Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II
Released Sep 7, 2009 Caroline Records
Established consensus 22 professional reviews Updated Aug 25, 2026
Strong critical consensus
Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
How ChoruScore worksCritics' Top Tracks
The songs critics returned to most
House of Flying Daggers (feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)
11 critic mentions
“the late J Dilla (taking things to another dimension on the fantastic House of Flying Daggers )” — Irish Times
Pyrex Vision
2 critic mentions
“Pyrex Vision", where Rae simmers his voice down to a murmur” — Pitchfork
Cold Outside (feat. Ghostface Killah & Sugar Bang)
3 critic mentions
“Listen to the crime stories of Cold Outside, Penitentiary and Sonny's Missing” — No Ripcord
Full critic consensus
Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II reunites the mafioso grit of the original with sharper production choices and weathered, cinematic storytelling that many critics hailed as a victorious return. Across 22 professional reviews the record earned a consensus score of 84.95/100, and reviewers consistently point to specific standout songs as proof the sequel delivers: “House of Flying Daggers (feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)”, “Sonny's Missing”, “Cold Outside (feat. Ghostface Killah & Sugar Bang)” and “Pyrex Vision” recur as critics' picks for the best songs on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II.
Critics praise the album's synthesis of production and lyricism, noting a revival of 90s Wu-Tang textures - kung fu samples, brooding bass, and cinematic strings - that amplify Raekwon's drug-noir narratives about loyalty, aging criminals, mortality and money. Multiple reviews single out guest turns, particularly Ghostface's pairings, as scene-stealers, and reviewers repeatedly credit varied producers including nods to RZA and J Dilla for pushing certain tracks "to another dimension." Where some reviews call the record a careful reenactment rather than a radical reinvention, the dominant view among music critics frames Pt. II as a near-classic sequel that balances nostalgia with lyrical resurgence.
For those wondering "is Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II good" or searching for the best tracks, the consensus suggests it is both a worthy continuation of the Cuban Linx legacy and a collection with several essential cuts, making it a must-listen for Wu-affiliated fans and anyone tracing modern mafioso rap's lineage. Below, detailed professional reviews unpack why critics agree and where opinions diverge.
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Return of the Northstar (feat. Papu Wu)
House of Flying Daggers (feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)
Sonny's Missing
Pyrex Vision
Cold Outside (feat. Ghostface Killah & Sugar Bang)
Black Mozart (feat. Inspectah Deck)
Gihad (feat. Ghostface Killah)
The New Wu (feat. Method Man & Ghostface Killah)
Penitentiary (feat. Ghostface Killah)
Baggin Crack
Surgical Gloves
Broken Safety (feat. Jadakiss & Styles P.)
Canal Street
Ason Jones
Have Mercy (feat. Beanie Sigel)
10 Bricks (feat. Cappadonna & Ghostface Killah)
Fat Lady Sings
Catalina (feat. Lyfe Jennings)
We Will Rob You (feat. Slick Rick, GZA & Masta Killa)
About Me
Mean Streets (feat. Inspectah Deck & Ghostface Killah)
Kiss the Ring (feat. Inspectah Deck & Masta Killa)
Walk Wit Me
Badland (feat. Ghostface Killah)
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 22 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Raekwon returns with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II and the best tracks on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II prove the sequel is worthy of worship. Overall the critic frames these best songs as evidence that Raekwon not only matches but exceeds his debut, blending grimy narratives with lush, dramatic beats in a way that rewards repeated listens.
Key Points
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The album's core strength is its filmic, tension-building production paired with inspired guest verses and Raekwon's refined delivery.
Themes
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Critic's Take
Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II is presented as a near-classic, and the reviewer's voice makes it clear which are the best tracks on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. The reviewer repeatedly praises Raekwon’s storytelling and the album’s production-lyric synthesis, arguing that tracks like “Sonny's Missing” and “Canal Street” marry brutal narratives with fitting arrangements. The tone is admiring and slightly astonished, noting that after a drought of gritty rap this record feels gold plated and nearly fully justified by its best songs.
Key Points
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The album’s core strength is the synthesis between Raekwon’s storytelling and varied, evocative production.
Themes
Critic's Take
Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. Nate Adams applauds the album's boombam thump and quotables, calling it the year's best rap album even as he mourns its refusal to move forward. The result is a bittersweet victory - great tracks and performances, anchored by those standouts, but tethered to nostalgia in a way that makes the whole feel like a very specific homage rather than a new direction.
Key Points
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The album's core strength is vivid crime-storytelling and faithful revival of early 90s Wu-Tang energy.
Themes
Critic's Take
Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II is a 22-track quest for authenticity that repeatedly finds its footing in vivid storytelling and dark, eerie production. Pt. II for their engrossing vignettes and Ghostface's unforgettable delivery. Overall, Jones presents Pt. II as a richly immersive sequel that recalls the original's staples while standing as one of hip-hop's most significant releases of the decade.
Key Points
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“Sonny's Missing” is the best track because of its vivid storytelling and engrossing narrative detail.
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The album's core strengths are cohesive, immersive storytelling and dark, eerie production that recall the original's staples.
Themes
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Critic's Take
Raekwon returns with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II and the best tracks prove why the sequel lives up to its name. Overall the critic frames these best tracks as proof that Raekwon's narrative focus and selective production choices make this sequel a triumphant defense of the Cuban Linx legacy.
Key Points
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The best song moments are compact, detail-driven narratives like "Sonny's Missing" that showcase storytelling and production synergy.
Themes
Critic's Take
Raekwon returns to form on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, and the best songs on the album underline why the sequel works. Pt. II because they recapture the original's grim cinematic feel while letting guests like Inspectah Deck and Ghostface steal scenes. The writing insists this is the finest Wu release since Supreme Clientele, and those top songs are the clearest evidence of that claim.
Key Points
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The album's core strength is its faithful evocation of the original's mafioso sound and strong Wu-Tang collaborations anchored by RZA's influence.
Themes
Critic's Take
Raekwon picks up the saga on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. Guest verses are noted as strengths rather than gimmicks, bolstering standout songs and deepening the Wu-Tang continuity.
Key Points
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The album's core strengths are nostalgic, high-quality production and relentless, gritty lyricism bolstered by Wu-Tang collaborations.
Themes
Critic's Take
Raekwon does not simply attempt to recapture the past on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, he revisits it with renewed focus and sharper seasoning. The album leans on varied producers and clan reunions to create the best Raekwon we've heard in years, balancing nostalgia with fresh flavors. Overall, these are the best tracks on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II because they showcase both his matured flow and inspired beat choices.
Key Points
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The best song(s) combine classic Wu-Tang chemistry with inspired outside production, making them standout moments.
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The album's core strengths are varied producers, cinematic street narratives, and Raekwon’s renewed lyrical focus.
Themes
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Critic's Take
Raekwon returns to the grimy drug-noir world of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, and the best tracks on the album are the Ghostface-linked cuts such as “House of Flying Daggers (feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)” and the opener “Return of the Northstar (feat. Papu Wu)”. The reviewer's voice praises the album as a sequel that deliberately reprises the original's mood, singling out Ghostface as the show-stealer and calling the Ghostface pairings the strongest tracks. With production heavyweights and a stacked guest list, these songs exemplify why the record feels like a cohesive, top-notch hip-hop statement rather than a scattershot collection. Overall the critic frames these best songs as evidence that Raekwon has delivered what may be the hip-hop record of the year.
Key Points
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The album's core strengths are cohesive sequel-minded production, strong Wu collaborations, and consistent lyrical quality across many tracks.
Themes
Ir
Critic's Take
Raekwon returns with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, a sequel that keeps the same hard-knock narratives but with characters now older and wearier. The reviewer frames these as highlights because the producers - including J Dilla and RZA - take the songs "to another dimension" and respond well to the tales. Chalk this one up as another Wu-related classic, and for listeners searching for the best tracks on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, those two songs are singled out as standout moments.
Key Points
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The album's core strength is its sustained hard-knock storytelling, propelled by strong production from a roster including J Dilla, Pete Rock and RZA.
Themes
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Critic's Take
Raekwon returns with Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. He frames these tracks as proof that the Shaolin poet is in top form, making these the standout cuts and the best tracks on the album for both longtime Wu heads and newcomers alike.
Themes
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Critic's Take
Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II reads less like a daring sequel and more like a careful reenactment, faithful to the original's grimy cinema yet tempered by age. Chris Ryan applauds moments where the production — notably J Dilla's strings and bass stabs on “House of Flying Daggers (feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)” — makes you miss the producer all over again, and he singles out “Walk Wit Me” as a rueful look at mortality and retirement. The review keeps a measured, slightly weary tone while noting Raekwon's still-rewind-worthy bars and rapid-fire delivery, framing the best tracks as those that marry vintage mood with standout beats. This is a record of strong individual songs rather than a unified narrative, so searches for the best songs on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II should start with “House of Flying Daggers (feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)” and “Walk Wit Me”.
Key Points
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J Dilla-produced "House of Flying Daggers (feat. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface Killah & Method Man)" is the album's most ear-catching track due to strings and bass stabs.
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The album's core strengths are strong individual beats and Raekwon's still-rewind-worthy rapid-fire bars, delivered with a weary, reflective tone.