It’s been a long time coming, Mr. Raekwon.
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt II was one of those legendary rap albums that every fan was hearing about, yet not hearing any music from (much like Dr. Dre’s long overdue Detox. Still waiting…).
Finally on September 8, the sequel to Raekwon’s classic debut was released. Sporting a rehash of the same classic cover of his first LP, Raekwon the Chef proves, after some mediocre releases, that he is back in full form.
The album starts off with a spoken word piece by a Wu-Tang affiliate, then dives full on into dark, New York inspired Mafioso rap.
The slew of amazing producers on the album, including Pete Rock, J Dilla (R.I.P.), Marley Marl, Dr. Dre and, of course, the RZA, make Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt II perhaps the standout hip-hop record of the year.
Laced with the usual Wu-Tang posse cuts and then some (Slick Rick!), Raekwon’s record stands to cement his legacy of the founder of the subgenre of Mafioso rap.< “Black Mozart” is a classic RZA production. The song is threatening yet oddly calming, as Raekwon describes with ease the dealings of the crime underworld he was part of over an eerie, Orient-inspired beat. “Catalina,” one of two of Dr. Dre’s contributions, is a more upbeat piece. The piano driven rhythm is a tad commercial, but hey, everybody needs a single. Raekwon’s reworking of the first verse of “C.R.E.A.M.” from Wu-Tang’s classic debut is a nice nod to his roots, though. “House of Flying Daggers,” a J Dilla contribution, has a grinding beat that is minimal enough to showcase the lyrical skills of the Clan, yet is immensely catchy and hard. It sounds like Dilla doing his best RZA impression. The album has a loose concept, told in mostly third person. It is flooded with glamorous tales of the streets, complete with cocaine, murder, relationships and personal anecdotes. All Wu-Tang members resume their alter-egos from the first part, so while the record is a nice reminder of the past, it is an update of the rugged sound of yesteryear. The concept isn’t completely clear, but Masta Killa’s final verse on the final track (“Kiss the Rings”) sums it up nicely. The beats are polished yet completely raw, with none of the snaps or vocoders of mainstream commercial “hip-hop” today. Raekwon’s flow is on point throughout. He packs street-wise wisdom and underworld swagger into each and every verse. I wish I could do justice with a quote, but the material is too explicit for a newspaper… If you’re a fan of the Wu-Tang Clan or ’90s East Coast rap in general, this is a must listen. If you think Kid Cudi and Drake are good, check your head, and then buy this album. As Method Man croons in “New Wu:” “Tell a friend/ it’s that symbol again/ that W/ comin’ through.” Standout tracks: “Black Mozart,” “10 Bricks,” “Catalina.” Other albums to check out: Only Built for Cuban Linx… by Raekwon and Blackout! 2 by Method Man and Redman.
