As far as solo albums from Wu-Tang Clan members go, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" is arguably the best one (GZA's "Liquid Swords" being the other candidate). Yesterday marked twenty years since we were graced with Raekwon's classic album that to me changed the way albums were perceived.
"Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" ran like a movie. It truly followed the Wu's main themes that they already explored but presented it genuinely like a score for a film. Raekwon reflects what he saw and experienced while growing up on the album. Normally the album is put in the Mafioso sub genre of hip-hop but "OB4CL" completely flipped the genre on it's head. The trio that was Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and RZA is utterly unmatched today. That combination was (and still is) so potent musically. The songs alone influenced hip-hop in an underappreciated way that goes unnoticed by many today. The song "Wu-Gambinos" really marked the beginning of the Wu's Gambino aliases which would lead to being a big influence on the Wu-Tang Clan name generator (that's how Donald Glover ended up with the name Childish Gambino). The different way aliases were approached on "OB4CL" forever changed the way rap aliases were perceived; the mob influence behind the names brought this group of people together like a family in a way that was never done. Many used the same effect, from Nas (who's nickname 'Nas Escobar' was bestowed upon him for his guest appearance on the song "Verbal Intercourse") to Tupac and even Biggie (who were both fans of the Wu) adopted mob-like personas in the same fashion.
The Kung Fu movies that were extremely influential on the Wu-Tang Clan as a collective is the strongest here in my opinion. Some of the dialogue throughout the album is sampled from the John Woo film "The Killer" and it fits ideally with Rae's style and theme of the album. It truthfully gave off the impression of two guys (Rae and Ghost) pulling off one more sting before they give up this lifestyle they're ready to move on from. The song "Guillotine (Swordz)" might be the most known off the album. The sample from the movie "Shaolin vs. Lama" as the intro sets Raekwon up to have this fighting element in his verse that makes his bars heavy hitting in a way we hadn't heard before. The way RZA produced it made everything come to life and feel like a lyrical fight scene. It's beautiful. The song has become a big influence on pop culture. Most recently showing up in "The Boondocks" on probably one of the best episodes. You can check it all out below.
There is no denying the importance of "Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" in hip-hop history and pop culture. This is a timeless and classic album that captured a sound and feel that has not and can't be replicated. It will always be real and relevant. That's why I and so many others hold this album in a special place in our hearts. Happy Belated "OB4CL".
Photo Creds: amazon.com/tumblr.com
Gif via tumblr
"Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" ran like a movie. It truly followed the Wu's main themes that they already explored but presented it genuinely like a score for a film. Raekwon reflects what he saw and experienced while growing up on the album. Normally the album is put in the Mafioso sub genre of hip-hop but "OB4CL" completely flipped the genre on it's head. The trio that was Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and RZA is utterly unmatched today. That combination was (and still is) so potent musically. The songs alone influenced hip-hop in an underappreciated way that goes unnoticed by many today. The song "Wu-Gambinos" really marked the beginning of the Wu's Gambino aliases which would lead to being a big influence on the Wu-Tang Clan name generator (that's how Donald Glover ended up with the name Childish Gambino). The different way aliases were approached on "OB4CL" forever changed the way rap aliases were perceived; the mob influence behind the names brought this group of people together like a family in a way that was never done. Many used the same effect, from Nas (who's nickname 'Nas Escobar' was bestowed upon him for his guest appearance on the song "Verbal Intercourse") to Tupac and even Biggie (who were both fans of the Wu) adopted mob-like personas in the same fashion.
The Kung Fu movies that were extremely influential on the Wu-Tang Clan as a collective is the strongest here in my opinion. Some of the dialogue throughout the album is sampled from the John Woo film "The Killer" and it fits ideally with Rae's style and theme of the album. It truthfully gave off the impression of two guys (Rae and Ghost) pulling off one more sting before they give up this lifestyle they're ready to move on from. The song "Guillotine (Swordz)" might be the most known off the album. The sample from the movie "Shaolin vs. Lama" as the intro sets Raekwon up to have this fighting element in his verse that makes his bars heavy hitting in a way we hadn't heard before. The way RZA produced it made everything come to life and feel like a lyrical fight scene. It's beautiful. The song has become a big influence on pop culture. Most recently showing up in "The Boondocks" on probably one of the best episodes. You can check it all out below.
(Video Cred: YouTube.com)
(Sample at 10:22)
(Video Cred: YouTube.com)
(Video Cred: YouTube.com)
Photo Creds: amazon.com/tumblr.com
Gif via tumblr
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