Lason Jackson (born July 23, 1980), better known as La the Darkman, is a Wu-Tang Clan affiliated rapper and MC from Grand Rapids.
Jackson was born in New York City, New York and grew up Crown Heights, Brooklyn with his brother William Jackson. He negotiated his first deal while finishing high school and was a protégé of the Wu-Tang Clan having grown particularly close with various members. Jackson later secured a distribution deal through Navarre Distribution, with whom he released his debut album Heist of the Century in 1998. He later toured with several singers and groups such as 50 Cent and the Wu-Tang Clan, as well as launching his own management company and children's clothing store. Jackson later relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked with Aphilliates Music Group and Embassy Entertainment, later negotiating a joint-venture deal with both companies for Universal Records. He also worked in a business capacity for DJ Drama, setting up booking arrangements and endorsement deals.[citation needed] Jackson also executive produced the album Gangsta Grillz vol.1 and vol.2 which both albums hit #2 and #4 on the Billboard charts.
He is the older brother of rapper Willie the Kid.
Lason Jackson's Heist of the Century album was largely panned by WARR.org, there is a lot of the unique energy that characterizes most Wu-Tang releases, they make a strong argument for picking this up specially if your a Wu completist\". Heist of the Century later placed 37 on Billboard's \"R&B/Hip-Hop Albums\" on December 5, 1998 Independently.
Rapper/actor Drake mentioned Jackson during a MTV interview calling him one of the \"Hottest MCs in the Game\". Vibe praised Jackson's participation in the Uncontrolled Substance album, calling his overtures \"seductive\".
Raekwon aka Corey Woods (born January 12, 1970), better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded numerous solo albums, as well as continuing to work with Wu-Tang and providing an extensive number of guest contributions to other hip hop artists' works. He is the founder of his own label ICEH20 Records.
Raekwon has been cited as a pioneer of Mafioso rap. In 2007, the editors of About.com placed him on their list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007).
The Miami New Times described Raekwon's music as being \"street epics\" that are \"straightforward yet linguistically rich universes not unlike a gangsta Iliad.\"
Corey Woods joined the Wu-Tang Clan, a nine-member hip hop group based in the Staten Island borough of New York City, in 1992. He performed under the stage name Raekwon da Chef as well as the aliases Shallah Raekwon, Shallah Diamond, and Lex Diamond. Wu-Tang Clan debuted one year later with Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. Singles from the album included \"Protect Ya Neck\" and \"C.R.E.A.M.\", the latter of which reached #8 on the Billboard rap chart. Wu-Tang Forever followed in 1997 and was certified four times platinum by the RIAA, quadruple the certification given Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Alongside other solo albums by its members, Wu-Tang continued recording as a group, releasing The W in 2000, Iron Flag in 2001, and 8 Diagrams in 2007.
In 1994, Raekwon signed a solo deal with Loud Records and released his debut single \"Heaven & Hell\" for the soundtrack to the movie Fresh. His first solo LP, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., was released in 1995 to rave reviews, though not to as much commercial success as fellow Wu-Tang member Method Man's Tical. According to Steve Huey of AllMusic, \"Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... contained a narrative album format revolving around cocaine trafficking, criminal activity, and a rise through the ranks of the illegal industry.\" Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah appeared on over half of the album's tracks, with Wu-Tang member RZA producing the album in its entirety.
