On this day in Hip Hop history, Raekwon released what may very well the best solo LP to come out of the Wu-Tang Clan, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (constantly flipping back and forth with GZA‘s Liquid Swords as number one in popular debate).
Arranged to be played as a film starring and directed by Rae, with Ghostface Killah guest starring, this album not only built hype for Raekwon’s solo career but popularized the trend of Black mafioso culture in rap. Although he may not have been the first to do so, OB4CL definitely brought the glitz and glamour of the king pin lifestyle to the largest audience, pioneering a new sub-genre. As one of rap’s greatest storytellers, Raekwon painted a vivid picture of fast life and spoils that came with the underworld, glamorizing some of the most nefarious crimes one can commit with eloquent detail and eclectic diction. This style of Hip Hop greatly influenced the rap scene in New York and paved the way for the hardcore movement that was to come in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Commercially, this album was as successful as anyone could ask a debut to be, selling 133,000 in the first week. Following RZA’s master marketing plan, this album debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop charts and was certified gold by the RIAA only three months after its release. The album has so far sold 1.1 million copies in the United States alone with sales still rising today. Singles from this album also fared well commercially. Tracks “Ice Cream” and “Criminology” both claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the top 50.
For every great moment, there’s a song that goes with it. We believe this is the SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE – SOL REPUBLIC.
