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Shout out to Melmag... This was his theory for Only Built being a concept album.
Striving 4 Perfection - Rae & Ghost discuss the masterplan: capture the spoils of the mafia underworld, make they names known in infamy, then retire somewhere in the islands with their families
Knuckleheadz - their first foray into the underworld. they're given a minor task to test their mettle...an accomplice is killed along the way...they chalk it up to the game, and the life they've chosen. the task is a success nonetheless, the underboss is mildly impressed.
Knowledge GOd - Rae contemplates this life he's chosen & his impending death or incarceration. no time for looking back though, he has taken the oath. the plan must be executed no matter what. the promises of riches & fame far outweigh his conscience anyway.
Criminology - Rae & Ghost lace up they boots & delve full-blown into their first major heist. they blaze a trail never seen before. and just when you thought they were done, ALAS! they come back for leftovers & take out a major kingpin in the after-raid. authorities are baffled by this couple's expertise & adeptness. they become a sensation almost overnite. rival crews take full notice!
Incarecerated Scarfaces - the block is motherfuckin hot!!! whispers about the heist still linger. Rae & Ghost decide to separate for a while. Rae is satisfied, his ego is stroked to the fullest. he prides himself on a job well done, but realizes the battle has only just begun. he praises the soldiers that have fallen along the way, but FUCK NO, this isnt Rae's fate: he will conquer at all cost!!
Rainy Dayz - Rae & Ghost reunite in a undisclosed location to discuss their masterplan...they're both still focused, proud yet humbled, their ultimate dreams & ambitions is still intact. life might look bleak at the moment but the future holds infinite happiness.
Guillotines - Rival crews are put on blast. It's discovered that this already notorious couple is part of a even larger family. A silent assasin from this family is revealed as none other than Deck who singlehandedly wipes out a frontline of messengers. INCREDIBLE!
Can it be so simple (rmx) - Paranoia ultimately sets in. A mere screwface from a random cat sets off a bullet. again, they contemplate an easier, more peaceful existence. how long will they live like this???
Shark Niggaz: Rae & Ghost learn about a copycat heist. they criticize the perpetrators and advise them on being original. Copy cats never prosper.
Ice Water - Rae & Ghost meet up with an old accomplice, Capadonna, fresh out the bin. they reminisce about past adventures as youngsters, boast about recent conquests, sexual exploits, etc..
Glaciers of Ice - Back to Business! Rae & Ghost pull off yet another heist, this one arguably more daring than the previous one. their legend is at a climax. RZA's ominous & chaotic piano loops leave a murderous trail in its path. the full impact of this particular heist may never be recognized. Rae & Ghost are now officially kingpins themselves, fuck the petty thuggery.
Verbal Intercourse - Escobar, an old, respected, rival hears about the couple's recent heists. A kingpin himself, he cant help but be mystified at the couple's brilliance. At a chance meeting & ovecome with comraderie, he lays down an epic ode which later becomes a scripture.
Wisdom Body - GFK longs for a woman's warmth.. a lady's man at heart, he must satify his carnal lust immediately. He proceeds to proposition a woman the only way he knows how: spit the meanest game
Spot Rushers - While GFK is away on his rendevous, Rae completes a quick & opportune wipeout of his last rival. He has come tooo far to be taken out by a mere messenger. The messenger is outdone & taken hostage, his boss gleefully shows up to witness Rae's hanging and is astounded to see his messenger gagged & bound behind the door. In a fit of utter shock, he turns to run, and is met with 2 bullets to the head from Rae's ruger. MISSION COMPLETE!
Ice Cream - Word of this notorious family spread. They celebrate a job well done. They toast lavishly at the impending good life. Tons of female of all shapes,sizes & ethnicites are invited, a massive orgy commences.
Wu-Gambinos - The dream is finally realized. The epic saga is now at the end of its infamous run. Rae & GFK having spearheaded this expedition are at a loss for words. from petty thugs to deified kingpins, they will now live in infamy. The Wu-Gambinos are now the elite family in the crime underworld. Jealousy & Envy linger, but nobody dares challenge...they ride off in the sunset, legends for eons.
Heaven or Hell - A while later Rae & Ghost, finally having a chance to reflect, reminisce about all the individuals that shaped their lives in one form or another, the highs & pitfalls, and especially the soldiers that died along the way. they are saddened of the loss but ultimately optimistic of their souls in a better place.
No one in that post even tried to come up with a theory for IWW as a concept album, and there are some flimsy theories in that post. I personally don't think IWW is a concept album. Some songs you could potentially point to and try real hard to build a case for it, sure. Though most of your examples were: "this is Nas talking about being on top, this is Nas talking about staying on top."
I'll take Only Built as the better album as well. And the much stronger concept LP.
peace. ----- Cameo Soundshape Records
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