Raekwon Drops ‘Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang’ Single, ‘Butter Knives’

After rejuvenating his career with the 2008 smash 'Only Built for Cuban Linx Pt. 2,' Raekwon has finished his follow-up and it's slated for a March 2011 release. The album, entitled 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang,' is set to feature many of his Wu brethren such as Ghostface Killah, Method Man, GZA and Inspectah Deck, as well as outside icons like Nas and Black Thought.

"Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang is done," Rae recently revealed on his personal H20TV YouTube channel. "It's coming in March. It's fire."

The album was originally announced as something of a return to basics after the release of the Wu's last album '8 Diagrams.' At the time, Raekwon showed dissatisfaction with RZA's production choices and control over the group. He said the record wasn't something that fans wanted from Wu-Tang Clan and promised to make 'Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang' a street rap opus without any of the psychedelic hip-hop bent that RZA has been exploring.

To celebrate the completion of the record, Rae also dropped its very first street single earlier today to gain some buzz. The track is called 'Butter Knives' and features Wu affiliate Bronze Nazareth on production. Using his trademark smooth flow to talk tough with tons of slang, this is the Raekwon we know and love.