Posted on 10/12/2009
Raekwon had heard the fans ask him to return to his roots, to deliver another dose of hardcore “crack rap,” — a staple that made his 1995 debut Only Built 4 Cuban Linx such a classic. That album, commonly referred to as “the purple tape,” was a straight-up raw piece of East coast hip-hop. Fast forward to now, and Raekwon has cooked up Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. II, which easily picks up where the purple tape left off, as it takes listeners through the dark and gritty essence of the drug game. Rae, Ghostface Killah, and their Wu-Tang affiliates sound sharp throughout, as if the original banger was released last year and not fourteen years ago.

All the Wu elements are intact for this opus — dope beats, dope rhymes, and kung-fu movie clips. However, there are subtle differences between the first Cuban Linx installment and this one. While The RZA produced much of the original LP, Raekwon has broadened his reach this time around, and received high-quality beats from J-Dilla, Erick Sermon, and Dr. Dre, among others. As Rae explains, he had more creative control over this album. “It’s nothing to talk drug stories,” Raekwon told Okayplayer’s Mel Blunt during an interview. “I’m more creative, this is me fulfilling a special request from the fans. It’s that straight white. It’s not for radio.”

Unlike the purple tape, where Nas was the only non-Wu-Tang member to spit a verse, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. II features memorable verses from Jadakiss and Styles P. on “Broken Safety,” a heartfelt story from Beanie Siegel on “Have Mercy,” and a colorful play on words from Slick Rick on “We Will Rob You.” Still, old school Wu fans can attest that there’s nothing quite like a Wu-Tang heater. Songs like the hard-charging “House of Flying Daggers,” “The New Wu,” and “Kiss The Ring” will easily remind fans of the Wu’s golden age. “Ason Jones,” punctuated by audio clips of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, is Raekwon’s dedication to the group’s deceased brother.

Long after the Wu-Tang Clan is done with hip-hop, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. II could be viewed as the album that singlehandedly thrust the legendary group back into the national spotlight. With that said, the time is now for the Wu. Raekwon has given his partners the perfect opportunity to seize this moment and revive their once glorious past. The second chapter of the Cuban Linx is tremendous and easily one of this year’s finest hip-hop albums.

- Marcus Moore