Fly International Luxurious Art
Raekwon · 2014
42 min · 13 tracks · gangsta rap
Lavish production meets gritty storytelling, blending Raekwon's streetwise lyricism with polished beats in a modern hip-hop landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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4 in the Morning Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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I Got Money — This track showcases Raekwon's signature blend of braggadocio and vivid storytelling, encapsulating the album's luxurious themes against a backdrop of slick production.
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Heated Nights — The song captures a more introspective side of Raekwon, discussing personal struggles amid the glitz of success, adding depth to the album’s narrative.
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Live to Die — Here, Raekwon reflects on mortality and life choices, grounding the album's high-energy tracks with a poignant reminder of reality beneath the glamour.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends polished production with street narratives, showcasing Raekwon's lyrical skill but lacking a strong cohesive arc.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief intro that sets a luxurious tone, followed by tracks that alternate between upbeat anthems and introspective narratives.
- Raekwon's verses often feature intricate rhyme schemes and vivid storytelling, while the production incorporates lush instrumentals with modern hip-hop beats.
- Several tracks include guest features that add variety to the sound, but Raekwon remains the focal point throughout each piece.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- introspective narrative exploration
- luxurious soundscapes
- mid-tempo reflective moments
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Offers a modern take on Raekwon's style but isn't a standout entry point or breakthrough.
- Moods
- Introspective· Chill
- Career context
- By 2014, Raekwon had established himself as a prominent figure in East Coast hip-hop, particularly known for his classic album 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...' from 1995. 'Fly International Luxurious Art' marked his sixth studio album and aimed to showcase his evolution while maintaining the mafioso rap aesthetic that defined his earlier work. This release came after a four-year gap since his previous album, 'Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang'.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Ghostface Killah· Inspectah Deck· Nas
Tracklist
- 1 Intro 1:05
- 2 4 in the Morning Start here 3:17
- 3 I Got Money 3:20
- 4 Wall to Wall 5:02
- 5 Heated Nights 3:02
- 6 F.I.L.A. World 4:20
- 7 1, 2 1, 2 3:19
- 8 Live to Die 3:11
- 9 Sound Boy Kill It 3:07
- 10 Revory (Wraith) 3:23
- 11 All About You 3:23
- 12 Nautilus 2:35
- 13 Worst Enemy 3:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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