You have witnessed hip-hop undergo a cycle of changes, what is one thing you miss most about hip-hop from when you first started?

Raekwon: I miss the true artistic talent that brothers was coming to the table with – like it was always about everybody coming with a solid body of work. To demand a respect that they deserve as an artist.  I’m not just talking about hip-hop, I’m talking about hip-hop and R&B. Everything didn’t sound the same, nobody capitalized off of one producer, it wasn’t about how much money you had. If you had a bag, you still was that nigga if you didn’t have a bag. It was just about your talents. I just miss the authenticity of what it used to be. I still respect what’s going on today as far as young cats coming up, building their own following, fan club. I respect that. From an artist aspect it’s so important to have that authenticity. I just think that we blurry with that.

Was there ever a moment where you took a step back and questioned your place as a hip-hop artist?

Raekwon: I think I got the best job in the world. Going through all the cycles that you go through, it’s kinda like as an artist it’s built for you to have to go through these changes.  I’ve been in worse positions where I look at life like when you think stuff is fucked up for you, take a look at the next person that got it worse. I have my moments when I don’t understand how the politics of things work. But I think it’s just all about having to understand the business more and know how it’s climbing in many other ways.

What are your thoughts on “bringing New York back” as far as hip-hop is concerned?

Raekwon:I just try to make sure that I give them something, and give the world something that I would think that they would want. I try not to sit here and be like ‘yo I’m bringing New York back’ or whatever. New York is what it is, we always been here, the pioneer level of it. I just try to make hip-hop.

“Wall To Wall” is so New York, how did you connect with French Montana for that record?

Raekwon: I known French [Montana] a long time. He out here working and I appreciate seeing cats come in and earning they stripes, not just thinking they gonna get ’em because of who they are. It’s only a certain amount of cats that’s out there that have the relationship with the young generation and I happen to be one of them guys. Between me, Snoop, Bun B – everybody love us. It feels good to know that people respect what we’ve done, they respect my crew, they respect the road that we paved for everybody and I think it’s just my job to show love back.