Raekwon

Almost daring himself, Wu-Tang Clan utility player Raekwon mobilizes an army of producers and MCs before delivering a stunning sequel to his hip-hop benchmark: 1995's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. After delays and misguided rumours, Pt. II faces down expectations without flinching. The record stands hard in all its Wu-Gambino glory, a gritty glut of criminology with comic book flourishes (i.e., participating Clan members revisit their off-shoot pseudonyms like "Johnny Blaze," "Maximillion," etc.), but it's too wise to be all piss'n'vinegar. The spirit of the Wu inspires Meth and Ghost to spit some of their most urgent rhymes (check "New Wu"), as beautiful beats rain down everywhere. Of all the A-list producers involved (Dr. Dre, Erick Sermon and a Rae-ready RZA), old beats by J-Dilla bring the best out of Raekwon, who rocks lyrics like a pit-bull busted out of his cage and raring to eat.