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From Staircase to Stage: The Story of Raekwon and the Wu-Tang Clan
Legendary wordsmith Raekwon the Chef opens up about his journey from the staircases of Park Hill in Staten Island to sold-out stadiums around the world with Wu-Tang Clan in this revealing memoir—perfect for fans of The Autobiography of Gucci Mane and Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter .
There are rappers who everyone loves and there are rappers who every rapper loves, and Corey Woods, a.k.a. Raekwon the Chef, is one of the few who is both. His versatile flow, natural storytelling, and evocative imagery have inspired legions of fans and a new generation of rappers. Raekwon is one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan, and his voice and cadence are synonymous with the sound that has made the group iconic since 1991.
Now, for the first time, Raekwon tells his whole story, from struggling through poverty in order to make ends meet to turning a hobby into a legacy. The Wu-Tang tale is dense, complex, and full of drama, and here nothing is off-limits: the group’s origins, secrets behind songs like “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Protect Ya Neck,” and what it took to be one of the first hip-hop groups to go from the underground to the mainstream. Raekwon also delves deep into the making of his meticulous solo albums—particularly the classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx —and talks about how spirituality and fatherhood continue to inspire his unstoppable creative process.
A celebration of perseverance and the power of music, From Staircase to Stage is a master storyteller’s lifelong journey to stay true to himself and his roots.
There are rappers who everyone loves and there are rappers who every rapper loves, and Corey Woods, a.k.a. Raekwon the Chef, is one of the few who is both. His versatile flow, natural storytelling, and evocative imagery have inspired legions of fans and a new generation of rappers. Raekwon is one of the founding members of Wu-Tang Clan, and his voice and cadence are synonymous with the sound that has made the group iconic since 1991.
Now, for the first time, Raekwon tells his whole story, from struggling through poverty in order to make ends meet to turning a hobby into a legacy. The Wu-Tang tale is dense, complex, and full of drama, and here nothing is off-limits: the group’s origins, secrets behind songs like “C.R.E.A.M.” and “Protect Ya Neck,” and what it took to be one of the first hip-hop groups to go from the underground to the mainstream. Raekwon also delves deep into the making of his meticulous solo albums—particularly the classic Only Built 4 Cuban Linx —and talks about how spirituality and fatherhood continue to inspire his unstoppable creative process.
A celebration of perseverance and the power of music, From Staircase to Stage is a master storyteller’s lifelong journey to stay true to himself and his roots.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published November 9, 2021
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4796 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
January 1, 2022
Raekwon's autobiography was a riveting read from page 1 straight through. He tells his story with unflinching honesty, from his troubled childhood growing up in poor areas of NYC straight through the rise of Wu Tang and all the drama that followed. Parts of the book, as a huge Wu Tang fan since the mid 90s, were emotionally difficult to read. Especially all of Rae's grievances towards RZA and his brother Divine. That said, I feel like Rae was coming from a place of honesty, and what better way to get Wu Tang back to its former glory than by airing those grievances out in public. Maybe something good will come of it. An excellent memoir and a must read for all fans of the Wu.
January 8, 2022
I’ve read all of the books by the other members of Wu-Tang. This was my favorite. Dealt with the philosophy of the group, the street life lead before the music took over, exploits before the street life, and it chronicled the pursuit of making music and the trials and tribulations of the group. The most well balanced account by far. A must read.
February 29, 2024
This is the best memoir so far of a Wu-tang member. He kept it a buck and I appreciated that!! He dropped so many gems I highly recommend this book. U-God book was good too but this the Chef! Raekwon BEEN a real one and he had a successful solo career so he had a lot of experiences to speak on. I appreciated his memoir cause it added depth to the narrative Rza been trying to spin over he years.
September 29, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Simon &Schuster - Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have listened to many Wu-Tang songs in the early 90s due to my brother's love for the group. I have heard many of their songs and seen the killer bees everywhere and am familiar with Raekwon. Reading this story with everything he went through and the obstacles he triumphed and overcame was very admirable and I have a new found respect for Raekwon and the members of the Wu-Tang clan. I also was shocked at the language use throughout the book being familiar with the group expecting slang and swear words but, this book was so well written that my jaw was dropped many times and my respect for Raekwon grew and grew.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
I have listened to many Wu-Tang songs in the early 90s due to my brother's love for the group. I have heard many of their songs and seen the killer bees everywhere and am familiar with Raekwon. Reading this story with everything he went through and the obstacles he triumphed and overcame was very admirable and I have a new found respect for Raekwon and the members of the Wu-Tang clan. I also was shocked at the language use throughout the book being familiar with the group expecting slang and swear words but, this book was so well written that my jaw was dropped many times and my respect for Raekwon grew and grew.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
December 22, 2021
Heart of a King
I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. I knew that Raekwon was one of the illest emcees to grace the mic, and his music has had a profound impact on me, but to read his struggles as a man, and the stories of how he overcame them, how he grew, that was something I needed and could relate to as a man of almost the same age. To hear the roles he played in the building of the Wu dynasty, the Wu legacy, shows me what more men need to be and do for themselves and other men. I’m greatful for this story, and hope I can use pieces of it to help the young warriors I work with become better men, husbands, fathers, and emcees. I think it is also providence that I just saw him, Ghost, and GZA for the first time last month when they performed their “3 Chambers” tour in Rochester. There are no accidents. (DJ K-Mello, Rochester, NY by way of Brooklyn, nor and raised)
I had no idea what to expect when I started reading this book. I knew that Raekwon was one of the illest emcees to grace the mic, and his music has had a profound impact on me, but to read his struggles as a man, and the stories of how he overcame them, how he grew, that was something I needed and could relate to as a man of almost the same age. To hear the roles he played in the building of the Wu dynasty, the Wu legacy, shows me what more men need to be and do for themselves and other men. I’m greatful for this story, and hope I can use pieces of it to help the young warriors I work with become better men, husbands, fathers, and emcees. I think it is also providence that I just saw him, Ghost, and GZA for the first time last month when they performed their “3 Chambers” tour in Rochester. There are no accidents. (DJ K-Mello, Rochester, NY by way of Brooklyn, nor and raised)
January 8, 2022
Outstanding read. The Chef was already one of my favorite Wu members and the book just solidified it. It’s was great seeing how one of the greatest groups of any genre came to be. If you love the Wu, you will love to is book. 👐🏽
March 6, 2024
This is a very cool and honest book from the PRSPCTVS of Raekwon and his experiences in the WU. It's amazing to see how he thinks, and how the results of his efforts led to real rewards. Great book Big recommend. Especially if you are an artist trying to make sense of your grind.
March 9, 2025
For fans of Wu-Tang Clan this is a must read just like U-Gods book this is a great peek into the beginnings of the clan and then a great story of Rae building a legendary career.
August 28, 2025
Great stories from one of my favorite rappers. He does get a little repetitive and complains about the financial situation of the band. I am not saying he is wrong for that, but those parts did bore me a little. Otherwise a very enjoyable read.
February 18, 2022
Loved This
I really loved this book. It has a bit of everything from true crime, spirituality, brotherhood and manhood. I think it's very inspiring for young folks who may come from similar backgrounds. Raekwon is very open in this book and doesn't sugarcoat much. He seems to be a dope person and real stand up dude which is probably why he has attracted the right people in his life at the right times.
I recently watched the Wu Tang Saga and decided to read more into them. I almost chose another member's book but then this one popped up and I was immediately sold on it. I'm glad I chose this one to read first. I appreciate that although some relationships are no longer what they were, he gives credit to those people for the things they've done that deserve recognition. He also reflects on and is honest about some things that he could have done differently. I think he respectfully shares group issues which is a skill when folks have played with your money. I respect that despite having a successful solo career Raekwon did participate in some of the group projects that he didn't necessarily believe in to help out those that may not have had as much success.
This was definitely worth the read. Wishing Raekwon continued success.
I really loved this book. It has a bit of everything from true crime, spirituality, brotherhood and manhood. I think it's very inspiring for young folks who may come from similar backgrounds. Raekwon is very open in this book and doesn't sugarcoat much. He seems to be a dope person and real stand up dude which is probably why he has attracted the right people in his life at the right times.
I recently watched the Wu Tang Saga and decided to read more into them. I almost chose another member's book but then this one popped up and I was immediately sold on it. I'm glad I chose this one to read first. I appreciate that although some relationships are no longer what they were, he gives credit to those people for the things they've done that deserve recognition. He also reflects on and is honest about some things that he could have done differently. I think he respectfully shares group issues which is a skill when folks have played with your money. I respect that despite having a successful solo career Raekwon did participate in some of the group projects that he didn't necessarily believe in to help out those that may not have had as much success.
This was definitely worth the read. Wishing Raekwon continued success.
March 8, 2023
I've been a fan of Wu-Tang Clan for years but didn't really fully appreciate the impact their debut album made on me until just a few months ago when I began diving deeper into the history of hip hop. That album to this day remains one of, if not, the greatest hip hop album of all time. Of the 9 original members in the group, Raekwon stands as the best MC in the group and one of the greatest MC's to ever hold the mic. I figured this would be a must read, especially since Rae is a genius when it comes to putting pen to paper.
So how does his penmanship transfer to a full 300 page autobiography without the gritty RZA beats to back him up? Turns out, pretty damn well. Raekwon The Chef takes the reader deep into his own personal history starting from his upbringing during the crack epidemic of the 80s, his love of Hip Hop as it began as a newfound culture, his life as a street hustler, the formation of The Wu-Tang Clan and his eventual success as a solo artist. He details it all with complete honesty, the good and the bad (some of which I'm surprised he was allowed to get away with saying) on complete display. This is definitely an essential for Wu-Tang fans and for those interested in hip hop in general.
9/10
So how does his penmanship transfer to a full 300 page autobiography without the gritty RZA beats to back him up? Turns out, pretty damn well. Raekwon The Chef takes the reader deep into his own personal history starting from his upbringing during the crack epidemic of the 80s, his love of Hip Hop as it began as a newfound culture, his life as a street hustler, the formation of The Wu-Tang Clan and his eventual success as a solo artist. He details it all with complete honesty, the good and the bad (some of which I'm surprised he was allowed to get away with saying) on complete display. This is definitely an essential for Wu-Tang fans and for those interested in hip hop in general.
9/10
March 24, 2022
i won't give you the title if you don't know how to be it. 🙂
August 15, 2022
*This was a free read thanks to Goodreads Giveaways Program
Its rare for me to across a book that I would certainly have thrown down money for to actually end up winning a free copy to review, here is that opportunity.
Having grown up in the NYC punk rock and hardcore era in the late 80s thru early 90s I often got exposed to the other highly impactful music scene happening throughout the city, in this case Rap/Hip Hop. I cant say I was listening to Protect Ya Neck when it hit the streets, but word and that iconic Wu logo sure made it around the boroughs quickly enough and you found it in the grungiest corners of the bowery in CBGBs as well as Coney Island High, The Ritz, etc., all at hardcore matinees. The hip hop to hardcore crossover was almost as big as the NYC metal to hardcore crossover that brought forward bands like Carnivore, Crumbsuckers, and the almighty Cro-Mags, but thats a story for another day.
The Wu Tang always had an amazing whisper campaign followed by one hell of a marketing campaign to say the least. If you were somewhere in the NYC music underground, you just felt this coming. Years later, having feverishly read Raekwon's memoir over the course of a few days while on a business trip, it brought everything back to focus and memory. Music in those days were due for a breakthrough. The days of make cassette demos and selling them at shows out of backpacks, cars, vans, etc were going to soon come to an end as the digital era was breathing down on necks and everything would soon be available at any price on the net.
Wu's success was built on that hit the pavements strategy. Make a recording, peddle the hell out of it, get out there with the people, support the clubs and artists, and create a scene and watch it thrive. Raekwon takes us through that journey, both through the exciting musical aspect and the jaw dropping darkness that one can only fully understand from living in some of the harshest parts of an already unforgiving city. I admit that I have always geared myself towards Raekwon and Ghostface throughout their Wu Tang years as well as their solo and collaborative efforts, but to hear the reality spoken in this light gave me a whole new appreciation for them and especially Raekwon as a person on top of an artist.
Always remember that there is a human behind the mic and instrument, sometimes its all a BS fraud, other times its real, and its cold, and its unflinching. Thats how you know how to properly gauge an artist. Its real easy to scream how tough life is from the suburbs, but living the struggle day in and out and not just on weekends when you chose to expose yourself to the city, thats what separates reality from fantasy. The words are brutal, even though Raekwon writes through an author in this book, you can tell the brutal honesty is all there, there is no hiding it. It grabs you from start to finish and it really avoids most opportunities of trash talk that you often see in memoirs to entice readers. The drug slinging, the struggle, the Wu years, the family stuff, its what made Raekwon and it all still drives him today.
Make the effort to check this out, you wont be disappointed.
Its rare for me to across a book that I would certainly have thrown down money for to actually end up winning a free copy to review, here is that opportunity.
Having grown up in the NYC punk rock and hardcore era in the late 80s thru early 90s I often got exposed to the other highly impactful music scene happening throughout the city, in this case Rap/Hip Hop. I cant say I was listening to Protect Ya Neck when it hit the streets, but word and that iconic Wu logo sure made it around the boroughs quickly enough and you found it in the grungiest corners of the bowery in CBGBs as well as Coney Island High, The Ritz, etc., all at hardcore matinees. The hip hop to hardcore crossover was almost as big as the NYC metal to hardcore crossover that brought forward bands like Carnivore, Crumbsuckers, and the almighty Cro-Mags, but thats a story for another day.
The Wu Tang always had an amazing whisper campaign followed by one hell of a marketing campaign to say the least. If you were somewhere in the NYC music underground, you just felt this coming. Years later, having feverishly read Raekwon's memoir over the course of a few days while on a business trip, it brought everything back to focus and memory. Music in those days were due for a breakthrough. The days of make cassette demos and selling them at shows out of backpacks, cars, vans, etc were going to soon come to an end as the digital era was breathing down on necks and everything would soon be available at any price on the net.
Wu's success was built on that hit the pavements strategy. Make a recording, peddle the hell out of it, get out there with the people, support the clubs and artists, and create a scene and watch it thrive. Raekwon takes us through that journey, both through the exciting musical aspect and the jaw dropping darkness that one can only fully understand from living in some of the harshest parts of an already unforgiving city. I admit that I have always geared myself towards Raekwon and Ghostface throughout their Wu Tang years as well as their solo and collaborative efforts, but to hear the reality spoken in this light gave me a whole new appreciation for them and especially Raekwon as a person on top of an artist.
Always remember that there is a human behind the mic and instrument, sometimes its all a BS fraud, other times its real, and its cold, and its unflinching. Thats how you know how to properly gauge an artist. Its real easy to scream how tough life is from the suburbs, but living the struggle day in and out and not just on weekends when you chose to expose yourself to the city, thats what separates reality from fantasy. The words are brutal, even though Raekwon writes through an author in this book, you can tell the brutal honesty is all there, there is no hiding it. It grabs you from start to finish and it really avoids most opportunities of trash talk that you often see in memoirs to entice readers. The drug slinging, the struggle, the Wu years, the family stuff, its what made Raekwon and it all still drives him today.
Make the effort to check this out, you wont be disappointed.
May 28, 2022
A great account of the history of Wu-Tang Clan by one if their best members. Raekwon is tied with Ghost and GZA for me as favorites both in the Clan and hip-hop in general. Cuban Linx is still my favorite hip-hop album of all time, even better than 36 Chambers and Wu-Tang Forever, so I had to read this.
It’s pretty much what I expected, a lot of the behind-the-scenes of how those classic albums and songs were made were already public knowledge. What I didn’t know, were all the details of Raekwon’s personal life and childhood, so that was interesting and motivating in some ways. There’s a lot of great, classic stories that match up perfectly with what we know about the inner-workings of the Clan. How songs like C.R.E.A.M. were made, all the weird antics ODB got up to, the formation of Raekwon’s partnership with Ghost. All of it was captivating, and I was happy to see stuff that I already knew, like how he came up with the purple colored tape for Cuban Linx’s cassette release.
By the time you get to the 2000s things get murky, both in Raekwon’s solo career and with the Clan. It was insightful to see his account of all that happened, especially with it all being 20+ years ago. It allows Raekwon to look at things that were done wrong on all sides, his included. It also makes me want to read more accounts of these stories from other members. I would love to see what GZA for example would have to say.
The more recent history is crazier than the past. Everything that happened with Martin Shkreli and the singular-pressed album are wild and still unresolved. I find it fascinating that Raekwon alleges he( and possibly other members) had very little involvement with the making of the album. RZA and his people made it and used leftover verses they had for who knows how long. If true, that would be insane and messed up, on top of how elitist and silly it is to make only one copy of an album, and then sell it to a guy who hiked up prices on medication. Weird. Very weird.
Their most recent “album”, The Saga Continues is also mentioned and it confirms what I and many others thought when it came out a few years ago, that despite the great verses, especially from Method Man, and some decent production from Mathematics, it wasn’t a true Wu album. Which is sad, considering that at this point as a whole their discography has two absolute classics, one decent album, and ever since Iron Flag things have been weird, disjointed, and downright not Wu-Tang at times. There are some moments of greatness sprinkled throughout the albums, but it’s nothing like those first two.
I love the way things end here, even though the story of the Wu is still ongoing, and will be for however long these guys are alive and making music. Raekwon looks on his career with a feeling of acceptance and pride. It’s great that this isn’t a takedown of RZA or a tell-all dishing out everybody’s dirty laundry. Instead it’s a reflection on a fascinating and successful life alongside on of the best groups to ever do it.
It’s pretty much what I expected, a lot of the behind-the-scenes of how those classic albums and songs were made were already public knowledge. What I didn’t know, were all the details of Raekwon’s personal life and childhood, so that was interesting and motivating in some ways. There’s a lot of great, classic stories that match up perfectly with what we know about the inner-workings of the Clan. How songs like C.R.E.A.M. were made, all the weird antics ODB got up to, the formation of Raekwon’s partnership with Ghost. All of it was captivating, and I was happy to see stuff that I already knew, like how he came up with the purple colored tape for Cuban Linx’s cassette release.
By the time you get to the 2000s things get murky, both in Raekwon’s solo career and with the Clan. It was insightful to see his account of all that happened, especially with it all being 20+ years ago. It allows Raekwon to look at things that were done wrong on all sides, his included. It also makes me want to read more accounts of these stories from other members. I would love to see what GZA for example would have to say.
The more recent history is crazier than the past. Everything that happened with Martin Shkreli and the singular-pressed album are wild and still unresolved. I find it fascinating that Raekwon alleges he( and possibly other members) had very little involvement with the making of the album. RZA and his people made it and used leftover verses they had for who knows how long. If true, that would be insane and messed up, on top of how elitist and silly it is to make only one copy of an album, and then sell it to a guy who hiked up prices on medication. Weird. Very weird.
Their most recent “album”, The Saga Continues is also mentioned and it confirms what I and many others thought when it came out a few years ago, that despite the great verses, especially from Method Man, and some decent production from Mathematics, it wasn’t a true Wu album. Which is sad, considering that at this point as a whole their discography has two absolute classics, one decent album, and ever since Iron Flag things have been weird, disjointed, and downright not Wu-Tang at times. There are some moments of greatness sprinkled throughout the albums, but it’s nothing like those first two.
I love the way things end here, even though the story of the Wu is still ongoing, and will be for however long these guys are alive and making music. Raekwon looks on his career with a feeling of acceptance and pride. It’s great that this isn’t a takedown of RZA or a tell-all dishing out everybody’s dirty laundry. Instead it’s a reflection on a fascinating and successful life alongside on of the best groups to ever do it.
February 18, 2022
I continue my streak of memoirs!
Raekwon is one of my favorite dudes. I had just seen him perform live with Ghost and GZA a few months ago when he started talking about how he had a book coming out. OB4CL is one of my favorite Wu solos. And 36 Chambers is in my objective top 5 HH albums of all time, so I was super pumped for this one.
This book was raw, honest, and detailed, which was exactly what I was hoping for and then some. He goes through his difficult childhood growing up around drugs and eventually slinging himself, getting shot, making money, buying chains, but he always cared for those around him. He talks about how he first came to meet RZA through the 5%ers and the bond they formed. I really got goosebumps when he was talking about those early Wu studio sessions, like CREAM, and their experiences on the tour bus when he first started becoming good friends with Ghost. The OB4CL section following that was one of my favorites. Such a legendary album and I loved all the little things that went into it to make it come to life, such as him fronting Ghost half of his check to add him as a duo on the album. Literally made me drop the book and go listen to OB4CL right then and there.
I also appreciated his honest, if a bit biased, opinion on the downfall of the business side of the Wu in the early 2000s. Clearly everyone involved in the situation is going to have their own take, but I appreciate Rae's view of the situation. Especially because, from what I had learned so far, he seems like a guy that always looked out for the family first, so I knew this really hurt him. He talked so much about his growth in his personal life, coming from a family structure that was ridden with abandonment to prioritizing his family over anything else.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job, but it would have meant so much to me if Rae narrated the whole thing. However, in a compromise, there were interviews taking place between him and his son in every chapter which were great to hear his "less polished" and more candid takes on the situations that were just discussed in the previous chapter. It really gave the pages life and brought it back into perspective of why we were here reading this.
I think I am 4/4 on really enjoying memoirs so far. Highly recommend this if you're a Rae fan and go stream OB4CL.
Raekwon is one of my favorite dudes. I had just seen him perform live with Ghost and GZA a few months ago when he started talking about how he had a book coming out. OB4CL is one of my favorite Wu solos. And 36 Chambers is in my objective top 5 HH albums of all time, so I was super pumped for this one.
This book was raw, honest, and detailed, which was exactly what I was hoping for and then some. He goes through his difficult childhood growing up around drugs and eventually slinging himself, getting shot, making money, buying chains, but he always cared for those around him. He talks about how he first came to meet RZA through the 5%ers and the bond they formed. I really got goosebumps when he was talking about those early Wu studio sessions, like CREAM, and their experiences on the tour bus when he first started becoming good friends with Ghost. The OB4CL section following that was one of my favorites. Such a legendary album and I loved all the little things that went into it to make it come to life, such as him fronting Ghost half of his check to add him as a duo on the album. Literally made me drop the book and go listen to OB4CL right then and there.
I also appreciated his honest, if a bit biased, opinion on the downfall of the business side of the Wu in the early 2000s. Clearly everyone involved in the situation is going to have their own take, but I appreciate Rae's view of the situation. Especially because, from what I had learned so far, he seems like a guy that always looked out for the family first, so I knew this really hurt him. He talked so much about his growth in his personal life, coming from a family structure that was ridden with abandonment to prioritizing his family over anything else.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job, but it would have meant so much to me if Rae narrated the whole thing. However, in a compromise, there were interviews taking place between him and his son in every chapter which were great to hear his "less polished" and more candid takes on the situations that were just discussed in the previous chapter. It really gave the pages life and brought it back into perspective of why we were here reading this.
I think I am 4/4 on really enjoying memoirs so far. Highly recommend this if you're a Rae fan and go stream OB4CL.
June 14, 2022
Wu-Tang Clan conjures mythology. Honor culture, respect for elder, justified violence , martial arts and lyrical flickering of imagination. Raekwon, the chef, a stalwart of the Wu-crew arguably outshined the original collaborative effort with his 90s hip-hop masterpiece “Only Built for Cuban Linx”.
Raekwon begins his story with family - the missed absence of a father, living with his no-nonsense mom in Staten Island, and creating a childhood of rich imagination despite the poverty and dangerous aspects of street culture. The impressionable years exposed him to the growing hip-hop culture at places like Union Square in Manhattan or venues in Brooklyn. Making the trek from Staten Island to see the hip-hop OGs, and influenced by the sounds, fashion and community, he began to make his own mixtapes. “Growing up i’d always had a crew. Our members , our goals, and motivations changed and evolved as we got older, but that camaraderie was always present in my life - and it was always based in hip-hop” (p.96).
One of the highlights of this biography is for Raekwon to share his work with the pen, finding his voice as an artist. It comes up a few times, first when collaborating with RZA, the impressario of the group, and later with his mafia/street culture manifesto ‘Cuban Linx’ with Ghostface Killah, but Raekwon shares his own story of becoming disciplined. The members of the group would sharpen their lyrics, rewriting and working of the verses of the other members. We sense later in his story his pushing against the restraints of his producer and sound. The growth of creating is rarely linear and clean. Building a broader network with producers and artists like Dr. Dre, J. Dilla, Busta Rhymes, Kanye West and Nas kept him moving forward.
The last third of the book shares more about his spiritual growth and family growth. Statements he makes about his children having opportunities beyond his, because of their formal education and making it outside of the violence of urban new york was very heartfelt. Honest appraisals about his failures in relationships and the Wu-Tang Clan living up to their original cred are vulnerable and honest. Reading Raekwon’s story, his ever-present drive, and willingness to explore new territory as an author and musician are incredibly inspiring. Much respect to Rae.
Raekwon begins his story with family - the missed absence of a father, living with his no-nonsense mom in Staten Island, and creating a childhood of rich imagination despite the poverty and dangerous aspects of street culture. The impressionable years exposed him to the growing hip-hop culture at places like Union Square in Manhattan or venues in Brooklyn. Making the trek from Staten Island to see the hip-hop OGs, and influenced by the sounds, fashion and community, he began to make his own mixtapes. “Growing up i’d always had a crew. Our members , our goals, and motivations changed and evolved as we got older, but that camaraderie was always present in my life - and it was always based in hip-hop” (p.96).
One of the highlights of this biography is for Raekwon to share his work with the pen, finding his voice as an artist. It comes up a few times, first when collaborating with RZA, the impressario of the group, and later with his mafia/street culture manifesto ‘Cuban Linx’ with Ghostface Killah, but Raekwon shares his own story of becoming disciplined. The members of the group would sharpen their lyrics, rewriting and working of the verses of the other members. We sense later in his story his pushing against the restraints of his producer and sound. The growth of creating is rarely linear and clean. Building a broader network with producers and artists like Dr. Dre, J. Dilla, Busta Rhymes, Kanye West and Nas kept him moving forward.
The last third of the book shares more about his spiritual growth and family growth. Statements he makes about his children having opportunities beyond his, because of their formal education and making it outside of the violence of urban new york was very heartfelt. Honest appraisals about his failures in relationships and the Wu-Tang Clan living up to their original cred are vulnerable and honest. Reading Raekwon’s story, his ever-present drive, and willingness to explore new territory as an author and musician are incredibly inspiring. Much respect to Rae.
August 5, 2024
Man, screw it, I'll add it to my favourites. I just loved this book from the get go, all the way to the end, &... didn't expect it. To me... a massive inspiration... sometimes (I think? intentionally) hilarious, always real, & so full of insane behind the scenes shit from the recording of two game-changing albums, one of which is an all-time favourite of mine. In fact, it made me realize I've kinda listened to a fair bit of Rae throughout my life, but possibly never any of his albums - even the first classic - from beginning to end. That changed today, & man, I see why I would have turned away from it more when I was younger, or hell, even why I would have turned away from it more before reading this book, but Cuban Linx... truly is full of great songs, & I didn't understand it in its time, in its context. Fuckin' A Biggie got a lot of his style from this shit.
Anyway. I'll come back to this book again for sure. Makes me wanna re-read RZA's Tao of Wu books (which are, unsurprisingly, drastically different in format & tone). But for now, I've started on Rakim's book, & then I'll probably move on to U-God's (which is what I was just about to read before I realized this existed), & then I'll have to try & track down Ghostface's.
Peace God.
Anyway. I'll come back to this book again for sure. Makes me wanna re-read RZA's Tao of Wu books (which are, unsurprisingly, drastically different in format & tone). But for now, I've started on Rakim's book, & then I'll probably move on to U-God's (which is what I was just about to read before I realized this existed), & then I'll have to try & track down Ghostface's.
Peace God.
March 18, 2022
2.5 stars
Before I read this book I'd heard of Wu-Tang Clan, but not Raekwon, and I was not familiar with their music. So, the parts that resonated most with me are the tales of Raekwon's growing up scritching and scratching for everything, basically on his own trying to eek out a living.
Growing up on Staten Island, basically in the projects, Raekwon fell into doing and selling drugs like most of his friends and role models. However, he always felt like he had a way with words and wrote down verses and raps until he finally met the right people and fell into the right crew that helped him elevate his skills and create a better life for himself.
He talks about the various guys in Wu-Tang and their motivations behind their lyrics and the business of the band's management and financial implications. I feel like this part would have meant a lot more to someone familiar with the music.
However, I do enjoy reading music biographies and celebrity biographies, and this book followed the general timeline of the typical biography that I find enjoyable. I won this book from First Reads.
Before I read this book I'd heard of Wu-Tang Clan, but not Raekwon, and I was not familiar with their music. So, the parts that resonated most with me are the tales of Raekwon's growing up scritching and scratching for everything, basically on his own trying to eek out a living.
Growing up on Staten Island, basically in the projects, Raekwon fell into doing and selling drugs like most of his friends and role models. However, he always felt like he had a way with words and wrote down verses and raps until he finally met the right people and fell into the right crew that helped him elevate his skills and create a better life for himself.
He talks about the various guys in Wu-Tang and their motivations behind their lyrics and the business of the band's management and financial implications. I feel like this part would have meant a lot more to someone familiar with the music.
However, I do enjoy reading music biographies and celebrity biographies, and this book followed the general timeline of the typical biography that I find enjoyable. I won this book from First Reads.
March 23, 2022
I don't regret reading this book - it was enlightening in many ways. Unfortunately I also found it somewhat repetitive. How many times did he tell us he had issues with the way Wu Tang management was handling money, but yet he kept working with them. And how many times did he explain why he kept working with them. I feel like Raekwon is probably a nice guy, and that causes me to believe what he was saying about the business problems. But, at the same time, I am aware that there are (at least) two sides to every story. Raekwon all but tells us that the other side would tell a very different story. No worries, I'm not going to lose sleep over who is lying. And I am appreciative of the insight I gained into a different way of life and culture. I even checked out some of the music on YouTube but neither for WuTang nor for Raekwon could I find any enjoyment in the music. He got a little reflective at the end, which wound up being somewhat inspirational, but not as much as I'd hoped. For the last 25% of the book I was hoping for a strong, positive message at the end that could apply to the readers but instead it felt more personal to him.
April 21, 2022
The wu tang clan is one of the most iconic groups in music … period. I could of course go into lengthy details about how the group and its music impacted me personally, but I’d rather keep it short.
This book disappoints me. Not because it was poorly constructed. In fact I love how it gives a thorough break down into Raekwon’s life, revealing and an honest portrayal of how he came up and why he is the man, he is today.
Unfortunately, the book, especially the way it closes out, including the last few chapters leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It feels like a person settling scores, most notably with the leader of the group and his brother, and how their strained leadership, makes it hard for the group to churn out great music anymore.
It is tragic in the damn near brutal sincerity of the flaws, issues and fissures laid out in this book, about said group.
Wu tang clan still exists, but STS makes no qualms about pointing out that there’s a lot of issues festering amongst said group that makes it damn near impossible to get any type of new music from them.
This book disappoints me. Not because it was poorly constructed. In fact I love how it gives a thorough break down into Raekwon’s life, revealing and an honest portrayal of how he came up and why he is the man, he is today.
Unfortunately, the book, especially the way it closes out, including the last few chapters leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It feels like a person settling scores, most notably with the leader of the group and his brother, and how their strained leadership, makes it hard for the group to churn out great music anymore.
It is tragic in the damn near brutal sincerity of the flaws, issues and fissures laid out in this book, about said group.
Wu tang clan still exists, but STS makes no qualms about pointing out that there’s a lot of issues festering amongst said group that makes it damn near impossible to get any type of new music from them.
March 3, 2022
There’s something cool about Wu-Tang that I could never really describe. Questlove has it. Run-DMC might have invented it. Je ne sais quoi in sneakers? I don’t know, but they transcend. I can only name a few of their songs, but have a pair of Wu-Tang socks. Maybe that says more about me than it does them.
Going in with a positive impression of someone I knew little about, I was pleased with what I learned from the man behind the image. Ground zero of many memoirs is a challenging start with long odds. Raekwon’s is no different, but he distinguishes his own origin story with the richness and raw detail of NYC in the ’80s. Like a Spike Lee movie put to page, Raekwon’s Brooklyn made hip-hop what it is, and vice versa.
The music came from neighborhoods, and one can hear city sounds in the background of certain parts of the book. Of course there’s more to the story than that: hip-hop fans must grab a copy to find out for themselves; everyone else should.
Going in with a positive impression of someone I knew little about, I was pleased with what I learned from the man behind the image. Ground zero of many memoirs is a challenging start with long odds. Raekwon’s is no different, but he distinguishes his own origin story with the richness and raw detail of NYC in the ’80s. Like a Spike Lee movie put to page, Raekwon’s Brooklyn made hip-hop what it is, and vice versa.
The music came from neighborhoods, and one can hear city sounds in the background of certain parts of the book. Of course there’s more to the story than that: hip-hop fans must grab a copy to find out for themselves; everyone else should.
September 15, 2024
Raekwon as my two-hundredth book? Um, yes please. I loved this audiobook. 😍
I enjoy nonfiction because I like learning about things I love, but sometimes that leads me to push through books that aren’t particularly interesting because I want to learn the content. In this case, though, I WAS interested the whole way through. Raekwon is a great storyteller and had plenty of interesting stories to tell. He didn’t hold back, but told THE WHOLE STORY. 😧 The format, which alternates between stories and brief interviews, is very engaging and gives it a personal touch. I was particularly into the information on his legendary purple tape because I recently bought a painting of it, and am currently obsessed… Yes, Chef! I learned a lot from this book, and was engaged the whole time. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Audible is now recommending Ghostface and U-God’s books, so it looks like I’m about to become a Wutang expert. 😄🥰
I enjoy nonfiction because I like learning about things I love, but sometimes that leads me to push through books that aren’t particularly interesting because I want to learn the content. In this case, though, I WAS interested the whole way through. Raekwon is a great storyteller and had plenty of interesting stories to tell. He didn’t hold back, but told THE WHOLE STORY. 😧 The format, which alternates between stories and brief interviews, is very engaging and gives it a personal touch. I was particularly into the information on his legendary purple tape because I recently bought a painting of it, and am currently obsessed… Yes, Chef! I learned a lot from this book, and was engaged the whole time. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Audible is now recommending Ghostface and U-God’s books, so it looks like I’m about to become a Wutang expert. 😄🥰
September 18, 2024
Leave it to the most outspoken Wu-Tang member to deliver one hell of a memoir. Much like the title implies it’s a story of a young man’s struggle in the hood and his rise from staircase rapper to rap juggernaut. This particular book recounts in great detail the rise of Wu as well as insight into Raekwons solo career and what exactly went into that. This was my first read as far as a “Wu-Tang” book goes so most of the knowledge isn’t new for any hardcore hip hop head or Wu fan. What the book does offer is an honest opinion of what was going on within the clan at various times of production. It’s also shows the strain the business put on his relationship with RZA and his brother Divine. Talk about a motivational piece of literature!! Immediately one of my all time favorite reads, thanks Chef!
November 7, 2022
Started: Oct. 20th, 2022
Finished: November 5th, 2022
I won’t pretend to be the biggest Wu-Tang Clan fan, as growing up in the South, their music wasn’t the soundtrack to my life. The 308 pages within Corey Woods memoir exposed me to the staircases of his neighborhood, the streets that he hustled, and the ride from Staten Island to stages across the world.
There was a hardened vulnerability within his words, as he navigated readers through the origins of one of hip hop’s most dynamic groups. I was suprised to learn about the bond and subsequent break up, and dsyfunction of these men who built a brand new sound in the early 90s. I appreciated the spiritual elements of their music that was influenced by thier beliefs as Five Percenters.
There was an honesty about his story that transcended the music. He was honest about his mistakes as a man, partner, artist and friend.
What I will take from this: stay true to what you believe in. Stand on your word.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
Finished: November 5th, 2022
I won’t pretend to be the biggest Wu-Tang Clan fan, as growing up in the South, their music wasn’t the soundtrack to my life. The 308 pages within Corey Woods memoir exposed me to the staircases of his neighborhood, the streets that he hustled, and the ride from Staten Island to stages across the world.
There was a hardened vulnerability within his words, as he navigated readers through the origins of one of hip hop’s most dynamic groups. I was suprised to learn about the bond and subsequent break up, and dsyfunction of these men who built a brand new sound in the early 90s. I appreciated the spiritual elements of their music that was influenced by thier beliefs as Five Percenters.
There was an honesty about his story that transcended the music. He was honest about his mistakes as a man, partner, artist and friend.
What I will take from this: stay true to what you believe in. Stand on your word.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 5
February 20, 2024
Not great, but much better than I thought it would be. Probably works better as an audiobook than it would as plain text, although the interstitial "Interview" segments with Raekwon are kind of painful to listen to.
Sad to learn Wu Tang has been subject to the same petty money squabbles as every other musical group in history. I expected better from Bob Digitech, but RZA's apparent greediness and bloated ego does explain the endless Wu Tang cash-in albums, his bad kung fu movie, and the terrible Wu Tang TV show. There is perhaps an element of keeping the more marginal members paid (Masta Killa wherefore art thou?) that Raekwon downplays. Hard to say if that's where RZA's heart is at though. Oh well!
Sad to learn Wu Tang has been subject to the same petty money squabbles as every other musical group in history. I expected better from Bob Digitech, but RZA's apparent greediness and bloated ego does explain the endless Wu Tang cash-in albums, his bad kung fu movie, and the terrible Wu Tang TV show. There is perhaps an element of keeping the more marginal members paid (Masta Killa wherefore art thou?) that Raekwon downplays. Hard to say if that's where RZA's heart is at though. Oh well!
December 4, 2025
This book felt more like I was listening to someone else tell their story. No ego involved, just telling his life story as he saw/felt it. From humble beginnings and moving around to making it as a globally recognized artist that moves around. He delves into the people and circumstances that led him to start writing and where he gets his motivation from. This book also illustrates the snakes in the industry that keep the financials hidden from the artists to line their own pockets. Thanks to him being smart with his money and learning about the business, he was able to call into question people that we taking advantage if the situation. Overall, a great story that allows us a brief glimpse behind the curtain.
#GoodreadsGiveaways
#GoodreadsGiveaways
June 21, 2022
“[Hip-hop] is the most honest expression of urban life that we have, and it continues to be.” - Raekwon the Chef
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and was excited to learn about a genre, time period, and culture that I was relatively ignorant to. I’m a creative, I enjoy good hip hop, and I’m fascinated by music production (as a musician myself), so this book had a lot of that aspect for me to dive into. Raekwon holds no punches in this book, and gets pretty candid in several moments, so be ready for that. But overall I was super intrigued the whole time by all of his endeavors to “make it” and celebrated with him when he told of his successes.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and was excited to learn about a genre, time period, and culture that I was relatively ignorant to. I’m a creative, I enjoy good hip hop, and I’m fascinated by music production (as a musician myself), so this book had a lot of that aspect for me to dive into. Raekwon holds no punches in this book, and gets pretty candid in several moments, so be ready for that. But overall I was super intrigued the whole time by all of his endeavors to “make it” and celebrated with him when he told of his successes.
December 10, 2022
2.5/5. the journey itself was illuminating and i've definitely opened my eyes to the life of someone very different from me. but the writing was just so bad???? this is the book that killed my 1-book-a-day reading streak. the first half is all about the hustle and the second half is mainly him dissing on his money-hungry mates without much depth or insight. i have a very strong feeling that he talks the same way he (his ghostwriter) writes, but the spoken word just doesn't land well in this book and was borderline torturous to get through. will avoid my brother for book recommendations from now on.
September 7, 2022
This book was everything that I thought it was. I used Audible to "hear" the book as I worked as I had bought the autographed hardback for my boyfriend and since I'm a HUGE Wu fan myself I figured I might as well check it out too. The Audiobook includes interviews with Rae and his son between chapters which was an added touch. Being a huge fan, I already knew about lots of the things shared in the book but I DEFINITELY learned plenty of NEW things. It was a great read and I'm glad I checked it out.
November 16, 2022
Hands down, this is my favorite biography by a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. Once I started reading it, I found myself hearing the lyrics to his first album in my head. Rae gives a taste of it all. From his youth and the struggles he endured while growing up, you see the evolution of his thinking. You get to see behind the curtains of the man and the brothers with whom he made some of the greatest music of my generation. As a longtime fan of the group, it was good to get to read the story of the Chef. He definitely prepared a nice meal to feed your mind.
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