Thread by @CLIENTELLE123, I had to a thread on the greatest Mafioso album of all [...]

I had to a thread on the greatest Mafioso album of all time, Raekwon's debut masterpiece Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Easily one of the greatest albums of all time, this thing is incredible front to back. Has a very good claim for the title of best Hip Hop album of all time. THREAD:

Recording sessions began in late 1994, and proceeded midway through 1995 in RZA's basement studio in Staten Island. Rae and Ghost were in Barbados during the writing process for the album. Raekwon recounted saying he and Ghost would 'stay up all night' writing verses.

Production was handled entirely by RZA in his basement studio. RZA would spend hours and hours in the studio without leaving really wanting to perfect the sound and boy did it pay off. RZA would sample from Kung Fu films and mafia films such as Scarface to help set the tone

To me, this is the best produced Hip Hop album ever. The layers to these beats are just insane. Each beat perfectly sets the tone for the storytelling that Rae and Ghost do on this album. Filled with piano loops and strings, RZA creates an incredible atmosphere on this album.

I see this album similar to Biggies Ready To Die, in that there is certainly a story to be followed from Striving For Perfection to North Star, The album really feels like a movie inspired by Scarface/The Godfather. The skits certainly help develop the Storytelling on the album

From the Striving To Perfection interlude we are treated to an exotic beat that appears throughout the album. Immediately it's clear how tight the chemistry between Rae and Ghost is. It's clear they want to get out and make something of themselves.

And from Knuckleheadz onwards deals with Rae and Ghost traversing the mafioso/crime world. It's clear on Knuckleheadz that they are only small time dealers as this point. U-God appears and has a great verse.

From Knowledge God onwards the production REALLY starts to pick up. Rae is sniffing coke at the start and at this point it's fair to say Rae has elevated in status just like Tony Montana in Scarface. Rae tells stories about Mike Lavogna and his fall from power.

Then Criminology comes in. Easily one of the best beats RZA ever made this shit bangs. Ghostface has one of my fav verses oat and Rae was great as well. The song clearly sends a message that Rae and Ghost are not to be messed with.

Another nodd to the movie of which this album is influenced, Rae has a great flow over the most drum heavy beat on the album.

Rainy Dayz has mabye my fav verse from Ghostface of all time. The literal rain being and the need for money to 'rain' gives me goosebumps everytime. Raekwon's verse is great as well. And this is probably my fav RZA beat as well, the way it builds... just crazy.

Deck and GZA make their only appearances on the album. Apparently Ghost was initially supposed to have the first verse but Deck came in and interrupted him. He shows why he is the main member for opening verses. The others have great verses too.

Remixing the classic song from the original, Rae and Ghost's version is even better than the original imo.

Rae and Ghost then have an interlude where Ghost unknowingly disses Action Bronson but also sends sublims at Biggie. Feeling like the baby on the cover of RTD was a blatant bite of Nas' Illmatic cover.

The vocal samples on Ice Water give me goosebumps everytime, as does Ghostface's opening verse. Raekwon again sends shots at Biggie with: 'beef with White/Pullin' bleach out, tryin' to throw it in my eyesight'. Biggie would clap back on Kick In The Door.

Glaciers of Ice has RZA sample wasps or something. That beat is damn crazy. Masta Killa has one of his best verses ever on this song. Too damn underrated

Nasty Nas. His appearance on this album is partly why Biggie and him would beef. Ghostface verse is amazing as well but Nas has one of the best features of all time.

Legendary single. In relation to the story of the album, it's clear Rae and Ghost are living the good life.

North Star in my opinion is the best closer to an album ever. It wraps up the story Rae and Ghost have been telling across the album. It's so damn beautiful I swear. RZA the goat fr

The album would get 4.5 mics from the source and would influence countless mafioso albums to follow it, namely Jay Z's Reasonable Doubt. It would be distributed as Purple cassettes, earning the nickname 'The Purple Tape'.

Ghostface in my opinion is the best Rapper on this album. Every single verse he spits is crazy. Raekwon is amazing as well but the goat really snapped on every song.

Anyways this is an absolute masterpiece of an album. The production, features, delivery, samples all come together to make a very strong goat album contender.