In case you haven’t noticed I haven’t really been into this rap shit as of late. I promise you that I am trying to make a push to appreciate the culture a little more for what it is. The simple fact that Raekwon has chosen Catalina as a single off his latest album does wonders for my tolerance for hip hop these days!

As I’m sure you may know by now Raekwon’s latest and highly anticipated album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II hit stores today. Somewhere up in New York him and the rest of the Wu-Tang Clan probably thought that it would be a great idea to encourage people to buy the album with a video of a song that isn’t even on the album. Gotta love great music marketing! Lets try to sell people more stuff by advertising shit that they won’t get. I listened to just a little bit of the song and honestly from what I’ve heard it wasn’t that great. Maybe it’s just the speakers on this here Macbook. Anyhow, here’s the video for your viewing pleasures!

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

AP – Sean “Diddy” Combs and a number of high profile rap stars will celebrate the release of Raekwon The Chef’s highly anticipated album Only Build 4 Cuban Linx II. Combs has been tapped to serve as host of the release party, which will take place at New York hot spot Santos Party House.

Legendary DJ Kid Capri and Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg will spin at the event, which is being sponsored by Littles and Raekwon’s Ice H20 Records.

“I’m excited about this project. This is a true evolution from where we began,” Raekwon said. “I’m also overwhelmed by the love and support that I’ve received. My long time friend and Hip-Hop veteran, Diddy reached out to offer his support and agreed to host the event.”

A number of Hip-Hop acts have been confirmed to perform at Raekwon’s star studded release party, including Ghostface, Method Man, Beanie Sigel, Life Jennings, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli and legendary rapper Slick Rick.

“All the artist involved, extended themselves for the release of my long awaited album because we all feel Hip-Hop as a whole is in need of unifying,” Raekwon continued. “Magazines are closing; online storefronts are struggling because music sales are down. It’s time for Vets like myself to set the trend and strengthen the lane. Dinosaurs like myself are supposed to create the blue print for the new breed to follow.”

Raekwon’s album Only Built For Cuban Linx II hits stores September 8.

Low and behold we now have the first official video off Raekown’s upcoming album, Only Built For Cuban Links II. In the piece Rae invites a few of his longtime Wu Tang affiliates to rock alongside him on House Of Flying Daggers. Hopefully this is the best of the thirty-eight versions of the damn song that we’ve heard up until this point.