Raekwon

For other people with the name, see Raekwon (name).

Raekwon
Raekwon at the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival
Raekwon at the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival
Background information
Birth nameCorey Woods
Also known as
  • Raekwon The Chef
  • Shallah Raekwon
  • Lex Diamonds
Born (1970-01-12) January 12, 1970 (age 54)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
OccupationRapper
DiscographyRaekwon discography
Years active1985–present
Labels
Member ofWu-Tang Clan
Websiteraekwondachef.com

Corey Woods[2] (born January 12, 1970),[3][4] better known by his stage name Raekwon (/reɪˈkwɒn/, ray-KWON), is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan, which achieved mainstream success following the release of their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), in 1993. Raekwon would subsequently pursue a solo career, releasing his first solo album, entitled Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., in 1995. The album received critical acclaim, and is regarded by many critics as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, as well as a staple of 1990s rap.[5]

Whereas his next two albums, Immobilarity in 1999 and then The Lex Diamond Story in 2003, drew mixed reviews, his fourth album, long delayed, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, released in September 2009, was likened to The Godfather 2. Recognized for his "street epics" that are "straightforward yet linguistically rich,"[6] Raekwon is ranked among leading rappers.[7] Meanwhile, he founded the record label ICE H20 Records.

  1. ^ Rys, Dan (September 30, 2015). "22 Aftermath Artists Who Have Left The Label". XXL Magazine. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "Raekwon Brings "The Wild" To Fans With 7th Studio Album". Hiphopdx.com. March 23, 2017. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
  3. ^ "Official Site of the Wu-Tang Clan". Wu-Tang Corp. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  4. ^ RZA, 2005, The Wu-Tang Manual, p. 18.
  5. ^ "Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt II (staff review)". Sputnikmusic.com. September 10, 2009. Archived from the original on December 19, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  6. ^ Preira, Matt (September 1, 2011). "Raekwon da Chef and Ghostface Killah Cook Up Classic Gangsta Rap at Rock the Bells Miami". Blogs.miaminewtimes.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  7. ^ "Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987–2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time". Rap.about.com. January 26, 2012. Archived from the original on May 10, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.