By shelz.
The Chef has returned with the Gold Edition of Only Built For Cuban Linx 2 and with the re-issue comes the opportunity for Rae to hit the masses with a few more tracks. For those who are keeping score, that takes the OBFCL 2 total to 29 songs.
Usually a track count that high means a minimal number of gems hidden between lumps of coal, but this album is different. It’s not all grand, but there are plenty of bangers including the 2nd chance single, “Rockstars.” The Inspectah Deck, GZA, RZA and Thea Van Seijan assisted track was in the first collection of songs Rae picked from, but didn’t make the final cut. It should have.
It’s an aloof look at some miserable situations told in that patented Wu matter-of-fact banter. Rae lets you know off that rip, he isn’t talking about white boys with guitars. The rock here is a product more suited to dark alleys than stadiums and Sam Goody’s and the industry that pushes that product may leave you with your head cracked.
Rae’s emotionless style and RZA’s slow narrative bookend Inspectah Deck and his novel ultra hype flow. The story continues in the melancholy vein though. Deck appends some rock star etiquette to Rae’s verse. RZA coolly describes a suicide.
The female singer is Thea Van Seijan, a part jazz, part Hip-Hop vocalist who has been working with RZA for years. Her voice is thick and sticky but lacks depth. Some folks want to compare her to Billie Holiday. To them I say, knock it off.
Even with that all star line up, the track is what makes this song special. The slow melancholy riff from the Blues-tinged guitar leads with a carefully buried organ just for ambiance pulling up the rear. There’s some awkward keyboarding that gives the piece an off kilter feel, along with some sneaky horn stabs here and there that add to the somewhat discomfited construction, but within that odd constitution, the track finds its greatness.
It’s awesome, really. You need a couple of spins to let it settle in, so I’ll let you get to it. Enjoy.
Raekwon feat. Inspectah Deck, GZA and Thea van Seijan – “Rockstars”
30 Rock Stars (ft. Inspectah Deck & GZA)
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