Raekwon’s follow up to Built For Cuban Linx had already won over the streets and most casual music goers, but recently earned the right to claim the top spot by none other than TIME Magazine.

With it’s “Best of 2009″ issue set to hit stands, TIME bestowed the prestigious honor on the Wu Tang Clan member over any other rap album this year.

Having earned the respect of iTunes editors as one of their top picks and MTV, the honor would seem to be one of many to come. Even still, the NY native was gracious in acknowledging the occasion.

“My album is one that I give all the credit to the fans that supported it. They remind me constantly that to them, I’m the illest. Their constructive criticism allowed me to pay attention to my craft and the end result was this classic. I appreciate Time Magazine for recognizing my efforts and seeing the heart of a ghetto boy with a love for real music. Overall I embrace the support.

“Shout to the iTunes editors that counted me amongst their favorites and all the other Hip Hop sites all over the world that has declared this album to be the best. This is a great moment for my Ice H20 and EMI Family.”

“It’s been altercations when a dude bombed on Snoop and soon as he bombed on Snoop, I took off on his ass… If you his friend and homeboy, you ’sposed to ride or die with him if it’s like that.”

Earlier this month news broke of a quarrel between Joe Budden and Wu Tang Clan member Raekwon during the West Coast leg of the Rock the Bells tour. The altercation surprised few, as the beef between the two camps had been brewing for some time. There was, however, some confusion as to how Budden was approached by Raekwon and whether he was actually the culprit or an antagonist. In either scenario, Mickey Factz, a supposed friend of Budden, was also an admitted eye-witness when the Slaughterhouse member was slugged by a member of Rae’s entourage.

There were said to be six members in Rae’s camp to only Budden and Factz and little to no aggression from the victim(s), which left a sour taste in many a mouth. Legendary West Coast producer Warren G. is among a host of people that was unsatisfied with what happened and voiced his displeasure on his Twitter account (@warrengeezy) days after the altercation.

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During an interview with Hip Hop Official, Crooked I cleared up the rumors surrounding an altercation between his crew and Wu Tang Clan’s Raekwon at a Rock The Bells tour venue. He admitted there was some friction, but wasn’t nearly as unruly as most made it out to be.

“I don’t really get down with these dudes that wanna be extra street, cause I just don’t believe them,” he said. “The Internet needs to understand that everything you hear may not be the truth.”

The Long Beach native added that while he won’t soon back down from a battle of fisticuffs, he would rather make music and feed off of the positive energy that exists in hip hop.