In 1993 the Wu-Tang Clan released their debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang. Two years later Raekwon released his first solo album, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…”. The album went to #4 on the Bilboard 200 and #3 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts and is regarded as one of the best solo Wu-Tang albums ever. Fourteen years later Raekwon has finally released the long awaited sequel, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt. II”.
We recently had a chance to talk to Raekwon about the making of the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt. II.
CraveOnline: What made you want to finally do Cuban Linx 2?
Raekwon: The fans man, the fans. They’ve been requesting it for a long time. So I just wanted to get back in to that world again, that without a deal attitude… without a deal rhyming. A lot of people love that album so I got tired of hearing everybody talk about it; they want Cuban Linx 2. So finally we are here with it.
CraveOnline: How do you think this album compares to the original?
Raekwon: I feel good about it. I feel like we made another classic. I hope the people understand that part one is not going to be like part 2 and part 2 is not like part 1. I went back and basically studied the tapes of the first one and added on to it.
CraveOnline: Is it hard to switch between making mixtapes and making albums?
Raekwon: When I’m definitely doing mixtapes, that’s the zone I’m in, but when I’m making the album I go a little bit harder and basically a little bit stronger with the production side. Mixtapes is just mixtapes, you know what I mean. I respect it but I don’t bank off of that. That’s just to keep me afloat out there in the streets. Let people know that if you respect the math then get ready for the full course meal.
CraveOnline: Do you have a favorite song on the album?
Raekwon: Nah, when it comes to me making my albums I don’t ever separate one track from another, it’s just different vibes. I’m an album making dude, I’m not really a bank off of one or two records type of person. I really look it as I made a good album. An album that you would not have to take out… rewinding or pressing fast forward. It’s not that kind of album.
CraveOnline: Whenever a big solo album comes out of the Wu-Tang camp, people start talking about a new Wu-Tang album. Do you think that is going to happen anytime soon?
Raekwon: It depends, everybody’s doing multiple things… multitasking. I can’t call it but I’m sure y’all be the first ones to know. If it happens, it’s going to be for the people. We always going to represent for the fans that been with us from day one. It’s like we’re obligated to them. If it go down, I’m with it. Rae gon be there.
CraveOnline: After everything wraps on OBFCL 2, what is the next project that you will be working on?
Raekwon: We going straight to the movie world. My passion is music but I think I really want to get on some directing and executive producing films. I definitely got a lot of things that I’m working on, get ready.
Check out our review of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt. II
