While our media colleagues continue to waste their breath and ink on “pharma bro” Martin Shkreli’s controversial $2 million purchase of the elusive Wu-Tang Clan album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin (and his laughable, ongoing beef with Ghostface Killah), the Albumism team turns our attention to more worthwhile endeavors. Namely, anticipating the forthcoming vinyl reissue of Raekwon’s classic debut long player, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx….

Released in August of 1995 as the third Wu-Tang solo LP following the group’s landmark Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… is a masterful convergence of Rae and Ghost’s raw, gritty street narratives with RZA’s haunting, cinematic arrangements. In his recent tribute penned for soulhead.com in conjunction with the LP’s 20th anniversary, Albumism Founder & Editor-in-Chief Justin Chadwick explains that “the album’s power extends well beyond any one track and resides within its remarkable breadth and scale of vision, exemplifying the creative vitality that hip-hop sustained into the post-golden age mid-90s. An all-around brilliant headrush of an album that epitomizes the essence and depth of hip-hop, sonically and lyrically, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’s indelible legacy and listenability will endure for generations to come.”

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… on 180-gram audiophile vinyl arrives in stores overseas via Music on Vinyl on February 15th, with the initial limited edition run of 1,500 numbered pressings on gold and red mixed vinyl. The reissue is available stateside on February 26th at fine retailers everywhere.

PRE-ORDER Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… via Amazon