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
No Said Date cover

No Said Date

Masta Killa
The Album cover

The Album

Mantronix
Follow the Leader cover

Follow the Leader

Eric B. & Rakim
Welcome To Our World cover

Welcome To Our World

Magoo, Timbaland
Step in the Arena cover

Step in the Arena

Gang Starr
Reloaded cover

Reloaded

Roc Marciano
Alfredo cover

Alfredo

The Alchemist, Freddie Gibbs
Operation: Doomsday cover

Operation: Doomsday

MF DOOM
MA_Doom: Son of Yvonne cover

MA_Doom: Son of Yvonne

Masta Ace
The R.E.D. Album cover

The R.E.D. Album

The Game
Return of the Mac cover

Return of the Mac

Prodigy, The Alchemist
Overcast! cover

Overcast!

Atmosphere