There’s no denying that Raekwon — he of the legendary cadre known as the Wu-Tang Clan — has cemented his place in Hip Hop history, both as an individual and as part of the greater Killa Bees collective. Certainly, anything he does from herein out will be held to the highest of standards, and of course, compared to his seminal magnum opus Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
And so, it perhaps goes without saying that The Appetition wasn’t going to go anywhere near Cuban Linx, if only because it’s a three-song EP and not a full-length album. There’s more meat, so to speak, in the EP’s accompanying documentary — which walks us through the process of crafting this satisfying piece of work, and was recorded entirely at the Red Bull Studios in New York City — than there is in the songs, themselves.
This is not to say that the songs are bad, per se. On the contrary: The Appetition is pure, unadulterated Raekwon. Though he never was going to achieve the mainstream success of his fellow Clansman Method Man — or, for that matter, the late ODB — the Chef has crafted some of the most intense, introspective work in the Wu-Tang Clan’s oeuvre, and he deserves to get his flowers while he’s still with us.
“Solid Gold,” the first song, has Raekwon musing about “adding on, and dropping a few jewels just to save a few,” and as he’s wont to do, he puts it over a default mafioso beat. One can’t help but wonder if the Chef might benefit from switching his style up, production-wise (longtime collaborators Lord Quest and Twhy Xclusive have their influence all over this sampler), to get a fresh sound — but if it ain’t broke…and you know the rest.
“Chef It Up,” the second track, is also the most powerful, and has Raekwon at his most lion-esque; “Shell’s Kitchen” wraps it up with just straight-ahead freeform bars.
Speaking in the documentary, Raekwon said that The Appetition is a preview of what’s to come for him in 2020. As he now enters his fifth decade of life — and his third decade of being a Clansman — The Chef still knows he’s got all the right flavors.
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LMFAO!!! THIS SHIT BEE OUT!!!
Another raekwon classic record. Ain’t nobody stopping those WU brothaz. THE SAGA CONTINUE!
Lol til they drop a Wu Tang project then it’s chitty
wtf Bernadette Giacomazzo. You dont need to add “he of the legendary cadre known as the Wu-Tang Clan” in your introduction…if motherfckers dont know who Rae or Wu Tang are, then they shouldnt be on this page.
He needs production from the griselda/roc marciano camp. Shit neva been the same without rza production for all wu members except for ghost
Roc Marci is his own camp, fam. Check the credits. With the exception of the occasional Alchemist or Arch Druids beat, Roc produces the majority of his own albums.
THREE tracks? Is this worth a REVIEW??
What are you going to review next time? A two-track “album”??
Please don’t waste your time and my time on these things, they’re not even EPs…
Please!
Does he at least make sense while he’s rapping?
Only 3 tracks !? We need more Rae ! Raes certified legend ! Waiting on next album !!
It’s good ready for album tho?
This is not up to the standards that he has set. He even has a corny ass trap beat. Step your production game up fam this mug is weak as hell.
Legandary status? How can you be a legend if only like 10 people know you. Drake is a real legend global superstar. This guy needs multiple drake featurea to become a legend. In 2020 if you dont have a drake feature you just dont matter in the rap game. Drake has the rap game by the throat.
U mean Drake has the pop game by the throat. Raekwon a real emcee.
Wu + Trap
Just 3 songs man…it’s like a girl you like that only wants to be your friend…i’m not havin it