Following the success of two earlier Wu-Tang Clan solo albums -- Method Man's "Tical" and Ol' Dirty Bastard's "", Wu-Tang member Raekwon began recording his acclaimed debut "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..." in early 1995. While he and producer RZA were putting the final touches on that album, RZA and GZA began writing and recording what would eventually become "Liquid Swords". In regards to their decision to begin the album at the time they did, GZA later commented "We (Wu-Tang) were on a roll, and it was the perfect time to get in the studio and just do it."