Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II is the fourth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released September 8, 2009, on Ice H20/EMI Records in the United States. The album experienced numerous delays to its release due to Raekwon's approach of continual re-writing, as well as distribution issues with his record labels. Serving as the sequel to his critically acclaimed debut album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... (1995), Pt. II maintains many of the themes covered on its predecessor, and features guest appearances from several Wu-Tang Clan members, as well as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel.
The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and at number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, while selling near 68,000 copies in its first week. Upon its release, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II received widespread acclaim from music critics, based on an aggregate score of 88/100 from Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim", and was ranked number 45 on the site's list of best-reviewed albums.Columnist. The Best-Reviewed Albums . Metacritic. Retrieved on 2010-04-03. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II was included on several publications' year-end album lists, including Rolling Stone, which ranked it the twenty-fifth best album of 2009,Staff, The 25 Best Albums of 2009 , Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-12-27. and Time, which named it seventh-best.Staff. The Top 10 Everything of 2009 . Time Magazine. Retrieved on 2010-01-05.
Background
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II was originally announced in late 2005, when it was stated that Busta Rhymes would be executive producer on the album.Remmie Fresh (March 18, 2005) Busta Rhymes To Executive Produce Raekwon's Album AllHipHop. Retrieved April 5, 2009. Although Raekwon would spend several years re-working and writing the album, it was announced in January 2006 that it was finished, with production being largely credited to RZA, with RZA and Busta Rhymes as executive producers.Shaheem Reid (January 11, 2006). Raekwon Linx up with Busta MTVNews Accessed December 11, 2007. Later in 2006, it was revealed that Wu-Tang Clan members GZA and Inspectah Deck would be featured, returning with their Wu-Gambino personas.Steve (November 21, 2006). Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 - More Info . GroundHipHop. Retrieved December 9, 2007.
Busta Rhymes' influence on the project became more solidified when it was announced that Raekwon had signed a contract with Dr. Dre's label Aftermath Entertainment, to which Busta was signed. The deal was structured so that the release would be a joint venture between Wu-Tang Records and Aftermath Entertainment. After a period of time and reported delays in the recording process, the two parties eventually separated from the original agreement. The decision came after it was revealed that Dr. Dre had reportedly become creatively tied up with his personal Detox record. Raekwon revealed in an interview that Cuban Linx Pt. II would not be released on Aftermath, stating "Dr. Dre is a busy man and may not have the time to give the album his full attention." An insider from Aftermath spoke on this matter, stating "The Raekwon album came in done. It’s finished! It’s a finished record. Dre did two records. We were doing the deal, and during the deal the Christmas break came. We took a break for two weeks—came back—Dre acted like we never spoke! I was like, ‘All right, this Raekwon thing,’ and he's like, 'Nah, I ain’t fuckin’ with that no more.' In a Complex track interview, Raekwon revealed that a third Dr. Dre track was made for the album that did not make the final cut, but wishes to possibly put it on one of his future albums.
By 2007, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II had still not been released, and was ranked the sixth most anticipated album of 2007 by XXL magazine.Remedy: The Top 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2007 , XXL Magazine (January 30, 2007). Retrieved December 8, 2007. The album would be pushed back several more times, and numerous changes would be made to its release date. By mid-2007, the songs "Baggage Handlers" (produced by J Dilla) and "State of Grace" (produced by RZA) were leaked on the internet. Although they were originally intended to be included on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II, they were cut from the final version.
Near the end of 2007, the Wu-Tang Clan began writing and recording their fifth studio album 8 Diagrams, which slowed the recording process even further for Cuban Linx II. Wu-Tang group leader RZA came under attack from members Ghostface Killah and Raekwon over 8 Diagrams production, with Raekwon going as far as to say that he would not include any of RZA's production on the album. In an interview with AllHipHop, Raekwon commented "(On 8 Diagrams), whatever else he wanted to grow on, we weren’t crazy over it. And that’s the whole thing people took out of context. No one tried to take anything away from RZA as a producer. It was more or less you can’t be selfish, and have to work with everybody’s ears and eyes on something. Him being the dude that he is with mad platinum albums, some niggas be super cocky. ‘I don’t wanna hear nothing, I got this.’ That's what happened in that situation." By early 2008, Raekwon and RZA settled their creative differences, with Raekwon choosing to work with RZA again.
While the album was not talked about much in 2008, Raekwon stated in an interview with DJ Semtex that it was set for release in February 2009, as he claimed it could be ready at that point. This release date, however, would prove to be once again postponed as he would continue to fine-tune the album and add more material.DJ Semtex Semtex TV- Raekwon Interview on Vimeo Vimeo Accessed August 28, 2008.
The album's first single, originally entitled "Wu Ooh" and later retitled "New Wu", was released for playback on various radio mixshows, including New York's Hot 97, with an official video being released on the internet in May 2009. The video features Ghostface Killah and Method Man, who rap their verses respectively, as well as guest appearances from The Alchemist, RZA, Cappadonna, Inspectah Deck and other Wu-Tang affiliates such as Popa Wu. Around this time, Raekwon announced that the album would be released through his own label, Icewater Records, with him later confirming EMI as another label that the album would be released on.
According to an April 2009 report by XXL on Busta Rhymes leaving Aftermath and the album project, Busta Rhymes "was originally slated to executive produce the project, although he no longer holds the position". Raekwon said in an interview for XXL, "Busta left after our situation was already not gonna happen. Busta might have felt like he was getting the proper energy he needed to get, so really one ain’t have nothing to do with two, but you never know at the end of the day, you know what I mean. I don’t know, I can’t call that". However, Busta Rhymes received credit for executive producer on the album. In the same interview, it was stated that the album would be released on August 11, 2009. Raekwon later announced that due to a leak of the song "Surgical Gloves," as well as sample clearance issues, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II would be pushed back once again to September 8, 2009.
Expectations grew high for the album as music writers reported various guests and producers to the project. An all-star cast of rappers and producers appeared on the record, but several of these reported collaborations did not come to fruition or did not make the final cut. Among these are the Bun B collaboration "Never Used to Matter," the Nas collaboration to commemorate his appearance on the first Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., and also, guest appearances from The Game and Travis Barker.
Music
Structure and lyricism Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II follows a similar crime laced cinematic approach as the original Cuban Linx. In maintaining the structure and concept of its predecessor, Pt. II contains a loose storyline of a mafioso crime boss, as told mainly from the first person point of view. This is combined with carefully placed skits weaved into the beginnings and ends of songs.
In contrast to the first album/story where the main character is attempting to leave behind a criminal life, here, he has seemingly embraced this life. The narrative has these older characters taking a look back at their pitfalls and spoils as they have finally risen to the top. In his review for Los Angeles Times, Jeff Weiss wrote "While many of their '90s peers recycle toothless tautologies about bringing New York back or vainly wrestle with advanced age by collaborating with flavor-of-the-minute flotsam and jetsam, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah refuse to stay forever young. Proudly profane, the two come off as salty mafia dons with long memories, too old to change their ways but with the narrative skill and eye for detail of master storytellers in their prime."
The album's final track, "Kiss The Ring" has Wu-Tang member Masta Killa summarizing the loose concept of the story and closing the album in a film-like fashion.
Production Announced producers were confirmed to include RZA, J Dilla, Dr. Dre, Erick Sermon, Mathematics;Chris "Milan" Thomas (August 29, 2007). Raekwon: Politick Ditto. AllHipHop. Retrieved December 8, 2007. Marley Marl, Scram Jones, Pete Rock and The Alchemist.Andreas Hale (November 19, 2008) Raekwon To Release Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 In March BET. Retrieved December 25, 2008.
Initially, there was speculation as to what RZA's role would be on Pt. II, being that he was the only producer and executive producer on the first Cuban Linx album. Raekwon had commented early on that the sequel would be different in this light, stating "(RZA) definitely put his two cents in and made his elements, and that’s what it’s about. But I can’t allow one man to lead my destiny no more." Raekwon spoke on the difficulties of working on the project with the legendary producer:
During the 2009 Rock the Bells festival, Raekwon discussed the importance of getting the right producers on board with the project, "I allowed myself to track down some of the finest niggas in the game that done it and basically get them involved with the project. RZA was always there to do whatever, whatever... but at the same token I wanted more. You know what I mean, I wanted to go out and challenge myself even more with different production and different producers."
Raekwon spoke on what it was like getting the opportunity to rhyme over the late J Dilla's production, commenting "He's like a Dre and a RZA, like a combo. You know what I mean and I think that he didn't really get the full fledged support that he's supposed to get. But, in my book, he's that Nigga. And he came with the flamers!" He also stated in an interview with Okayplayer "Dilla, he’s a musical maestro, a Quincy Jones in his own world. I did not know his power until I listened to his catalog. He played his part in hip-hop. I’m glad to be involved with him. It was a blessing. He stepped his grizzly up for me. He gave the tracks that special blend. Thanks to Busta for making it happen. I got this while Dilla was still alive. I worked with the best, it was bound to happen. I really appreciated his energy."
Release On July 22, 2009, a report was published which claimed numerous collaborations, final track names, and producers. A month later on August 27, another report was published featuring the final track listing. The two reports listed most of the same tracks, but with slight differences in names, producers, and featured guests. The change lead to the perception that there were many tracks cut from the final listing, however it is more likely that the details were transcribed incorrectly as most of the tracks listed were released in some form. The final album differed from the initial report as follows: "Godfather" was retitled "Black Mozart" (was previously a solo track called "Secret Indictment").