Redlight “Get Money” (ft. Raekwon)

Legendary Wu Tang Clan member Raekwon is a rapper who is not shy when it comes to contributing guest verses for another artists. With a high number of feature spots under his belt in recent years, it never comes as a surprise when Raekwon blesses a track with his imaginative wordplay and fluid delivery. However, we would be lying if we said we could have predicted this latest guest spot as Raekwon recently linked up with UK producer Redlight for this track titled “Get Money”. Channeling portions of his classic verse on Wu Tang Clan staple “C.R.E.A.M”, Raekwon brings his style to this bass/electronic influenced track and the final product provides an interesting result. 

Raekwon Talks Unrealeased Jay- Z Collaboration, Upcoming Solo Album With DJ Whoo Kid

While many hip-hop fans are still waiting on the miracle of another group Wu-Tang Clan album, it seems that Raekwon is perfectly comfortable in his spot as a solo artist. Regardless of certain reports that say Raekwon is the one Wu Tang member holding up the groups’ project, what is known for sure is that Raekwon has managed to be a well-coveted artist for guest verses the past couple of years and The Chef always manages to cook up something special. One of the most prominent publicized collaborations involving Raekwon was him providing a verse to none other than Jay Z. We never really received an answer as to what happened with that unnamed track, but Raekwon spoke on it in an interview with DJ Whoo Kid and also unveiled some details regarding his upcoming solo album F.I.L.A. 

Ransom “Shampain” (ft. Jadakiss, Raekwon)

Ransom is a rapper who made his way in the game on the mixtape circuit in New Jersey and he gained enough notoriety to sign a deal with Def Jam back in the mid-2000’s. That deal went sour, but since then he has still put out quality material as well as beef with artists such as Joe Budden and Nicki Minaj. Ransom’s most recent body of work titled The Proposal was a full collaboration project with producer Statik Selektah and its positive reception gave Ransom some momentum going in 2014. With his independent full-length album Pain&Glory on the way, Ransom has dropped “Shampain” as the first single off the project. Ransom recruited New York legends Jadakiss and Raekwon to assist on the track that showcases each artist rapping about the common dichotomy between success and struggle.  

Island Boy Cartel “Pretty Paper” (ft. Raekwon, Assassin)

While we were previously unaware of Island Boy Cartel’s music before this song, luckily the features of Raekwon and Assassin caught our attention on this track titled “Pretty Paper”. The Island Boy Cartel are a hip-hop/pop/reggae influenced group that includes Jamaican-Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall and pop composers Planet IV. Their overall dancehall vibe is present on “Pretty Paper”, a song that features a blend of classic 90’s breakbeats (including the popular sample used on the DJ Premier produced “Wordplay” by Bahamadia). While Raekwon rose to fame over the grimy raw style production of the Wu Tang Clan, he tends to mesh well over laid back beats such as these. Meanwhile, you may recognize Assassin from Kanye West’s “I’m In It” that was featured on Yeezus. Each guest provides their own unique artistic qualities on the track and the results are certainly favorable. 

Raekwon Releases “I Wanna Know” (ft. T.I, Doe B), In Honor Of The Slain Rapper Doe B

Over the weekend the hip-hop world suffered another tragic loss as 22 year-old Alabama rapper Doe B was murdered at a nightclub. He had just released his first mixtape Baby Jesus in November and was signed to T.I’s Grand Hustle Records. While we will surely receive posthumous music from the late up and coming Doe B, the more important issue at hand is to pay respect to another rapper who lost his life way too early. In honor of his death, Wu Tang Clan member Raekwon released “I Wanna Know”, a collaboration with T.I and the late Doe B.

The track itself is a strong one as all three rappers come through with strong verses over booming, organ heavy production. It is a shame we will not get the chance to see Doe B progress as an artist and person, but some may find solace in that police have arrested and charged the suspect who they believe to be responsible for his murder.

Raekwon Releases “Lions Paw”, Raps over Gang Starr’s “Mass Appeal”

The Wu Tang Clan have been in the news recently for their announcement and continued delay of their anticipated album A Better Tomorrow. The Wu planned on releasing the project this year in order to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of their first album Enter the Wu Tang: (36 Chambers), but all the members haven’t been able to come together. RZA said publicly every emcee in the group has come to record their verses besides Raekwon. There is no way of knowing why this is the case or if there is a seperate issue between the two, but it is holding up the music which is a situation no one wins from.

Meanwhile, Raekwon let loose a freebie this week with “Lion’s Paw” as the we hear the Chef rapping over the classic Gang Starr beat “Mass Appeal”. He sounds sharp on the track and that DJ Premier production still resonates to this day. Raekwon is building hype for his new solo album F.I.L.A (Fly International Luxurious Art), but let’s be honest here. The fans want Rae in the studio recording for the Wu album so although these songs are nice, we hope the Wu can settle their differences and come together one last time.

Take a listen below as Raekwon sounds right at home over this timeless beat.