Raekwon the Chef has a knack for saying the perfect lines at the perfect time. There’s just something about his voice, crazy slang, laid back yet aggressive flow and choice of words.
Chef and his partner-in-crime, the Wallabee Don, always have have the flyest, luxurious, slang-filled, street shit to say, so when you hear Rae’s voice and that “Aye Yo”, you know you’re in for something special.
That’s probably why RZA picked Chef to open up so many classic Wu-Tang records. So let’s get into it, here are the 18 greatest Chef opening lines, in chronological order.
Wu-Tang Clan – “C.R.E.A.M.”
I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side Stayin' alive was no jive Had secondhands, Mom's bounced on old man So then we moved to Shaolin land
Appears on: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Released: November 9, 1993
Wu-Tang Clan – “7th Chamber”
Champion gear that I rock, you get your boots knocked Then attack you like a pit, then lock shit down As I come and freaks the sound Hardcore, but givin' you more, more like "Ding!"
Appears on: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Released: November 9, 1993
Wu-Tang Clan – “Can It Be All So Simple”
Started off on the island, aka Shaolin Ni**as wilin', gun shots thrown, the phone diallin' Back in the days, I'm 8 now Makin' a tape now, Rae gotta get a plate now
Appears on: Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Released: November 9, 1993
Raekwon – “Knowledge God”
Fake ni**as throw shit in they drinks Club nights we snatch links, politic, Africans and Chinks Wide World of Sport ni**as snort coke by the seconds Ni**as projects filled with fiends injecting morphine
Appears on: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
Released: August 1, 1995
Raekwon – “Incarcerated Scarfaces”
Thug-related style attract millions, fans They understand my plan, who's the kid up in the green Land? Me and the RZA connect, blow a fuse, you lose Half-ass crews get demolished and bruised
Appears on: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
Released: August 1, 1995
Raekwon – “Glaciers of Ice”
Stand on the block, Reebok, gun cocked Avalanche rock get paid off mass murderous services Chef break 'em, watch the alley cats bake 'em Po-nine made 'em, drop grenades and take 'em
Appears on: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
Released: August 1, 1995
Ghostface Killah – “Daytona 500”
Say peace to cats who rock MAC Knowledge Knowledges Street astrologists, light up the mic God, acknowledge this Fly joints that carry two points, Corolla Motorola holder Play it God, E-pack over the shoulder
Appears on: Ironman
Released: October 29, 1996
Ghostface Killah – “Motherless Child”
Rich man, poor man, read the headlines Ni**as gettin' murdered for spots and bigger dimes Droughts and drug wars, living by gun law Jail cats come home and want to take yours
Appears on: Ironman
Released: October 29, 1996
Fat Joe – “Firewater”
Yo, control this rap like Napoleon, half-Mongolian Hold it, you owe me in, rock 'em like linoleum, yeah Lex, diamonds, shinin' like you rhymin', 929-in'
Appears on: Endangered Species
Released: 1996
AZ – “Doe or Die (Remix)”
Yo, yo I roll wit brothers who puff dust lust plus A + conniving cash you can't trust Yo, these avalanche rock throwers, granola holders Style is steady ready like a military soldier
Appears on: N/A
Released: 1996
Wu-Tang Clan – “It’s Yourz”
Machine-gun rap for all my ni**as in the back Stadium packed, linebacker ni**a flash stacks See through yellow lines, rock a fly jersey in the summertime, God
Appears on: Wu-Tang Forever
Released: June 3, 1997
Wu-Tang Clan – “Heaterz”
Blade thrower, sword swinga, killa bee ringer Rocky road roll dark greener Cream fademas, name your God-U Kareema Shout out Medina, federaloes Noxzema
Appears on: Wu-Tang Forever
Released: June 3, 1997
Onyx – “The Worst”
Aiyyo, staircase to stage now, major waves Tanktop Nautica, flippin' your daughter thirty ways Yeah, who want mine? Bent outta shape, one time Play the mall, starin' at your bird of all sunshine
Appears on: Shut ‘Em Down
Released: December 23, 1997
Pete Rock – “Tha Game”
Call me the black champion, Guess down, wanna test now So let's grab the mack and vest, bless him if he stressed out Amazing, blazin' Purple Haze spaceships Blazin' asians in Mercedes Benz stations
Appears on: Soul Survivor
Released: November 10, 1998
Wu-Tang Clan – “The Heart Gently Weeps”
Snowy night, fiends basing A raisin in the sun was amazing The joint on the dresser, a gauge went off Jumped up, fish tank, it fell, and they stuck They shot her cousin LaVon, he owed a buck
Appears on: 8 Diagrams
Released: December 11, 2007
Raekwon – “New Wu”
Love to dress latch, get rocked Hundred bags, black do-rags, ski masks is on, G-Wags Don't try to take pictures, 'lax, still in the grass You'll learn respect, bust when I ask Rhyme-master Busy Wizzy on the subject, love Deck Thug battles, drug vets, snub sets
Appears on: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II
Released: May 19, 2009
Raekwon – “Gihad”
Since rap got locked right before we visit the '90s Chef in the kitchen, cooking up with the crimeys It's late fall, dime season We bought the crib next to Bill Clinton mother 'Cause she fuck with the Chinese
Appears on: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II
Released: September 8, 2009
G.O.O.D. Music – “The Morning”
Barbeque and blow in the back of the crib Sitting and counting, smoking a spliff, this shit's a gift All my ni**as' watches is rough Grabbin' our crotches, yellin', "What up?" The jeans cost five hundred? Fuck
Appears on: Cruel Summer
Released: September 14, 2012
