Only Built 4 Cuban Linx

This album is pretty bad, you know what I mean? Like, I read the wiki and it was clearly not meant for me. Judging by the number of dislikes on youtube, I guess others don't like it as well, do you know what I mean. Yeah this album doesn't have memorable songs - the best one is about ice cream or something you know what I mean? and how about that "song" that's just two dudes smoking and drinking and saying you know what I mean repeatedly, you know what I mean? You know what I mean! You know, What I mean is you know what I mean. You know?

Didn’t enjoy

This album changed my life. It was so aggressive and made me feel anger I've never felt before, so I went outside, punched a toddler and ended up in Police custody. I am writing this between my bail and sentencing date. Thanks a lot 1001 albums. See you on the other side.

18 tracks, are you kidding me?! That's too much. Too much aggressive fronting and misogyny for me this early in the morning. I cannot connect with or relate to any of this and the album artwork is an assault on my eyes. Do not like.

Lyrically dense, loosely cinematic, and a showcase for almost every single member of the Clan, Cuban Linx is possibly the definitive Wu-Tang album. Rae and Ghost (plus RZA's production) are undoubtedly the stars here, but the features are the record's crown jewel: Inspectah Deck comes through with one of his all-time verses (second only to Triumph), Nas delivers what feels like a refined sequel to his legendary intro from Live at the Barbeque, and even Blue Raspberry's vocals provide a welcome contrast to the rugged coke rhymes that permeate the album. Repeated listens over the years trained me to skip over the skits, but on this revisiting I came to appreciate how they set the stage for the tracks they precede—the intro is a primer for both the album as a whole as well as the heist Ghost describes so vividly in Knuckleheadz, and the scuffle at the start of Can It Be's remix feels like an appropriate companion to his following verse ("Opened flesh, burgundy blood colored my Guess"). You could easily drop the whinging about the Ready to Die album cover, though. Key Tracks: Guillotine (Swordz), Verbal Intercourse, Wu-Gambinos

Not my most favorite album. While I can dig a good bit of WuTang, This solo project by Raekwon, not so much. The beats are fun and the delivery is pretty good but rarely great. It would be an easy 4 star rating if it weren't for the pseudo-mafioso lyrical nonsense. It's... less than great. I get that these cats were living rough on the streets of mid-90s NYC and were struggling (like a lot of youth of color at the time) to find an identity that could be "theirs" but, dang. It's kinda dumb. That knocked it down a couple of stars for me. But, like a lot of 90s hiphop, if you listen to it long enough, it grows on you a bit. The samples lifted from old movies are a WuTang staple and a lot of fun and while the content is generally crap, the delivery really is good and the writing is periodically brilliant despite the content. Not often enough to save it from a middling grade but enough to keep it from failing.

Nomesayin

it's Cuban Linx. best song: all of them

A quintessential hip hop album. One of my favorites of all time.

I was a big fan of “Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers” when it appeared on this list recently, having never heard it before. Launching an entirely distinct movement of hip-hop, it spawned what became known (to me) as the WTSU (Wu-Tang Sonic Universe- you can keep that). If the whole clan form East Coast hip-hop’s Avengers, Raekwon is their Thor with Ghostface Killah’s Hulk: two of the hardest of the bunch on their own side-adventure. Also returning from the Clan is RZA on production, bringing the same smokiness, mystique and even kung-fu samples that “36 Chambers” had. Overall, though, there’s less energy and a little more bagginess to “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx”. “Knuckleheads” is a fairly muted opening against a reverberating, rumbling bass line, and things quickly take a somber turn for the album’s remainder, with moody, stifling samples and introspective lyrics. Occasionally, there’s a galvanising change of pace: “Criminology” is a wake up call, with its brass sample blaring in like an alarm. A harder edged “Can It Be All So Simple”, originally on the Clan’s debut album, recontextualises the track slightly and forms an interesting curio. Guest stars are solid: Nas proves his worth as a hip hop heavyweight with a standout verse in “Verbal Intercourse”, and Capadonna is recruited in U-God’s absence. Ghostface also makes sterling contributions throughout. But for me, the MVP of the guest stars in Blue Raspberry. It’s a novelty to hear a woman’s vocal on a Wu-Tang record, and she lends a very welcome extra dimension to “Rainy Dayz” and “Heaven & Hell”. Both these tracks were released as singles, and happen to be the most luscious, opulent and classy tracks on the record: I’ll be coming back to both of them. My biggest disappointment with “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” is its failure to live up to the promise of its concept. I read that Raekwon and Ghostface plotted the album like a movie, riffing on the mafia genre and placing it within 90’s New York with a rise to power, fall into prison and then a resurgence into the rap game. It’s really intriguing stuff and could have become my favourite hip-hop album had it worked. But reading through the lyrics, I struggle to discern a clear narrative, an obvious flow or the sense of pace. I won’t fault the lyricism at play, because the words are rich and dense and the Clan are on form as ever. But as a full package, it feels both lacking and poorly paced for me.

Quite an exhausting listen, and I'm still someone who struggles with all the interstitial skits that pepper hip hop albums, but the music itself? Quality. A fairly murky and morose album, but Raekwon's lyrical facility is superb; both he and Ghostface Killa are all over those dusty Wu-style beats.

It sounds like they were learning how to use the recording equipment as they were recording and decided to release the results. It also sounds like the recording sessions didn't go so well as there was a lot of swearing and anger captured. It also sounds like the kid brother was messing around on the keyboards. I think this pissed big brother off because there was lots of ranting. But kid brother kept on playing. And they kept on recording. And they kept on swearing. And so on. Meanwhile, just outside the studio, the Russian's have invaded so there is the occasional sound of gunfire and the rumble of tanks in the background. As a result the city has just began a lockdown, so the hero's in our story are trapped. Giving the perfect excuse to keep recording. They might well be annoying the neighbours. But then so are the Russians. But who is going to complain when the have AK-47s, a MIG and T72s and you have a super soaker filled with yesterday's bathwater, a gone off scone (aka a rock cake) and a six pack (of eggs). Finally the Russians gave reached the studio door. There's chaos, there's smoke, there's pandemonium but thankfully the end of the recording session is in sight. Following this there's lots of people on there knees, pleading. "Please, take anything, take our lives but please don't steal the tapes for our masterpiece". There's good shit and there's bad shit. Then there's the kind of shit you want to not step on and walk around it. There is also the kind of shit you just need to flush down the the toilet because it smells like .....shit. There's shit and then there's shit. Oh and my train has just pulled in to it's final destination. Have a nice day y'all.

Kept waiting for a song to sound like a hit, but they all sound basically the same, and that sound is not interesting

If you need evidence that most people using this site seemingly don't have any idea about music, it's the fact this is averaging less than 3 at the moment. A rap masterpiece with the Wu Tang Clan firing on all cylinders; some of the RZAs best production and vivid wordplay from all the crew. Genuinely can't comprehend listening to this and not feeling energised and in awe.

I love finding old school hip hop gems on this project. I've heard most of Wu-Tang's big projects but haven't really explored the individual artists' catalogues. This album is just straight fire from front to back. I really feel like this east coast style shines through here.

Catchy, groovy, through and through. Thought I would like it after “Tical” and was happy to be right.

Asking me to review a rap album is just looking for trouble given my almost complete lack of experience with the genre, but since it's requested I'll take it seriously. The first thing that stands out to me is the length of the album which is normally a red flag. Few artists can really fill over an hour of space without a lot of filler or underproduced tracks but in this case it feels like it really points to what I found to be the real strength of the album, the production. While I think it's a slightly weaker back half, it's not by much and closes strong. The album also flows really well for all that space. I think this particularly shows in verses where multiple rappers are layered on top of one another. With less care to the mix it would be easy for the lyrics to get jumbled or lost but everything is really deftly crafted in a way that really enhances each section. Lyrically I found parts of the album to be a bit corny but mostly in a charming way. It also felt like ideas were repeated a bit *too* often across tracks, but the style and flow of the lyrics are really well done so the content being a bit repetitive really didnt become a bother. I still cant say I know much about the genre or that it's something I would sit down and listen to beginning to end regularly, but there's a huge amount of talent here that is impossible to ignore and not appreciate.

Like a fat man struggling to buckle his seat belt, the first few tracks just couldn’t click for me. But by Criminology we were off on an amazing and thrilling ride, all the way through Ice Cream, at which point it ran out of gas fast. If this was just track 4-15 it might even be in the running for a 5, but the bloat surrounding it drags it down so hard.

This one completely failed at capturing my attention. I don't think it's a bad album fundamentally, it's just not for me. It's a clearly great album that overwhelmingly fails to activate the parts of my brain that makes me care and pay attention Standouts - 2/5

This is the greatest Wu Tang album, a monument to and of the idiom, an encyclopaedia of their strengths and flaws. I was feverish when I first heard this, a state suitable for the delirium, excess, non-sequitur and exhaustion. The RZA’s sorcery - his stated intention was to infest minds with his sounds - is present, along with the teetering skyscrapers of percussive words, the flashes of mad imagery, the exquisite rubbing against the raw. “Glaciers of Ice” is the best song. The album would’ve ended more elegantly there. They don’t know when or how to stop. Those towers of words are filled with rambling conversation and grandiose nonsense. I engage it as I would some absurdist construction. Yet I’m compelled to return to this addled masterpiece.

I’ve never listened to any of Raekwon’s solo work before, but I do love Enter the Wu Tang. I wasn’t blown away by Method Man’s solo entry on this list, but I’m hoping I’ll connect more with this album. I wasn’t blown away by this, but I thought Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was really good. Just like Enter the Wu Tang, the beats on this album were fantastic, and I loved the samples that were used as well. The beats in samples are used in subtle way that really creates a unique atmosphere on this album. Those beats create a sound that reminds me of the simplicity of punk rock in a way; Raekwon exhibits his own sense of that ‘do-it-yourself’ ethos that sets punk apart. Enter the Wu Tang has a distinct New York feel to it, and I felt that this album was able to duplicate that feeling really well. Other than the rhyme schemes, I wasn’t too blown away by the rapping, but I’ll admit that I’m really picky when it comes to the vocals that I like on hip hop albums. “Criminology” was my favorite song on the album. The sample that was used was really hard-driving, and I thought it emphasized this album’s grittiness in an effective way. I don’t know that I would come back to this album; it didn’t really earn its hour-plus run time in my opinion, and there are just other hip-hop albums I’d rather listen to. Still, this is a really good album, punctuated by some fantastic beats and samples, but it’s just not completely my taste.

Admittedly, I should dive deeper into Wu and Wu related discography.

There have been a fair few Wu-Tang member "solo" efforts on this list so far. All seem to follow the same template: - great samples and production, with some odd sounds incorporated to keep it interesting - distinctive rapping (I can always tell it's a Wu-Tang album) - dumb lyrics with adolescent obsessions (superheroes, kung-fu, crime, the Mafia) - too fucking long

There is no need to have 18 tracks on this album. I know Raekwon has a lot to say but I'm never 100% sure it should all be said at one time. I also wonder (since this album came out when tapes were still a thing) if artists who feature a track with just dialogue thinks the people listening want to hear this dialogue just as often as the songs. Seems to me like if I wanted someone to listen to my music, I would ensure these same people don't need to sit through tracks that are not music. I don't dislike Wu-Tang and I have always been fairly neutral on their music. So perhaps, even as a rap fan, this music isn't for me. Everything about this album is 90's and that's not a bad thing necessarily. There are sufficient tracks with a female singing background as the chorus repeats at the end of a track, which is a 90's rap trademark. It's a lot of music and the beats can feel repeated at a certain point, but beats are not necessarily what Raekwon is worried about here. This is no-frills 90's rap that I tend to enjoy, mostly because I grew up with it. Nas's verse on Verbal Intercouse is a strong point but there is nothing else that just sticks out about this album. It's a workman-like effort with nothing that feels like a really high point and no bad, bad tracks. I wouldn't turn this off but I also would not search this album out. It's going to fade into the background of my mind.

I think this album deserves more time to get a review. It has only been one full day since I listened to this album but it feels like a lot of this albums charm and appeal comes from really getting to know it. Like all my favorite rap are my favorite because I know them so well. Knowing the bars and keeping up mentally is like the whole appeal of rap music. So when it’s brand new, it’s never gunna hit as hard as it does when you have been listening to it for years. I guess what I’m saying is I like the beats, I like the lyrics that I understood, but I just need more time with this album for it to sink in. I can’t find any fault with it other than it didn’t completely blow me away.

This'll be interesting. This is pretty boring. Trying to understand how it is on 1,001 albums to listen to before you die. The interludes are annoying. Some songs are better than others but overall nothing really to write home about.

Oh boy, i don't mind 90s rap and hip hop but after 5-6 albums they start becoming extremely repetitive. As someone who listen to the beats more than the raps i feel like this is more on the side of poetry than music. Because every beat is more or less just background music often utilizing dissonance to evoke a scary or unsettling beat. Very little variation in both pitch in the rap and the beats makes it extremely repetitive for me. It feels like everybody had the same checklist of things that had to be included: - Self hype and go tripping to ad nauseam - Gang related small skits with one voice sounding like he just woke up - 80% of songs need to be about gang violence. - skits and intros with random "Hard" conversations I know that it is a part of the genre and the songs are not bad. but you get reeeeeeally tired of the same formula after a couple of albums.

Was unsure about listening to this, but have made a commitment to do an album a day. Unfortunately my preformed opinion of this genre was confirmed, it was awful. Music should inspire you to make changes for the better, but this is full of references to violent crime, drug use and physical harm to others. And personally I can't stand overuse of swearing as it becomes stale very quickly. And the N word is horrible.

I don't really listen to much hip-hop, and I wasn't familiar with this artist at all before listening. I'd heard the name somewhere in the past, maybe, but that's it. Maybe this was groundbreaking at the time, or something, but I just found it boring as hell now. The music behind the rapping was dull, and the rapping itself sounded like a lot of shouted, monotonous droning to me.

I'm not sure if it was a good thing this was as influential as it is claimed to be. There's a lot of random talking and garbage skits on here that I just skipped. Otherwise, this seemed like pretty generic rap to me, but I also don't care for rap so it all sounds the same to me. 1/5

There’s a lot going on in this album, it’s supposed to be a story but I can’t tell you what it’s about. It sounds like someone put a bunch of TV channels in a bucket, mixed them up and then rapped over it. It wasn’t for me 1001 album worthy: No - 11/21

I couldn’t find any redeeming qualities for this album

Sexist, misogynistic, and homophobic lyrics. Very dated and uncomfortable listening! Favourite song: I didn’t really like anything Least favourite: All of the tracks Album artwork: not for me

Yet another waste of an hour. I'm going to listen to Tigermilk again so I can feel happier about life.

Nice, mid 90s rap! Let's check it out. I really like this dude. Ghostface Killah is so good. This album is fire. 5 stars

hood

Awesome hip hop album. Production and flows are sick.

Wu-Tang still ain't nothin' to fuck wit, and Raekwon (plus Ghostface Killa) show it damn well. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll just barely bump up to a 5. Rap albums are the hardest to write reviews for, especially when you get every single solo album by a Wu-Tang member on the list before you get “Enter the Wu-Tang”. I can only really compare this to the other members of the group, but I think that feels sort of unfair in its own way. These guys have their own styles & philosophies, and even with Ghostface Killah acting as the Luigi to Raekwon’s Mario here, it still doesn’t feel right to compare this to Fishscale, Tical, or Liquid Swords. With that said, this is probably my second favorite solo Wu-Tang project on the list behind Liquid Swords. It’s not an indictment on quality, just a matter of enjoyment, and I just enjoyed this one a lot. Hard to write about it though; when you’re in the zone with a rap album like this, it’s hard to write down any intricacies. It basically boils down to “how good was the flow, how good were the beats, and how good were the lyrics”, and in this case, the flow was great, the beats were pretty cool (if a little simple at times, lacking some of the flash on other Wu-adjacent stuff), and the lyricism does a pretty good job with storytelling, though it doesn’t really have as many cool one-liners as something like Tical or Liquid Swords. If I have any complaints… it’s just a long one, you know? 18 tracks in 1995 is a tough ask, and I do feel like this album circles the bases on a few topics a few too many times. It’s a really fun listen, don’t get me wrong, but… I dunno, I think it could’ve been trimmed down a bit. Past that, there’s some lyrics on here that just feel really out of place 30 years later, as per the course, but even for its time, this is a little heavy on the homophobia, isn’t it? It’s honestly enough to make me consider dropping it a point, but I’m gonna give some level of grace here. I do wish I could just hang it at a 4.5, but the entire stretch of “Glaciers of Ice” to “Wu-Gambinos” is simply too damn good to not give this a bump up. It clicked nicely for me, but I can also see an argument for this being one of the weaker solo Wu-Tang albums, especially if you just fucking hate Ghostface Killah for whatever reason, or if the production style doesn’t feel as tight. Hell, there are moments here where the “cool” mafia imagery of the Wu-Tang Clan can just feel a little bit yappy. For my tastes, I really enjoyed it, flaws and all – it’s a 4.5 that will just get the bump up to a 5, though if someone wants to bump it down, I wouldn’t blame them.

classic hip hop album. rae and ghostface were incredible throughout, and rza had such perfect production for this album

Classic. One of my favorite hip hop albums of all time. Top 3 solo efforts by a wu member. OB4CL vol2 also great.

Dun-dun-duuuuun-dun-dun ….

5/30/25. One of my favorites in the Wu Tang universe. Love the beats, flow from all the artists, and overall production. Can always revisit at any time.

Hands down a classic

Great album, probably my favorite of the Wu-Tang associated albums honestly

It takes a little time to get into 90s hip-hop but once you do, it's insane how consistent some of these classics are. Over an hour long and not a single beat or line is subpar here.

Dope jams.

In my top 5 rap albums of all time and one of the greatest concept albums I've ever heard. Raekwon took a massive step up from 36 Chambers, RZA bent his production style to show his versatility, Ghostface played the co-star role perfectly, and the rest of the Wu all brought their A game on their features. “Criminology” is one of the best rap beats of all time and “Incarcerated Scarfaces” is some of the best bravado rapping ever. Just a dope album from front to back that helped start the mafioso rap genre that inspired legends like Nas and Jay-Z.

An essential listen.

I feel like this is everything gangsta rap should be. Good beats, good flow, great skill on display, and good interplay between Raekwon and Ghostface.

5/5. Crazy flow and rhymes, his voice is its own instrument. The fact that all Wu-Tang members appear on this album shows that there is excellent support and creative ideas shared. The production and beats feel so clear and fresh despite its age. Sure, there is influence from previous rap groups but the skill in each track is hard to beat. This was an enjoyable album front to back even if there are some lyrics that do not age well. Best Song: Can It Be All So Simple, Criminology, Heaven & Hell

Rza is at peak here. Raekwon is a great storyteller and Ghostface is a great partner. Gangsta rap worth listening to. Smart and influential.

The skits and mafia theme were a bit naff, but tracks were excellent. Production and flow was class. Guillotine/swordz, verbal intercourse with Nas, wu gambinos, heaven & hell 👌

My older brother listened to wu tang when I was younger so this was a great listen, clears all modern rap easily.

Very good

WU TANG 4 EVER

Love the Wu-Tang Clan and this is one the best albums coming from the group and it's members. Rae sounds unstoppable at his best with a relentlessly listenable flow. Some of his rhyming on this album sounds somehow both meticulously crafted and completely effortless. I didn't really get the gangster movie concept but oh well. If I didn't read about that I'm not sure I'd have been aware it was even a thing. RZAs beats and the guest spots are amazing too. Obviously Ghostface is most prominent but the Blue Raspberry track adds a nice change of pace too. This has got to be 5*

Wow this reminds me of high school. I can taste the residual blunt papers

held my attention the entire time, which is a compliment given its length. loved those RZA beats. a really solid release!

An album featuring mostly my two favorite Wu Tang members? Yeah this is another banger.

Top tier. Up there with Illmatic by Nas, which should let you know how great it is !

Easy 5

I’ve been a pretty big fan of Ghostface Killah for many years, he’s one of my favorite rappers easily. Enter the Wu Tang is obviously a classic masterpiece in rap music, but outside of this I don’t think I’ve really listened to anything by Raekwon specifically. This album is absolute fire from start to finish. It’s carefully crafted, flows great from song to song, and works incredibly well as a whole. The rapping is amazing throughout, with Raekwon and Ghostface trading bars in top form and guest appearances that add a lot of value, especially Nas on Verbal Intercourse. If I had to complain about anything it’s that it starts off kind of slow (though not bad), but it gets the weakest parts of the album out of the way in the first three songs and it’s brilliant from Criminology all the way to the end. Best songs: Criminology, Verbal Intercourse, Ice Cream, Heaven & Hell

Of all the rap super groups, nothing touches the depth and consistency of Wu Tang. Not only do they combine like Voltron, their independent contributions are full of classics: Liquid Swords (GZA), Supreme Clientele (Ghostface), Return to the 36 Chambers (ODB)... Helps that many of their solo entries share common production in RZA, making for a cohesive superhero-like universe. This is actually one of their solo projects that has completely flown under my radar. Love Ghostface as a "co-star" here. His higher pitched and sharper delivery contrast Raekwon's huskier flows perfectly. Knuckleheadz is a great opener track -- classic RZA production with silky, but powerful delivery from all 3 members involved and plenty of fluid wordplay. Criminology is another classic Wu track. It's got the minimal, dusty drums, orchestral bits, and movie dialog samples. Back to back with Incarcerated Scarfaces -- another jam touting their mafioso ties. Guillotine is another standout here with a deeper posse cut including Inspectah Deck and (more importantly) GZA. Love the beat built around an off-balanced guitar loop with unsettling string jitters. Ice Cream is an unexpected, late album standout -- instrumental is cold as fuck and eminently head-noddable. Meth only comes on here for one feature, but he kills it with his distinctively crusty spoken word overlay. This is some prime Wu Tang tapping more into the mafioso side than their superhero or kung-fu personas. Only knock I could have is that the tape runs a little long at 73 minutes -- but if I'm being honest, I welcome any excuse to step into the Wu's world and more importantly RZAs production. His minimal dusty drums with key loops and string flourishes are always so tasteful and make for a premier canvases for the clan to spread themselves over. Raekwon rocks the helm well with great support. You can see repercussions of this album to this day, most notably (and recently) with Griselda (Westside Gunn, etc.). Easy 5 / 5 for me.

great rap album

So good. Ghostface Killah la botó en todos los feats que tenía, un fucking duro. light 9/10.

Flawless

RZA has always had a cinematic vision and no album in the wider Wu-Tang scope epitomizes that vision more than Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, the debut album from Raekwon with guest star Ghostface Killah. In over an hour, the world is yours saying that was flown over the blimp in Brian de Palma's Scarface is woven in a tapestry of realization, hustle, emotional tolls and full on braggadocio as Rae and Ghost showcase and crystallize their ironclad chemistry with some of their absolute greatest bars and flows in their discography. Add the contributions of the fellow Wu-Tang members and the only non-Wu member to appear on any of their records (Nas) and what one gets with Cuban Linx is the aural equivalent of a Scorsese flick; one that is guaranteed to amount to as many replays and rewatches as possible. 1995 may have been the peak year for the Wu-Tang Clan and this record stands as the example of not just the group's brilliance but hip-hop's as well, as its seeds grows one's seed as it marries the other's seeds, keeping it all in the family.

Easily the best solo Wu-Tang project. Rae and Ghost are such a great duo, love hearing them over this type of production. Only weak song on this is Spot Rusherz imo.

Easy 5/5 an all time classic! Used to rock the purple tape daily when it came out and it still hits today! This was the Wu at the height of their powers, they were untouchable.

Absolute classic record and one of hip hop’s iconic albums of all time. A pivotal moment in the shaping and progression of hip hop to help cement its place in music as such an important style. Long live the Chef!

Makes me feel whiter than a mayonnaise sandwich on wonder bread the best way 5/5

One of the best hip-hop albums of all time. Arguably the best solo Wu-Tang record. So many classic tracks. Incarcerated Scarfaces, and Guillotine are two of my favourite beats of all time. Raekwon and Ghostface are iconic and there's no misses on this. Classic. 10/10

Bangers only

I had no clue that Raekwon started the mafioso rap craze, the Tommy Hilfiger craze, the Cristal obsession. Damn. This album is iconic - not to mention filled with enough thick spit-worthy rhymes to clog up a dentist’s sink.

A Wu classic. While I prefer the debut and Liquid Swords, this might be third. Depends on how I'm feeling; Ghostface has a few records that could fill that spot. Either way Cuban Linx is over an hour of immaculate beats and intricate rhymes. Raekwon's flow is as luxurious as ever was. *Heard before.

Aged dead well, great prod

Poisonous paragraphs smash your phonograph in half

Raekwon's debut studio album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx," released on August 1, 1995, stands as a cornerstone of hip-hop history. The album, often referred to as the "Purple Tape," has left an indelible mark on the genre with its intricate lyricism, innovative production, thematic depth, and lasting influence. 1. Lyrics: Raekwon's lyrical prowess shines throughout the album, blending vivid storytelling with streetwise narratives. His rhymes are precise, diffuse, and thematically consistent, creating a cinematic experience. The narrative loosely follows John Woo's 1989 film "The Killer," adding a layer of cinematic richness to the lyrics[2]. 2. Music: The music on "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" is a sonic journey through gritty beats and soulful samples. The production, largely handled by RZA, contributes to the album's cinematic feel. The beats are grimy and atmospheric, setting the stage for Raekwon's lyrical storytelling[3]. 3. Production: RZA's production is a standout feature, characterized by its unconventional sampling and intricate arrangements. The beats complement Raekwon's lyricism, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. The production quality has stood the test of time, influencing subsequent generations of hip-hop artists[4]. 4. Themes: "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" delves into themes of street life, crime, and the struggles of survival. The album provides a gritty portrayal of the realities faced by individuals navigating the urban landscape. The thematic consistency adds depth to the project, making it a compelling narrative[2]. 5. Influence: The influence of "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" extends beyond its release, shaping the sound of East Coast hip-hop. Its impact is evident in subsequent works by artists like Jay-Z and Nas. The album's influence on the genre is immeasurable, solidifying Raekwon's place in hip-hop history[4]. Pros: Lyricism: Raekwon's intricate storytelling and wordplay captivate the listener. Production: RZA's innovative beats contribute to the album's unique sound. Influence: "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" has left an enduring mark on hip-hop. Cons: Niche Appeal: The album's focus on street narratives may limit its appeal to a broader audience. Dated Sound: Some may find the production style to be rooted in the mid-90s, potentially impacting its accessibility to modern listeners. In conclusion, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" is a seminal work that combines lyrical prowess, innovative production, and thematic depth. Raekwon's storytelling, coupled with RZA's production, creates a timeless piece that continues to resonate within the hip-hop community. While the album may have niche elements, its overall impact on the genre is undeniable.

"Only Bulit 4 Cuban Linx..." is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. Also referred to as "Purple Tape," the album was produced by Wu-Tang member RZA and mostly all members of Wu-Tang appear at some point including Ghostface Killah who is the co-star. The album is considered a pioneer in the mafiaso rap genre as it tells the story of two guys that have had enough of the negative life and want to get their life together but they need to pull off one more sting. It was composed to play as a film with lots gangster film dialogue sampling. Commercially, it hit #4 in the US and had unanimous critical acclaim. "Striving for Perfection" starts things off with Raekwon and Ghostface talking about their long term goals which is to get out. Nice sampling with the theme from the 1989 John Woo film "The Killer." "Criminology" begins with dialogue sampling from "Scarface." Imagine that. Hypnotic beats and laid-back. Ghostface comes in strong as he tells his crimilogy story. The remix of Wu-Tang's " Can it Be All Simple" starts with arguments, fighting and gunshots. The glorified mafiaso lifestyle and how they want to get out. A sample of Gladys Knight & the Pips is expertly used as the chorus. "Ice Cream" compares women to the flavors of ice cream. Cappadonna joins Ghost and Rae in the rapping verses. I think just about all the Wu-Tang members appear in "Wu-Gambinos." The rappers talk over the sampling as they compare themselves to the mob. The album proper closes with "Heaven & Hell." It's slow and soulful. A Syl Johnson sample. It's come to an end as they hope for redemption. Even with the mafiaso theme, the music and beats are chill and at times souful. There's absolutely excellent production by RZA with the music, the sampling and the flow between all the rappers. The forceful Ghostface works with the more-laid back Raekwon. I don't if I completely followed the story as a whole; each song seemed to be its own story. However, the album does flow musically as a whole. The album is not only one of the best rap albums in the mafiaso rap genre but rap genre overall.

Still imperial phase Wu Tang. Raekwon and Ghostface basically rendered all dealer rap after this fully redundant by doing it better than anyone before or after could. Rae brings the street knowledge, bit Ghostface Killah's rhymes are so complex and involved that most are still digging out more meaning and jokes from them 25 years on.

An all time classic!

Always a pleasure

One of my favourites of all time. Favourite track is hard enough, favourite verse is probably even harder. One of my favourite tracks is Knuckleheadz, and the three verses on that track are legit all in my top 25 verses ever. This is a top 3 album of the 90s for me, and honestly #1 on most days. Can NOT recommend it enough. It’s one of those records that deserves hundreds of listen

I basically love anything wutang related.

Absolute banger

Downgraded Enter The Wu-Tang to 3 stars some 18 months ago and was not sure what to expect of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. But no, sounds - apart from its length - still as good as ever.

One of the 3 best things made by Wu Tang or a solo member imho. Love it. criminology and verbal intercourse are absolutely brilliant.

LP

It's Raekwon's name in big lettering on the front cover but this very much an introduction to the flourishing bromance between Rae and his former street rival Ghost Face Killah (former rivals to such an extent that Rae was the perpetrator that shot up Ghost's mom's apartment as mentioned at the start of this album). Both step up their game massively here, finding their voices individually, as a pair and as part of the wider Clan. As with Enter The Wu Tang (36 Chambers) before it and Liquid Swords shortly after it, the album excels in creating its own unique world. In this case gritty neighbourhood street life is blown up into a widescreen mafioso world. The mafia trope has been revisited and mined to the point of cliché ever since by innumerous rappers, from Jay Z to Freddie Gibbs, but it was done first and done best here. The album's cinematic quality speaks to the rapid development of RZA's production skills from the grimy beats showcased in 36 Chambers which was released less than two years before. When there's conversations about the best producers in the game, it seems to get overlooked what a stupidly high level RZA was operating at in the early '90s. Not only was there constant quality, there was an absurd level of quantity. This is the second of three Wu Tang adjacent, RZA produced albums in 1995 alone and it is generally considered the best of the Clan members' solo efforts (although Liquid Swords just about edges it for me). With this album Wu Tang changed the game...AGAIN.

Dope af

I did not listen to this album today, but since it released in 1995 I have listened to it too many times to count! Known as the "Purple Tape," this album not only is an important album for the Wu legacy but is also an important album for the whole hip-hop legacy.

The peak of Wu-Tang shone brighter than the sun in the mid-90s. The fact that multiple albums were lost when Rza's studio flooded likely means that there were more albums of this level of quality that the world never got to hear. Can't spend your time thinking about might-have-beens, though. Built for Cuban Linx is one of those albums that I had heard about for a long time before I listened to it. On it's face it seemed like a strange thing. Raekwon didn't go on to the level of success that other member of the clan did, so it was hard to believe that one of the best solo albums came from an artist who isn't in the top 5 most highly regarded members of the original Wu-Tang clan. When you put this album on, it seems baffling that Raekwon didn't manage to break through to the main stream. So much of what made 36 Chambers great is here, the samples that only seem to work through a form of alchemy, the lyrical storytelling, tracks filled with different voices that come together in a powerful way. Cuban Linx is incredible, right from the first song. I'm not in love with the skits between the songs, but that's how things were back then, and it does work well with the cinematic approach to the lyrics. 5/5 An absolute classic

I just love this type of rap

Thumping beats, coke slinging rap, classic soul samples, RZA creating that dark, dark mood and Ghostface and Raekwon spitting darts. This is grade A stuff. Like a movie for your ears.

cool

It’s hard not to think of this album as a Wu Tang Clan album with its cinematic interludes and mafioso centric themes. RZA’s production is phenomenal and Raekwon’s vocal performance with its dynamic flow and shifting rhythms make this album stand out and place it in the upper echelons of 90s east coast rap. I loved this album.

Absolutely fantastic. Love everything Wu

I wanna learn the special technique of shadowboxing

One of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and the absolute pinnacle of cocaine rap. Still sounds as fresh as the first time I heard it. An almost flawless album, the one minor flaw being the amount of skits.