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Jan.12th – Raekwon of The Wu-Tang Clan was born Corey Woods in Brooklyn , New York , on this day in 1970.

Raekwon also known as Chef Reakwon , Raekwon The Chef , Shallah Raekwon and Lex Diamonds joined the 9 man Wu-Tang Clan in 1992.

His lyrical impact on The Wu could be felt all over their 1999 multi-platinum debut album “Enter The Wu-Tang” – 36 Chambers , especially on their smash-hit “C.R.E.A.M.”

Raekwon has appeared on all 5 of The Wu-Tang Clan albums since , with 2007’s “8 Diagrams” being the latest.

In 1994 Raekwon signed a solo deal with Loud Records while all the while remaining a member of the red hot Wu-Tang Clan and released his debut solo single “Heaven & Hell” which was also featured in the in Miramax film “Fresh” , released the same year.

The following year Raekown released his classic debut album “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” , an album that many argue was the best of all solo Wu projects. Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah appeared on all the tracks for “Linx” and received a co-star like credit for the set. Other guests on the album included Nas and Blue Raspberry as well as all of the other Wu-Tang members. Hit singles off the album included “Ice Cream” , “Can It All Be So Simple” – The Remix , “Rainy Dayz” and the cult classic “Incarcerated Scarfaces”. The album like all other solo Wu projects was produced by Wu founder The RZA.

Raekwon has released 4 more solo albums since ; 1999’s “Immobilarity” , 2003’s “The Lex Diamonds Story” , 2009’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..Pt.II and 2011’s “Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang”.

Over the years Raekwon has collaborated with the likes of the late Big Pun , Fat Joe , Jadakiss , Nas , Allure , Tiffany Villareal , Lyfe Jennings and Joy Denalane to name a few.

Raekown has also appeared in the films “Black And White” , “Coalition” , “Hardrock” and the television mini-series “Kingpin”.