Ghost United”) to identify their joint efforts.



The concert began with a string of unimpeachable cuts from 1995’s classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… — technically Raekwon’s solo debut, but one to which Ghostface contributed heavily, earning prominent billing on the album’s cover. Their undiminished chemistry was evident in the show-opening string of “Criminology,” “Incarcerated Scarfaces,” “Ice Cream,” and “Verbal Intercourse.” Both rappers are essentially storytellers, Ghostface narrating crime sagas with a jumpy urgency, Raekwon doing the same in gravelly and matter-of-fact tones. Together they strode the stage like giants, joining in on one another’s lyrics at key points for emphasis.



After a few more tunes from their catalog (notably Ghostface’s “Mighty Healthy”), the pair retreated to the back of the stage while random New York mixtape rappers like Grafh and Red Cafe appeared to perform unannounced mini-sets. I’ve got nothing against those dudes, but as far as surprise guests go, I was hoping more for, well, Method Man, or at least Masta Killa. No such luck. At least we got to see Smif-n-Wessun do 1994’s “Bucktown,” whose rough NY sound isn’t so far removed from Rae and Ghost’s territory.



Thankfully, Rae and Ghost took center stage again before long. The crowd of die-hard Wu fans flipped out when they ran through several necessary selections from the Clan’s epochal 1993 debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), including “Bring da Ruckus,” “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F— Wit,” “Shame on a N—-,” “C.R.E.A.M.” (You can see Raekwon do the latter song’s opening verse last night below, thanks to the magic of YouTube; some NSFW language, obviously.) It is never less than thrilling to hear these songs in any context, even when only two members of the nine-man group are present. Rae and Ghost paid tribute to their late friend Ol’ Dirty Bastard by performing his solo single “Shimmy Shimmy Ya” before returning to a few more of their own solo tunes (Raekwon’s “Canal Street,” Ghostface’s “Holla”).



Then came another series of guests, for some reason. A rapper identified only as “Ghost’s son” sounded like a much less experienced version of his dad (only fair, I suppose). Jim Jones walked on for “We Fly High” to much applause. It was interesting to see Rae and Ghost as the kind of elder statesmen who would cede so much of their own concert for the benefit of competitors like Jones — not something either of them have necessarily been best known for in the past. That generous spirit still wasn’t enough to make these interludes feel like smart uses of the audience’s time.

All was more or less forgiven by the crowd when the beat for the Clan’s 1997 single “Triumph” kicked in. No further members made last-minute appearances as Rae and Ghost closed out the show, sadly. Still, my only real complaint last night was that the two main performers didn’t go even deeper into their shared catalog. Concerts can have far worse problems than that. Were any of you at the Nokia Theater last night? Are you looking forward to Wu-Massacre?

Photos:
Getty Images
Wire Image

More fan shot footage below.



(video courtesy of t2optimus, ladiemare & eja688)

Raekwon FUSE TV's 'The Hip Hop Shop' Interview

Shot on Thursday, February 18 aired Wednesday, February 24. Raekwon talks ODB influence on him and Wu-Tang Clan.

Photos:
Getty Images
Rex Features
Star Trak Photos

Method Man & Raekwon - Wu Massacre: 'Our Dreams' Video Shoot

via The Life Files

Check out our exclusive footage from the set of the "Our Dreams" video shoot in Brooklyn from the upcoming 'Wu Massacre' Album. the.LIFE Files catches up to Method Man who tells us what's going on with the 'How High 2' movie and about his eclectic music tastes and then we ran into Raekwon who tells us everything he's been up to in the past year. We JUST missed Ghostface who shot his scenes earlier in the day...

Raekwon: 'Wu-Massacre' Entertainment Weekly Interview

Entertainment Weekly: Moving on to this album you’re doing with Meth and Ghost, Wu-Massacre, when did you start working on that?

Raekwon: I’d say probably four or five months ago. We just wanted to make another album that really represents our brand, which is the W. When you think of Wu-Tang, we’ve been in the business for damn near almost, what, 17 years? We just want to make sure that people still know that we didn’t go nowhere — musically, passionately about hip-hop. When you get records like this, it helps keep the W flag up high. You know what I mean? Like the American flag. We gotta take care of that flag.

Entertainment Weekly: How did you decide to make an album with those two guys specifically?

Raekwon: It was something that was going to happen sooner or later. Us three, we always work good together throughout the years. On a lot of records, me, Ghost, and Meth was always next to each other. If you look at [the Wu-Tang Clan] as being the Lakers, we are the MVPs of the team. We are the ones that everybody may feel like takes us to the championship. Everybody else is going to play their position, but these three are definitely going to have to control the ball at some point. This is what the fans been wanting, man…You know, I work for the fans.

Entertainment Weekly: From your perspective, what do you three bring to a project? How do you balance each other out?

Raekwon: When we get together, it’s a lot of energy in the building, because everybody knows Meth, Rae, and Ghost for being super-lyrical, but still got that great character inside their rhymes. I guess that’s why people really is excited about this record. They’re saying, “Yo, these dudes put the Wu where they need to be at.” I don’t look at it like that. I look at us all as being one, still. I understand some may have a little bit more special gift than others, but it’s still a team effort. I love to get on tracks with brothers like Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, the GZA. The whole crew is golden, man. When you think of us, you gotta say, “Yo, these are the Jacksons of hip-hop.” But for me to get in a room with Meth and Ghost and do an album, it’s serious to me. I know it’s going to be a lot of lyrics in there, it’s going to be a lot of great energy, stories. We all master these different departments of rhyming. So you’re just going to get a great album.

Which producers did you work with on Wu-Massacre?

Raekwon: Being that everyone was so spread out, we didn’t really get a chance to be hands-on on everything. You’ve got Meth doing a movie, you’ve got Ghost over here super-touring, you’ve got me just dropped an album, having to move around. So we did a lot of phone tag. But we did get [some opportunities] to sit around and vibe out. As far as the producers on the album, they did their thing as well. Shout out Pete Rock. Shout out everybody, man. Cats realize that hip-hop is going back to its beats and rhymes format again. Everybody came in and did their part. It’s just about staying busy. If you look at this as a sport, we gotta stay in practice, man: Stay going to practice, stay looking at the tapes, stay looking at the things that you may have done wrong and learn from them. That’s what we did. We came together to make another great album and keep that flag alive.

Read the full interview here:
Entertainment Weekly - Raekwon: The Music Mix Q&A

Meth, Ghost & Rae 'Wu Massacre' Artwork & Tracklist Posted Online

Meth, Ghost & Rae - 'Wu Massacre' on Island/Def Jam arrives March 30.

01. Criminology 2.5
02. Meth vs Chef
03. Ya Moms Skit
04. Smooth Sailing Remix ft. Solomon Childs
05. Our Dreams
06. Gunshowers ft. Inspectah Deck & Cappadonna
07. Dangerous
08. Pimpin’ Chipp
09. How To Pay Rent Skit ft. Tracy Morgan
10. Miranda
11. Youngtown Heist
12. Breaka Breaka
13. Made Men

tracklist props to RapRadar via The Urban Daily

Raekwon Irving Plaza NYC Concert Recap

As reported by Ben Ratliff at the New York Times

Backed only by DJ Symphony on turntables and Raekwon’s brother Don P on vocals, the set could have used the energy of the other rappers who invade the album. Raekwon’s set ran to 90 minutes, but it felt here and gone. It included the appearance of a huge cake in the shape of a purple cassette — the original “Cuban Linx” album, from 1995, is commonly called the Purple Tape — and an assortment of friends and business associates, either texting or appearing to smoke weed onstage. Two notable things happened, neither musical.

The songs came fast, one after another, without stagecraft or pacing. The set went back to early tracks by his old collective, the Wu-Tang Clan, touched on “Cuban Linx” Part 1 and settled in for stretches of the new album, including the scabrous, seedy “Gihad” and the imagistic, violent “Surgical Gloves.”



There weren’t as many Wu-Tang Clan cameos as might have been expected, aside from Cappadonna, who rapped verses on “Ice Cream.” But halfway through, another member of the extended Wu family appeared: Cherry Jones, the mother of the Wu-Tang rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004. She and Raekwon hugged, without speaking, for nearly a minute. Raekwon praised Dirty and his mother and then performed “Ason Jones,” a tribute to Dirty on the new CD, with some emotional difficulty, his movements creaky, as if he needed oil. (He stopped the song at one point, shaking his head in sorrow, swearing and then collecting himself.)

Near the end — after the duo Capone-N-Noreaga briefly hijacked the set — Busta Rhymes, a longtime Raekwon booster, came onstage to congratulate his friend. Busta Rhymes likes to talk. Ten minutes later he was still there, praising Raekwon’s rhymes and metaphors. Raekwon slumped against the opposite wall, looking humble, grateful and worn out.

Read the full review here:
New York Times - Amid Tales of Thug Life, a Wu-Tang Family Reunion

more fan shot footage below.









(video footage courtesy of The Life Files, infblack3 & BigSheyShizzle)

Blakroc London Guardian Album Review

The London Guardian/Observer reviews the upcoming Blakroc (Dame Dash & The Black Keys) project and gives it 4 out five stars.

Blakroc arrives in stores November 27.

For a while rap/rock collaborations were an easy way to double your fun, at least during the late 80s and early 90s, when Run DMC and Aerosmith's Walk This Way and Public Enemy and Anthrax's Bring the Noise instantly located fertile common ground – hedonism and unfocused rage respectively. Then the soundtrack to forgettable 1993 action flick Judgment Night ruined everything, pairing Ice-T with Slayer, Faith No More with giant Samoan hip-hop crew Boo Yaa Tribe, in the process inventing the most justifiably maligned genre of recent years: nu metal. From there on in, the whole notion was hijacked by white men dressing and behaving like toddlers, waddling around in over-sized shorts and shouting rude words. Linkin Park's album with Jay-Z might have sold well but you wouldn't want to listen to it unless you were cross about being made to tidy your room.

Wisely, Blakroc – a rough'n'ready project comprised of white blues duo the Black Keys and a roster of MCs, including the RZA, Mos Def and, from beyond the grave, Ol' Dirty Bastard – take things right back to basics. The premise is simple, but effective. The Black Keys knock out a lo-fi riff, the rappers strut about, sticking to the themes that have preoccupied both bluesmen and MCs throughout the years, notably sex, heartbreak and cash. Star turns include Ludacris and ODB leering all over Coochie, and R&B singer and former Missy Elliott protégée Nicole Wray swaggering through Done Did It, with help from Baltimore newcomer NOE, whose Jay-Z impression is so spot-on he could well be the hip-hop Alistair McGowan. The loose, spontaneous nature of the exercise means there's the odd dud, but there are far more hits than misses. The result? A dead concept is temporarily revived.

(source)

Nah Right On Smash CMJ NYC Showcase Concert Recap

via the Village Voice By Zach Baron

Raekwon hit the stage sometime around 2 a.m., only to commence a set more psychodrama than rap show: "My voice fucking shot out on me," is the first thing he says, or rather, gargles. It's painful just listening to him talk, and that's at least half of what he does--for every "C.R.E.A.M.," a heartfelt, wrenching, serrated whisper of an apology to the crowd. "This sh** is hurting me," he whimpers at one point. That the Chef soldiers on through something approximating a full set is both admirable and painful to watch, psychic, emotional, and physical pain not being the thing one expects from a triumphant late-night Raekwon performance.



via Time Out NY by Steve Smith

It was sometimes tough to spot Raekwon on the stage at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, thanks to the approximately 347 photographers, videographers and hangers-on surrounding the Wu-Tang member during Better Recognize, a Wednesday night CMJ showcase presented by hip-hop blogs Nah Right and Onsmash. What you couldn’t miss, though, was the Chef’s hoarse croak as he fought through an undisclosed malady to present his set before a packed house. “Appreciate me cuz I appreciate y’all!” Raekwon shouted as he beat his retreat some 20 minutes after he started.

Not much of a set, maybe, but it was enough to turn the tide after the crowd had booed Atlanta rapper OJ da Juiceman off the stage following a three-song set stuffed with so many samples of his mentor Gucci Mane’s trademark yelp that Gooch might as well have been on stage himself. It was the only genuinely ugly moment during a fast-paced event with a handful of big surprises.

via the New York Times by Jon Caramanica

For a CMJ-heavy crowd of purists, it wasn’t enough. The showcase was sponsored by the prominent hip-hop blogs NahRight.com and OnSmash.com, which have emerged as crucial avenues for new talent. But on a bill that also featured the New York eminences grises Raekwon, Styles P and Jadakiss, OJ barely stood a chance. CMJ purports to be about the thrill of discovery, but is often just a reinforcement of received values. The hip-hop internet can be guilty of the same thing, creating a class of listeners who are purportedly open-minded but are actually forming taste free of any physical context, and defending it at any cost.

Read the full reviews here:
Village Voice
Time Out NY
New York Times





See PHOTOS of the show here:
Wire Image

Related post:
OJ da Juiceman Gets Boo'd Offstage At CMJ NYC Showcase

(video courtesy of bigkeefsmallworld & DJ Delz TV.com)

Raekwon In Berlin, Germany

Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt.2 on Ice H20/EMI in stores and online now.

MTV's Hottest MC In The Game #6-10

MTV Hottest MCs In The Game roundtable conclusions:
Gucci Mane Balances 'Hood, Mainstream To Be #6

MTV Hottest MCs In The Game roundtable conclusions:
Young Jeezy Rides Recession To The #7

MTV Hottest MC In The Game roundtable conclusions:
Fabolous Is The #8 Hottest MCs In The Game!

MTV Hottest MCs In The Game roundtable conclusions:
50 Cent Hangs Tough As The #9

MTV Hottest MCs In The Game roundtable conclusions:
Raekwon Is The #10 Hottest MCs In The Game!

Raekwon: The Benefits Of His 'OB4CL Pt.2' Release Date

via Billboard

Jay-Z's "The Blueprint 3" might be the week's No. 1 album, but the other major Sept. 8 hip-hop release, Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II," can still claim a victory.

For three days during the week of its release, the Wu-Tang Clan member's fourth solo album -- and sequel to his 1995 debut, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" -- was iTunes' No. 1 album, ahead of "Blueprint 3." It debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, selling 68,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The album also bows at No. 2 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

"I was shocked," says Raekwon, who released the project on his Ice H20 label through EMI. "My fans really stuck up for me in a way they never have before. It was one of those joyful, teary moments."

Read more here:
Billboard - Raekwon Returns To Form With 'Cuban Linx...Pt. II'

Dame Dash Presents The Blakroc Project

Blakroc Project from Myrhax on Vimeo.

Dame got Mos Def, Jim Jones, Q-Tip, Raekwon, Billy Danze of M.O.P., RZA and all to show up at The Black Keys studio to make new music.

The Black Keys - Blakroc Project out November 27.

Related material:
The Black Keys - Blakroc Project
Dame Dash promoting The Blakroc Project during Fashion Week In NYC

Jay-Z & The Beatles Take Over This Week's Charts

Not since the mash up of Jay-Z and The Beatles bootlegged Grey Album collection or when Jay-Z wore a John Lennon t-shirt while winning the 2006 Grammy, have we seen this pairing so close together.

Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon also reaped the benefits of this superstar collision which sold respectively.

Here's the breakdown:

Jay-Z - 'The Blueprint 3' 476K
The Beatles - Total On All Remastered Editions 626K
Raekwon - 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. 2' 68K

This Past Week's Sales Overview Articles:
Billboard
Hip Hop DX
Digital Music News
Hits Daily Double

Raekwon Album Release Party In NYC With Photos, Video And Recap

Raekwon Album Release Party At Santos Party House in NYC on Tuesday September 8. Guest included a who's who - DJ Premiere, Redman, Chrisette Michele, Ghostface Killah, Cappadonna, Eric Sermon, Ice-T, Kangol Kid, Rakim and hosted by Sean "P.Diddy" Combs.

Photos:
Wire Image
Getty Images
Village Slum via Flickr

Read more about the release party here:
MTV.com
Staten Island Advance

Quality fan shot video below.













(album release party review courtesy of Ben Johnson at Staten Island Advance and MTV.com)

(fan shot video courtesy of waterfall1980 and Kngkoor1)

Raekwon Doing It Grown Man Style With Cuban Linx Pt.2 Video Interview

Untitled from Urban News Network on Vimeo.

Raekwon "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx pt.2" on Ice H2O Inc./EMI
in stores September 8.