Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II

Infobox Album
Name = Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
Type = Album
Artist = Raekwon


Released = February 2009
Recorded = 2005 — 2008
Genre = Mafioso rap/East Coast hip hop
Length =
Label =
Producer = RZA & Busta Rhymes (exec.),
Dr. Dre J Dilla DJ Scratch Allah Mathematics Erick Sermon
Reviews =
Last album = "The Lex Diamond Story"
(2003)
This album = "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II"
(2008)
Next album =

"Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II" will be the fourth solo album from Wu-Tang Clan rap artist Raekwon. It will serve as a sequel to his 1995 album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...."

Background

The album was named the "#6 most anticipated album of 2007" by "XXL Magazine", though it would be pushed back numerous times and a release date has not set as of yet. [ [http://xxlmag.com/online/?p=7288 Remedy: "The Top 10 Most Anticipated Albums of 2007"] . "XXL Magazine" (January 30 2007). Accessed December 8 2007.]

Originally to be released as a joint venture between Wu-Tang and Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, Raekwon has been searching for new distribution. He had plans to release the album in October 2008 , not on Aftermath, as Dr. Dre had reportedly become creatively tied up with his personal Detox record, he hadn't an interest in working on Raekwon's album. [ [http://allhiphop.com/stories/features/archive/2008/07/09/20270715.aspx Features : Raekwon: Cuba Libre ] ] From an Aftermath insider, who also works for Unkut.com, comes confirmation on all counts:

In a later interview with DJ Semtex, Raekwon stated the album is currently set for release in February 2009, as he stated it could be ready now, but he continues to fine-tune and add more material. [ DJ Semtex [http://www.vimeo.com/1468161 SEMTEX TV- RAEKWON INTERVIEW on Vimeo] Vimeo Accessed August 28, 2008.]

Announced producers are set to include RZA, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, Erick Sermon, Allah Mathematics, and DJ Scratch. [Chris "Milan" Thomas (August 29 2007). [http://allhiphop.com/blogs/features/archive/2007/08/27/18488024.aspx Raekwon: Politick Ditto] . AllHipHop. Accessed December 8 2007.]

In an interview with HipHopDX.com, Raekwon commented on the upcoming album, he said:

Raekwon has been adding a slew of material on his MySpace page, possibly indicating that the album is ready to be releasedFact|date=August 2008. Also, Raekwon stated in an interview that Aftermath may not be the label the album is released on. He went on to say Dr. Dre is a busy man and may not have the time to give the attention that he needs for his album [ [http://youtube.com/watch?v=4AyRkNNB1qk YouTube - HHO Raw: Raekwon talks about Cuban Linx 2 ] ] .

Ghostface Killah will have a big roleFact|date=August 2008 despite claims in Scratch Magazine that he might only have 3 songs. He is focusing on the project with Raekwon.

Raekwon recently announced that The Game will be featured on the album. [ [http://www.sohh.com/2008/07/nyc-blog-raekwo.html SOHH.com: NYC BLOG: Raekwon Talks That Cuban Linx Part II: "This Is Not A Commercial Album." ] ]

Music

Concept

Similar to the first "Cuban Linx" album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II" will be set up in cinematic fashion, tying each song together in a sort of storyline, and each rapper playing an implied 'persona' of sorts; for instance, Raekwon is the main protagonist, with GZA and Inspectah Deck playing 'supporting roles' throughout. Other guests will also take Gambino personas as well [ Steve (November 21 2006). [http://www.grounduphiphop.com/2006/11/21/only-built-4-cuban-linx-2-more-info/ Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 - More Info] . GroundHipHop. Accessed December 9 2007.] . In a Scratch Magazine article, it was confirmed that the RZA produced several tracks titled, "Thug World", "Rock Stars & Smoking Barrels", "State Of Grace", "Kareem Khan", and "No Matter How Hard You Try." "Thug World" and "No Matter How Hard You Try" were later reworked and appeared on the "8 Diagrams" and "Digi Snacks" albums being renamed as "Unpredictable" & "You Can't Stop Me Now"Fact|date=August 2008. Wu-Tang's DJ Allah Mathematics confirmed on his Myspace he will have song called "Mean Streets" featuring GZA & Inspectah Deck on the albumFact|date=August 2008.

Production and recording

In January 2006, it was announced by Raekwon that the album was finished, and production was largely credited to RZA, with RZA and Busta Rhymes being named executive producers. [ Shaheem Reid (January 11 2006). [http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1520591/20060111/wu_tang_clan.jhtml?headlines=true Raekwon Linx up with Busta] MTVNews Accessed December 11 2007.] At one point following the release of "8 Diagrams", Rae apparently reworked the album with little to no RZA production, It appears that since then, the two have worked out their differences, and RZA is back at the helm of the project. Big Boi, upon whose single "Royal Flush" Raekwon appears alongside Andre 3000, claims also to have produced a song on Cuban Linx II. [ [http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=bigboi Interview with Big Boi] ] RZA spoke on the making of the album as well as it's production:

Some tracks are the result of several Los Angeles studio sessions originally aimed at creating a new Clan album.Fact|date= August 2008

References