24Hourhiphop.com sits down with Legendary Rap Icon Raekwon .As a member of the Wu-Tang Clan Raekwon helped to sell millions of copies of their albums across the world. The rap group’s debut album Enter The Wu-Tang Clan
(36 Chambers) is known as one of today’s most respected albums in
hiphop history. In 1995 Raekwon established himself as a solo star with
the release of “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx”.
The debut was a mafia minded album which depicted  detailed stories
from the streets.“Only Built For Cuban Linx” peaked at No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Album charts, the album propelled and went on to a platinum status. Raekwon’s second album 1999’s “Immobilarity”
was certified Gold. To date Raekwon has career sales of more than 1.6
million in the US. Now after 14 year’s  Raeqwon has teamed up with EMI Label Services to release the sequel to his platinum selling Classic Album “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II”. The much anticipated follow up has been in the works and is finally dropping this summer.

24Hourhiphop.com sits down with Raeqwon to discuss his new album and to find out how he feels to be Only Built For Cuban Linx.

24: I’m aware you recently signed a new deal with EMI Label Services to release the follow up to your 1995 platinum selling album “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” tell me about the album and what the deal means to you.

Raekwon: When I did the
first album it wasn’t about nothing else but Respect and letting the
world know I’m from the street. I feel like a lot of people wanted me
to do Part 2 because there was so much respect in Part 1 for its
Formula, Production and Street lyrics. You don’t have many artists that
can get that hand or that type of fan support 14, 15 years later and
that’s what I explained to the label. My objective was to come with
another Classic and show them I can step right back into that world and
give them a piece again. My goal when creating this album was to take
it back to when it was not about sales but about Respect, Making a
classic, and making the fans believe again. Making Part 2 was easy the
only hard part was deciding what company it was going to be under now
that there is a recession labels are doubling up. My view now is to own
all my masters I want to make money the way the labels don’t want
artists to make money. I know my value and my worth. I went out there
and I paid my dues to be able to walk into places like this and demand
this type of respect. EMI gave
me a nice situation I worked with them as a business partner more then
an artist they gave me what I wanted and I feel comfortable and that
means a lot to me.

24: The first single off the album “The New Wu” which features Method Man and Ghostface has been getting around and creating a good buzz, tell me about the record and how it came about?

Raekwon: That record was a
four year old beat. I made this album the same way I made the first
one. These where beats I held onto in my stash box and then used when
the time was right. Method and Ghost are family the record is hot and
the video is out too.

24: What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the music game in your opinion over the years?

Raekwon: I feel like there is no more creativity the beat’s ain’t juicy like they used to be.

24: What would you say is your biggest accomplishment thus far in your music career?

Raekwon: I’d have to say the
learning experiences I have been throug that have taught me a lot and
have showed me what it takes to really take over and make the money you
deserve.

24: How’s you’re relationship with the other members of Wu-Tang? Do all of you stay in contact on a regular basis with each other?

Raekwon: I mean we don’t
have to call each other everyday to know we good there is a mutual
respect in the air with everyone. We get in touch from time to time. We
ain’t the type of crew that has to communicate about everything when
it’s time to get busy we make it happen.

24: What was it like for you to work with Wycelf, Lil Wayne and Akon on the “Dolla Bills Remix”?

Raekwon: It was hot working with them I’m a big fan of Wyclef and The Fugees so when he told me he wanted to pay respect I was honored and I was ready. He sent over the record and I laced it. Akon is one of the best artists out and Lil Wayne as well. It was cool to be apart of that song and be around them and have them do that tribute.

24: How do you feel about ODB not being here anymore? Do you think of still enjoyed making music?

Raekwon: First and foremost
I want to say Rest In Peace I think of him all the time he is always in
my heart. He was truly one of the inventors he was a genius. Sometimes
it’s hard knowing he ain’t around anymore his life sorta has a Marvin Gaye
story to it. Who would have known he would no longer be here today
rocking with us. I think they really need to stop and look into the
life of ODB it was hard for
him his life wasn’t easy. I think he would have still been doing music
and would have loved it still. I think they need to do a movie on him.

24: Besides music is there anything else you are involved in or planning to get into?

Raekwon: Yeah I’m actually
opening my mind to getting into films, writing scripts, and directing.
I’ve always liked that hustle I’ve just been on my music grind. At the
present time I’m actually working on a film called “Cash Rules Everything around Me”, it’s going to be crazy.

24: Before we conclude this interview would like to say anything to the fan’s out there in the world and on 24Hourhiphop.com.

Raekwon: Stay tuned for ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II,’ coming this Summer……Wu-Tang Forever!!!