Customer Reviews

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

OB4CL2 is an excellent project! Listed as a sequel to its instant-classic predecessor, this latest installment continues where CL1 left off. Appropriately guest starring GFK (Ghost Face Killah), the energy and chemistry between the duo is undeniable. Raekwon smartly looked to credible hardcore rap producers to help bring to life the street energy that the Cuban Linx theme embodies. Notable producers such as RZA, Marley Marl, Pete Rock and J Dilla add necessary ingredients to the Cuban Linx recipe. The only people missing from this project are ODB and Nas. However, his lineup is not saturated with guest appearances. Instead, Raekwon successfully manages to hold his own for over half of the albun. His equally imaginative music video to "House of Flying Daggers" is a wonderful complement to the song.

Raekwon's sound takes listeners back to gritty Shaolin of the 1990s; however, the production does not sound like leftover beats from that era. Instead, it is a fresh, new take on NYC street life and drama. Raekwon tells terrific stories throughout, narrating a journey through New York's underbelly. There is no glitz and glamour here. This album features no hollywood name-dropping, european exotic car and exotic vacation destination references.

Raekwon's focus is clear and it is all about a genuine agenda to keep Hip Hop culture fresh, consistent and authentic. OB4CL2 demonstrates the Wu are not only still relevant to Hip-Hop, but they are also still necessary for properly representing the culture. Throw your W's up! Salute to Raekwon and the Wu family for a successful release!

If you have any interest in Hip-Hop, REAL CLASSIC 90's influenced Hip-Hop, then you have absolutely no excuse to pass on this album right here.

The long-awaited follow-up to the classic masterpiece 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx', Raekwon has gone back to the genre he created back in the 1995 (aka Mafioso Rap) and has created another instant classic in 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2'.

As a 33-year old native New Yorker, I grew up listening to Raekwon, Nas, and other great story-tellers (aka rappers) of the mid-90's. To me, this new Raekwon album is a breath of fresh air for 2009.

If 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx' is a 5-Star CLASSIC hip-hop album, 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Pt. 2' should easily be rated 4-1/2 Stars, an INSTANT CLASSIC as well. The only reason for 1/2-Star deduction is because rapper Nas couldn't join Raekwon for the follow-up to "Verbal Intercourse" (Nas was going through his divorce with Kelis, so his absence is understandable).

Regardless, if you're reading this you owe it to yourself to buy this album and support the original pioneer of Mafioso Rap, Raekwon (who inspired Jay-Z's 'Reasonable Doubt', and The Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Life After Death', among many others). If you've never heard the original Raekwon album 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx', I urge you to buy it and listen to it back-to-back with this new Raekwon album right here.

To Raekwon: I want to personally say THANK YOU for bringing back CLASSIC 90's style rap into 2009 for all hip-hop fans.

THIS ALBUM IS A MUST-BUY.

After several years (and delays) Raekwon the Chef (along with Tony Starks) releases his second masterpiece. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" is still an amazing album. Like most classics in rap or hip-hop, Raekwon's fist joint ages like fine wine. If you haven't listened to said classic, check it out now.

"Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Part 2" is another classic (albeit with a more polished, '09 feel). Raekwon, along with his Clansmen, step up and deliver street anthem after bloody street anthem. Each track is mad "niggerish" (as Charley Murphy would say).

"Return of the North Star" welcomes the listener back into Chef's Cuban Linx world. (Play both albums back-to-back.) "House of Flying Daggers" is a pure Wu-Banger. "New Wu," which most of us heard online, represents the Wu in the same vein as "Triumph" (or even "Careful (Click, Click)"). "Surgical Gloves," "Pyrex Vision," "Penitentiary," and "Baggin' Crack" are perhaps my favorite tracks. (Raekwon can spin a story, son.) "Ason Jones" is a wonderful tribute to Big Baby Jesus. "We Will Rob You" and "10 Bricks" are some of the best displays of witty, unpredictable talent and natural game in recent years. Ghostface Killah slays the competition on these tracks. And likewise, Method Man comes correct (and as grimy) as usual.

Some of the aforementioned tracks are short (2 to 3 minutes or so). But the album clocks out at 1:10:52...so really, we get plenty of street knowledge.

All in all, this album is a fitting sequel to one of the best albums we've ever heard. Raekwon (and his posse) give us another standard in hip-hop lyricism and production. (Thank God RZA produced several key tracks on this beast.)

I keep telling people: Raekwon never fell off! Hopefully...while all the shark biters are waiting...these Cats will smash the world again.

Wu-Tang forever.

Peace.

The past 9-10 years hasn't really been too kind to the hip-hop community, musically and creatively speaking. In a lot of ways the grit, grime and humble beginnings of rap music in the late 80's into the 90's gave way to glitz, glamour, "flashing lights" and "high life" of hip-hop music in this decade. You can thank Jay-Z for that. If you can't relate to the struggles of daily life in the projects I guess it's not too bad to rap about the good life with nice cars and hot women.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, but when everyone else starts copying that it gets too much. Besides, rap music originated in the streets, not the mansions. It feels like forever that we had a good Wu related album. But in reality it's not THAT long. Ghostface Killah had 2 great albums in this decade with Fishscale and Supreme Clientele. But with hardcore rap it's been way too long or at least not too often. It seemed like in the 90's we had at least 3 excellent hardcore-gangsta rap albums a year. But now it's become watered-down "safe" top 40 rap music. While 50 Cent had a nice boom there with that one album of his, lyrically speaking and let's be honest here, the guy was no more creative or clever than a 15 year old kid. But at least he had some catchy beats to keep you interested.

Now this album from Raekwon has been delayed a couple of times. I think this release date is just about right, just after Labor Day weekend. Plus the hype only built up after hearing a couple of songs. On 'House Of Flying Daggers' you hear GZA's verse from 'Clan In Da Front' from the first Wu album 'Return To The 36 Chambers'. Just hearing this song makes you realize that you have something great going on here. One of the best songs from Rae & Wu in many years. Everybody here makes an appearance and most importantly they all brought back the fire, the desire and the hunger to be great once again. Lyrically speaking they've went back in time at least 10-15 years to when they always writing edgy and slick lyrics. The beats are also back too. It's almost as if the mediocrity of the last 10 years never happened. I can't put enough emphasis on this but this is a true return to form Rae and his Wu counterparts. I know that term is thrown around rather loosely but in this case I really mean it. Now I hope they can sustain this for future releases. Because not only do WE need it, but the hip-hop industry needs it just as much, if not more. It may be only a day old as I write this. But this album will go down as a classic.

This album sounds great. The cinematic production is consistent, dark and deep, and Raekwon raps better than ever. His rapping voice has gotten darker, closer to MF Doom. Several tracks feature Ghostface Killah, who has been the most vital Wu member lately. Standout tracks for me were "House of the Flying Daggers", ""Cold Outside", "Surgical Gloves","10 Bricks", and "Catalina". If Pt. 1 is a classic, this is a masterpiece!

To any Hip-Hop head with half a brain, the 1st Cuban Linx is an undisputed classic. There was some doubts if a sequel would be worthy of following in its path. Well, now that it's here, it proves for itself that it is (though not quite on the same level as the original). The general recipe and concepts are present, as well as a few new ones. The storytelling, production, and guests that were recruited all make for a modern day classic.

If you enjoy and support raw, un-cut Hip-Hop - go out and buy this immediately. I understand that downloading, burning, or buying something used can be tempting to save money, but this is an album that's well worth the money. Rae worked very hard on this, and he deserves sales. Now of days we got no-talent posers that barely put any effort into their music, and yet they end up banking off of album sales, and they ride the charts (which they don't deserve) let's knock them off and replace them with artists like Raekwon who've earned it!

He did it!

Raekwon fuggin DID IT!!!!!!!

I just give thanks and praise to the Rap Gods for this glorious and beautiful day. So much anticipation for this album...so many years of frustration and madness spent waiting for it to happen. And the Chef did us all proud. You decide to come out wit a sequel to an all-time classic joint like Cuban Linx...and you better damn well DELIVER THE GOODS. And that's exactly what Rae and the boys did with this record.

I'm grateful to the whole crew for putting this thing together. Albums like this just don't come around that often anymore. I got chills up my spine from the opening notes of the Papa Wu skit, all the way through to the very last track.

This album is proof that the Wu really is immortal...and true hip hop will never die.

Those who've lost their faith will find their way home again after listening to this masterpiece.

BELIEVE IT.

I definitely enjoyed this album so far, and i would've rated it a great album, maybe even classic material if for 2 things, and 2 things only: If the stupid singing in the hooks on a couple of songs were replaced with rhyming hooks or creative stuff. I feel that too many artists use singing in hooks as a filler....and ....take away the tracks done by Ice Water Productions and replaced it with a couple of more RZA tracks, and give it 5 mics.

If history has taught us anything, it's that sequels have fallen short. However, the long-awaited sequel to Cuban Linx delievers with a BANG! I can't lie and say its surpasses the first Cuban Linx, however it does come extremely close. I have to admit at first, I was not as drawn to the album as I thought I would be. Although, after having a second ot third listen, I have been hooked. It took some time for the album to grow on me. At first the production kind of put me off. Even though the music was nicely done, the only downside to it was I have heard them before, i.e. Pyrex Vision uses the same sample as O.C.'s Jewels, Canal Street has been used countless times, i.e. Fat Joe's Fight Club and AZ's Vendetta. After overlooking to these minor details, I still feel its a great album. The best in 2009, in my opinion. Highlights for me were, House of Flying Daggers, Cold Outside, Black Mozart, New Wu, Surgical Gloves, Ason Jones and Three Bricks. I have to admit, I wasn't soo impressed with Catalina and About Me, both produced by Dr. Dre and Mark Batson. But eventually they grew on me.

Overall, the best album of 2009. I'm glad the East Coast is back doing what they do best. This album has helped bring alot of attention back to New York.

This album is amazing! I'm a 80's baby so this is a treat for me b/c this type of cd was extict in this new day and age untill it dropped. It is a breath of fresh air and truley takes it back to the roots of rap music before it was commercialized. GREAT timeless album must buy!