In 1995, the Wu-Tang Clan’s most reliable wordsmith, Raekwon the Chef, plated up a delectable entree with the classic Only Built For Cuban Linx. Rae’s homemade cuisine was a creatively designed menu  of Ballantine-battered beats, well-seasoned MC’s and choice cuts of succulent lyricism, all in a glaze of cinematic storytelling. This September will see the table set for his long-anticipated return to form, with Only Built For Cuban Linx II.

It’s been almost six years since Raekwon’s last solo release, The Lex Diamond Story. Now signed to EMI Records and boasting his own imprint, Ice H2O, Raekwon is ready to remind the rap game why he was once so revered. “What held this off, basically, was business. Not only am I an artist that cares about his music, but I also care about what house I’m in and whose handling the product,” reports the 41-year-old about his sabbatical from recording. “It took me a minute to really surf around for the right company.”- Devin Barrett

For the rest of the Raekwon interview check out GIANT’s September 2009 issue in stores now.