Around "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt II" some of the best mixtapes released by Chef Raekwon have grown and formed. "Cocainism" shines among these and features the typical commercial move of artists of putting a vol. 2, 3, 4 or 50, when the former doesn't exist. Consisting of 21 short tracks and about 50 minutes of listening, the tape, edited by Brinks Boyz, features several guests who all leave a good impression: Noreaga, Tommy Nova, Mobb Deep and Mean Doe Green. Selasi is working on a ragga filler that I don't care about, but could please fans of the genre.
Nore delivers confident, focused, hardcore, energetic on "Slow Down", he sounds much better than the tracks he records for his albums. Tommy Nova performs very well, with great flow and competent delivery in "Pullin Teeth" on an excellent fresh smooth jazz beat with solid drum. "Road to Riches" is an easy winner with Mobb Deep and Raekwon performing well on a somber production, there's a good female hook that leads back to, I think I can say without exaggeration, "It's Mine": there was Nas, but the vibes are those, even if the rhythm doesn't remember Moroder.
Overall, Raekwon's rap is as smooth as ever and robust, solid, compelling, while the production, whose authors aren't credited, it's beautiful, pleasant, accessible, boom bap with great samples and a competent, dynamic and lively choice of drums that support the rapping style of the performers very well. When the drum drops downtempo and is accompanied by female samples and choirs, some of the best results are achieved. The final section is particularly strong and competes with his top studio albums. Personally, I think this is one of the best starting points to start Raekwon's discography, especially if you don't want to start from the peak, ie, one of the two "Only Built".
Highlights: "Alphabet Soup", "Ms. Sincere", "Lizz", "Traphouse", "Slow Down", "Just 4 Laughs", "Calligraphy", "Pullin Teeth", "Road to Riches", "Dragon Style", "Piss in the Shark Tank", "Sunset Strip", "21 Have Mercy Remix".
Rating: 7.5/10.
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