Read on Twitter
Immobilarity - One of the most overlooked albums of all time A THREAD :
Immobilarity is Raekwon’s sophomore album released after one of the most acclaimed albums oat that being Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, blending mafioso lyrics, with RZA’s flawless production along with Wu Tang Clan participation throughout the 18 tracks most notably Ghostface Killah’s
14 appearances on the album made this a certified classic.
But he wanted to do something different for his follow up, likely because of RZA’s basement floods that notably delayed Wu Tang Clan member Inspectah Deck’s debut album “Uncontrolled Substance” and Ghostface’s retreat to Africa to record his sophomore album Supreme Clientele…
Raekwon decided to axe having RZA production or Ghostface features on Immobilarity, Method Man and Masta Killa had verses but that was it from the clan. This was attentionally done so Rae could tell the story he wanted to with no distractions which fits the album title.
Immobilarity stands for, “I master more opponents by implementing loyalty and respect in the youth” him teaching his story and passing down his knowledge would then help the youth.
Immobilarity captures Raekwon’s desperation to get out of the drug game is showcased throughout the album but especially on the Jurassic park sampled intro. For the rest of the album he would go to be more and more successful but would realize that comes with a cost...
Yae Yo showcases Raekwon’s storytelling and imagery as he buys cocaine to then turn it into crack. But as he’s cooking it he realizes that it is bad product, he confronts the foreign family that sold him the product and it makes for an interesting Coke rap story.
He also shows his wit via accents and witty lines to further pull us into the story.
The next track, perhaps the best on the album that being Casablanca. Describes his never ending fast life, selling bricks at 3AM as well as his immediate hunger for more. He meets a Colombian drug dealer, who has all this power and women in front of him while he struggles and he
questions why he lives the way he does. He once again showcases his imagery and his more aggressive delivery post Cuban Linx.
Fuck Them ft Method Man, brings these topics full circle stating it’s hard to be successful in the drug game and that only “silly boys” will try to get into the game. Bringing the album’s title full circle.
On The Table, Raekwon and Masta Killa reminisce on the leaving the hood behind. How it has shook them up but they survived because of the formation of Wu Tang Clan. Another Amazing Track.
The album ends with a father teaching his son about Immobilarity, tying the album up nicely.
This album’s a classic for me for one very important reason it is one of the first albums to focus purely on Coke. BuT wHaT aBoUt MaFiOsO rAp ? Hell on Earth, Reasonable Doubt, It Was Written and hell even Cuban Linx are linked closely in this regard but they were more broad
when it came to its topics of organized crime while Immobilarity focuses on Bricks, bricks and more bricks.
With this it would acts such as Clipse, Griselda, Jeezy and several others.
Immobilarity was criticized for its production that was considered way too simple compared to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx but this was an intentional choice to get away from the Cuban Linx sound. The orchestral sounding beats of Arkatech Beatz and Pete Rock more than did the job.
The themes of growing up, making something of yourself and feeling hopeless while staring at the face of failure paired with Raekwon’s more aggressive delivery throughout, show why this album should be far more cherished than it actually is.
Favorite Tracks -
Casablanca
The Table
Jury
Sneakers
Real Life
10/10 album
Casablanca
The Table
Jury
Sneakers
Real Life
10/10 album
Retweets are appreciated
END OF THREAD
END OF THREAD
