Nearly twenty years to the day after the release of Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., Raekwon and Ghostface Killah returned to New York City's Irving Plaza last nigth (July 20) to celebrate not only the album but two storied decades of hip-hop. A lot has happened to both artists since August 1, 1995. Each has dropped highly-praised solo efforts and quasi-flops; each has been vocal in the breakups to make ups the Wu-Tang Clan has endured over the years and, most importantly, each has maintained relevance in the very fickle hip-hop landscape. More impressively, the two have maintained a love and bond with one another that was on full display during their show at Manhattan's Irving Plaza.

Following an opening set from Dillon Cooper, DJ Mister Cee hopped on the 1s & 2s, grabbed the mic and immediately declared there would be “no ratchet music tonight, only '90s shit.” For a sold out crowd that ranged from 20-something's to certified old heads, this was all they needed to hear to throw their hands in the air and rap every song Cee let go word-for-word. For the next 60 minutes, Cee played a steady dose of DJ Premier-produced records, Nas joints, Jay Z classics and old school records from all across the boroughs. As the records played on, the crowd began to tire—likely due to a combination of the weed smoke in the air and the heatwave that has hit New York City over the last few days—and were ready for Rae and Ghost to make their grand entrance.

Right on cue, “Striving for Protection,” the classic intro from Cuban Linx… ,rang out and a smiling Raekwon emerged from backstage. After taking one look at the crowd, Rae observed that there were "some '90s niggas here tonight" before declaring the packed house was in for some "motion picture shit." As the opening of "Criminology" played, a hulking Ghostface joined his longtime friend and collaborator on stage. For the rest of the night, Ghost and Rae dug in the vault for classic records.

The duo quickly burned through classic Only Built cuts like "Ice Cream," "Ice Water," "Guillotine (Swords)," "Rainy Dayz" and "Verbal Intercourse," often finishing each other's bars for one another as the songs progressed.

With the crowd hanging on every word, DJ Technician stopped the show and told everyone he was ready to create a little magic. As the unmistakable intro to "2 Gunz Up" blared through the speakers, Jadakiss and Sheek Louch grabbed the mics from their fellow New Yorkers and took over the show. With Ghost and Rae taking a backseat and playing the role of fans, The LOX members went through a medley of their own hits including "All About the Benjamins," "Niggaz Done Started Something," "By Your Side," and, of course, "We Gonna Make It." Before 'Kiss was done for the evening, he and Ghost performed their classic "Run."

With the room buzzing, Ghost and Rae wrapped up the show with "Incarcerated Scarfaces," "Daytona 500," "One," "C.R.E.A.M.," "John Blaze" and "Triumph" before the crowd exited out to the hot streets of New York.

Though Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... dropped 20 years ago, Ghostface and Raekwon rocked the crowd as if the records dropped last week.—Peter Walsh

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