The Purple Tape Box-Sets Return To The Market With Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…”

One cassette tape in hip-hop received a mythology all of its own, and this happened 17 years ago.

There is a reason why Raekwon’s tape “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is mostly called “The Purple Tape.” The cassette was released on August 1995 in a distinct purple plastic, which made the product unique. The product was one of a kind, it stood out from the basic cassettes and it inspired the Wu-Tang Clan emcee’s rhymes at the time.

The Purple Tape has been remembered over the years in the hip-hop scene and it signifies a veteran purist fan. Commonly drawn three figures on eBay even partnered with Fat Beats to release Rae’s 2009 “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt.II.”

This week Rae has partnered up with Sony to re-release The Purple Tape. 1,000 hand-made display cases have been made, and in addition throwback some promotional goodies. The cassette will be priced for $44.95.

“The future of being a good distributor is broadening your base,” says Get On Down’s Matt Welch, about making a product that will be sold in sneaker and fashion boutiques as well as in mom-and-pop record stores. Matt is leader in the small crew of culture curators also including former Scratch editor/journalist Brian Coleman, who have previously liberated fan-inspired releases from Ghostface Killah, The Pharcyde, Tom Scott & The L.A. Dreamers and Common.

Photo Credit: rawroots.com