Raekwon Discusses His Tribute To Marvin Gaye On The Eve Of His Birth & Death

(AllHipHop News) A variety of rappers have paid tribute to slain R&B singer, Marvin Gaye who was born today (April 2).

Tragically, Marvin Gaye was also shot and killed by his father on April 1, 1984.

Big time producers like Erick Sermon, Questlove, Rico Love and others offered up tributes to the legendary Motown singer, who would’ve been 78 years old today.

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Wu-Tang Clan rapper Raekwon took it one step further, with a new collaboration record dedicated to Marvin Gaye.

Raekwon teamed up with Atlanta crooner/rapper Cee Lo Green, for the song “Marvin.”

The tribute song is taken from Raekwon seventh studio album The Wild.

According to Raekwon, he had no intention of recording a tribute record until he heard the track, and then “the words just began spilling out organically,” according to the veteran rap star.

“Marvin’s music transcended genres and it can speak to anyone, but it especially speaks to those of us who come from the inner-city; poverty, oppression, the good and the bad. Living in the inner-city, his music helps us reflect,” Raekwon stated.

According to the chef, Marvin Gaye stuck to his vision as an artist, a stubbornness that helped release his groundbreaking, politically charged, landmark album What’s Going On.

“That is where we have parallels, he spoke to a generation and so do I and Wu-Tang. We share creativity and we speak on what we want people to hear; and not focus on trends. Marvin saw the climate change and what he saw affected him. He stood up for what
he believed in (issues we are still dealing with today) and created conversation and awareness and he had a vision; I resemble those same traits. I wish I could sit down with him and play him this tribute and just smoke a spliff and vibe.”