Raekwon Announces New Album The Emperor’s New Clothes Featuring Wu-Tang, Nas, Griselda

Raekwon, a founding member of the influential Wu-Tang Clan, is set to release his eighth solo album, The Emperor’s New Clothes, on July 18 through Mass Appeal as part of the Legend Has It… series celebrating hip-hop legends. The album features collaborations with Wu-Tang members Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Inspectah Deck, as well as rap icons Nas and the Griselda trio—Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher—alongside singers Stacy Barthe and Marsha Ambrosius. Production credits include Swizz Beatz, Nottz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League, Frank G, and Roadsart, contributing to an ambitious project described by Raekwon as a statement of evolution and New York soul mastery. This release marks Raekwon’s first solo album in eight years, following his 2017 record The Wild, and coincides with the Wu-Tang Clan farewell tour. The Emperor’s New Clothes aims to blend timeless lyrical craftsmanship with fresh soundscapes, reinforcing Raekwon’s enduring influence and relevance in hip-hop. The album is highly anticipated as a continuation of Raekwon’s legacy, which began with the landmark Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… and has shaped the mafioso rap subgenre.