Wu-Tang member and rapping legend, Raekwon plays The Redbox on St Patrick's Day.
Raekwon, or Corey Woods or The Chef is one of the most creative and inventive rappers in the US. Raekwon joined the infamous Wu-Tang collective in the early '90s and played an influential role in the making of the group's debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers).
Raekwon decided to stick with the Loud label for his debut solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. The album featured the singles “Ice Cream” and “Criminology”, which mine Raekwon's fascination with gansters and the Mafia. On some tracks Raekwon adopts the persona of gangster Lex Diamonds, to create Oliver Stone styled cinematic narrative songs. Although the album did not see the success of Method Man's and Ol'Dirty Bastard's solo releases, Raekwon was seen as a creative innovator on the rap underground scene. Many critics not only rated Only Built 4 Cuban Linx as one of the best Wu-Tang albums ever made but also as one of the best East Coast gangsta rap albums ever.
Raekwon reunited with the Wu-Tangs for their second album, Wu-Tang Forever. He followed that album with another solo album, Immobilarity, which showcased Raekwon's trademark inventive wordplay. Raekwon featured on further Wu-Tang projects The W and Iron Flag. For his latest album, The Lex Diamond Story Raekwon recalls his gangster persona and mythology on tracks like “Pit Bull Fights”, “All Over Again” ad “Once Upon A Time”. The album features guest appearances from Wu-Tangs, Method Man and Ghostface Killah and an array of underground producers. A must for all rap fans, Raekwon plays The Redbox on the St Patrick's Day.
Time: 8pm
Tickets: €20
Tickets available through Road Records, Big Brother Records and City Discs.
Redbox
Old Harcourt Street Station
Harcourt Street
Dublin 2.
