Artist: Raekwon
Album: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II
Year: 2009
Grade: 5 pretzels
Way, way back in 1995, Raekwon transformed himself from “just another guy in the Wu-Tang clan” into one of Wu’s most commanding voices, all thanks to his unstoppable and much-acclaimed Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…. Usually considered one of finest albums anyone in the Wu-Tang Clan has ever released, it’s also one of the most compelling rap albums of the 90s. While the connection seems obvious in retrospect, Rae was one of the first to bring mafia imagery into rap. Cuban Linx was a solid musical document of the ins and outs of drug trade, crime and reaping the rewards of such activities. Rae and an onslaught of guests weren’t rapping about being poor and trying to make ends meet; they were running the show. This was gangsta rap from a whole new angle.
It only took, oh, y’know, FOURTEEN YEARS (!), but Raekwon has finally recorded a worthy follow-up to his classic debut. What’s more, he’s presented it as a direct sequel. Needless to say, just like any much-anticipated follow-up, there’s a lot of pressure on Cuban Linx II to live up to its predecessor’s quality. Raekwon has recorded other solo albums and most of them haven’t been that great, putting even more pressure on Rae to release something truly great. Amazingly, he doesn’t disappoint. Cuban Linx II is everything a Wu-Tang fan should want.
I could write at least a couple of adoring pages about “House Of Flying Daggers”, the album’s explosive single and it’s amazing music video (warning: not for the squeamish!). Riding a phenomenal J Dilla beat, full of sawing violin loops and dry snares, the song’s four MCs demolish verse after verse, with each finding ways to top the previous. Add in a classic Wu chorus courtesy of the GZA and you’ve got a solid competitor for Best Song Of The Year. However, as excellent as this single track is, the rest of the album matches it step for step over the course of its twenty-two tracks.
Lyrically, Raekwon and his guests are working in his usual vein of crime-and-drug-riddled storytelling, but it’s the beats, provided by all sorts of contributors, that really soar the highest. From the quietly burbling “Pyrex Vision” to the strong horns of “Cold Outside” to the ominous droning of “Black Mozart”, Cuban Linx II tosses up great beat after great beat, just sitting there for Raekwon to knock them out of the park.
Of course, when Rae himself can’t do the job, he can draw upon the rest of his Wu-Tang brethren to polish the tracks off, all of whom are present (with the interesting exception of U-God). There’s even a few moments spread throughout the album dedicated to deceased Wu, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Ghostface Killah proves that he’s the perfect foil to Raekwon’s straightforward intensity, with Ghostface’s frenetic voice popping up on seven songs. In many ways, it’s amazing this album didn’t happen sooner. Raekwon seems to understand completely what a sequel to his most acclaimed work requires: great music, solid lyrics and the cast of characters Wu fans have come to know and love. Cuban Linx II has all of these in spades and stands as the best mainstream rap album of the year so far.
It only took, oh, y’know, FOURTEEN YEARS (!), but Raekwon has finally recorded a worthy follow-up to his classic debut. What’s more, he’s presented it as a direct sequel. Needless to say, just like any much-anticipated follow-up, there’s a lot of pressure on Cuban Linx II to live up to its predecessor’s quality. Raekwon has recorded other solo albums and most of them haven’t been that great, putting even more pressure on Rae to release something truly great. Amazingly, he doesn’t disappoint. Cuban Linx II is everything a Wu-Tang fan should want.
I could write at least a couple of adoring pages about “House Of Flying Daggers”, the album’s explosive single and it’s amazing music video (warning: not for the squeamish!). Riding a phenomenal J Dilla beat, full of sawing violin loops and dry snares, the song’s four MCs demolish verse after verse, with each finding ways to top the previous. Add in a classic Wu chorus courtesy of the GZA and you’ve got a solid competitor for Best Song Of The Year. However, as excellent as this single track is, the rest of the album matches it step for step over the course of its twenty-two tracks.
Lyrically, Raekwon and his guests are working in his usual vein of crime-and-drug-riddled storytelling, but it’s the beats, provided by all sorts of contributors, that really soar the highest. From the quietly burbling “Pyrex Vision” to the strong horns of “Cold Outside” to the ominous droning of “Black Mozart”, Cuban Linx II tosses up great beat after great beat, just sitting there for Raekwon to knock them out of the park.
Of course, when Rae himself can’t do the job, he can draw upon the rest of his Wu-Tang brethren to polish the tracks off, all of whom are present (with the interesting exception of U-God). There’s even a few moments spread throughout the album dedicated to deceased Wu, Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Ghostface Killah proves that he’s the perfect foil to Raekwon’s straightforward intensity, with Ghostface’s frenetic voice popping up on seven songs. In many ways, it’s amazing this album didn’t happen sooner. Raekwon seems to understand completely what a sequel to his most acclaimed work requires: great music, solid lyrics and the cast of characters Wu fans have come to know and love. Cuban Linx II has all of these in spades and stands as the best mainstream rap album of the year so far.
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