Wu-Tang heavyweight Raekwon's fourth studio album has finally arrived, after numerous delays and a label change. Can Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II rise to the height of the bar set by its landmark 1995 predecessor? In a word, hell yes.
In the hyperbolic insanity of today's media, there's little weight or credence to be found in the world "classic" - it's thrown about all too frequently and, often, in regards to deeply undeserving artists. So it's with a cautious step that I call OB4CLII a true Hip-Hop classic, picking up the Mafioso rap ball from Rae's first and running like hell with the help from Dr. Dre, RZA, Pete Rock, Erick Sermon, Marley Marl and the late J Dilla, as well as a heavy dose of dope from damn near every one of the Wu-Tang legends.
The high-octane “House Of Flying Daggers” is a great jumping point, as Inspectah Deck gets things started in classic fashion:
Ghostface Killah rode hard on first Cuban Linx, and doesn't disappoint on the return. While RZA lends some retro production to lead single "New Wu," which finds Raekwon and Ghostface trading rhymes with Method Man, the Necro-produced "Gihad" finds Ghost at possibly his all-time best, tearing off a verse of brutal visions over snap beats and a chanting sing-song backing vocal crew.
Even the fallen Wu have a place on OB4CLII, as Raekwon pays tribute to late Clan member Ol' Dirty Bastard on the "Ason Jones". "Ason, the heart of a lion, a purified mind/They way he did it with the mic and some wine..." It's a far more eloquent tribute to the man than ODB could've possibly appreciated, but it doesn't fall lightly on focused ears.
The Mafioso rap formula is well-represented through tracks like “Pyrex Vision” and “Bagging Crack,” both of which serve as unapologetic celebrations of the drug-thug life. J Dilla locks in a highlight on "10 Bricks," making for the album's most bump-worthy jam, aided by one of Cappadonna's best verses in years.
Concluding with the Scram Jones-produced "Kiss the Ring," which features Masta Killa and the always-underrated Inspectah Deck, Cuban Linx II goes out strong with a hook that summarizes the entire Cuban Linx philosophy: "When I step inside kiss the ring/Wu Familia, La Cosa Nostra, it's our thing/So salute and toast to the best who've done it/Murder raps [that] I spit for the vets who love it." Nuff said, right?
If you're coming with 22 tracks on an album, there better be some solid-ass jams to hold the attention spans throughout. While most people would prefer an album half the length, without the obligatory filler tracks and half-baked throwbacks, The Chef pushes his audience by staying sharp from end to end. A few tracks sound like they could definitely take light with more room to breathe, like the brazen “Sonny’s Missing” or “Broken Safety” (which is a brilliant triple-play by Jada, Rae and Styles P), but ultimately we're met with solid substance wall to wall.
A true testament to the original, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II is in a league unto its own. If Mafioso rap and kingpin tales aren't your thing, you're not going to get down with this record. But if you can roll with it, you're in for one of the best and most hype-worthy Hip-Hop releases of the year.
