Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II (9-8-2009)

Posted on Sep 08 in Reviewsby adminPrint

It’s been almost a decade and a half since Raekwon dropped his hood acclaimed debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx yet that simple fact alone doesn’t hold weight to the level of anticipation the second installment has garnered over the past few years. Raekwon, having signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath imprint for a short period of time obviously learned a little bit about how to handle a five year plus anticipation for an album. This summer has seen Raekwon’s fifth attempt garner more attention than just about any other album that has come out during the internet age.

The late J Dilla does a perfect job of crafting the signature Wu sound on the group affair “House Of Flying Daggers.” Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Raekwon all do major justice over the aforementioned Dilla backdrop. Raekwon takes a second person approach as he describes a gritty drug related murder on the Pete Rock produced “Sonny’s Missing.” Both Inspectah Deck and Rae come with some of the album’s most potent points on the RZA produced standout “Black Mozart.” The RZA swings back through to break off some mid 90s style heat on the Method Man and Ghostface Killah assisted “New Wu.”

Every once in a while Rae takes some time to detail the dope game in short sweet minute long verses, as is the case on both “Pyrex Visions” and “Baggin Crack.” Rae cleverly decides to hold things down by himself on the standout Alchemist laced “Surgical Gloves.” Producer Icewater comes with a heavy Blaxopolitan era inspired backdrop on the gritty “Canal Street.” Rae takes a nice chunk of time to acknowledge the memory of ODB on the somber “Ason Jones” which comes equipped with some words of wisdom from Ol Dirty himself.

The Cappadonna and Ghostface Killah assisted “10 Bricks” turns out to be one of the album’s most stellar points thanks to more great production courtesy of the late J Dilla. “Fat Lady Sings” turns out to be a great set up joint for the much anticipated Dr. Dre engineered “Catalina.” Raekwon saves some the best heat for the latter part of the album as is the case with the Inspectah Deck and Ghostface Killah guested “Mean Streets.” Scram Jones laces Rae with another heater as the Chef takes a victory lap on the closing “Kiss The Ring.”

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II proves to be just what it was advertised to be and a little bit more. With 22 tracks, all of which are stellar to bangin Raekwon serves up one of the most consistent albums of the decade. By sticking to a particular formula centered somewhere between the streets and the projects kitchen Raekwon wins by leaps and bounds. Older fans will greatly appreciate his drug king style attention to the minor details while younger fans will appreciate him for exposing them to certain elements not explored in rap music these days.

VERDICT – 17 / 20
LYRICS: 4
PRODUCTION: 4
DELIVERY: 5
CONSISTENCY: 4