That's Hip-Hop
We're 3 high school friends who share a common passion for Hip Hop. Each of us have created our own albums, performed or started our own channels, but this time, we are collaborating together to share our common bond over our love for hip hop. We are taking a journey into the music. Going album by album to dissect and share our experiences with the tracks. We release a new episode every Monday. Check us out and let us know what albums we should review next!
That's Hip-Hop
#135 ONLY BUILT FOR CUBAN LINX... ALBUM REVIEW #RAEKWON THE CHEF CO-STARRING GHOSTFACE KILLAH
In episode #135, hosts Mark Ali and Nesquik dive deep into one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time: Only Built for Cuban Linx… by Raekwon, co-starring Ghostface Killah. They explore how Raekwon’s 1995 solo debut didn’t just follow the Wu-Tang Clan formula—it innovated it. Framed like a gritty street film, the album blends mafioso narratives, coded slang, and cinematic production into an immersive listening experience. With RZA’s layered and unconventional beats acting as a sonic backdrop, Rae and Ghost create vivid tales of crime, loyalty, and ambition. The hosts unpack how this “purple tape” reshaped East Coast rap, introducing a new level of storytelling that would influence everyone from Nas to Jay-Z and modern-day artists like Griselda.
Throughout the episode, the trio celebrates the album’s iconic details—from its cover art and slang to standout verses and legendary chemistry between Rae and Ghost. They spotlight how Only Built for Cuban Linx… offered a proof of concept for Wu-Tang’s solo ventures, turning each project into its own cinematic universe. Nostalgic personal anecdotes, lyrical analysis, and freestyle interludes round out the discussion, showing their genuine love for the genre and its legacy. Whether you're a longtime Wu-Tang fan or new to mafioso rap, this episode breaks down why Cuban Linx… remains a cornerstone of hip-hop history.