Throwback: Happy 55th Birthday, Raekwon!

It’s January 2025 y’all! January is a busy month for music birthdays. Let’s get to it. 

• The pioneering and legendary Grandmaster Flash celebrated his 67th birthday on January 1
• Gang of Four co-founder and guitarist Andy Gill was born on this day 68 years ago on January 1
• Led Zeppelin‘s John Paul Jones celebrated his 79th birthday on January 3
• French touch pioneer Thomas Bangalter, best known for his work in Stardust and the multi-Grammy Award-winning duo Daft Punk celebrated his 50th –yes, y’all, 50th! — birthday on January 3
• The legendary Stephen Stills, known for his work with Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills and Nash, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, as well as for being a solo artist, celebrates his 80th birthday on January 3
• Joy Division and New Order founder Bernard Sumner celebrated his 69th birthday on January 4
• Cocteau Twins‘ co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and producer Robin Guthriecelebrated his 63rd birthday on January 4
• Portishead frontperson Beth Gibbons celebrated her 59th birthday on January 4
• R.E.M. s Michael Stipe celebrated his 65th birthday on January 4
• Vanity was born 66 years ago on January 4
• Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein celebrated 75th birthday on January 5
• Sister Sledge‘s Kathy Sledge celebrated her 66th birthday on January 6
• AC/DC co-founder, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and backing vocalist Malcolm Young was born 72 years ago on January 6
• The Doors‘ Robby Krieger celebrated his 79th birthday on January 8
• The legendary David Bowie was born 78 years ago on January 8
• Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, one of the greatest guitarists to ever play celebrated his 81st birthday on January 9
• Steely Dan co-founder, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Donald Fagen celebrated his 77th birthday on January 10
• The legendary Rod Stewart celebrated his 80th — yes, 80th! — birthday on January 10
• Mary J. Blige, the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul celebrated her 54th birthday on January 11

Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon celebrates his 55th birthday today. Rae’s work with the Wu and as a solo artist have helped cement his reputation among the cognoscenti and hip-hop heads as one of the most gifted and unique talents in hip-hop’s history. 

Happy birthday, brother! May there be many, many, many more!