Raekwon Continues Winning Streak With ‘Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang’

When Wu-Tang Clan legend Raekwon announced last year that he would be releasing a followup to his classic 'Only Built for Cuban Linx' debut, many had their doubts.

Rae released his revered album more than 16 years ago, and his releases in between were unimpressive, but as he proved with 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2,' the Chef's darts are as sharp as ever. In an exclusive interview with The Boombox, Raekwon shed some light on his forthcoming album, 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang,' explaining that he's still "in the zone from 'Cuban Linx II.'

"I'm back to doing what I do best, which is getting on that mic and getting into it," Rae said. "I feel good, this is something that I love to do. You're definitely talking to one of the real hip-hop mothaf---as, and I'm just in a great state of mind."

The Staten Island MC continued to explain that his recent success is also due, in part, to the level of production he's been receiving this time around. "I'm running across great production. I always felt [that] the better the production is, the more Rae could perform better, and do his thing, and he's feeling good right now. My mic is just on fire right now. My pen, everything is on fire. Sometimes they say when you get a winning streak you gotta run with it, so I guess that's what's going on right now. I'm just running with where I left off on 'Cuban Linx II."

Expect the usual Wu lot to show up on the album too. "You gonna see a couple of cats from the crew up there, and you gonna get a lotta me up there," Rae said. "I got a few special guests and a gang-load of star producers that's gonna really make this album another classic. I feel great about it, I'm still in my zone from 'Cuban Linx II,' so everything is good."

Though release dates change with the seasons in hip-hop, Rae said that 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang' is scheduled for a September drop date.

"Shaolin VS Wu-Tang' is an action-packed concept album for the fans, especially the Wu-tang fans, to get a chance to see both sides of Rae- on the Shaolin s--- and on the Wu-Tang s---," Rae concluded.

Raekwon's 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2' is in stores now.