Search - Cuban Link :: Chain Reaction

Cuban Link - Chain Reaction

Constant | Vancouver, BC Canada | 08/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After years of struggle, Cuban Link drops his official solo debut "Chain Reaction" (2005). I have followed Link since his Terror Squad days, seen him lose his best friend, get blackballed and have his releases pushed back and back. Over the years Cuban Link has delivered a lot of memorable music, and 24-K was a great album, which never got distribution. I am more then happy to see this release. Cuban Link opens the album up sounding hungry on the intro "My Story". Link then proceeds to rip up the next two tracks with a strong flow on "Chain Reaction" and the deadly "No Mercy". Singer Avant makes the album's first guess appearance on the laidback "Comin' Home With Me" a track for/about the ladies. Cuban rhymes with a fast flow on "Riderz" feat. Cap-1. Don Omar drops in for a reggaetton collaboration on "Scandalous". I think "Sugar Daddy" will be a single; it has the makings of one as Mya and Cuban Link team up for a smooth winning collaboration. Couple of average tracks follow then Link drops "I Need To Know" , a very real cut about loyalty. Link brings the reggaetton flavor on "No Falla" feat. Zion. Cuban shows more hunger and ambition on the "Shakedown" then team's up with the Lox's lead man Jadakiss on the grimy "Talk About It". Cuban Link then shines on "Life Goes On", putting mad heart into this cut, while the talented Syleena Johnson provides a deep chorus. Cuban Link kicks some knowledge on "Prison Wisdom", which is followed up by the powerful dedication closer "Letter to Pun" an exceptional track. I would of liked to see a few less commercial tracks, but I understand why there here, this album was crafted to sell and hopefully it will. Cuban Link provides an impressive variety of music on "Chain Reaction", an album I highly recommend picking up."

CUBAN LINK GIVEN HIS TIME FINALLY

Tino Tek | London, England | 10/09/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Cuban has been one of those MC's that I had been looking forward to hearing from for a long time, as a member of the original terror squad he was always my favourate after Big Pun, during his time with them he had demonstrated talent which begged for a solo album. Unfortunatly his debut 24k was shelved and never saw the light of day, this new album released on new label M.O.B Records is Cubans time to show the world what he is finally capable off.

Time has passed for Cuban, Pun died, following that he fell out with Fat Joe causing him to leave the Terror Squad and now he is having to deal with the industry bullsh*t which has prevented him from releasing other albums sooner,but now it is finally here and what a disapointment.



First off this is not a bad album, Cuban rhymes with the conviction of most hip hop pros, he is a talented rapper and it is still evident here, his rhyming is not in question, however the production on this album leave a lot to be desired, the sound is typical new york rap but there are hardly any tracks which are memorable. Cuban has far too many radio friendly tracks that it just comes across as forced, although the track letter to pun is fantastic and well worth the look, most people have probably heard it already on mixtapes and the two reggaeton tracks Scandalous featuring Don Omar and No Falla featuring Zion while being very good tracks are not what Cuban is really about and he should have made sure that the rest of his album had more focus, But overall it is still decent but I would recomend that you try it before you buy."

Start of the Chain Reaction...

P. Alva | Paterson, NJ/ Wilmington, DE | 08/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Cuban Link has been the underdog for years now. Surviving being black balled and prevailing with his release shows how much of a warrior and how much hunger he has. Cuban Link is a talented artist. This album show his versatility. Whether rapping in a fast flow, smooth flow, harder flow, or even in spanish, he comes correct. Cuban is one of the nicest out there with the complete package: lyrics, style, charisma, hunger, versatility, etc. He deserves to be one of hip-hops premier artist. He deserves his shine. I can listen to the whole album and not feel disappointed. A couple of beats could have been better but this album is a very solid album. He definitely out shines Fat Joe and most rappers out now. Let this be the start of a Chain Reaction!"