Raekwon OB4CL2 Press Release

Reprinted directly from Raekwon's Official MySpace Blog: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II will be the fourth studio album from Wu-Tang Clan rap artist Raekwon. It will serve as a sequel to Raekwon's 1995 album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, and is to feature Wu-Tang members GZA and Inspectah Deck almost exclusively. Some tracks are the result of several LA studio sessions originally aimed towards creating a new Clan album. The album is to be released as a joint venture between Wu-Tang and Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment. Producers are set to include RZA, Dr. Dre, Scram Jones, and J Dilla. Nas and Fat Joe have been approached about guest appearances, and Busta Rhymes (who is, informally, co-executive producing the project) will probably be on the album as well. Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist, John Frusciante is also said to have played guitar on a few joints for this album - and along with a few other RZA beats, in general. Similar to the first Cuban Linx album, "OB4CLII" will be set up in a cinematic fashion, with skits loosely tying each song together in a sort of storyline, and each rapper playing an implied "persona" of sorts; for instance, Raekwon being the main protagonist, with GZA and Inspectah Deck playing "supporting roles" throughout. Tracks that are confirmed are the RZA-produced "Secret Indictment," which will be the second single off of the album (after "State of Grace"), "House Of Flying Daggers" produced by J Dilla, "Kareem Khan" featuring GZA, produced by RZA and Justice (GZA's son), a Raekwon solo produced by RZA: "Thug World", "Rock Stars and Smoking Barrels" featuring GZA and Inspectah Deck "No Matter How Hard You Try" is another RZA produced track and features Inspectah Deck and finally a track produced by Dr. Dre featuring RZA and Busta Rhymes. The main sidekick in "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx", Ghostface Killah is rumored to be appearing on three of the tracks. In a recent interview with MTV Europe, Raekwon said the album was about 96% complete and it's in the sequencing process. The first single off of the album is "State of Grace," produced by RZA, and already has a remix featuring Busta Rhymes. Other rumors include the color purple being included on the album cover to pay homage to the purple cassette that the first Only Built 4 Cuban Linx came out on. According to RZA, the whole Wu-Tang Clan has been confirmed for appearances and at least three Dre beats are favorite picks for the album.Most recently, it was announced on the Wu-Tang Corp. website that Raekwon's management has stated that the album is about done and the production is credited to Dr. Dre and RZA equally.