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Raekwon - The Strongest Link
Interview by: Serge Fleury
 It's been over 12 years since every die- hard Wu-Tang fan popped Raekwon's purple tape in their cassette player; "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx." Before then, everyone's focus was on the charismatic Method Man as the officialmouth piece of The Wu. But after the release of that debut album back in 1995, all opinions started to change pretty quickly. Since then, Shallah Raekwon has released to more albums "Immobilarity" in 1999, and "The Lex Diamonds Story" in 2003. But both efforts didn't live up to the standards of his initial classic.
 “Needless to say, plenty of Wu-Bangers yearned for that same "Cuban Link" sound they first fell in love with. Whoever said patience was virtue, was absolutely right. Because The Chef has been back in the kitchen doing what he does best; cooking up mouth watering pleasantries for his "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2" release. But before you can get to the main course (which also includes Wu-Tang's fifth album, "8 Diagrams"), you have to finish off your plate of appetizers.
The Ice Water Clique is first up on the menu. Consisting of; Cigar, Polite, Stumik, and P.C. This quartet initially got their start by debuting on Raekwon's "The Lex Diamond Story." Since then, they've been waiting to let the world know that Shaolin is still very much a force in Hip-Hop. With the release of their first studio album due up, "Ice Water: Polluted Water", Raekwon had a chance to sit down and talk about his long awaited project, rejoing The Clan to make history again, his pack of hungry lions, and the growing pains of the music industry.
Nobodysmiling.com : Cuban Link 2 has been anticipated for over two years What was; or still is the hold up?
Raekwon : Because I never wanted to rush anything, that's first and foremost right there, know what I mean. When I'm making a Part 2, I know how important it is to impress people. I got a lot of die-hard fans who already know the value of what a n***a did with Part 1. So when you think about me doing Part 2, I don't give a f**k how long it takes to do it. I got to feel comfortable with it, and I got to feel likes it's able to climb to the next level, know what I mean. When I made Cuban Link 2, I didn't sit there and watch everything I did on Cuban Link 1. All I can do right now is set it off, right where I left it at. I did a lot of searching for beats, like RZA and a couple of dudes had to deliver for me. So that's why I didn't want to rush the project, I could have easily put together 12-13 songs and called it that, and said; "f**k what everybody else thinks." But no, because I'm a scientist.
Nobodysmiling.com : "8 Diagrams" is rumored to drop in October. What's your involvement with the album been like?
Raekwon : Nah, nah, that's not a rumor that's 100% official. The Wu-Tang album is about 85% done. I never like to say the project is done, until you actually hand the sh*t off. So we're constantly rebuilding new things, and fixing things. Because you got 9 mothaf**ckas, and 4 can feel that its right, and the other 5 can feel that it can be better. So we're always dealing with criticism amongst our family. If you go into our history; we're a concept group. Because we concept songs. But at the same token my n***a, our sh*t is way more organic than a lot of other n***as sh*t. Nobody wants to
see [us] being on a level of something, that [they're] not. RZA is a powerful producer, and he's going to bring a lot of stuff to the table; to let people know he's still on. Plus he's a creator. There's not any radio songs on there though, I know what n***as listen to on the radio. But we never was radio, or mainstream n***as. We just make good f**ckin' classic albums. That's what this album is about. Strong production, flawless lyrics, and another level of Wu-Tang.
Nobodysmiling.com : Is everyone on board for the new Wu Tang Album? Including Ghost?
Raekwon : Everybody's on board kid, don't even worry about, you know what I mean. [smiles] Everything is good, everything is good money right now. The most important thing is sitting here, and be comfortable with you, to talk about it. Then embrace the world with it, and hopefully people will open their eyes up to what's real; and classic music.
Nobodysmiling.com : How do you think you've maintained your level of relevance, when most other MC's have not?
Raekwon : Because I'm a live ass n***a! N***as know my sand castle didn't wash away. My sh*t didn't go out, my sh*t is only getting stronger, my n***a. When I do take short cuts, it's because I'm still a family man, and I have to care for my family. I know as far as myself, I stay in the streets. By at the same token, when you think of me; you think of the golden era from where n***as really put it in.
Nobodysmiling.com : Were you satisfied with the outcomes of your previous projects?
Raekwon : Let me tell you something, my n***a, I'm always satisfied with what I did. Because I know my true potential, and I was never trying to out do something I already did. I just wanted to let n***as know that when you cop a [Raekwon] album, be prepared to go on a journey with me. Whether you feel like the production could've been all RZA or whatever, I like to open doors for other n***as as well. Because there's a lot of talent out there that's crazy; and they ain't get a chance to be heard. So that's what I was basically doing on other records. Just telling newcomers to come in, if they thought they had something I could vibe to. I wanted to give some n***as a shot, because a n***a didn't have to give me a shot. I never been one to make singles.
I'm just that same n***a with fly-ass New Balances on, and a Champion Hoody. You got to remember the companies I was working with. At that time; they didn't know how to deal with the "kid." That's where I got caught up; people not knowing how to market my record. It's never the music my n***a, it's the politics. I had a lot to do with a lot of the early 90's Hip-Hop. Since my sh*t didn't pop off, a lot of n***as ran with my format and got [their] sh*t popping. I don't respect that sh*t! I got n***as running up to me in the streets talking about they didn't like my last record. So I ask them if they heard it, and they say "no." So how "THE F**K"you ain't like it; if you didn't hear it?! I'm not good at make commercial records, I'm not good at making hooks. I'm not Captain Hook, know what I mean. But I gets down though.
Nobodysmiling.com : Your previous projects had a lot of conscious material. Did you incorporate some of that onto Cuban Link 2?
Raekwon : Nah, nah [laughing] on that record right there my n***a, its straight "cocaine-rap." Just straight Champion Hoodies, because that's the caliber of record it is. That's the sh*t y'all n***as wanted me to wear that day, so that's the kind of chapter it is right now. I just wanted to give n***as another strong classic, and I think I did that.
Nobodysmiling.com : Did you feel any pressure to create that?
Raekwon : Not at all my n***a, because I'm a master. The pressure only comes when I have to sit there and deal with the politics of the game. Then I say to myself; "do I minimize, or do I maximize over the politics?" Or do I come in and still be creative with what I came with in the first place? But can't nobody talk me out whatever I feel. So I had to sit here, and make this album for me. But at the same time, that hoody stayed on tight my n***a. You know how you put it on and close it real tight, so n***as can't see your face?
Nobodysmiling.com : Yeah.... [smiles]
Raekwon : That's how I felt on this record, kid. I feel real strong about it.
Nobodysmiling.com : Lets talk about Ice Water. How did you guys first meet?
Raekwon : Well these guys are real street legends in the 'hood, and they have a lot of creditability in Staten Island. I'm at the level where I have to open doors for other brothers. They have the ability to make records but, they had to find themselves at the time. Now [they're] stronger than ever, and [they're] making good records.
Nobodysmiling.com : What can we expect to hear from Ice Water: Polluted Water?
Raekwon : You can expect to hear the new generation of n***as that put it in. N***as that know how to put words together, and that make songs. They're dudes that give you that look, and you're like; "yeah I believe them." I got
my own friends involved too. If they didn't think these n***as had it, theywasn't f**ckin' with them. I tell them at times, they have to burn me on track. I already put my work in; n***as want to see what y'all can do.
Nobodysmiling.com : Right now Hip-Hop seems over saturated. How is The Ice Water Clique going to stand out amongst other rap acts that are associated with big named artists?
Raekwon : I think the music is going to determine what it be. People just got to open their eyes, and basically you have to see for yourself. If you you like it; then that's what it is. I got people looking at it the same way you are, like; "okay these n***as got to impress me."
Nobodysmiling.com : What was the creative process like in the studio?
Raekwon : Well it was like; I'll come up with ideas and they might come up with a better one. I'm always being flexible, but at the same time; I telling them how I feel about it. Sometimes they'd come and impress me with something, and I'd be like; "yo, I'm feeling that!" "That's what time it is!" You know what I mean.
Nobodysmiling.com : What would you say you learned from them?
Raekwon : You know what I learned from them; that they're hungry, man. They want it so bad, they can taste the success. They watched us do it, and they been around the best. Also I just tell them the truth. I'm not here to make you laugh, I can make you cry too.
Nobodysmiling.com : You have a song with Remy Ma on the album. What's your thoughts on her current situation?
Raekwon : I think that's an isolated incident. Whatever she goes through, is her personal business. Remy is a good friend of mine, and I told her I got a record that fits her. That my boys are on it, and I'm on the hook. She had to like it before she did it. She looked me in my face and said "Rae I really like the record, and it's an honor to f**k with y'all." That's how that happened.
Nobodysmiling.com : What are some of the things you put them through in order to be ready to drop an album?
Raekwon : I put them through hell. They could've came out 2 years ago. But the most important thing I put them through, is being disciplined and believing in your product.
Nobodysmiling.com : What do you want fans to take away from this album?
Raekwon : I just want to know that these cats are hailing from the slums of Staten Island, that they got potential. They got what it takes to be winners, and I want people to open up their minds.
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