AllHipHop: How did Raekwon & Ghostface end up on the “Freek’n You” remix?
Mr. Dalvin: That’s a funny story. We released the original version of “Freek’n You” first, it was different. People weren’t ready for that Jodeci sound, going from ballads and love to “Freek’n You.” We almost jumped over. It was a time hip-hop was transitioning to becoming mainstream more than R&B. Jodeci being a hip-hop soul group, I had to marry the 2. Wu-Tang’s one of my favorite rap groups. I wanted Method Man originally, to be honest. Method Man was first coming out of the Wu-Tang camp, the only one everyone was familiar with.
So I call RZA, the captain of the ship. “RZA, can I get Method Man to do this R&B, Jodeci remix?” Method Man was in Tokyo. RZA said “I got these 2 new guys coming out next in line, Raekwon and Ghostface. They’re not known yet but they’re next, trust me.” I said okay. Anybody from Wu Tang because I like Wu-Tang. Sent them guys to the studio, they’ve never been on an R&B record. I came up with the beat, they got on it and it was history. We had fun, it was an experience for them and for me.