Raekwon is taking full-throttle to an entirely new level. 2009's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II blew open the doors of opportunity for the Wu-Tang veteran; glowing reviews and a top-five position on the Billboard 200 put him back in center spotlight, renewing Rae's motivation to expand his vision and build his own empire. He founded the Ice H20 label, established his own in-house production team and is looking to follow Def Jam's model to prosperity and longevity by working directly with artists he believes in to build on the brand he's spent nearly two decades laying the foundation for.
On March 30, Raekwon gave the fans more of what they want with Wu-Massacre, a blistering full-length collaboration with his fellow Wu warriors Method Man and Ghostface Killah. It's just the first of many high-profile projects on the burner for 2010, which will also include the long-awaited Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang album, a collaboration with Scarface and Capone-N-Noreaga’s The War Report II, another sequel to a sacred ’90s New York rap album.
CraveOnline: Does it feel like another win with Wu-Massacre? Fans are loving it, you're getting 4 & 5 star reviews across the board - how's this resurgence sitting with you?
Raekwon: Oh I'm excited man. Anything to make the people go wild for what we do. It's really just about gettin back in the zone and putting on our thinking caps. But I'm excited though because the fans is excited. And to be honest with you, we gotta always keep it a hundred with the fans. Like I always wanna say, we can always do better. That was something that needed to get put together. The fans love it, this is where we need to be, and I'm happy. Me, I'm one of those rappers that's never satisfied. Cause if I get too satisfied I won't create as hard as I could.
FULL INTERVIEW
Wu-Massacre was good but first of all, too short and second of all rushed.