Defsounds

What can a 39 year old rapper who is over ten years removed from his last solo album, and a failed group comeback album (Wu Tang) offer to an industry that has become over ran by ringtone rappers and club bangers? This seems to be the question that many people have to ask themselves before they hear a single song off of Raekwon's fourth solo album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. They will ask themselves if they even want to bother to listen to someone who might just be over the hill. Or if they want to offer another out dated rapper the time to complain about the way things used to be, then they will pop in the CD, look through the booklet, and go on a musical trip that they may have never been taken on before. In approximately 70 minutes and 52 seconds later, they will be blown away. If they have never heard Raekwon before, they will want to hear everything he has ever made and if this is an old fan who went astray, they will be reminded why he already has a classic album under his belt.

Lyrics-9.5 There really is no way to perfectly describe the lyrical trip that Raekwon takes you through on this album. Imagine Magic Johnson in his prime, speed, hand skills, court vision, defense, scoring ability, strength, etc... To make things worse let's say that he is fundamentally sound, and has the basketball IQ of an experienced veteren. Once you're done imagining that, transfer this all around game, fundamental skills, and IQ to lyrical skills, and you have what Raekwon offers on this album. While some have fallen off, others have adjusted their styles, Raekwon is still ripping beats to shreds; the same way he did when he first entered the game. But now the vocabulary has taken a huge jump. His presence on the track is stronger then ever; the wordplay is beyond exceptional and the punchlines are out right nasty. If there was such a thing as lyrical overload this album alone would send any listener into an aneurysm.

Production- 8.5 The production on this album is the exact kind of musical output that you would expect for the songs on this album. The beats are enjoyable with a heavy drum influence, and enough of a gloomy feel to match with the darker content that the album contains. If you're a fan of Wu Tang, then you are quite familliar with the kind of production that this album is offering. But with producers like RZA, Marley Marl, and Pete Rock. What would you expect from this album? Unlike Wu's group effort 8 Diagrams, this album has the very distinct Wu Tang sound that so many fans remember, with an emphasis on Hip Hop heavy beats, not flashy or over bearing, which can cause for fans to lose sight of what the artist is actually saying on the song. With a little bit of soul and an abundance of grit, the combination of Raekwon's skills and the content of the songs, this production fits the album like a perfectly sized glove.

Songs -9 When Raekwon first jumped onto the scene with his debut solo album, he helped to pave the way and make the blueprint for the type of Mafioso rap style that would produce alubms such as Reasonable Doubt, Ready to Die, and many more albums. He jumped into the game with the ability to tell street stories, speaking of the good and bad of his lifestyle while never relinquishing any kind of lyrical ability. On this album, he does not repeat the 90's. It is impossible to do that, instead he takes the listner back to the gritty 90's. You find yourself standing right in the streets that he's talking about. You feel the anger, frustration, fear, that he raps about so strongly, and if you're one who has trouble connecting to songs, his story telling ability will paint a picture clearer then any HD television can ever attempt to portray. This album reunites you to the Gangsta Rap that has been long gone from the Hip Hop genre. The type that actually sounds beleivable; the type that sounds like he's telling the truth; where you listen to it and imagine what the artist must have been thinking in the heat of those moments. With the lyrical ability of Raekwon, and all of his featured artist are added into the quality of the songs. Making the content of the songs become even more captivating. There is a point to every song, and literally no throw away's. While most artist fail to hit the target; Raekwon makes the target then shoots it off of the wall. The dark gritty feel of the album is remeniscent to almost nothing that has come out after the 90's. Bordering on what I will not state in this review, but for fans of Raekwon you already know what that C word is.

Concluison-9 There has rarely been an album that has come out in the post 90's era of hip hop, that has had the ability to captivate, impress, and blow away all in one listening. But in an attempt to match the classical output that the original album offered, Raekwon has created something that although in a different time, where lyrical content and auto-tune rule the world, will force its way into the list of best albums in the last ten years. Part II of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx is easily the best album to come out this year. If you take it one step further, probably the best album to come out in the last five years. This album wasnt meant for a casual listen. It's one of those productions that will last the test of time. So at the age of 40 when you've thrown your MIMS and Huey albums in the garbage; Raekwon will still be living very comfortably in your play list.