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Cuban Link Presents "24k"
Winter 2001
In the spring of 1980, the port of Mariel Harbor was opened and thousands set sail for the United States. They came in search of the American dream. One of them found it on the ruthless streets of New York wealth, power, and passion beyond his wildest dreams. He is the Lyrical Assassin. The world will always know him by another name Cuban Link. When Cuban-born Felix Delgado was introduced to the rap game, he was named Cuban Link (like the gold chain) to signify that his lyrical strength could not be broken. His keen wordplay and unique flow captured the attention of Terror Squad-founder Fat Joe and, as a result, Cuban was signed to a separate solo deal. With his debut album "24K," Cuban will prove that he and his Bronx-based crew, the Terror Squad, are on the rise to superstar-dom. The 25-year old Cuban Link was formally introduced to hip-hop when he rhymed on Big Pun’s platinum debut album "CAPITAL PUNISHMENT." Since that memorable guest appearance, he has been the most-anticipated MC out of the Terror Squad. "I wanna break open the doors for the Terror Squad. We’re just trying to get respect in the game as far as real hip-hop is concerned," Cuban Link expresses. Though he showcased his quick-tongued verbal acrobatics and witty rhyming skills on the Terror Squad’s debut album, "24K" gives Cuban a chance to present his own persona to hip-hop. "This album is very personal. I just like being me, and that’s what I’m doing on this album. All my different moods are all over this album." With production by Younglord, Buckwild, Noodles, and the up-and-coming Jao, "24K" has a fresh new hip-hop sound. Though Cuban’s rhyme skills come forth well over any track, it’s the hardcore joints like "My Real Niggas" and the posse-cut "Four Horsemen" (featuring Fat Joe, Kool G. Rap, and Black Rob) where he really shows his lyrical talent, proving why he once earned the nickname Lyrical Assassin. On "Four Horsemen," he spits: "So what you want you punk/ I stomp comp from the Bronx to Hong Kong/Ya’ll long gone now ‘cause ya’ll got souped up like Won Ton/I drop bombs and murder beats/ Burn ‘em to the third degree/ Ya’ll heard of me/The first to perform open mic surgery." While the hardcore hip-hop songs definitely solidify Cuban’s street credibility, he shows his versatility on other tracks. The party-inspired "Freak Out," featuring Angie Martinez, will get everyone onto the dance floor, and the shocking "Taste Of Pastry," is sure to gain him acceptance from the ladies. "There’s different vibes on this album," Cuban begins. "There are songs that you can listen to and you wanna wild out and party, crack the Henny bottle. Then there are those that go straight to your heart. You’ll hear them and a tear will come out of your eye." The sentimental side of Cuban Link comes courtesy of the first single, "Flowers For The Dead." The heartfelt tribute to Big Pun shows just how close the two friends were, reminding listeners of Big Pun’s memory and the impact he had on rap music. Another tearjerker is "Hey Mama," a song Cuban dedicated to his mother. Already an impressive lyricist, Cuban Link is also a successful storyteller on "24K." On "Hey Young Girl," he tells a tale of a young girl growing up into womanhood. On other songs, Cuban Link puts his true-to-life experiences into his music. He gets personal on "90 Miles & Swimming." He is describing the everyday struggle to reach the top. From Cuba to Miami to Puerto Rico to New York, Cuban Link has seen and experienced many different cultures, and those influences are evident on this album. But any true hip-hop head can relate to his struggle, regardless of their background, and this is why Cuban will have a special connection with his listeners. "Hip-hop is hip-hop. I learned hip-hop listening to [Kool] G. Rap and all them. So my delivery is more like that, with my own Spanish touch to it." Cuban flips the script on "Dame Un Beso," where he raps in a language he calls "spanglish," a mix of Spanish and English. And though he constantly represents for Latinos, his respect comes from being a dope MC, not just a dope Spanish one. "I’m Latin and I’m gonna represent for Latinos, but I’m just trying to concentrate on putting out real hip-hop." Cuban Link is about to pick up where his brother from another mother, the late Big Pun, left off. With both the Latin and the hip-hop community behind him, he is about to prove why he was chosen to set off the Terror Squad revolution. He declares, "I’m about to continue the legacy that Pun started." "24K" is pure gold. It’s not mixed with anything. And that’s what Cuban Link is bringing, hip-hop in its purest form.
CUBAN LINK 24K TRACK LISTING
1. THE ARRIVAL (Intro) 1:18
2. 90 MILES & SWIMMING 3:20
3. WHY ME? 2:48
4. MURDA MURDA 3:10
5. MEN OF BUSINESS 4:54
6. GQ'S INTRO (Interlude) :17
7. FOR MY REAL NI**AZ 3:28
8. SING SING (Interlude) :14
9. CARTEL 4:08
10. PROJECT PARTY 4:26
11. CUBAN SANDWICH 4:02
12. 24 KARAT 3:42
13. SPIC-'N-SPANISH (Interlude) 1:57
14. PLAY HOW U WANT 4:09
15. FREAK OUT 3:51
16. DIRTY OLD MEN (Interlude) 1:32
17. TASTE OF PASTRY 4:16
18. STILL TELLING LIES 3:39
19. CHEAT ON HER 4:04
20. 'LIL LINK (Interlude) :14
21. HEY MAMA 5:05
22. PRAYER OF LIFE (Interlude) :55
23. DEDICATION (Inerlude) :13
24. FLOWERS FOR THE DEAD 4:46
24 K Mixtape Hosted By DJ Khaled (Low) (High)
"Still Telling Lies" Audio (Low) (High) (Realmedia)
"Still Telling Lies" Video (Low) (High) (Realmedia)
Check out www.cubanlink24k.com and www.atlantic-records.com/cuban_link for more details.
