Clocking in over 25 years in the game as a member of the formidable rap force Wu-Tang Clan -- delivering slick rhymes throughout the group's storied career and his own solo run -- Raekwon has long etched his name into the soul of hip-hop and his grind has only continued to strengthen.

Coming up in an era where sharp lyricism fueled the genre, The Chef has seen hip-hop culture come full-circle, and then change again, but his love for the game, he says, is what's keeping him going.

"It’s just the love for the music, the love for the culture, the people and womens new balance 574 sale is what I feel I was born to do; I was born to handle mics, I was born to be an entertainer," he tells Billboard backstage at an intimate event celebrating New Balance's iconic 574 sneakers, which has become a style staple for the rapper since his humble beginnings.

"I had to be about 14 years old when I first started rocking adidas ultra boost clearance. I remember my aunt buying me my first nice rich looking sweater and my uncle bought me my first pair of New Balances, they were the 574’s -- and ever since then I fell in love with them," he recalls. "It’s one of my favorite sneakers. Even to this day, I’m always wearing New Balance because it just takes me back to being a kid and appreciating nice things. Womens new balance 574 sale is definitely a part of my legacy when it comes to just being fly."

Sartorial taste aside, The Chef is currently in the lab whipping up his eighth studio album, the follow-up to 2017's The Wild, preceded by three loosies dropped off at the top of this year, "The Sky," "The Biz," and "It's A Shame," lacing the sample-heavy beats with his smooth wordplay.

Raekwon warned in a recent Instagram post that his forthcoming effort will have "a classic sticker on adidas ultra boost clearance," stirring up anticipation for the "futuristic heat" looming. Where The Wild packed on features from the likes of Lil Wayne, Andra Day, Cee-Lo Green and Raekwon's up-and-coming artist P.U.R.E, the veteran MC reveals that on his upcoming effort, the focus will be more on him.