#HipHopHistory - “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is the legendary debut solo album from #Raekwon, released on August 1, 1995. Crafted like a cinematic crime film, the album positioned Raekwon as the “star,” fellow #WuTangClan member #GhostfaceKillah as the “guest star,” and #RZA behind the boards as the “director.” The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 130,000 copies in its first week. It was certified Gold just two months after its release and eventually went Platinum in 2020. Three decades later, “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” remains one of hip-hop’s most celebrated albums. Its vivid storytelling, cinematic production and heavy themes of organized crime helped pioneer the mafioso rap subgenre and influenced generations of artists who followed.