The year was 1995, I walked into Tower Records to cop the new Chef Raekwon, “Only Built for Cuban Linx” album. In those days, music stores were really hating on youngsters purchasing albums with the dreaded “Parental Advisory” label on them so I had my older brother handle the transaction. A lot different from the current state of the music industry where vendors last concerns are the moral standard of selling to under age listeners.
A serious contender for the title of best Wu-Tang solo album (rivaled only by the Genius’ Liquid Swords), Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is also perhaps the most influential, thanks to Raekwon‘s cinematic imagination. If the Genius is the Wu’s best overall lyricist, Raekwon is arguably their best storyteller, and here he translates the epic themes and narratives of a Mafia movie into a startlingly accomplished hip-hop album. OB4CL climbed to the top of the charts that year selling over a million copies in the US alone, giving Raekwon every reason to start preparing for his encore.
Fourteen years later, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II is set to release late this summer after setting up a new partnership with EMI Records and Raekwon’s own ICEH20 Records. EMI will be spearheading Raekwon with distribution and publicity for the album, already creating a ton of hype across local radio stations thanks to the first single off the album ‘The New Wu’. The single and video features Wu-Tang alums Method Man and Ghostface Killah.
“The wait is finally over,” Raekwon says. “Words cannot describe how extremely happy I am to work with EMI Music to put out my album.” “It’s been a long time coming,” he says, “and I’ve put my blood, sweat and tears into making this classic album for my fans.”
With EMI behind him and an all star guest list that includes The RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, The Wu-Tang Clan, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Bun B and The Game, among others, this album is gearing up to be the choice of a new generation. (Hahaha, old school Pepsi slogan)
“We are thrilled to have a chance to work with the legendary Raekwon,” said Dominic Pandiscia, Senior Vice President and General Manager, EMI Label Services. “He has had a massive impact on the history of Hip Hop and Urban music overall. Everyone at EMI is excited to be working on this record and continuing his legacy.”
More info as the release date draws near, until then check out the video for “Ice Cream” one of the illest tracks off the original “Only Built for Cuban Linx“.
