by BBG

DOWNLOAD: Raekwon - "Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang" (MP3)

Raekwon at Best Buy Theater (more by Brook Bobbins)

HipHopDX: Can you elaborate for me a little bit on how [Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang] is different from your last official solo LP [Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II]?

Raekwon: [Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Pt. II] was me going back into my Godfather status... But this album is more constructed to be like a real, real Wu album. When you think of Wu's early music, how we had the karate skits and the music was coinciding and sounding choppy like that karate format, this album is carved out in the same significance. I had to make sure that I upgraded too, because we dealing with a whole new sound [in Hip Hop], a whole new generation of listeners. And [so] for me, it's still gotta feel new but still feel old, youknowhatImean...

HipHopDX [You & RZA] ...obviously dealt with any disagreements that arose with 8 Diagrams, so with the sound of Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang being back on that 36 Chambers tip, why not go to the architect of that sound for some new sonic designs?

Raekwon: Well the architect, he didn't really wanna co-sign this because he felt like the whole energy of this album being made came to... you know, challenge him as being one of the Grandmasters. I respect where he coming from. I mean, one thing everybody gotta realize is the Clan, it's a lot of us, man. And every now and then we have difficulties in communicating wit' one another.

Well, maybe that explains why RZA wasn't in attendance at Best Buy Theater on 12/29. When Raekwon celebrates the release of his new LP Shaolin VS Wu-Tang at Music Hall of Williamsburg on the day of its release, March 8th, RZA probably won't be throwing confetti. Tickets go on sale Friday (1/28) at noon for the show that will feature DJ sets from Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg from Hot 97. The show is Raekwon's lone tour date thus far.

Check out the title track for Raekwon's Shaolin Vs Wu-Tang which is available for download above and streaming below, along side some video.

Continue reading "Raekwon releasing 'Shaolin VS Wu-Tang', playing MHOW"

Jay-Z's new album, The Blueprint 3, is out today (September 8, 2009). Jay-Z is playing a free MySpace Music Show tomorrow (September 9th) at Blender (Gramercy) Theatre, presented by the video game DJ Hero. Entry for the public is being limited to 200 tickets, which will be available tomorrow at 10am, if you want to wait in line. Full details are below.

Jay-Z plays a charity show on 9/11 at the considerably bigger Madison Square Garden. Tickets for that went on sale this morning. A few hours before that, Jay appeared on Hot 97's morning show with Cipha Sounds & Rosenberg. Video from that appearance with the Gramercy show info, below...

Continue reading "Jay-Z - new album out - playing NYC' Gramercy Theatre Wed."