Although it’s been documented that Raekwon has had, let’s say, “second thoughts” about the next Wu-Tang project, in a sitdown with Rolling Stone he really let his feelings be known about A Better Tomorrow, the RZA, and much more.
Some choice quotes:
“And yeah, we are at creative differences because at the end of the day, I want to win. I’m used to being a winner. Being that I feel the team is being compromised by his so-called “logic” of making music, I have a problem with that because I love my fans. I would never want to give my fans anything other than the best. So when we’re sitting there discussing the creative process of making a great album for the fans, I’m not going to never settle for less. I’m not the only one [in the group] that feels this way too.”
What do you think of “Keep Watch”?
I hate it. I hate it. I don’t hate shit, but I hate that fuckin’ record. It ain’t the gunpowder that my brothers are spitting; it’s the production. And I ain’t shitting on the producer because he’s one of our soldiers. But if it ain’t where it need to be… It’s 20 years later. We talkin ’bout a whole new generation is sitting here representin’ and making fiery shit and you telling me that we comin out with some mediocre shit? That ain’t part of our plan.
It almost sounds like you’re on strike.
It’s the same as being an athlete. I don’t give a fuck if it’s Kobe Bryant or Kevin Durant. They will not touch the floor if their managers or lawyers are saying, “Listen, shit ain’t right.” So therefore, I’m in a limbo situation. So yeah, you’re right. I am on strike. It ain’t the fact that I don’t want to be there. Because of course I want to be there. But if we’re there, we gotta do the best everything. We gotta work 10 times harder, because that’s what I’m signing in for. I’m not about listening to somebody that’s not an artist telling me what the fuck they think is hot.
As far as the RZA, I respect him, I love him – the love ain’t gonna go anywhere – but you’re not in the music world no more. So to me, you need to take a backseat and respect the n—as that is playing the game. I’m always out in the field and finding out what’s going on with the new. Period.
And, my personal favorite:
“RZA’s a coach who won rings back in the day, but now your team is in ninth place. It’s time for a new fucking game plan.” (ed. note: That sounds like a shot against the Lakers too. I’m just saying, Shake…)
I remember reading on the Twitter, after The Undertaker lost at Wrestlemania XXX a few weeks ago, someone say that “everybody in his childhood is washed except for Bart Simpson and JAY Z.” After reading this piece, he couldn’t have been more right.
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