II is the fourth studio album by American rapper and Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon, released September 8, 2009, on Ice H2O/EMI Records in the United States.

The album experienced numerous delays to its release due to Raekwon's approach of continual re-writing, as well as distribution issues with his record labels.

II maintains many of the themes covered on its predecessor, and features guest appearances from several Wu-Tang Clan members, as well as Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel.

[5] Later in 2006, it was revealed that Wu-Tang Clan members GZA and Inspectah Deck would be featured, returning with their Wu-Gambino personas.

II would not be released on Aftermath, stating "Dr. Dre is a busy man and may not have the time to give the album his full attention.

[8] While the album was not talked about much in 2008, Raekwon stated in an interview with DJ Semtex that it was set for release in February 2009, as he claimed it could be ready at that point.

The video features Ghostface Killah and Method Man, who rap their verses respectively, as well as guest appearances from The Alchemist, RZA, Cappadonna, Inspectah Deck and other Wu-Tang affiliates such as Popa Wu.

[22] Raekwon later announced that due to a leak of the song "Surgical Gloves," as well as sample clearance issues, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt.

An all-star cast of rappers and producers appeared on the record, but several of these reported collaborations did not come to fruition or did not make the final cut.

II contains a loose storyline of a mafioso crime boss, as told mainly from the first person point of view.

In his review for Los Angeles Times, Jeff Weiss wrote "While many of their '90s peers recycle toothless tautologies about bringing New York back or vainly wrestle with advanced age by collaborating with flavor-of-the-minute flotsam and jetsam, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah refuse to stay forever young.

Proudly profane, the two come off as salty mafia dons with long memories, too old to change their ways but with the narrative skill and eye for detail of master storytellers in their prime.

Announced producers were confirmed to include RZA, J Dilla, Dr. Dre,[29] Erick Sermon, Mathematics;[30] Marley Marl,[31] Scram Jones, Pete Rock and The Alchemist.

Raekwon had commented early on that the sequel would be different in this light, stating "(RZA) definitely put his two cents in and made his elements, and that’s what it’s about.

"[25] Raekwon spoke on the difficulties of working on the project with the legendary producer: One thing about RZA is he’s like the Wizard of Oz.

"[32] Raekwon spoke on what it was like getting the opportunity to rhyme over the late J Dilla's production, commenting "He's like a Dre and a RZA, like a combo.

An additional song was added to the August report and remained on the final line-up, titled "Baggin Crack," which was produced by Erick Sermon.

The first official video has Raekwon and several Wu-Tang members interrogating a suspicious man thought to be an undercover cop.

The video was illustrated by 1000styles, animated by Ryan Johnson and Drew Taylor and directed by "The Chain Gang" (Erick Sasso and Brian Wendelken).

The song then starts, depicting Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, GZA, Ghostface Killah and Method Man destroying evil warriors.

Several other music videos have been made since, such as "Catalina," "Have Mercy," "Surgical Gloves", "Pyrex Vision", "Canal Street", and "Ason Jones."

As bonus tracks, it includes the Scram Jones-produced "Never Used to Matter" featuring Bun B and the RZA-produced "Rock Stars" with GZA and Inspectah Deck.

[52] David Jeffries of AllMusic lauded Raekwon's lyrical ability, writing that he is "in top form, spitting out rhymes worthy of the Wu logo", while calling its production "equally magnificent".

Club's Nathan Rabin praised the album's "vivid crime-world narratives rich in pulpy detail".

[43] Tiny Mix Tapes wrote that the album meets the "charged" expectations of a sequel to the original and called it "dense, dignified" and "flat-out SOLID".

[56] Sobhi Abdul-Rakhman of Sputnikmusic gave the album a rave review and found it accomplished in all its aspects, stating: Every cut is worth its weight here; every lyrical performance is equally inspired as its production counterpart … Everything about Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt.

II demands worship and solidifies Raekwon as one of history's best with a continuation that exceeds his original debut in every way imaginable.

[57]Los Angeles Times writer Jeff Weiss commended the album's incorporation of various producers, noting its effect as "analogous to the hip-hop version of 'The Departed': filled with virtuosic star-studded performances, heavily indebted to Asian cinema, and tweaking rather than transforming a timeless aesthetic".

[48] The University of California, Berkeley's student publication, The Daily Californian, complimented the album's production as diverse but seamless, writing that "Pt.

[59] Rob Browning of PopMatters praised its cohesive structure and wrote that it "is intended to be listened to as a single entity".