In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, writer, author and one of Wu-Tang Clan's founding members:
Shallah, Lex Diamonds...
RAEKWON (The Chef)
The impact of 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...' aka 'The Purple Tape', cemented Rae's legacy as one of the original kings of Mafioso hip hop. Here's what we covered in this one:
• Rae and Talib meeting for the first time at Loud Records headquarters. • Coming up in the Park Hill aka 'Killa Hill' projects of Staten Island. • His past of identifying as a member of the five percent nation. • How the Wu-Tang Clan came together, RZA calling on Rae to help form the group. • A deep dive into the process of penning classics like 'Can It Be All So Simple'. • Discussion of the real story behind the backronym of 'C.R.E.A.M.'. • How Rae and Ghost became such close friends through sharing the same creative vision. • Talk of the 'Wu-Tang: An American Saga' series and Rae's take on how it turned out. • His 611 Purple Factory located in Toronto, Canada dedicated to Rae and the Wu. • Breaking down notable verses on the song 'Incarcerated Scarfaces'. • The scientific study done on which rappers have the largest vocabulary. • Explanation of the mindset when Rae and Ghost did the 'Striving For Perfection' intro. • Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Kool G, Slick Rick, LL and KRS as Rae's Justice League. • Center piecing the cocaine underworld on 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..' • Wu-Tang member Cappadonna and what he means to the Wu legacy. • Rae's favorite Gangster movies of all-time. • The Force M.D.'s paving the way for future Staten Island artists. • Love for all music and how special the 90's were. • Advice for up and coming emcees about not skipping steps to success. • Bringing the East and South together on Outkast's 'Skew It On The Bar-B'. • The pressure of meeting expectations on 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II'. • Rae's book 'From Staircase to Stage: The Story of Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan'.
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