Raekwon has called a "truce" with the Wu-Tang Clan, agreeing to record new vocals for their forthcoming comeback album.
According to a statement on the group's blog, the once-reticent MC will apparently head into the studio just a couple weeks shy of Rza's 30-day ultimatum. "Breaking news!" announced the group's official blog. "Raekwon and Rza truce: Raekwon scheduled to hit studio to complete verses for album."
Rza had threatened to release A Better Tomorrow, expected out later this year, without Raekwon's parts if the rapper didn't "come to terms" with the crew by late May. "It ain't the fact that I don't want to be there, because of course I want to be there," Raekwon had told Rolling Stone. "[But] this shit is not right … If we're there, we gotta do the best everything."
He was particularly critical of lead single Keep Watch, which was released without his participation. "I hate that fuckin’ record," he said. "It's the production. And I ain’t shitting on the producer [Rza] because he’s one of our soldiers … [But] a whole new generation is sitting here representin' and making fiery shit and you telling me that we comin out with some mediocre shit?"
The album was originally supposed to be released last November to mark the 20th anniversary of the group's debut album, 36 Chambers. But Raekwon, Ghostface and Gza, chafing under Rza's leadership, apparently held things up. "[Rza's] plan was to do a more humble album. We was like, 'Nah,'" Raekwon told Grantland. The problems continued even after Keep Watch was released, in March, and the LP became available for pre-order.
If Raekwon has really returned to the fold for A Better Tomorrow, Wu-Tang's only remaining problem is its own competition. Besides this new studio album, they are already busy promoting another, even more unusual full-length: Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, a one-of-a-kind concept LP that could sell for millions. Recorded over the past six years, that album may be slated to tour the world's galleries and festivals, followed by a high-stakes auction.
