Raekwon Details Complicated Relationship With RZA & Avoiding Wu-Tang Drama

BY Erika Marie 10.2K Views
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Raekwon
He spoke about letting the little things go when it came to tension but admitted that those small issues could make for big problems in the future.

The Wu-Tang Clan is an unmatched collective that is respected in all facets of the music industry, but their personal journeys haven't been easy. We've often heard behind-the-scenes information courtesy of documentaries or Hulu biopics, but Raekwon is giving his perspective in his book,  From Staircase to Stage: The Story of Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan. The Rap legend also recently sat down with VladTV where he spoke about his complicated relationship with fellow Wu member RZA, adding that RZA could convince the Rap group to do just about anything because he was so convincing.

In his book, Raekwon also mentioned a conversation that he had with his collaborator about their system, stating that their way of doing things was out of wack. According to Raekwon, RZA told him that it wasn't the system that was the problem, but the rappers, themselves.

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"I could never respect that," said Raekwon. "Now you pointin' fingers. Now you tryin' to throw it back on us when in all reality, you are apart of us, so it's all of us. Where you get this 'you' sh*t from? Like I said, I would say the same things to the boys, too, because I'm a vocal n*gga. When it come to me feelin' some kinda way, I gotta say something 'cause I'm hearing the chatters in the house. So, when you hear the chatters in the house, it's like, yo, what the f*ck are we doin'? Yo, let's get to it. Let's find out what's going on."

"A lot of times, it was always the love that we had and the respect there, that the business got way caught up in it," he added. "And a lot of times it's like, like I said, I feel like yo, damn, I don't really wanna spaz on my n*ggas because I love these n*ggas, and at the same time, we built somethin' so beautiful, that the world is attracted to it. So, let it go. Let it fly. It's gonna fix itself."

When reflecting on where they came from and seeing where they were, Raekwon said that many of the little things were dismissed as to not cause problems. "But sometimes, the little things mean a lot. One little thing can turn into another f*ckin' little thing, and then, you have seventeen little things that become a big f*ckin' problem, now."

"That's what was goin' on with this family, with this assembled family. Assembled." Watch Raekwon open up below.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.