The cultural phenomenon that is the Wu-Tang cannot accurately be described without referencing one of the pillars in the Clan's discography; Chef Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx remains firmly planted as one of the defining triumphs in their artistic legacy. The oft referred "Purple Tape", has been cited and debated by many as the greatest Wu-Tang solo project to date and remains a bullet point in any discussion involving the greatest "Cocaine Rap" or "Street Hop" albums of all time.
Raekwon's narrative plays out like a movie script from the violent, drug fueled, underbelly of New York City's criminal landscape, intricately woven over instrumentals from the legendary mastermind behind the Wu-Tang Clan, The RZA. Even the album's main feature "Tony Starks aka Ghostface Killer", referred to as such rather described as a "guest star" appearing on 12 of the albums 18 tracks. It should be noted that while the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx did produce a string of successful singles, such as "Ice Cream", "Incarcerated Scarfaces", and "Criminology", like all classic cinema, the album was intentionally engineered to be appreciated in one sitting, played from beginning to end.
Tracklist
1 Striving for Perfection - Raekwon
2 Knuckleheadz Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks & Golden Arms Aka Lucky Hands - Raekwon
3 Knowledge God - Raekwon
4 Criminology Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks - Raekwon
5 Incarcerated Scarfaces - Raekwon
6 Rainy Dayz Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks & Blue Raspberry - Raekwon
7 Guillotine (Swordz) Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks, Inspektah Deck Aka Rollie Fingers, & Genius - Raekwon
8 Can It All Be So Simple (Remix) Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks - Raekwon
- Disc 2 -
1 Shark Niggas (Biters)
2 Ice Water Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks & Cappachino
3 Glaciers of Ice Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks & Master Killa Aka Noodles
4 Verbal Intercourse Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks & Nas Aka Nas Escobar
5 Wisdom Body Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks
6 Spot Rusherz
7 Ice Cream Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks, Method Man Aka Johnny Blaze & Cappachino
8 Wu-Gambinos Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks, Method Man Aka Johnny Blaze, the Rza Aka Bobby Steels & Master Killa Aka Noodles
9 Heaven & Hell Ft Ghost Face Killer Aka Tony Starks
10 North Star (Jewels)