Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II cover

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II

Released

In one sense, this is only a sequel to Raekwon’s magnum opus in name: the three-years-gone J Dilla gets more beats (three) than RZA (two), the guest-verse roster spans far further outside the Wu than the original’s sole nod to Nas, and the production appears to sacrifice a cohesive sound for a Dream Team of sample-slayer icons like Pete Rock, Marley Marl, The Alchemist, Erick Sermon, and Dr. Dre. In another, more important sense, this is the much-needed return to form that arrived after a late ’90s/early ’00s run of neglectful, half-formed solo enterprises — the don reclaiming his turf with consigliere Ghostface at his side. As franchise continuations go, it’s like the difference between the tension-and-horror dynamic of Ridley Scott’s suspenseful Alien and the explosive action-flick bombast of James Cameron’s sequel.

Nate Patrin

Suggestions
Ready to Die cover

Ready to Die

The Notorious B.I.G.
Black Star cover

Black Star

Mos Def, Talib Kweli
Sparta cover

Sparta

Snowgoons, M.O.P.
Special Reserve cover

Special Reserve

Obie Trice, MoSS
Rhyme Pays cover

Rhyme Pays

Maffew Ragazino
Rare Chandeliers cover

Rare Chandeliers

Action Bronson, The Alchemist
Overcast! cover

Overcast!

Atmosphere