As any Raekwon follower on Twitter will know, the past week his tweets have been dominated by one thing, the release of his new album ‘SHAOLIN vs. WU TANG’. The reviews have ranged from the less than receptive NME rating, which when I first arrived at a virtually empty Forum for his show on 18 March, I wondered if the word had got round, to the more hip hop and Wu Tang informed offerings, which by the time Rae arrived on stage to a semi full house some two hours later, clearly represented the true fans view.
The show much like the album, fused the old Wu Tang inspired flavours with tracks featuring Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, GZA, Method Man, Raheem DeVaughn and Black Thought from The Roots to the new which include singles such as 'Chop Chop Ninja’ featuring the likes of Estelle.
Raekwon and DJ Symphony kicked off the show by taking the audience back to ’93 with Wu Tang Classic C.R.E.A.M, further wetted the crowds appetite with joints from his much celebrated 1995 solo project ‘Only built 4 Cuban Linx’ and ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx part II’ (2009). The night would not have been complete without tributes to both his fellow Wu member ODB and of course Nate Dogg who the hip hop fraternity were mourning after the shocking news of his death earlier that week.
Raekwon was certainly happy to be back in London, letting us know he planned on hitting the nearest West Indian take away after the show. After eighteen years on the scene, and judging by the response he received as he worked the crowd on the night, it was clear to see why he has been described as one of the Wu’s ‘most consistent’ and ‘acclaimed lyricists’. It will be interesting to see what fellow Wu member Gza has in store for London when he arrives in town on 19 April for his show at Garage.
Photography (images 2 and 3): Joseph Wright - For One- Life Media.
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