Raekwon | |
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![]() Raekwon at the 2010 Pitchfork Music Festival | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Corey Woods |
Also known as |
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Born | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. | January 12, 1970
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation | Rapper |
Discography | Raekwon discography |
Years active | 1985–present |
Labels | |
Member of | Wu-Tang Clan |
Website | raekwondachef |
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.