Raekwon

For the first time in New Zealand, Wu-Tang Clan legend - Raekwon.

Since his critically acclaimed debut solo LP went platinum in 1995, Raekwon has solidified his place as a certified rap legend. Now with the release of the sequel 'Only Built For Cuban Linx…Pt. II', this long-standing member of the Wu-Tang Clan brings the raw side of hip-hop to Auckland in March.

In 1993, hip-hop would be forever changed by the emergence of the gritty, Shaolin-style of the seminal rap clique, the Wu-Tang Clan. Straight from the streets of Staten Island, New York, a unique conglomerate of nine individually exceptional lyricists flourished - Method Man, Raekwon, RZA, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA, U-God, Masta Killa, and Ol' Dirty Bastard.

Raekwon (the Chef), shined as the purist of the Wu-Tang lyricists. When the time came for him to release his first solo album, 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…' (1995), hip-hop, once again, underwent a momentous transformation. This classic album, went gold in three days. With its invigorating instrumentals and dramatic lyrical tales, Raekwon painted vivid pictures and presented powerful imagery through his enchanting verbal expression.

September 2009 saw the release of the long-awaited sequel to his debut album 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt. II' with Executive Producers Busta Rhymes and RZA at the helm and contributions from Dr Dre, Ghostface Killah, Erick Sermon, Scram Jones, Pete Rock, Method Man, Jadakiss and J-Dilla, among others.

In December 2009 the 2009 HipHopDx Awards chose ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt. II' as their Album Of The Year and crowned Raekwon Best Emcee Of The Year.

“Raekwon brought it back to lyrical, dope, rap. He released an album that spoke to teens, twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, and beyond. Without compromising,’the Chef’ made an edgy Hip Hop record that refused to bastardise the catalogue he laid down 15 years ago…a go-to for numerous rappers making albums”. HipHopDX.com

When Raekwon speaks, everyone listens. The current void in hip-hop is filled with this rap veteran's crafty verbal gymnastics and artistic form of storytelling. The Chef still possesses the recipe to cook up a lyrical meal, a jambalaya of words with the main ingredient being superior skills. Animated and intense, Raekwon's stealth delivery is filled with emotion, skilled cadence and an array of diverse stories, hooks, and topics.

— eventfinder.co.nz