Synopsis

Raekwon and Ghostface Killah present themselves as rival crime-film bosses in a stylized visual built around the mafioso world of "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...". The rappers deliver their verses from street corners and lavish settings, surrounded by Mercedes-Benz cars, jewelry, Wu-Tang associates, and surreal desert imagery. Ghostface appears in a distinctive robe, while martial-arts imagery and the video’s stark, theatrical compositions connect street realism with the cinematic fantasy that defined Raekwon's early solo work.

Factoids & Trivia

• "Criminology" was released in 1995 as the second solo single from Raekwon's debut album, "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...". The single's B-side was "Glaciers of Ice."

• RZA produced the track. Raekwon later recalled hearing the beat in RZA's basement and claiming it immediately, following the Wu-Tang practice that the first member to seriously want a beat usually got it.

• Raekwon described the video concept as a visual extension of the album's crime-movie atmosphere, calling for luxury cars, jewelry, and a waterfall appearing behind the performers.

• The waterfall was filmed in a desert location. Raekwon specifically wanted a waterfall that appeared to shoot toward the right side of the frame.

• Raekwon asked Ghostface Killah to model his appearance on Vincent "Chin" Gigante, the real-life Genovese crime family boss known for appearing in public wearing a bathrobe. The idea helped establish Ghostface's robe-centered look in the video.

• The video features appearances from other Wu-Tang Clan members, including RZA and Masta Killa, reinforcing the close-knit album world rather than presenting Raekwon as an entirely separate solo act.

• The song opens with dialogue sampled from "Scarface", one of several crime-film references that helped shape the album's mafioso-rap identity.

• "Criminology" became one of the signature tracks from Raekwon's debut and reached No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100.