Raekwon, a co-founding member of Wu-Tang Clan, talks to Salon's D. Wakins about growing up in Park Hill on Staten Island, how rap became his first real job and why the friendships he made in the group meant so much to him at the time. “I always wanted to have a male figure to talk to and emulate what they were doing,” Raekwon said on "Salon Talks." “My mom had to work, and she left me to be in the streets, around whatever was outside, so you know once you walk out that door, you learn everything according to the streets.”

Raekwon's memoir "From Staircase to Stage" is available now.