Raekwon is proving to be the final obstacle between Wu-Tang Clan and the release of what was supposed to be their 20th anniversary record, A Better Tomorrow.

Speaking to Associated Press, de facto clan leader RZA says the album could be complete in 45 days – but he’s still waiting for the Chef to record his raps.

“Everybody did their verses except Raekwon,” RZA said. “He hasn’t turned in his verses yet. I don’t know if he’s still trying to find the vibe of the music. We have to talk about it before it becomes too late. But he hasn’t come to the table yet.”

The bulk of his production work is complete, he said, and most of the other members of the group — including GZA, Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Inspectah Deck — completed their verses in two sessions over the summer.

RZA added that he wasn’t sure if he could complete the project without Raekwon, saying: “Well, you know what, that’s something that I would take a vote on with the rest of the crew. I’m not a dictator about that. Raekwon is a valuable energy to the Wu-Tang, his voice, his lyrics, his approach. Rae is a master lyricist.”

In the meantime, RZA’s been finishing off the screenplay for what he hopes will be his second feature film, following 2012’s The Man With The Iron Fists, and he’s been filming his role as a Los Angeles police officer in the new Fox series Gang Related. Acting is likely to be his main focus in the future, he said.

“I live in a capitalist country so I respect ‘cash rules,'” said RZA. “That might get me on the mic at 50. But I prefer not to be on the mic at 50.”

Earlier this month FACT marked 20 years since the release of Wu-Tang’s classic debut album with a look at some of the myths and legends that have spawned by the larger-than-life crew, while Laurent Fintoni remembered how 36 Chambers put hip-hop in his bloodstream. [via AHH]

Hear Wu-Tang’s comeback single released this summer, ‘Family Reunion’: