Raekwon vs Ghostface Killah: Truth behind rumors that Rap icons had a beef
‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ Season 2 premiered its fourth episode called ‘Pioneer the Frontier’ on Hulu and it left a few breadcrumbs of how Raekwon and Ghostface Killah started off on a rough note. Shameik Moore who plays Sha Raider aka Raekwon in the drama series is shown not willing to work with Siddiq Saunderson who plays Dennis “D-Love” Coles aka Ghostface Killah in the Hulu original.
Wu-Tang Clan had several controversies over the years as hip-hop fans witnessed beef amongst the members. While Ghostface Killah’s beef with RZA made more headlines, it seems Killah and Raekwon did start off as enemies in the group. Interestingly, the two went to the same middle school together in Staten Island. Raekwon, whose real name is Corry Woods, also locked horns with Ghostface Killah aka Dennis Coles in a Verzuz battle in March 2021.
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Did Raekwon and Ghostface Killah have a BEEF in real life?
In the latest episode of ‘Wu-Tang: An American Saga’ Season 2, it is shown that Raekwon and Ghostface Killah had a rivalry over a gunfire incident which might not be true in real life and there are chances it was penned only to build up the plot. However, the two starting off as enemies might be true. In an interview with the Breakfast Club in 2019, RZA did give a hint about it but without taking their names. In the interview, he said, “Staten Island is still an isolated island and later everyone moved to either Brooklyn or New Jersey — we did fight together.”
In an interview with the same radio station, Raekwon had spilled the beans that he and Ghostface Killah went to middle school together in Staten Island. Raekwon later became friends with future Wu-Tang members Method Man, Remedy and Inspectah Deck at New Dorp High School. And it is only because of Raekwon and Ghostface Killah that RZA could form the group as they brought other members under one roof. What is interesting is that Killah later guest-starred on Raekwon's debut album ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...’ where he was featured on almost every song. And, the apparent beef seemed to be quashed when Raekwon landed on Ghostface Killah’s second studio album ‘Supreme Clientele’ released in the year 2000.
Verzuz battle between Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
After witnessing several ups and downs in the group, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah locked horns in a Verzuz battle held in March 2021. The two rap heavyweights displayed their skills with their respective iconic tracks. Raekwon, who also goes by the name of The Chef, dropped some real bars from his songs like ‘Ice Cream’ featuring Ghostface Killah, ‘Iron Maiden’, ‘Still Strugglin’, ‘Incarcerated Scarfaces’, ‘Heaven & Hell’, ‘Verbal Intercourse’ again featuring Ghostface Killah, and ‘Knuckleheadz’.
Ghostface Killah, who also goes by the name of Tony Starks, put his contagious energy on display with his hit singles like ‘All That I Got Is You’, ‘Nutmeg’, ‘Apollo Kids’ featuring Raekwon, ‘The Hilton’ featuring Raekwon, ‘Beat the Clock’, ‘Be This Way’, ‘Shakey Dog’ and ‘Supa GFK’ among a few others. While hip-hop fans loved the face-off, they also claimed that the respect between the two was real.