Attention Raekwon: Play These Songs at 9:30 Club on Tuesday. Please?

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IT MAY HAVE taken Raekwon 14 years to put out "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... II," but thankfully, the album that came out in September was a critically acclaimed, commercially successful effort full of solid beats and even better rhymes. And with his appearance at the 9:30 Club on Tuesday, fans will be able to see the Chef in action.

But what is there to expect from Raekwon's tour? Well, he's bringing a trio of other rappers along for the ride: Capone and Noreaga, who actually have their own duo, Capone-N-Noreaga, and newcomer Queen Yonasda, who has said in various interviews that she wants to follow the footsteps of rappers like Salt-N-Pepa and Queen Latifah. It wouldn't be too much of a shock to see somebody like Inspectah Deck jump out from backstage. And you can't rule out appearances by members of the Wu-Tang Clan — where one goes, others follow.

In fact, a Wu guest would be very welcome, since some of the strongest tracks on "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... II" are the ones in which everyone from GZA to Ghostface Killah helps out, and Raekwon is at his best when he's got back-up.

But which songs do we most want to see on Raekwon's set list? Read on to find out.

"ASON JONES"
Since Ol' Dirty Bastard's death in 2004 at the age of 35, all the members of Wu-Tang Clan have found ways to honor his memory. And one of the strongest tracks on "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx ... II" is another in that string of tributes.

"Ason Jones," which is named after ODB, is a musing, thoughtful track about how the corruption of fame brought about ODB's downfall. With lines like "The fortunes that came with the game/ Had my brother insane," "The lover, the father, the hustler, the rap professor/ Now he's with Allah, that's a blessing" and samples of ODB himself talking and rapping, the track is one of the album's most mature.

"HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS"
This track is the album's first single, and in it Raekwon brings out some of Wu's most prolific members for a call-to-arms of sorts that proclaims the group's lack of "respect for the cops and laws" and willingness to go head-to-head with anyone that questions their credibility.

Over the track's bombastic beat from the late J. Dilla, Raekwon's overlays silly-yet-spectacular lines like "You can see me in the street or the yacht/ I'd rather be promoting your block or buying fresh sneakers with gwap," while GZA, Inspectah Deck, Ghostface and Method Man pitch in a verse each. Method Man brags "See these fans can't resist the rush, they Wu-Tang for life." With tracks like this, it's easy to understand why.

KISS THE RING
In a move of bizarre genius, producer Scram Jones samples Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" for this track, the album's closer — ensuring that "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx ... II" ends on an unforgettably catchy note.

With help from Inspectah Deck and Mastah Killah, Raekwon uses the track to reference "The Godfather" ("Blood from your horse on your spread, you tried to play me now"), boost his own ego ("Fronting like I know I'm the king") and complement his own album ("To making the classic, you gon' witness some of the tactics").

It's typical hip-hop hyperbole, sure. But Raekwon does it better than most.

» 9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW; Tues., Dec. 15, 7 p.m.; $25; (202-265-0930). (U Street-Cardozo)

Written by Express contributor Roxana Hadadi
Photos courtesy Raekwon