How the purple-tinted cassette version of Raekwon's classic 1995 album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... became a classic hip-hop artifact, and why its deluxe reissue actually makes sense.

The Purple Tape has become the kind of cultural touchtone that many music fans love to learn about, especially the collectors. It's not merely an object that's cool because it's rare but because ...

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Raekwon’s 1995 debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Rae along with the label Get On Down, are reissuing the album, but it won’t be your typical re-release. The ...

When Raekwon dropped his classic solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., back in August 1995, the first 10,000 copies of the cassette version were on a purple tape. As hip-hop heads know full well ...

Only 1,000 copies of the set, called “The Purple Tape Cassette Box,” which is available now over at GetOnDown.com, will be sold.

Capitalizing on this lore, the boutique music label, Get On Down, has released a deluxe, $45 reissue of The Purple Tape. And just so we're clear: yes, on cassette.

The “Purple Tape Watch Box” is available to pre-order starting today (Oct. 26). It features the original album in a new purple cassette, embossed with the silver-and-black Wu-Tang/Rae logo.

How the purple-tinted cassette version of Raekwon's classic 1995 album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... became a classic hip-hop artifact, and why its deluxe reissue actually makes sense.