Customer Reviews

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

5 star:		(170)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have every Wu-Tang cd there is and I've been a fan since the start of the WU. I have to say that Rae's album is the greatest album in history. I bought that album when it first came out, which was around four years ago, and every time I listen to it, it still feels like the beginning. Most cd's I buy, I get sick of in a few weeks or even days. However, this album is so perfectly balanced and groundbreaking that I get chills everytime I listen to it. When I listen to it, it just boggles my mind. This is the album that started the entire "Mafia/money-making" craze that has taken over the rap world, but Rae's the only one who did it right. He brought originality and creativity to it, and he did it his own way. When I see other rap stars pretending to be mobsters, they're just followers of the original, Raekwon. Only Built For Cuban Linx...- THE BEST ALBUM EVER

1995 was a one of the greatest years in the history of hip hop. The underground circuit was strong and future stars were on the rise. The Wu-Tang had a world-wide appeal that was almost contagious. With several street bangers already in place who knew that a quit member that goes by the name "The Chef" would drop an album that would prove to be timeless. Raekwon's "Only Built For Cubn Linx" is not only the best Wu-Tang album created but one of the best Hip Hop albums of all time. How many CD's can you play all the way throught and be totally entertained as well as educated. Hell, even the skits were dope! Standout tracks such as "Rainy Days", "Incarcerated Scarfaces", "Wu Gambino's", "Ice-Cream" and "Knowledge God" all represent classic Wu-Tang music......But on "Verbal Intercourse"..Nas drops one of hip hops hottest verses followed by an equally hungry Raekwon. The album is pretty much flawless and the outro is one of the best I've heard. Titled "North Star"..an old school cat from the neighborhood talks about the good times and watching a young Rawkwon grow up to be one of hip hop's finest. Believe me people, "Only Built For Cuban Linx" should have gotten a perfect rating in every hip hop magazine. Shame on the source for giving this album 4.5 mics and then seven years later say they made a mistake! Don't make the same error....go cop it"

t-hanes

If you don't have this album in your collection, seriously, either you don't like hip-hop or there's something wrong with you. This is a timeless classic.
I'm not even going to begin to describe why every track is dope, cuz I'd literally be here all night. Incarcerated Scarfaces, Glaciers Of Ice, Ice Cream, Wu Gambinos, Heaven & Hell, etc...they're ALL classics. But if I had to choose two favorite tracks off of here (I could never choose just one), they'd be Rainy Dayz and Verbal Intercourse.
Rainy Dayz is so smooth it'll give you chills....I remember the first time I heard this track, I played it over and over again, and just like the whole album, it never gets tiring or old.
Verbal Intercourse lets us hear with our own ears the transformation of Nasty Nas to Nas Escobar, and Esco fails to dissappoint. Everything about this track is beyond classic--the unbelievable beat and the flawless flows of Nas, Rae, & Ghost combine to make this one of my personal favorite tracks of all time.
Now enough reading this review, BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW!

After the Wu Tang Clan's debut CD, they had taken the rap world by storm. Classics such as "Protect Ya Neck", "C.R.E.A.M", "Can It Be All So Simple" and "Method Man" was fresh in everyone's minds. The Wu Tang Clan had stated from the beginning they were trying to make the success of their debut CD beneficial to other Wu Tang members so that they would be able to get solo contracts for each artist as well. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out which two Wu Tang artists stood out the most, Method Man and ODB. However, when both of their solo CDs came out there was something missing. Both CDs sounded like they were rushed, especially Method Man's. They both had good singles and their were some other classic songs as well, but you didn't get that on the whole CD like you did on Wu Tang's debut. The next one up to bat was Raekwon, which surprised me at first, because I would have figured GZA would have been released as the 3rd solo CD. The first time I heard Raekwon rap without being featured with a Wu Tang artist was on Mobb Deep's "Eye For An Eye" on Mobb Deep's "The Infamous" CD. His lyrics were razor sharp as usual but I did not think that Raekwon could carry a whole CD. Enter, Ghostface Killah. The Wu Tang Clan probably figured it was easy for Method Man and ODB, but they knew that only die hard Wu Tang fans would know about Raekwon. I'm sure that the pressure was on the Wu Tang Clan to make sure that they did not disappoint their fans. With Raekwon and Ghosface Killah on the mic and the RZA on the boards, they figured it wouldn't be a problem. The first single, "Glaciers Of Ice", demonstrated that. The track featured Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Wu- affiliate Masta Killa. At the same time this was released, "Criminology" featuring Raekwon and Ghostface was also released and the buzz of the killa bees had started again. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" was Raekwon's solo debut, but this was the breakthrough CD for the Wu Tang Clan and Ghostface Killah. Tony Starks is featured on 75% of the CD. This CD sounded like RZA had something to prove and it's definitely in my top 10 of all time, as far as, hip hop CDs are concerned. While the whole CD can be listened to without fast forwarding there are definitely some stand out tracks. "Guillotine (Swordz)" w/ Raekwon,Inspectah Deck, Ghostface and the GZA, "Rainy Dayz" w/ Raekwon, Ghostface and a nasty hook by Blue Raspberry, "Incarcerated Scarfaces" w/ Raekwon holding his own and "Ice Cream" w/Method Man, Ghostface and Cappadonna. I have to agree with reviewer "John Storm" and say that the best song on this CD is "Verbal Intercourse" w/Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and Nasty Nas. This is one of Nas' best verses of all time. This track is also one of the RZA's best tracks of all time. This song had the stereo repeat button in constant use when this CD first came out. To any hip hop fan, this is a must have for your collection, it's as simple as that.

This is the greatest album in HIP HOP. The best thing since the dj was able to scratch records. NAS's verse (Verbal Intercourse)is his best verse in his career. Probably the most fascinating display of lyrics in the English language by NAS!! Production was the best by the RZA. These men poured it all out for you to listen and rise.

I bought this album on tape years ago. For those that remember it was refered to as "The Purple Tape". This is a street album made up of precise lyrics and unique production. This was the RZA at his best. This was Raekwon at his best. And this was the birth of Ghostface as a force in hip hop. This album will never be duplicated. Nas laced the album with an incredible verse. Capadonna submitted the best work of his career on this album. Everyone who participated on these records made history. Few albums have touched on the street life while demonstrating the pain and misery that comes along with the fast life. Rae and Ghost set up camp on the middle ground. Rza's tracks displayed feeling of rage and tranquility. The bottom line is simple. This is one of the greatest HIP HOP albums of all time. Perfection. I recommend it to anyone who expects their music on a higher plain. It is never too late. This album sounds as good today as it did in my youth. There will be no need to push the skip button on your cd player. Every track is a chapter in the story of why it was only built for cuban linx.

Yeah, we're talking about the Chef here. 1995, along with "Liquid Swords", two of the greatest hip hop albums ever. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" will beat your ass. What makes this album so good? It's classic, for one.
"Knuckleheadz" is sick. Awesome classical WU beat, clumsy bass line, awesome beat, and some Charlie Brown piano. Everyone kills it, especially U-God. His flow on this one shows he's got enough to run with the rest of the bees. "Guillotine (Swords)" is THE best track on here. Sick beat, and my favorite clan members(Rebel INS, Rae, Ghost, GZA). I mean, "Poisionous paragraphs smash your phonograph in half, its be inspectah deck on the warpath". SCIENCE.
Oh yeah, if you didn't already know, Ghostface is all over the album, which already gives it 4 stars. Still makes me wish Ghost and Rae still recorded. "Pretty Toney" would be classic as hell if it had ANY of the chef (still pretty good, though. damn good).
"Ice Water" is still probably the most insane (...) on here. (...)I mean, damm, that beat. How can anyone call this weak? It's mafioso as hell. Probably the least commercial beat on here. And Cappadonna's verse might be one of the best I've heard on a Wu CD. Yes. I'm not even playing around. He destroys it.
"Wu-Gambinos" saves some of the best for last. Featuring more of the drunken-mumbly RZA flow I've loved for a while now. I'll always feel people overlook the RZA when it comes to his flow. I thought it was pretty genius on 36 Chambers, but then I heard him on "4th Chamber" and I was left dumb. It's more of the same here, a million words spilling all over the beat. By this point, RZA became an emcee's emcee. Bobby Steels for presdient. If he wouldn't have become so lazy (and he did, admit it), he could have overtaken the whole hip-hop game. Having Masta Killa follow him up is overkill. Two overly compentent MC's releasing the plague everwhere. Meth also drops one of his best verses ever.
I'm overlooking a lot. I'm cutting this one short. If you need to be told why you should buy this, I'm not sure if you should buy it anyways. This is the original "mafioso" NYC hip-hop work. Nothing. NOTHING has come close to it. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" should have stopped 50 Cent and all his spawn from overrunning the pop culture. I'd say with "Liquid Swords" and "Ironman", this shows the pinnacle of the Wu. The GREATEST hip-hop clan ever.

Wu-Tang may be on the downward spiral now, but this album is from the days when the Wu was the best thing out there. Raekwon (with the help of Ghostface on almost every track) delivers one of the best albums of all time. Superb beats by the Rza and supreme lyrics make for a great album.

My favorite would have to "Verbal Intercourse" where Nas kicks it off like no one else could "through the lights action cameras glamour glitter and gold, i unfold the scroll" its one of the tightest songs ever. believe it.

Other greats are "Rainy Dayz", "Incarcerated Scarfaces", "Wu-Gambinos" (one of the greatest wu-collabos ever) "Criminology", "Ice Cream" "Guillotine [Swordz] (kicked off by a tight Inspectah Deck verse] and the nice rap ballad type song "Heaven or Hell" This album should be in everyones collection if your a rap fun, or otherwise. You'd be crazy not to have it. It's in the ranks of Illmatic, 36 Chambers, Tical, and The Infamous Mobb Deep.

Get it Perfect 5 stars

5/5

Picture an album with no filler, fifteen songs with sharp lyrics, top shelf production, and an all-star lineup of guest appearances and you are left with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, an album that sent shockwaves through the East Coast rap scene and revolutionized the Mafioso subgenre. Raekwon the Chef (a.k.a Lou Diamonds) and his sidekick Tony Starks (Ghostface Killer) create an instant rap classic laden with clever motifs, symbols, and wordplay. The end result of their writings and ideas over RZA's sharp beats is music of such a high quality that it actually transcends the subject matter itself. Guest appearances include fellow Wu-Tang members U-God, Inspectah Deck, GZA, RZA, Masta Killa, and Method Man. Nas sets off Verbal Intercourse with a potent verse that sets the standard high for Raekwon and the Ghosftace Killer on the following verses. Raekwon holds his own on Incarcerated Scarfaces, Knowledge God, and Spot Rusherz, the only songs in which he appears solo.

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is the best of the classic Wu-Tang solo albums released during rap's golden era. It is a flawless album that stands as a testament to hip hop's creative peak in the mid-90's.

Best Songs: Incarcerated Scarfaces, Guillotine [Swordz], Verbal Intercourse, Wu-Gambinos

What can I say that hasn't already been said by the other people who have reviewed this album. If you are unfamiliar with the various members of the Wu-Tang Clan then you should check my review of "36 Chambers: Enter the Wu" out, where I give a brief description of each artist. I honestly think this album represents the best solo work by any member of the Clan. From start-to-finish this album bangs like a 300-pound gorilla. I will now give a brief description of each track. I'm a huge fan of every member of the Wu (I have every Wu-affiliated album including those of artists and groups like Killah Priest, Killarmy, etc.) but Ghostface is probably my favourite member. As a result, I ask you to please forgive me for focusing on his verses in some of my descriptions.

1) "Striving for Perfection" (Produced by The RZA)
The intro to the album, what more can I say about this one.

2) "Knuckleheadz" (feat. Ghostface Killah & U-God; Produced by The RZA)
A great first track for a classic album. The RZA's production is (as with most joints on this album) bangin'. Ghost drops one of his best verses on this joint and U-God makes on of his more impressive appearances.

3) "Knowledge God" (Produced by The RZA)
Not one of the highlights of the album but this is still a solid track. RZA's solid on the production but it's clear this beat was a bit of an afterthought.Still, I like the message of this song; at the time it was very creative

4) "Criminology" (feat. Ghostface Killah; Produced by The RZA)
The RZA takes a real risk with this track and uses an instrumental as the hook. The gamble pays-off in spades and Ghost comes extremely hot to open this joint up and Raekwon has a sick verse too.

5) "Incarcerated Scarfaces" (Produced by The RZA)
If this were the only good track on the album it would still be worth buying. Happily that isn't the case, but this joint is so hot it's enough to build Raekwon and the RZA storied hip hop reputations on its own.

6) "Rainy Dayz" (feat. Ghostface Killah & Blue Raspberry; Produced by The RZA)
Blue Raspberry lends Rae and Ghost her talent on this track and they use the same beat that introduced "Incarcerated Scarfaces" to start this one off. This track would be a highlight on most other hip hop albums and even on this classic piece this joint is still great.

7) "Guillotine [Swordz]" (feat. Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, & GZA/Genious; Produced by The RZA)
If you've heard the introduction to Method Man's "Tical" then you've heard the beat that RZA interpolates throughout this piece. For such a simplistic beat it more than shines under hot rhymes from all four emcees. Indeed, it's hard to pick a highlight when every single emcee comes red hot.

8) "Can It Be All So Simple [Remix]" (feat. Ghostface Killah; Produced by The RZA)
A solid remix of a Wu classic with a nice beat by RZA. There's really nothing else to say.

9) "Shark Niggas [Biters]" (Raekwon & Ghostface Killah)
A better-than-average skit about emcees biting lyrics, beats, and styles from the Wu in the early-mid 1990s.

10) "Ice Water" (feat. Ghostface Killah & Cappadonna; Produced by The RZA)
Another hot verse by GHost opens-up another great track featuring another great beat by The RZA. *Whew* Anyway, Cappadonna makes a solid appearance too and Rae's verse is the highlight of this piece.

11) "Glaciers of Ice" (feat. Ghostface Killah & Masta Killa; Vocals by Blue Raspberry & 62nd Assasin; Produced by The RZA)
Ghost introduces the track with a nice little skit and Rae follows it up with one of his best verses on the album. Masta Killa then makes the most of one of his two appearances on the album and Blue Raspberry and 62nd Assasin lend their talents to the hook while Ghost proceeds to rip the mic.

12) "Verbal Intercourse" (feat. Ghostface Killah & Nas; Produced by The RZA)
This track is memorable because Nas makes a solid appearance. Otherwise though, it's a pretty ordinary song on this album.

13) "Wisdom Body" (feat. Ghostface Killah; Produced by The RZA; Produced by The RZA)
A very humorous "blacksploitation" introduction leads into a track wherein Ghost is at his soulful best. Rae then shows he has some soul too.

14) "Spot Rusherz" (Produced by The RZA)
A very RZA-like jazzy beat drives this song in which Rae shows what he can do on his own. This is the second best track (behind "Incarceracted Scarfaces", of course) that Rae has ever done on his lonesome.

15) "Ice Cream" (feat. Ghostface Killah, Method Man, & Cappadonna; Produced by The RZA)
This song is an absolute must-hear (if you haven't already). Ghost opens up this piece with what is arguably his best verse ever. I mean, I didn't listen to the whole song through the first few times I heard this track, I just kept rewinding back to Ghost's verse. I wouldn't advise you do that though because Cappadonna drops what is arguably his best verse and Rae does what he always does and slams the mic.

16) "Wu-Gambinos" (feat. Ghostface Killah, Method Man, The RZA, & Masta Killa; Produced by The RZA)
I'm not as big a fan of this joint as many people are but it does deserve credit for almost single-handedly creating the mafia-obsession in hip hop. Also, The RZA's beat in this song is very creative.

17) "Heaven & Hell" (feat. Ghostface Killah; Produced by The RZA)
Another soulful piece featuring Ghost? It's almost like this song is designed to flow into Ghost's "Ironman" album (which guest stars Raekwon & U-God). Anyway, I'll have a review of that album up in the coming week or so.

18) "North Star [Jewels]" (Produced by The RZA)
This bonus track is a nice treat for those who picked-up the CD version of the album.