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Raekwon Announces New Album ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’It's out on July 18th...Raekwon will release new album ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ on July 18th.The hip-hop legend is a key part of Wu-Tang Clan, and has built an imposing solo discography. Set to be released this summer as part of Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It… series – a mammoth undertaking of new material from true icons – the album will land on July 18th.Details are sparse right now, but guests slated for the record include Wu-Tang members Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Inspectah Deck, New York rap icon Nas, Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher of Griselda, and British soul star Marsha Ambrosius.Production comes courtesy of super producer Swizz Beatz, Nottz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League and Frank G, and Roadsart. ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ will be released on July 18th.Catch Raekwon on the road this summer, taking part in Wu-Tang Clan & Run The Jewels The Final Chamber tour dates.
Compact Disc in a DigipackPreorders Ship Late September - Street Date: September 19thRaekwon's 8th studio album is dropping on all DSPs via Mass Appeal on July 18th. Raekwon’s The Emperor’s New Clothes is a sharp return to form, showcasing the Wu-Tang veteran’s lyrical precision and timeless street wisdom. The new album was produced by Swizz Beatz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Nottz, and Frank G. & RoadsArt with features by Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck as well as Griselda's Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, and Westside Gunn. Marsha Ambrosius and Stacy Barthe provide smooth, soulful hooks, adding emotional layers to the hard-edged verses. The LP is a reminder of Raekwon’s enduring power as a lyricist and curator. A veteran artist showing that mastery doesn’t need excess. The Emperor’s New Clothes is regal, streetwise, and sharply tailored for those who value craft.
Raekwon’s New Album ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ Will Feature Guests Like Ghostface Killah and NasThe Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Raekwon will drop his eighth studio album on July 18, featuring Nas and Method Man, and more.Legendary New York rapper Raekwon has announced that this month, he’ll be dropping his first solo album in eight years, per Hot New Hip-Hop.This week, the Chef pulled back the curtain and unveiled The Emperor’s New Clothes, his new LP coming July 18 from Mass Appeal Records. The album is produced by Swizz Beatz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Nottz, and Frank G. & RoadsArt, with collaborations from Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck. Other artists who make appearances include: Nas, Westside Gunn, Benny The Butcher, Conway the Machine, Stacy Barthe, and Marsha Ambrosius. “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.”“There’s a meaning behind this ALBUM being called #THEEMPERORSNEWCLOTHES,” the beloved Wu-Tang Clan member 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 is part of Mass Appeal’s “Legend Has It…” series. The Nas co-founded record label is set to release seven albums from seven acts, including Nas & DJ PREMIER, Ghostface Killah, Mobb Deep, De La Soul, Big L, and a mystery artist who will be making a return to hip-hop, according to Hot 98.3.Mass Appeal revealed the album plans and lineup in a trailer shared to YouTube in April, which depicts a factory pressing new vinyl records from the aforementioned hip-hop stars. Check it out below.Raekwon is a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan and has performed on all seven of the group’s studio albums. He almost exited around the time they were making their sixth album. A Better Tomorrow (2014), due to conflicts with fellow Wu-Tang member RZA. The pair eventually settled their issues, and Raekwon recorded some verses for the album.The most recent Wu-Tang project is Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman, a 2025 collaborative album with producer Mathematics.
Wow, lot of gfk here!
Raekwon ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’ Review: Old Duds Passed Off as Legacy ThreadsThe album feels more invested in preserving a myth than reimagining it.There’s something grimly appropriate about Raekwon titling his eighth studio album The Emperor’s New Clothes. Not because the album is some grand misstep, but because it drapes itself in legacy—ornate, heavy, and familiar—and feels more invested in preserving a myth than reimagining it. It’s the work of a rapper taking great pains to show he still has “it,” while quietly admitting that he’s not quite sure what “it” even means anymore.The Emperor’s New Clothes feels plush, with the kind of ornamental detail—like Swizz Beatz’s epic orchestral flourishes on the “600 School”—that you might expect from a late-career legend with something to prove. But the album is rather conservative in its refusal to deviate from the safest possible version of the rapper’s established aesthetic. Every proper song here could’ve comfortably dropped in from 2005.The album’s sequencing, aside from four laborious skits, is clean, and Raekwon’s voice still carries that grainy, ageless gravity that few of his peers can summon. But after an eight-year gap and endless teasing of Cuban Linx III, this feels less like a statement than a finely pressed placeholder. While not exactly phoned in, The Emperor’s New Clothes displays a persistent thinness—a lack of urgency or much in the way of surprises. Across 40 mostly passable minutes, Raekwon doesn’t so much expand his catalog as he does curate a legacy in real time.Ghostface Killah shows up multiple times and effortlessly steals the show with his deranged, Joe Pesci–in-a-Scorsese-film energy, while Nas, whose Mass Appeal Records released the album, delivers a stately verse on “The Omerta.” But none of these guest appearances pushes Raekwon beyond the call of duty. In fact, they feel like a familiar cast assembled to remind us that this is Important Rap from Serious Rappers.Even the beats—mostly boom bap with light soul flourishes—do their job without ever risking alienating anyone who still believes the best hip-hop was made roughly three decades ago. “Bear Hill” glides on a loungey loop; “1 Life,” which starts off gesturing at industry critique before condemning “the devil’s in the back by the screens,” drowns under producer J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League’s smothering gloss; and “The Guy That Plans It” flips a Marvin Gaye sample into something majestic but bloodless.Raekwon, to his credit, is never off his pen game, but he’s locked into one gear and one only. On “Wild Corsicans,” a gritty mafioso throwback with some muddily mixed drums, the Chef drops eight bars that mirror Conway the Machine and Benny the Butcher’s verses almost beat for beat, both in style and substance. Even Westside Gunn, who appears for an even briefer spot than his Griselda partners, stays within the same lane. Again, there are no curveballs to speak of, just midtempo muscle memory dressed up in velour.Of course, fans of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx know that Raekwon was never about musical stunts—he’s more about coded slang and smoky nostalgia—but that opus had gravity and narrative momentum. It was even a little bit chaotic. The Emperor’s New Clothes is solid enough, and it’ll certainly look great next to your purple tape boxset. But as the title implies, it’s hard not to feel like everyone involved in the album’s making was too polite to admit that a seasoned statesman just wanted to stitch together old duds and hoped that they would still flatter.Score: 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. Label: Mass Appeal Release Date: July 18, 2025 Buy: AmazonPaul Attard enjoys writing about experimental cinema, rap/pop music, games, and anything else that tickles their fancy. Their writing has also appeared in MUBI Notebook.6 Comments Gary. says: July 20, 2025 at 9:25 am Don’t know how old the writer is but if you don’t have any gray hairs anywhere on you, the album wasn’t for you. Rae don’t make music to attract young new listeners so he doesn’t have to reinvent himself. That would be disingenuous and cheap. The album has been positively received from his core base and that’s all that matters. Reply Rcuzo says: July 20, 2025 at 6:36 pm Agreed. Also the best rap was made almost 3 decades ago. Still played today anywhere you go. Don’t think rapped has progressed much since, probably the opposite. Reply Ghosst says: July 20, 2025 at 10:03 am This is an accurate review.. I concur with everything said. Not enough juice..Shaolin vs Wutang and Cuban Linx 2 were the last best of Raekwon,in my subjective opinion..Still a legend though. Reply Stormcloak says: July 20, 2025 at 5:23 pm I agree with the review. A very unremarkable album that tells you it’s some royal offering, but it feels generic. The beats are stiff. It’s lacking any kind of fun or flexibility. It feels grouchy and complacent. Lacking the story telling and ambitious energy that made his other projects special. Reply Eric Lemaire says: July 20, 2025 at 7:56 pm So, Raekwon’s pen game is on point and the production is excellent (definitely more polish and more grit than Shaolin vs Wu-Tang despite the contradiction) but he’s not pushing the envelope? How is the boombap beat a critique? He’s 55, sounds timeless, still rapping at a VERY high level while still being very much himself. I remember when Eminem’s Recovery dropped, everyone was complaining that Eminem sounded like he was just rapping about how good he was and that there wasn’t any other substance and he was trying to convince us that he was still the best. And years later people regard that album as debatably his best in his later years. This article’s critique on The Emperor’s New Clothes sounds the same and despite Eminem being my favorite rapper, that critique was a little bit more deserving for Recovery than this album. critics also found so much to complain about Nas’ Kings Disease 1, 2, and 3 which has some of Nas’ best songs. It’s always hard for greatness to compete with masterpiece. At some point, no matter how good you are, a great product of yours might end up falling in 5th or 6th or 7th place in your catalog. It doesn’t make it a dud. Reply 830 says: July 20, 2025 at 7:38 pm Personally, I enjoyed the album. Good energy and no watered down tracks. If you were expecting something from 1995, sorry. Reply
”The Emperor’s New Clothes” Marks a Polished Mass Appeal Records Debut for Raekwon (Album Review)Raekwon is a 55 year old MC from Staten Island, New York known for being a member of the almighty Wu-Tang Clan. His solo debut Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… & it’s sequel are both some of the most beloved albums in all of hip hop, with the overlooked Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang falling right behind them. I.M.M.O.B.I.L.A.R.I.T.Y. (I Move More Officially By Implementing Loyalty And Respect In The Youth) as well as The Lex Diamond Story & The Wild all left people divided for their own different reasons & of course F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) being the worst in his discography. Signing a new distribution with Mass Appeal Records however, the Ice H20 Records founder continues the Legend Has It series with his 8th album.After the intro, the first song “Bear Hill” opens with a bit of a lounge vibe getting bricks from Hitsville as well as staying fresh & crisp for more money whereas “Pomogranite” featuring Carlton Fisk & Inspectah Deck finds the trio over a boom bap instrumental talking about Dons never bowing. After the “Veterans Only Billionaire Rehab” skit, “Wild Corsicans” featuring Griselda blends chipmunk soul & boom bap together to discuss lives being lost because they ain’t moving right while “1 Life” produced by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E League talks about hip hop being exploited for profit.“Open Doors” following the “Barbershop Bullies” skit works in some horns dedicating itself to the type of people who be blowing their nose in the flyers horns just before Swizz Beatz pulls from orchestral music during “600 School” featuring Ghostface Killah & Method Man bringing the trio together to get on some gangsta shit. “The Guy That Plans It” returns to the boom bap with an interesting Marvin Gaye sample talking about Rae preferring to be revered than be feared at the beginning & the end, but then “Da Heavies” moderately throws it back to the Lex Diamond era.After the “Officer Full Beard” skit, “The Omerta” featuring Nas finds the pair over a Nottz beat talking about being examples of who they said they were while “Get Outta Here” featuring Ghostface Killah soulfully breaking down the billionaire lifestyle. After the “Sober Dose” skit, “Debra Night Wine” featuring Marsha Ambrosius opens up about a woman who ended up playing him while “Mac & Lobster” featuring Ghostface Killah finishes The Emperor’s New Clothes explaining that nobody want it with them & having big plans being dreamt of.Pushing the Legend Has It saga forward, the Chef’s official Mass Appeal debut makes us wait a little longer for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… III by pushing the message of valuing truth over trends & blocking trends from controlling your authenticity. It’s more polished than his most recently material with the production being the strongest since Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang & a majority of the guests are more well picked out than The Wild was enhancing the aggressive wordplay use to get it’s theme across.Score: 7/10
The Emperor’s New Clothes’ is Raekwon refinedRaekwon’s The Emperor’s New Clothes shows the maturity and insight of a legend who’s still sharpening his sword By Eddy "Precise" LamarreRap’s elder statesmen continue to deliver some of the most compelling music in the genre, challenging the idea that hip-hop is strictly a young man’s game. Wu-Tang Clan legend Raekwon proves that experience, reflection, and lyrical craftsmanship only sharpen with time on his latest album, The Emperor’s New Clothes. Released under Mass Appeal, this is the second project from the label’s initiative spotlighting elite emcees over 50. Slick Rick set the tone earlier this year and Raekwon follows with an album that is introspective, cinematic, and skillfully constructed.Timed with Wu-Tang Clan’s Final Chamber Tour, The Emperor’s New Clothes feels like a fitting contribution to the group’s legacy, even as it stands on its own. Raekwon delivers his signature street rhymes with the insight of a man who has lived through the rise, the fall, and everything in between. The album is a slow burn, building depth through texture, tone, and narrative rather than chasing hits or quick dopamine moments.Production and Opening StatementThe opener “Bear Hill,” produced by Frank G, rides a smooth, rhythmic bounce. Raekwon floats over it with a solid, aggressive flow that immediately sets the tone. “Yeah, I’m not your average-type rapper/check my batting average/I’m a snapper,” he spits—bridging the past and present with style and wisdom.On “1 Life” featuring Stacy Barthe, the theme of maturity takes center stage. It’s a soulful meditation on fame, wealth, and what it all means when you’re left alone with your thoughts. “Small circles educated gangsters with notes/ don’t let this money overlook the time we was broke/ so the jewelry don’t even got no say-so, yo/ It’s the heart, like knowing your team is the plug/We should stay that way till we under the rug” Raekwon reflects. Barthe’s ethereal hook elevates the emotional pull, and the track becomes one of the most powerful moments on the album.Wu-Tang Chemistry Still IntactThen there’s “600 School,” a Swizz Beatz-produced banger that reunites Ghostface Killah and Method Man for a classic Wu-Tang posse cut. Raekwon lays the groundwork with vivid storytelling, Ghostface brings his signature flair (“Shootouts on burgundy Schwins with gold handle bars”), and Meth’s flow slices clean through the beat. It’s high-level swordplay from three masters in sync, and a clear reminder that Wu-Tang’s chemistry remains untouchable.The album’s real jewel, though, might be “The Omertŕ” featuring Nas. These two storytelling titans show why they’ve remained revered for decades. Over a moody, minimalist beat, they weave cautionary tales about loyalty, betrayal, and survival. Nas offers a deep insight: “Who has true power? The Torah or Synagogue leader?/Quran readers or palm readers/ witchcrafters or Christian pastors, rich rappers/Marx said religion is the opiate of the masses.” Raekwon answers with lines that sound like they’re delivered from the far end of a long, dangerous road. It’s not just a track—it’s a reflection session between two hip-hop philosophers.Cinematic StorytellingThe skits on The Emperor’s New Clothes are another highlight. They’re cinematic, rooted in coded dialogue and spiritual undertones. Rather than disrupting the flow, they deepen the storytelling, serving as narrative glue between tracks. It’s a subtle touch, but one that reinforces Raekwon’s commitment to building a full experience not just an album of songs.Raekwon isn’t chasing radio. He isn’t trying to sound like the youth. He’s making art rooted in lived experience, craftsmanship, and cultural memory. The Emperor’s New Clothes is storytelling with purpose. It’s the sound of a man who’s counted his scars, worn the crown, and chosen to pass the jewels down. In doing so, Raekwon extends his legacy and enriches it.In an era dominated by trends and speed, Raekwon slows things down and invites listeners to live with the music. The result is a grown-man classic, raw, poetic, and timeless.Standout Tracks: “Bear Hill” “Wild Corsicans” “1 Life” “600 School” “The Omertŕ”Rating: 8/10
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