Album Review: Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II (2009)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Potholes
As if being the sequel to one of the finest Hip-Hop albums ever made wasn’t enough, several changes in label, release date, and the content itself have made Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II highly anticipated on sheer elusiveness. It’s still a little hard to believe that the project has finally seen the light of day, but possibly even more shocking is just how worth the wait it actually is, serving not simply as one of the year’s strongest albums, but also a worthy continuation of its predecessor.
‘Return Of The North Star’ begins the album with an excellent nod to the first Cuban Linx, as Popa Wu sets the scene by providing Raekwon with some words of wisdom over a chilling ‘North Star (Jewels)’ reprise. The immense ‘House Of Flying Daggers’ follows, combining razor sharp production with what can only be described as an all out lyrical assault from fellow group members Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah and Method Man. There are plenty of exciting guest verses to be found further on, and not just courtesy of the Wu-Tang Clan; though there might not be anything quite as monumental as Nas on ‘Verbal Intercourse’, outside contributions from Busta Rhymes, Styles P, and particularly Jadakiss are all impressive.
Even moreso than the guest verses, branching out to non Wu affiliates has had an extremely positive effect on the album in terms of production. It is somewhat surprising that RZA is responsible for just three tracks here, as the likes of The Alchemist and Pete Rock both showcase their own individual talents while managing to maintain the distinct cohesiveness and Wu-Tang feel that was such a significant aspect of Pt. I. J Dilla’s contributions are stellar, and his role in the project is made all the more poignant by the wonderful ‘Ason Jones’ – a tribute to the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard that features one of Yancey’s most soulful and heartwrenching compositions. Dr. Dre also makes an expected appearance, but unfortunately his work comes as little more than a relief that the album’s release on Aftermath never materialized.
It would be rash to claim that Raekwon has followed up the original Only Built 4 Cuban Linx with another classic, but it’s near impossible to imagine a more dignified attempt at doing so. Consequently, he has achieved what very few artists are able to in relation to building upon their best material, especially in a thematic sense. A spectacular and almost flawless effort, albums this well done just don’t come along very often. For that, compliments to the Chef.
I don’t know…..I’m a big fan, even right now….I listed to this album relatively often still….Like once every 2 weeks or so. Might not seem like a lot, but I listen to a LOT of music, so it takes a while to cycle.
I still feel like it’s worthy of the 4.5. It wasn’t supposed to be this mad innovative album – it was the completion installment of series. I think you have to see the album for exactly what it is. And so what if he’s talking about crack…..the Clipse have made a whole career out of talking about crack – and they are dope as hell. I like positivity too…but it doesn’t have to come out of EVERY rapper I hear. There are TONS of positive rapper out there….hell, K-Os released an ILL ass album and there’s little to no cursing on it at all, and it’s mad positive.
OBFCL2 is just another shot up that familiar vein. And it’s dope. Did it have to be fucking….Thriller….for you to respect it? It’s dope for the sake of being dope. Embrace the shit and move on. It’s one album…in one genre of rap music. He is one dope rapper (in a crew of dope historically dope MCs) out of a gillion.
dnt know abt all yall i read all the hyped up reviews about ra cubin linx2, i enjoyed the first installed but fark this one really is boring and repeatitive., sure no one can touch raw flow but fark me dead how many times can he talk about cooking crack, bagging it up, on the stove, he really has nothing new to say nothing positive to say same old shit it bored the hell out of me same rapid fire raps about WHAT ?? i really dnt know why this album is so hot… i would say 3 or 4 banging tracks the rest of the shit is boring … dont believe the hype ppl shit aint fresh nor is it innovative this HAS TO BE THE LAST WU installment theyve had a good run theyve milked the wutang concept to the n degree how about some fresh set of eyes step up to the mic
I agree with afan. Now that the hype has died down hopefully people are realizing this is no better than a 3.5. It doesn’t come close to the first OBFCL.
@JAMES……. james my friend….. yeah i am saying this album IS worse then both Clipses albums without a doubt in my mind. IS it worse then Shynes album? of course it is. How bout dead prez lets get free album? its not on the same page. and Little Brothers first two albums are brilliant albums.
now you probably think your cool because you listen to raekwon. i give you props for knowing who he is. but if your really a fan of raekwon and you think this album is hot then your reason why artists like Nas and Jay-z continue to release garbage albums and the reason why fat joe just released another garbage album. the reason why the last wu tang album is terrible.
the truth is raekwons album bores me. i would rather listen to black robs true story album or shynes first album or commons be or finding forever album. and thats just a few of the not so many good albums released this decade.
im not even talking about the golden era. im not even comparing this to some of the best albums released in the 90s.
i could name 50 albums right here better then this album and thats from the 90s only.
i could start naming albums like mobb deeps hell on earth or gangstarrs moment of truth or warren g’s g-funk era or pete rocks mecca and the soul brother or bone thugs e.1999 eternal or jeru da damajas sun rises in the east or gza liquid swords or cypress hills black sunday or camp lo uptown saturday night or the fugees the score….. etc
scratch that…… i could name 100 albums better then this album released in 90s only.
its funny how this ‘cat’ since you like to refer to people as cats thinks this album is so great?
if this is so great then what is every album i just mentioned??????
i like raekwon. his first album is one of my favourites up there with bigs ready to die snoops doggystyle or nas illmatic but when an artist i like releases an album thats not good then im going to say it.
jay-z fat joe jadakiss fabolous and wu tang have all released some of the worst albums this year in hip hop by ‘good’ artists.
im not putting lil waynes name on the list because he aint a good artist.
so if your really a fan of raekwon a true fan. someone who has been a fan since the start. then you should be saying that this album is too long and in some parts just not good enough.
its not being disrespectful. its being real…….
one.
@afan lol. are you really trying to suggest that cuban 2 is worse than ANY little brother, dead prez, clipse or shyne album?
that’s why you always gotta ask cats what they DO like. because if you really believe that, then me reading anything you have to say is kind of a waste of time.
i disagree. this album is not a 4.5/5 ten yeasrs ago or today. its really a 3.75, but a weak 4 to be fair. its 7 to 9 tracks too long, its not sequenced properly, and has some atrocious hooks. seriously why bring the Ruler in to do some lame hook, especially after we saw he still got it on “Auditorium”. im very happry this album didn’t suck, and even happier it was number one on itunes for a few days, but think time will expose this album like time has exposed Stillmatic: fans wanting their teenage rap heros to deliver that classic tape again, but in actuality just giving us very good.
Raekwons album was good/boring. He needed to cut 10 tracks from it and just have 12 or 13 tracks then i would call it hot.
you cant say this is a classic when you have atleast 6 or 7 tracks that arent album quality. the production is hit and miss and his voice is louder on some tracks then others its patchy. really disappointing.
I dont know why artists release albums with 20+ tracks on the album. Why?
14 tracks max.
In the 90s the complaint was that there wasnt enough tracks on albums. Now the complaint is why have so many?
The start is pretty good. besides hearing that pete rock ” havent i heard that already” track.
the end is all over the place. sometimes boring sometimes interesting which is not good enough.
if you say this a classic or its worth 4.5/5 stars then you saying its on the same level as Biggies Ready To Die? Nas Illmatic? Jay-z Reasonable Doubt? Albums from Public enemy to NWA to Snoop Doggs Doggystyle? Ghostface Ironman or Wu tangs 36 chambers.
are you saying its on the same level as The chronic? Bone thugs E1999 or even 2pacs All eyes on me?
Even albums like Outkast atliens? or lets get closer to the time where living in now.
Do you think this is as good as CLipses 2 albums? or Little Brothers albums? Dead Prez lets get free? Shynes Album? or even Dr Dres 2001?
now some of the albums are listed are classics 5/5 albums even 6/6 albums some are 4/5 or 4.5/5 albums.
some are new some are old.
but Raekwons album cuban linx 2 is not a 4.5 album im sorry. where giving musicians a pass for average albums.
this album is good. dont get me wrong but would it have made a impact 10 years ago?
Now lets compare it to the original.
If raekwons first album is 5/5 how is this one half a star less?
is it really that good? think about it……
peace
Mafioso rap to the fullest.
I’ve seen people compare this album to Pro Tools or Untitled, putting on their best jealous face as they try to explain away why they don’t like the record. “But, if Nas made Illmatic: Back Again everyone would be on his ass!” and other sorts of lame arguments that completely ignore how dope this album is, or how hypothetical those situations are. And, again, compared to PRO TOOLS…..
Oh well, at least the album is out and running up my Raekwon tally past 400 on last.fm just this past week alone.
The Chef is back, in glorious fashion
http://www.culturebully.com/raekwon-only-built-4-cuban-linx-ii-review
Great review…my sentiments exactly and I am not a big Wu fan
Even with a number of producers Raekwon managed to keep this album real cohesive sonically which I really appreciate. I think it’s an incredible album overall. Only minor complaint was that it was a bit lengthy. If he cut it down to about 15-16 tracks I would been happier. Then again, when you factor how long it took to follow up the original I’m not mad Raekwon for the album length.
The chef definitely cooked up some marvelous shit with this one! Dope review and agreed on the rating
1ne.
Definitely agreed on the rating.
One of the best albums out this decade
Nice review here, I really am into this album.