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Raekwon will make his grand return this month with his first solo album in eight years.
On Tuesday, July 1, the Chef announced the release date for his upcoming studio LP, The Emperor's New Clothes via Mass Appeal. The album is set to feature fresh collaborations with his Wu-Tang Clan brethren Ghostface Killah, Method Man and Inspectah Deck. Rae also recruited Nas, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Conway the Machine, Stacy Barthe, and Marsha Ambrosius to appear on the project. Swizz Beatz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Nottz, and Frank G. & RoadsArt will help produce the album.
"This heat right here is gonna apply pressure on rap’s generation !" Raekwon said about the album in an Instagram post. "You won’t have to fast forward this one at all. We paint art then display “Valuable imagery “ with Aggressive wordplay. No album compares im sorry -Shout out to all the great winners involved in this classic. ((( Love yall ))). Producers ,Artist… Im 4ever grateful S/O @nas x @massappealrecs for tag teaming with us. salute yall."
Raekwon's eighth solo album will arrive this summer as part of Mass Appeal's 'Legend Has It...' series. Nas' revered record label plans to drop seven albums from seven acts including Nas & DJ PREMIER, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, De La Soul, Big L, and a surprise artist who will make their grand return. Mass Appeal revealed the lineup in a stunning trailer back in April, which shows a factory pressing fresh records from all the aforementioned artists.
"There’s a meaning behind this ALBUM being called #THEEMPERORSNEWCLOTHES," Rae added. “TRUTH OVER TRENDS - Don’t let STATUS QUO control authenticity. In life we believe too much of anything. cut it out. peace and love to the FANS ! support the support."
Raekwon's new album drops July 18.