Wu-Tang's Raekwon Readies Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II for Sept. Release

It's been nearly 15 years since the release of Raekwon's watershed album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. In that time, the album's hotly-anticipated sequel Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II has suffered multiple delays, riding alternating waves of hype and backlash for nearly a decade and a half. But that's not fazing the Chef any, as he was all too happy to tell during an interview with Pitchfork: "It's just about getting respect. You know what I mean? Complementing the project. I wanna show everybody that it's nothin' for me, man. I do this shit like how your moms cook dinner." So rather than drop another forced culinary metaphor, we'll respect Raekwon's wishes and get to the point: Linx II has finally been set for release on Sept. 8.

The Clan is out in full force for Rae's return: Ghostface Killah, Method Man, GZA and Inspectah Deck all snatch the mic for guest verses on the J. Dilla-produced, "Clan In Da Front"-sampling single "House of Flying Daggers." Dr. Dre, Pete Rock and RZA also contribute production work elsewhere, and Masta Killa, Busta Rhymes and Beanie Sigel offer guest verses to boot.

And Only Built for Cuban Linx II has the potential to put two sets of New York hip-hop luminaries in a head-to-head turf war, since it's dropping a scant three days before Jay-Z's Blueprint 3.

Raekwon on MySpace

YouTube: Raekwon - "Criminology"

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