In the latest episode of Noisey’s Rap Show, Kool A.D. sits down with the legendary Kool Keith to discuss everything from an unreleased track called ‘I’m Pissin’ Hard’ to his upcoming lingerie line…

The lead visual from Aesop Rock’s upcoming Skelethon album which is available for pre-order here. While you wait for that to drop you can also download the single, here…

DJ Jed 104 takes a look back through Wu-Tang representer, Raekwon’s catalogue for this week’s edition of Throwback Sundays…

If you don’t know already (and I doubt that if you’re reading this blog) Raekwon the Chef is a front member of Wu Tang Clan and solo artist in his own right. Rae’s most prominent release was ‘Only Built for Cuban Links’, subsequent releases have had a mixed but generally positive response but personally out of them I was feeling ‘Only Built…Pt 2′ and ‘Shaolin Vs Wu Tang’.

The whole period surrounding the release of ‘Only Built for Cuban Linx’ was a great time for hip hop even if you just look at fellow Wu Tang artists’ releases. 1993 had seen the release of Wu-Tang’s landmark record “Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)”, which busted the door open for a slew of East Coast Hip Hop artists; Nas, Mobb Deep, Jay-Z and Biggie included. A year later and and we got Method Man’s debut ‘Tical’ and Gravediggaz ’6 Feet Deep’. The next year (1995) and O.D.B. came out with ‘Return to the 36 Chambers’, Gza dropped ‘Liquid Swords’ and then Raekwon released ‘Only Built for Cuban Links’. It was entirely produced by RZA with his long time partner in crime Ghostface appearing on half of the tracks.

For me personal preference between these Wu members debut albums is irrelevant they’re all dope they are all hip hop classics. Only depending on my mood would I pick one over the other and yes today I’m in a Raekwon mood. Crazy wordplay, Mafioso lyrics and rapping about abstract stuff in one breath that has apparently nothing to do with anything in the previous. Rae’s voice and style is iconic and a central part of Wu-Tang clan’s sound. Here’s some tracks to bring back memories or get you acquainted if you’re unfamiliar:

Raekwon – Criminology

2 of their best verses ever. Period.

Raekwon – Incarcerated Scarfaces

Raekwon – Rainy Dayz (unreleased remix)

Some prefer the original but I couldn’t pick. I bugged when I heard this remix it’s a feel good track and it’s not well known. But the original has and amazing beat and that haunting Wu-tang sound, its up next so you decide.

Raekwon – Rainy Dayz

Bonus Section

Fat Joe Ft Raekwon, Nas, Big Pun & Jadakiss – John Blaze

Ghostface Killah ft Raekwon – Daytona 500

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The first visual from singer/songwriter David Stewart’s new mixtape, Late Night Viewing, which I’ve been listening to a lot since it dropped on Friday, and comes highly recommended to fans of quality songwriting without the need to fit into the box of a particular genre…

After releasing his latest EP last week, Mikill Pane teams up with SB.TV once again to drop his first F64 over AC/DC’s ‘Back In Black’…

Redman and Gilla House affiliate Ready Roc take on the Watch The Throne opener…

Life Is Good‘s second single finally get’s the visual treatment. Look out for the album dropping July 17th…

Joey takes on some MF DOOM production on the latest cut to surface from the Pro-Era representative’s highly anticipated 1999 mixtape, which should be dropping soon…

The first set of visuals from the Das Racist emcee’s Oakland inspired 51 mixtape, which you can download free-of-charge here…

I got played a few of these tracks last week and couldn’t wait for the full project to drop today. This is definitely one for fans of the current wave of ‘post-RnB’ artists like Frank Ocean, and with features from some of the UK’s biggest acts (Example, Ed Sheeran, Wretch 32 and Yasmin) is definitely one to watch!

Hit the jump for tracklist and download…
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