Having severed ties with Loud/Columbia, Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon resurfaces with his first independent single, "Smith Bros." While his label home may have changed, Raekwon remains a ferocious MC. The Staten Island, N.Y., native, also known as the Chef, chops it up lyrically on the dramatic crime tale
set over a haunting piano track courtesy of the Smith Brothers—the single's namesakes. Mix-show radio has begun
to pick up on this underground jewel. With the streets already buzzing about "Smith Bros." and its B-side, "Uncle," the do-it-yourself route seems to suit Raekwon well.—RH