Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx II

It's taken 14 years for Raekwon to follow up his seminal debut Only Built For Cuban Linx, and the wait has been worth it. In Only Built For Cuban Linx II, Rae has not only managed to recapture the creativity of the original, he has released the most cohesive Wu-Tang album since 2000's The W.

Despite the solo status of OB4CL2 it truly is a Wu-Tang effort, with the all of the Clan (bar U-God) represented either rapping, producing or in memoriam (‘Ason Jones' is a touching tribute to Ol' Dirty Bastard).
The lyrical content picks up where OB4CL left off, telling stories of street hustling mixed in with kung fu references and mafia fantasies of power and wealth. From the second track (in true Wu style, the first is a skit) the level of quality and effort is evident. ‘House Of Flying Daggers', produced by J. Dilla, features Inspectah Deck, Method Man and Ghostface on guest duties, who deliver tight, eloquent verses that set the bar for the album, which is maintained by Raekwon's rhymes and outstanding performances by other collaborators.

The production is also first rate, with tracks served by legends RZA, J. Dilla, Pete Rock, Marley Marl and Wu affiliate Allah Mathematics, as well as other lesser-known beatsmiths. Recreating the dusty, sample-based aesthetic of classic 90s NYC hip hop, the record never feels like it's repeating itself despite being 22 tracks in length. Stand out examples include the head-nodding, pure J Dilla genius of ‘10 Bricks', and ‘Kiss The Ring', in which Scram Jones turns an Elton John sample into a triumphant melodic hook.
To say ‘hip hop album of the year' would be incredibly contentious, particularly with other big name acts gunning for the spot (Jay-who?). However, there is no denying that OB4CL2 has cemented Raekwon's position in the annals of rap history.

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