'' is an influential
East Coast Rap album by
Rapper Raekwon , released in
1995 .
A member of the
The Wu-Tang Clan , Raekwon released ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'' (originally to be titled ''Only Built 4 Cuban Link Niggaz'') as his first
Solo album. As with most Wu-Tang solo records, however, a lot of collaboration was involved, in this case with
RZA and
Ghostface Killah . Throughout the album, Raekwon recasts the Wu-Tang Clan as an Italian mafioso family dubbed the ''"Wu-
Gambino s"'', while rechristening himself as ''"Lex Diamond"'' in the process. In terms of production, ''Only Built 4 Cuban Linx'' marked a major stylistic change that saw RZA move away from the raw, minimalist, stripped-down beats of the early Wu-Tang albums, towards a richer, cinematic sound more reliant on strings and classic soul samples. The album also featured
Queensbridge -based rapper,
Nas , on the song ''"Verbal Intercourse"'' —becoming the first non-Wu-Tang artist to appear on the group's solo albums.
Deviating from past Wu-Tang efforts and heralding a narrative-driven concept that redefined the calls it "a serious contender" for that title).
Filled with , initiating
Slang terms such as ''"
Politic "'' and ''"butter-pecan Rican"'' into the Urban
African-American Slang {Link without Title} .
Adam Heimlich of or
Martin Scorsese , doling out guest appearances to his crew like loot from a job, and striving all the while to keep it as raw yet richly detailed as Rae did...Raekwon's storytelling evokes senses of rapid motion, kamikaze faith, loyalty, and focus in the midst of high-stakes tumult that, together, convey more about his mindstate than any straight autobiography could have. RZA wanted Cuban Linx's music to transport listeners into Rae's transcendent point of view, and he succeeded so spectacularly that thousands of rap fans --the ones who don't look to hip-hop for an out-of-body experience -- will never fully comprehend all the undying fuss about this album".
#"Striving for Perfection" (Diggs/Woods) (1:43)
#"Knuckleheadz" (Diggs/Woods) (4:05)
#"Knowledge God" (Diggs/Woods) (4:27)
#"Criminology" (Adams/Bascombe/Burgess/Coles/Diggs/Patterson/Woods) (3:49)
#"Incarcerated Scarfaces" (Diggs/Raekwon) (4:30)
#"Rainy Dayz" (Diggs/Woods) (5:17)
#"Guillotine (Swordz)" (Diggs/Woods) (4:21)
#"Can It Be All So Simple (Remix)" (Wu Tang Clan) (4:10)
#"Shark Niggas (Biters)" (Diggs/Woods) (1:39)
#"Ice Water" (Diggs/Woods) (4:02)
#"Glaciers of Ice" (Coles/Diggs/Turner/Woods) (4:54)
#"Verbal Intercourse" (Diggs/Woods/Jones) (4:07)
#"Wisdom Body" (Diggs/Woods) (2:34)
#"Spot Rusherz" (Diggs/Woods) (3:51)
#"Ice Cream" (Diggs/Woods) (4:16)
#"Wu-Gambinos" performed by Raekwon / Method Man (5:09)
#"Heaven and Hell" (Diggs/Woods) (4:57)
#"North Star (Jewels)" (Diggs/Woods) (4:00)
- Raekwon - Vocals
- Ghostface Killah - Vocals
- RZA - Arranger, Producer, Engineer, Mixing
- Robert Diggs - Executive Producer
- Mitchell Diggs - Executive Producer
- Oli Grant - Executive Producer
Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album
1995 The Billboard 200 No. 4
1995 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 2
Billboard (North America) - singles
1994 Heaven Hot Rap Singles No. 32
1994 Heaven Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales No. 34
1995 Glaciers Of Ice The Billboard Hot 100 No. 43
1995 Incarcerated Scarfaces The Billboard Hot 100 No. 37
1995 Glaciers Of Ice Hot Rap Singles No. 5
1995 Incarcerated Scarfaces Hot Rap Singles No. 5
1995 Heaven & Hell Hot Rap Singles No. 21
1995 Criminology Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 32
1995 Incarcerated Scarfaces Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks No. 37
1995 Glaciers Of Ice Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales No. 2
