Raekwon promises Kanye West feature for "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx III"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

When 2011 arrived, Raekwon announced he would be working hard. The Wu-Tang rapper said he would release two albums before the end of the year. Already, he has released Shaolin vs. Wu Tang. On the album, he mentions Only Built 4 Cuban Linx III.

Raekwon spoke with the Wall Street Journal about his new music. He admitted he was still mulling over recording a third installment of OB4CL. The recording of the album depends on timing. Regardless of the title of his next album, Raekwon said it will be powerful.

Speaking on Kanye West, Raekwon promised he would soon be working with him. Raekwon said West is on fire right now and he respects real hip hop. Because of this, Raekwon is very excited about making Kanye West a part of his next album. Whether the title is Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, or something else, the album will have at least one verse from Kanye West.

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Raekwon releases "Shaolin vs. Wu Tang"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following the release of the critically-acclaimed Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, Raekwon announced he was back in the studio. Originally, Raekwon intended to release the follow-up to this album in 2010. But, for creative reasons, Raekwon chose to push the album back.

Late in 2010, Raekwon announced he was recording his follow-up album, Shaolin vs. Wu Tang. The album was scheduled for an early 2011 release. When the New Year arrived, Raekwon announced 2011 was going to be a major year. The New York rapper announced he was to release two albums this year.

The first release from Raekwon in 2011 is Shaolin vs. Wu Tang and it was released today. Currently, Raekwon is promoting the latest single, "Rich & Black." The song was released last week and a video is coming in the upcoming weeks. Raekwon is working hard on the promotion for the new music and will be releasing the video when it is shot.

Today was the first of two album releases from Raekwon. Shaolin vs. Wu Tang is currently available in stores nationwide.

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Raekwon explains RZA's Absence on "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Yesterday, Raekwon shocked fans when he announced his longtime group-mate, RZA, would not be a part of his new album. But, he explained there were many reasons why he was not going to be a part of the new album. Despite the two not working together, there is no beef.

Raekwon has taken a new direction for Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang and RZA was not a major fan. He does not like to work with anything going against Wu-Tang. Still, RZA was willing to help out with the album, but it did not happen. Raekwon promised the album would still have the Wu-Tang sound.

The main reason RZA will not be working with Raekwon is because of his schedule. The two could not find a time when they were both free to work on the album. Because of this and the fact that RZA was not very inspired, the two decided not to work together on this album. But, on his next album, which is also due this year, Raekwon hopes to work with RZA.

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Raekwon discusses New Album and Nas

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In 2009, Raekwon released Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II. The album was well-received by critics and fans alike. After being away from the game for some time, Raekwon was back. While everyone was celebrating, Raekwon was not satisfied.

Before he began recording the album, Rakewon knew he wanted to work with Nas. The two rappers met up and Nas agreed to appear on the album. But, when it was time to record, Nas never recorded his verse. Raekwon had to release the album without him.

Raekwon was a little upset because Nas was not featured on his album. But, with his new album, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, Raekwon has everything he wants. To make up for his last album, Raekwon again invited Nas to be on the album.

Nas promised Raekwon he would be ready to record on this album. With everything in place, Raekwon can hardly wait to put the album together. The Wu-Tang rapper spoke on the album, saying he felt it was the best album of his career. This time around, he has landed all the collaborators he wanted. A good guest list is just as important as the actual album to Raekwon.

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Album Preview: Raekwon - "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Raekwon plans to release the follow-up to his 2009 album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Part II later this year. Towards the end of last year, Rae announced his latest album, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang, late last year.

Over the past few months, Raekwon has been working on putting the new album together. Last year, Raekwon said he wanted Nas on his album and they had reached an agreement. The only thing that stopped this from happening was Nas' schedule.

Nas' schedule was clear for Raekwon's latest album, as he landed a feature.

Track Listing

  1. "Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang"
  2. "Every Soldier in the Hood" featuring Method Man
  3. "Silver Rings" featuring Ghostface Killah
  4. "Ferryboat Killaz"
  5. "The Scroll"
  6. "Masters of our Fate" featuring Black Thought
  7. "Rich and Black" featuring Nas
  8. "Butter Knives"
  9. "Crane Style" featuring Busta Rhymes
10. "Chop Chop Ninja" featuring Inspectah Deck and Estelle
11. "From the Hils" featuring Method Man and Raheem DeVaughn
12. "Last Train to Scotland" featuring Lloyd Banks
13. "Rock N Roll" featuring Jim Jones, Ghostface Killah, and Kobe
14. "Molasses" featuring Rick Ross and Ghostface Killah
15. "Dart School"
16. "Snake Pond"
17. "Wu Chant (Outro)"

The album will be released on March 8, 2011.

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Raekwon doubles up in 2011, plans to release Two New Albums

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following a successful year in 2009, Raekwon planned for an even bigger year in 2010. He decided to wait until later in the year to release his next album. But, the recording process would take longer than he expected. Because of this, Raekwon announced he would release Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang in 2011.

Raekwon recently announced his album would be released on March 8 of this year. Following the release of the Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang album, Rae plans to release another album. The rapper has proclaimed this next album will be DJ-oriented. Production for the next album will come from Just Blaze and Kanye West.

The planned release date for the next album is in October. His new releases will feature collaborations from Method Man, Ghostface, Inspectah Deck, and GZA. Raheen DeVaughn will appear on the upcoming Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang album, along with a song featuring Rick Ross and Jim Jones. Most of the members of the Wu-Tang clan plan to release albums in 2011.

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