After declaring war on the industry with his explosive OB4CL2, his 5th studio album ‘Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang’ sees Raekwon battle his toughest opponent in the rap game - himself.
To offer an album just as strong without RZA’s involvement had many haters ready to pounce, quick to surmise ‘beef’ was the reason. Rae stated he wanted to step out from his Abbot’s shadow, and cement his own footprints on the concrete.
It’s this focus that sees Rae’s energy & grittiness consume him on his new album. His fellow Wu fam Ghostface Killah, Method Man, GZA & Inspectah Deck are aboard to offer their best lyrics to date - and that is saying something with the trio out-writing their efforts on Wu-Massacre & Apollo Kids! Each member continues to prove why they are among the best today.
To indulge in his individual street-side, Rae goes outside the immediate family & collaborates with friends Busta Rhymes (Crane Style) & Nas (Rich & Black) plus Lloyd Banks (Last Trip To Scotland), Havoc (Your World, My World) and Rick Ross (Molasses) were invited. And it’s like each artist was feeling the pressure of appearing on a Rae joint, as they dug deep and provided their career-best bars. So sharp are the guests’ efforts, makes you wonder if this is the first time in a while that they have truly used their lyrical skills.
Production wasn’t short of perfect either. The tension almost overflows onto the tracks with Scram Jones, Oh-No & Erick Sermon, Cilvaringz, Bronze Nazareth, Mathematics & DJ Khalil mastering the boards to create a buckshot of the Wu signature sound.
If the huge task of delivering an album close to the all-time classic OB4CL wasn’t hard enough, Rae punched us dead in the face with OB4CL2. Well, Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang is the left cross to put us on our asses. The minimal dark tones, kung fu samples & craft-conscious rhymes emphasize the maturity of the record. Rae’s effort reminds us that the Wu-sound has evolved & still dominates the streets.
When ‘Enter The 36 Chambers’ was released, it saw a Shaolin side & a Wu-Tang side; a street-bred raw individual side versus a strong mentally focused team effort. And although RZA was the guru in setting the tone, Shallah Raekwon has shown that all apprentices, in time, become masters themselves.
4.5 - 5, as I can’t see this leaving my deck anytime soon.
Bunk 27.03.11
Released March 7, 2011
Ice H20/EMI Records
When you are at the top, and all opponents are defeated, how do you stay sharp? Battle yourselves & see who reigns supreme.
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