Raekwon's Cuban Linx II: A perfect sequel
Roland Cuneo
Issue date: 9/11/09 Section: A&E
While Wu-Tang Clan general Raekwon proved himself one of New York's top hip-hop giacanna with his classic solo debut 1995's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… , fans were worried when when he announced its sequel back in 2005. After two lackluster follow-up albums, 1999's Immobilarity and 2003's The Lex Diamond, the Chef seemed to have lost his footing. Yet now, after four years of waiting and one failed deal with Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, Raekwon brings fans the highly anticipated Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt. II on EMI/Icewater Records.
Reluctant fans of the Chef's ability to craft another classic will be pleased by the results of Cuban Linx II. This time around, Raekwon is back and bent on making an album for the ages, once again linking up with his long time partner-in-rhyme and Wu-Tang brethren Ghostface Killah along with a host of new and old names. It's time to lace up the blue and cream Wallabees, brush up on Shaolin slang, and head down to the record store for a listen to Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt. II.
As far as lyricism goes, Cuban Linx II is pretty standard Wu-Tang fare, which is definitely not a bad thing. Raekwon's flow is impeccable, per usual, and his lyrics are rife with elaborate drug, crime and prison references. The subject matter owes a lot to previous Wu-Tang and Raekwon albums, continuing the hardcore Mafioso style of his debut. Rae's latest offering will surely appeal to hardcore fans, with songs like "Black Mozart" and the single "House of Flying Daggers," finding the Chef returing to his prime. The one major problem with the album is that, unlike its predecessor, it lacks a continuous storyline. The absence of narrative context slightly detracts from the album as a whole, but makes little difference in any to the enjoyment of any individual song.
Although Raekwon proves himself an able wordsmith, it's his gruff, O.G. delivery that allows Cuban Linx II to prevail. Successive one-liners are delivered at a staccato pace, with the likes of Ghostface Killah, GZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck Cappadonna, and Method Man holding down the lyrical fort. In addition, Cuban Linx II finds Raekwon working Busta Rhymes, Beanie Sigel, D-Block alum Styles P and Jadakiss, and even hip-hop legend Slick Rick to much success. Raekwon's 15-plus years of rap experience shows on the album, proving he can still put out a product that is second to none.
Reluctant fans of the Chef's ability to craft another classic will be pleased by the results of Cuban Linx II. This time around, Raekwon is back and bent on making an album for the ages, once again linking up with his long time partner-in-rhyme and Wu-Tang brethren Ghostface Killah along with a host of new and old names. It's time to lace up the blue and cream Wallabees, brush up on Shaolin slang, and head down to the record store for a listen to Only Built For Cuban Linx… Pt. II.
As far as lyricism goes, Cuban Linx II is pretty standard Wu-Tang fare, which is definitely not a bad thing. Raekwon's flow is impeccable, per usual, and his lyrics are rife with elaborate drug, crime and prison references. The subject matter owes a lot to previous Wu-Tang and Raekwon albums, continuing the hardcore Mafioso style of his debut. Rae's latest offering will surely appeal to hardcore fans, with songs like "Black Mozart" and the single "House of Flying Daggers," finding the Chef returing to his prime. The one major problem with the album is that, unlike its predecessor, it lacks a continuous storyline. The absence of narrative context slightly detracts from the album as a whole, but makes little difference in any to the enjoyment of any individual song.
Although Raekwon proves himself an able wordsmith, it's his gruff, O.G. delivery that allows Cuban Linx II to prevail. Successive one-liners are delivered at a staccato pace, with the likes of Ghostface Killah, GZA, Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck Cappadonna, and Method Man holding down the lyrical fort. In addition, Cuban Linx II finds Raekwon working Busta Rhymes, Beanie Sigel, D-Block alum Styles P and Jadakiss, and even hip-hop legend Slick Rick to much success. Raekwon's 15-plus years of rap experience shows on the album, proving he can still put out a product that is second to none.
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