What is Raekwon's real name and when was he born?
Raekwon's real name is Corey Woods. He was born on the 12th of January 1970 in Brownsville, Brooklyn.
Questions about Raekwon
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... and why is it considered a classic?
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... is Raekwon's debut solo album, released on the 1st of August 1995. It received immediate critical acclaim for its cinematic narrative built around imagery of criminal struggle, entirely produced by RZA, with Ghostface Killah appearing on more than half the tracks. It debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
How did Raekwon get his name?
Raekwon attributes the name to the Five-Percent Nation, an offshoot of the Nation of Islam, which he encountered as a young kid growing up on Staten Island.
When did Raekwon join the Wu-Tang Clan?
Raekwon joined the Wu-Tang Clan in 1992. The group debuted with Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) in November 1993, which was later certified platinum, with the single "C.R.E.A.M." reaching number 8 on the Billboard rap chart.
How was Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II received by critics?
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, released on the 8th of September 2009, was named album of the year by HipHopDx, which called it "the Hip Hop equivalent to The Godfather 2." Raekwon also won Emcee of the Year from HipHopDx that December, and MTV ranked him tenth among the hottest rappers that September.
What record label did Raekwon found and when?
Raekwon founded Ice H20 Records in 2012. The label has released his own albums and signed underground artists, and it served as the distribution vehicle for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II under EMI in 2009.