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(1985–1992)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Pairing_with_Eric_B._(1985–1992)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-1986–87:_Beginnings_and_classic_debut" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#1986–87:_Beginnings_and_classic_debut"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.1</span> <span>1986–87: Beginnings and classic debut</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-1986–87:_Beginnings_and_classic_debut-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-1988–89:_Sophomore_peak" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#1988–89:_Sophomore_peak"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.2</span> <span>1988–89: Sophomore peak</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-1988–89:_Sophomore_peak-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-1990–92:_Final_albums_and_dissolution" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#1990–92:_Final_albums_and_dissolution"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.3</span> <span>1990–92: Final albums and dissolution</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-1990–92:_Final_albums_and_dissolution-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Solo-career_(1993–present)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Solo-career_(1993–present)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2</span> <span>Solo-career (1993–present)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Solo-career_(1993–present)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-1993–2003:_Legal_issues,_solo_debut,_and_Aftermath_stint" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#1993–2003:_Legal_issues,_solo_debut,_and_Aftermath_stint"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2.1</span> <span>1993–2003: Legal issues, solo debut, and Aftermath stint</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-1993–2003:_Legal_issues,_solo_debut,_and_Aftermath_stint-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-2007–2009:_The_Seventh_Seal" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#2007–2009:_The_Seventh_Seal"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2.2</span> <span>2007–2009: <i>The Seventh Seal</i></span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-2007–2009:_The_Seventh_Seal-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-2011–present:_Reunion_with_Eric_B._and_G.O.D.'s_Network:_Reb7rth" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#2011–present:_Reunion_with_Eric_B._and_G.O.D.'s_Network:_Reb7rth"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.2.3</span> <span>2011–present: Reunion with Eric B. and <i>G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth</i></span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-2011–present:_Reunion_with_Eric_B._and_G.O.D.'s_Network:_Reb7rth-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Artistry" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Artistry"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Artistry</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Artistry-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Legacy" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Legacy"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>Legacy</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Legacy-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Discography" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Discography"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>Discography</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Discography-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Discography subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Discography-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Studio_albums" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Studio_albums"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5.1</span> <span>Studio albums</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Studio_albums-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Further_reading" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Further_reading"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">8</span> <span>Further reading</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Further_reading-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-External_links" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#External_links"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">9</span> <span>External links</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-External_links-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" 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id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Rakim</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. Available in 29 languages" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-29" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-language-progressive mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-language-progressive"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">29 languages</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ar mw-list-item"><a href="https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%85" title="راكيم – Arabic" lang="ar" hreflang="ar" data-title="راكيم" data-language-autonym="العربية" data-language-local-name="Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>العربية</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-az mw-list-item"><a href="https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Azerbaijani" lang="az" hreflang="az" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Azərbaycanca" data-language-local-name="Azerbaijani" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Azərbaycanca</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-da mw-list-item"><a href="https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Danish" lang="da" hreflang="da" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Dansk" data-language-local-name="Danish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Dansk</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-de mw-list-item"><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – German" lang="de" hreflang="de" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Deutsch" data-language-local-name="German" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Deutsch</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-eo mw-list-item"><a href="https://eo.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Esperanto" lang="eo" hreflang="eo" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Esperanto" data-language-local-name="Esperanto" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Esperanto</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fa mw-list-item"><a href="https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B1%D8%A7%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%85" title="راکیم – Persian" lang="fa" hreflang="fa" data-title="راکیم" data-language-autonym="فارسی" data-language-local-name="Persian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>فارسی</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fy mw-list-item"><a href="https://fy.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Western Frisian" lang="fy" hreflang="fy" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Frysk" data-language-local-name="Western Frisian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Frysk</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ko mw-list-item"><a href="https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%9D%BC%ED%82%B4" title="라킴 – Korean" lang="ko" hreflang="ko" data-title="라킴" data-language-autonym="한국어" data-language-local-name="Korean" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>한국어</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hr mw-list-item"><a href="https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Croatian" lang="hr" hreflang="hr" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Hrvatski" data-language-local-name="Croatian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Hrvatski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-it mw-list-item"><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Italian" lang="it" hreflang="it" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Italiano" data-language-local-name="Italian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Italiano</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-he mw-list-item"><a href="https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%9D" title="ראקים – Hebrew" lang="he" hreflang="he" data-title="ראקים" data-language-autonym="עברית" data-language-local-name="Hebrew" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>עברית</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sw mw-list-item"><a href="https://sw.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Swahili" lang="sw" hreflang="sw" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Kiswahili" data-language-local-name="Swahili" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Kiswahili</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-mk mw-list-item"><a href="https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BC" title="Раким – Macedonian" lang="mk" hreflang="mk" data-title="Раким" data-language-autonym="Македонски" data-language-local-name="Macedonian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Македонски</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-arz mw-list-item"><a href="https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%85" title="راكيم – Egyptian Arabic" lang="arz" hreflang="arz" data-title="راكيم" data-language-autonym="مصرى" data-language-local-name="Egyptian Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>مصرى</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-nl mw-list-item"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Dutch" lang="nl" hreflang="nl" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Nederlands" data-language-local-name="Dutch" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Nederlands</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ja mw-list-item"><a href="https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%A9%E3%82%AD%E3%83%A0" title="ラキム – Japanese" lang="ja" hreflang="ja" data-title="ラキム" data-language-autonym="日本語" data-language-local-name="Japanese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>日本語</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-no mw-list-item"><a href="https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Norwegian Bokmål" lang="nb" hreflang="nb" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Norsk bokmål" data-language-local-name="Norwegian Bokmål" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Norsk bokmål</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pl mw-list-item"><a href="https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Polish" lang="pl" hreflang="pl" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Polski" data-language-local-name="Polish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Polski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Português</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ro mw-list-item"><a href="https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Romanian" lang="ro" hreflang="ro" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Română" data-language-local-name="Romanian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Română</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ru mw-list-item"><a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BC" title="Раким – Russian" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" data-title="Раким" data-language-autonym="Русский" data-language-local-name="Russian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Русский</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ckb mw-list-item"><a href="https://ckb.wikipedia.org/wiki/%DA%95%D8%A7%DA%A9%DB%8C%D9%85" title="ڕاکیم – Central Kurdish" lang="ckb" hreflang="ckb" data-title="ڕاکیم" data-language-autonym="کوردی" data-language-local-name="Central Kurdish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>کوردی</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fi mw-list-item"><a href="https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Finnish" lang="fi" hreflang="fi" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Suomi" data-language-local-name="Finnish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Suomi</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sv mw-list-item"><a href="https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Swedish" lang="sv" hreflang="sv" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Svenska" data-language-local-name="Swedish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Svenska</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-th mw-list-item"><a href="https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A1" title="ราคิม – Thai" lang="th" hreflang="th" data-title="ราคิม" data-language-autonym="ไทย" data-language-local-name="Thai" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>ไทย</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-tr mw-list-item"><a href="https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakim" title="Rakim – Turkish" lang="tr" hreflang="tr" data-title="Rakim" data-language-autonym="Türkçe" data-language-local-name="Turkish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Türkçe</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-uk mw-list-item"><a href="https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A0%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%96%D0%BC" title="Ракім – Ukrainian" lang="uk" hreflang="uk" data-title="Ракім" data-language-autonym="Українська" data-language-local-name="Ukrainian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Українська</span></a></li> </ul> <div class="after-portlet after-portlet-lang"><span class="wb-langlinks-edit wb-langlinks-link"><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/Q364214#sitelinks-wikipedia" title="Edit interlanguage links" class="wbc-editpage">Edit links</a></span></div> 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.hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">This article is about the American rapper. For other people named Rakim, see <a href="/wiki/Rakim_(name)" title="Rakim (name)">Rakim (name)</a>.</div> <p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1257001546">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox vcard plainlist"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above" style="color: #202122;background-color: #b0c4de; font-size: 125%;"><div class="">Rakim</div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="/wiki/File:Rakim_at_Paid_Dues_4_(cropped).jpg" class="mw-file-description" title="Rakim performing in 2008"><img alt="Rakim performing in 2008" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Rakim_at_Paid_Dues_4_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Rakim_at_Paid_Dues_4_%28cropped%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="323" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Rakim_at_Paid_Dues_4_%28cropped%29.jpg/330px-Rakim_at_Paid_Dues_4_%28cropped%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Rakim_at_Paid_Dues_4_%28cropped%29.jpg/440px-Rakim_at_Paid_Dues_4_%28cropped%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="839" data-file-height="1233" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption">Rakim performing in 2008</div></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="color: #202122;background-color: #b0c4de">Background information</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap">Birth name</span></th><td class="infobox-data nickname">William Michael Griffin Jr.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><span class="nowrap">Also known as</span></th><td class="infobox-data nickname"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ul{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist .mw-empty-li{display:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dt::after{content:": "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li::after{content:" · ";font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li:last-child::after{content:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:first-child::before{content:" (";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:last-child::after{content:")";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol{counter-reset:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li{counter-increment:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li::before{content:" "counter(listitem)"\a0 "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li ol>li:first-child::before{content:" ("counter(listitem)"\a0 "}</style><div class="hlist"><ul><li>The God MC</li><li>Kid Wizard</li><li><span class="nowrap">The R</span></li><li>The 18th Letter</li><li>Rakim Allah</li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Born</th><td class="infobox-data"><span style="display:none"> (<span class="bday">1968-01-28</span>) </span>January 28, 1968<span class="noprint ForceAgeToShow"> (age 57)</span><br /><a href="/wiki/Wyandanch,_New_York" title="Wyandanch, New York">Wyandanch, New York</a>, U.S.</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Genres</th><td class="infobox-data"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374" /><div class="hlist"><ul><li><a href="/wiki/Hip-hop" title="Hip-hop">Hip hop</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Jazz_rap" title="Jazz rap">jazz rap</a></li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Occupations</th><td class="infobox-data role"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374" /><div class="hlist"><ul><li>Rapper</li><li>songwriter</li><li>record producer</li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Discography</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Rakim_discography" title="Rakim discography">Rakim discography</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Labels</th><td class="infobox-data"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374" /><div class="hlist"><ul><li>Ra</li><li><a href="/wiki/Fontana_Distribution" title="Fontana Distribution">Fontana</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/SMC_Recordings" title="SMC Recordings">SMC</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/4th_%26_B%27way_Records" title="4th & B'way Records">4th & B'way</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Island_Records" title="Island Records">Island</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/MCA_Records" title="MCA Records">MCA</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Aftermath_Entertainment" title="Aftermath Entertainment">Aftermath</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Universal_Records" class="mw-redirect" title="Universal Records">Universal</a></li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Formerly of</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Eric B. & Rakim">Eric B. & Rakim</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Musical artist</div> <p><b>William Michael Griffin Jr.</b> (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name <b>Rakim</b> (<span class="rt-commentedText nowrap"><span class="IPA nopopups noexcerpt" lang="en-fonipa"><a href="/wiki/Help:IPA/English" title="Help:IPA/English">/<span style="border-bottom:1px dotted"><span title="'r' in 'rye'">r</span><span title="/ɑː/: 'a' in 'father'">ɑː</span><span title="/ˈ/: primary stress follows">ˈ</span><span title="'k' in 'kind'">k</span><span title="/ɪ/: 'i' in 'kit'">ɪ</span><span title="'m' in 'my'">m</span></span>/</a></span></span>), is an American rapper. He is one half of <a href="/wiki/Golden_age_hip-hop" title="Golden age hip-hop">golden age hip hop</a> duo <a href="/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Eric B. & Rakim">Eric B. & Rakim</a>, with whom he released four albums: <i><a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(album)" title="Paid in Full (album)">Paid in Full</a></i> (1987), <i><a href="/wiki/Follow_the_Leader_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_album)" title="Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)">Follow the Leader</a></i> (1988), <i><a href="/wiki/Let_the_Rhythm_Hit_%27Em" title="Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em">Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em</a></i> (1990), and <i><a href="/wiki/Don%27t_Sweat_the_Technique" title="Don't Sweat the Technique">Don't Sweat the Technique</a></i> (1992). He also released four solo albums: <i><a href="/wiki/The_18th_Letter" title="The 18th Letter">The 18th Letter</a></i> (1997), <i><a href="/wiki/The_Master_(Rakim_album)" title="The Master (Rakim album)">The Master</a></i> (1999), <i><a href="/wiki/The_Seventh_Seal_(Rakim_album)" title="The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)">The Seventh Seal</a></i> (2009), and <i>G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth</i> (2024). </p><p>Rakim is considered a transformative figure in hip hop for raising the bar for MC technique higher than it had ever been.<sup id="cite_ref-ALLMUSIC_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ALLMUSIC-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Rakim helped to pioneer the use of <a href="/wiki/Internal_rhymes" class="mw-redirect" title="Internal rhymes">internal rhymes</a> and <a href="/wiki/Multisyllabic_rhymes" title="Multisyllabic rhymes">multisyllabic rhymes</a>, and he was among the first to demonstrate the possibilities of sitting down to write intricately crafted lyrics packed with clever word choices and metaphors rather than the more improvisational styles and simpler rhyme patterns that predominated before him.<sup id="cite_ref-ALLMUSIC_1-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ALLMUSIC-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Rakim is also credited with creating the overall shift from the more simplistic old school flows to more complex flows.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003224_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003224-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Rapper <a href="/wiki/Kool_Moe_Dee" title="Kool Moe Dee">Kool Moe Dee</a> explained that before Rakim, the term 'flow' wasn't widely used – "Rakim is basically the inventor of flow. We were not even using the word flow until Rakim came along. It was called rhyming, it was called cadence, but it wasn't called flow. Rakim created flow!"<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003328_3-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003328-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p><i>Paid in Full</i> was named the greatest <a href="/wiki/Hip_hop_music" class="mw-redirect" title="Hip hop music">hip hop</a> album of all time by <a href="/wiki/MTV" title="MTV">MTV</a> in 2006,<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> while Rakim himself was ranked No. 4 on MTV's list of the Greatest MCs of All Time.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Steve Huey of <a href="/wiki/AllMusic" title="AllMusic">AllMusic</a> stated that "Rakim is near-universally acknowledged as one of the greatest MCs – perhaps <i>the</i> greatest – of all time within the hip-hop community".<sup id="cite_ref-amc_6-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-amc-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The editors of <a href="/wiki/About.com" class="mw-redirect" title="About.com">About.com</a> ranked him No. 2 on their list of the 'Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)'.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 2012, <i><a href="/wiki/The_Source_(magazine)" class="mw-redirect" title="The Source (magazine)">The Source</a></i> ranked him No. 1 on their list of the "Top 50 Lyricists of All Time".<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Early_life">Early life</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Early life"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>William Michael Griffin Jr. was born on January 28, 1968, in <a href="/wiki/Wyandanch,_New_York" title="Wyandanch, New York">Wyandanch, New York</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-All_9-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-All-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He is the nephew of the late <a href="/wiki/Rhythm_and_blues" title="Rhythm and blues">R&B</a> singer and actress <a href="/wiki/Ruth_Brown" title="Ruth Brown">Ruth Brown</a>. He grew up in Wyandanch on <a href="/wiki/Long_Island" title="Long Island">Long Island</a> and wrote his first rhyme at seven years old, about the cartoon character <a href="/wiki/Mickey_Mouse" title="Mickey Mouse">Mickey Mouse</a>. He initially aspired to play professional <a href="/wiki/Gridiron_football" title="Gridiron football">football</a>, and was a <a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a> on his high school football team. </p><p>However, after being introduced to local DJ Eric B. by his friend Alvin Toney, he began writing lyrics to fit Eric's instrumentals and chose instead to focus on a career in music. Then known as <b>Kid Wizard</b>, he made his first recordings live at Wyandanch High School in the year 1985.<sup id="cite_ref-ALLMUSIC_1-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ALLMUSIC-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Feature_10-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Feature-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Rakim was initially introduced to the <a href="/wiki/Nation_of_Islam" title="Nation of Islam">Nation of Islam</a> in 1986; he later joined <a href="/wiki/The_Nation_of_Gods_and_Earths" class="mw-redirect" title="The Nation of Gods and Earths">The Nation of Gods and Earths</a> (also known as the 5 Percent Nation) and adopted the <a href="/wiki/Rakim_(name)" title="Rakim (name)">Arabic name Rakim</a> Allah. He also chose to use “Rakim Allah” as his stage name, although it was most often shortened to simply “Rakim”.<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> During his career he has been nicknamed the "God MC" because of his acclaimed status as an MC and a reference to the "<a href="/wiki/Allah" title="Allah">Allah</a>" in his stage name, which is the Arabic word for <a href="/wiki/God" title="God">God</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-14" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Career">Career</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Career"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Pairing_with_Eric_B._(1985–1992)"><span id="Pairing_with_Eric_B._.281985.E2.80.931992.29"></span>Pairing with Eric B. (1985–1992)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Pairing with Eric B. (1985–1992)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951" /><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Eric B. & Rakim">Eric B. & Rakim</a></div> <p>First meeting in 1985, Eric B. and Rakim went on to release four studio albums before their separation in 1992. The duo were described by journalist <a href="/wiki/Tom_Terrell_(journalist)" title="Tom Terrell (journalist)">Tom Terrell</a> of <a href="/wiki/NPR" title="NPR">NPR</a> as "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period",<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> while the editors of <a href="/wiki/About.com" class="mw-redirect" title="About.com">About.com</a> ranked them as No. 4 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They were nominated for induction into the <a href="/wiki/Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame" title="Rock and Roll Hall of Fame">Rock and Roll Hall of Fame</a> in 2011, although they did not make the final selection.<sup id="cite_ref-Rockhall_18-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Rockhall-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="1986–87:_Beginnings_and_classic_debut"><span id="1986.E2.80.9387:_Beginnings_and_classic_debut"></span>1986–87: Beginnings and classic debut</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: 1986–87: Beginnings and classic debut"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951" /><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Further information: <a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(album)" title="Paid in Full (album)">Paid in Full (album)</a></div> <p>After Rakim responded to Eric B.'s search for "New York's top MC",<sup id="cite_ref-ogg_19-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ogg-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Eric B.'s friend and roommate <a href="/wiki/Marley_Marl" title="Marley Marl">Marley Marl</a> allowed them to use his home studio. The first tracks they recorded—"<a href="/wiki/Eric_B._Is_President" title="Eric B. Is President">Eric B. Is President</a>" and "My Melody"—were released as a single/b-side on the independent Zakia Records in 1986. After <a href="/wiki/Def_Jam_Recordings" title="Def Jam Recordings">Def Jam Recordings</a> founder <a href="/wiki/Russell_Simmons" title="Russell Simmons">Russell Simmons</a> heard the single, the duo were signed to <a href="/wiki/Island_Records" title="Island Records">Island Records</a> and began recording the album in <a href="/wiki/Manhattan" title="Manhattan">Manhattan</a>'s Power Play Studios in early 1987.<sup id="cite_ref-ogg_19-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ogg-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On July 7, 1987, the duo released their debut album, <i><a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(album)" title="Paid in Full (album)">Paid in Full</a></i>, on the <a href="/wiki/Island_Records" title="Island Records">Island</a>-subsidiary label <a href="/wiki/4th_%26_B%27way_Records" title="4th & B'way Records">4th & B'way Records</a>. The album peaked at No. 58 on the <a href="/wiki/Billboard_200" title="Billboard 200"><i>Billboard</i> 200</a> chart and produced five singles: "Eric B. Is President", "<a href="/wiki/I_Ain%27t_No_Joke" title="I Ain't No Joke">I Ain't No Joke</a>", "<a href="/wiki/I_Know_You_Got_Soul_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_song)" title="I Know You Got Soul (Eric B. & Rakim song)">I Know You Got Soul</a>", "Move the Crowd", and "<a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_song)" title="Paid in Full (Eric B. & Rakim song)">Paid in Full</a>".<sup id="cite_ref-charts_20-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-charts-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="1988–89:_Sophomore_peak"><span id="1988.E2.80.9389:_Sophomore_peak"></span>1988–89: Sophomore peak</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: 1988–89: Sophomore peak"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951" /><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Further information: <a href="/wiki/Follow_the_Leader_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_album)" title="Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)">Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)</a></div> <p>While its singles attained moderate success, <i>Follow the Leader</i> performed better on <a href="/wiki/Record_chart" title="Record chart">music charts</a> than Eric B. & Rakim's debut album and reached number 22 on the U.S. <a href="/wiki/Billboard_200" title="Billboard 200"><i>Billboard</i> Pop Albums</a> chart. It has been certified <a href="/wiki/RIAA_certification" title="RIAA certification">gold</a> by the <a href="/wiki/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America" title="Recording Industry Association of America">Recording Industry Association of America</a> for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States. Released during <a href="/wiki/Golden_age_hip_hop" class="mw-redirect" title="Golden age hip hop">hip hop's "golden age"</a>, the album was well received by critics and has since been recognized by music writers as one of the most groundbreaking and influential hip hop albums of all time. American author <a href="/wiki/William_Jelani_Cobb" class="mw-redirect" title="William Jelani Cobb">William Jelani Cobb</a> wrote of the album's significance, "On the heels of <i>Paid in Full</i>, Eric B. & Rakim delivered a full clip of album titled <i>Follow the Leader</i> in 1988. Featuring a broader spectrum of sounds than the James Brown samples that had defined the initial release, <i>Follow the Leader</i> saw Rakim at his most lyrically fierce, issuing deft and death threats on such tracks as 'Microphone Fiend,' 'Lyrics of Fury,' and the nearly felonious 'No Competition.' The release marked the high point in the collaboration between the two and prefaced the long slide they faced in the 1990s."<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="1990–92:_Final_albums_and_dissolution"><span id="1990.E2.80.9392:_Final_albums_and_dissolution"></span>1990–92: Final albums and dissolution</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: 1990–92: Final albums and dissolution"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><i><a href="/wiki/Let_the_Rhythm_Hit_%27Em" title="Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em">Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em</a></i>, released in 1990, was Eric B. & Rakim's third album. This album saw the duo's sound develop further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, as well as more mature and serious subject matter. Musically, the production ranges from smoother soulful tracks such as "In the Ghetto" to the hard-edged assault of the title track. Though it could not support singles as popular as the duo's previous albums, it is considered by many to be the duo's most coherent album. It is one of the few albums to have received a "five-mic" rating from <i><a href="/wiki/The_Source_(magazine)" class="mw-redirect" title="The Source (magazine)">The Source</a></i>. In 1998, the album was selected as one of <i>The Source</i><span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'</span>s 100 Best Rap Albums. The back cover features a dedication to the memories of Rakim's father William and producer <a href="/wiki/Paul_C." class="mw-redirect" title="Paul C.">Paul C.</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> who had worked on many of the album's tracks before his murder in July 1989. His protégé <a href="/wiki/Large_Professor" title="Large Professor">Large Professor</a> completed his work. Neither receive credit in the album's notes.<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 1992, Eric B & Rakim released their fourth and final album, <i><a href="/wiki/Don%27t_Sweat_the_Technique" title="Don't Sweat the Technique">Don't Sweat the Technique</a></i>. The title track was a minor radio hit.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (December 2017)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> "Casualties of War" was also released as a single. "<a href="/wiki/Know_the_Ledge" title="Know the Ledge">Know the Ledge</a>" first appeared in the film <i><a href="/wiki/Juice_(1992_film)" title="Juice (1992 film)">Juice</a></i> under the title "Juice (Know the Ledge)". However, Eric B. refused to sign MCA's release contract, fearful that Rakim would abandon him. This led to a long, complicated court battle involving the two musicians and MCA. The legal wrangling eventually led to the duo dissolving completely.<sup id="cite_ref-ALLMUSIC_1-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ALLMUSIC-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Solo-career_(1993–present)"><span id="Solo-career_.281993.E2.80.93present.29"></span>Solo-career (1993–present)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Solo-career (1993–present)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="1993–2003:_Legal_issues,_solo_debut,_and_Aftermath_stint"><span id="1993.E2.80.932003:_Legal_issues.2C_solo_debut.2C_and_Aftermath_stint"></span>1993–2003: Legal issues, solo debut, and Aftermath stint</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: 1993–2003: Legal issues, solo debut, and Aftermath stint"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951" /><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Further information: <a href="/wiki/The_18th_Letter" title="The 18th Letter">The 18th Letter</a></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Rakim-02-mika.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Rakim-02-mika.jpg/220px-Rakim-02-mika.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Rakim-02-mika.jpg/330px-Rakim-02-mika.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Rakim-02-mika.jpg/440px-Rakim-02-mika.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1346" data-file-height="896" /></a><figcaption>Rakim performing in Hamburg, Germany, June 3, 1998</figcaption></figure> <p>After breaking up his partnership with Eric B. in early-1993, Rakim kept a low profile, only making one notable appearance on the soundtrack to the 1993 film <i><a href="/wiki/Gunmen_(1994_film)" title="Gunmen (1994 film)">Gunmen</a></i>. A reshuffling in MCA caused Rakim to be dropped from the label in 1994. As Rakim continued to struggle with legal problems, he secured a deal with <a href="/wiki/Universal_Records" class="mw-redirect" title="Universal Records">Universal Records</a> and began recording his solo debut album <i><a href="/wiki/The_18th_Letter" title="The 18th Letter">The 18th Letter</a></i> in 1996. In November 1997, the album <i>The 18th Letter</i> was released. Expectations were high for Rakim, as the album debuted at #4 on the <a href="/wiki/Billboard_200" title="Billboard 200">Billboard 200</a> and was certified Gold by the <a href="/wiki/RIAA" class="mw-redirect" title="RIAA">RIAA</a>. </p><p>In June 1999, Rakim appeared on three tracks of "<a href="/wiki/The_Seduction_of_Claude_Debussy" title="The Seduction of Claude Debussy">The Seduction of Claude Debussy</a>" by <a href="/wiki/Art_of_Noise" title="Art of Noise">Art of Noise</a>. <a href="/wiki/AllMusic" title="AllMusic">AllMusic</a>'s Keith Farley notes that "the album charts the artistic use of sampled <a href="/wiki/Breakbeat" title="Breakbeat">breakbeats</a> – pioneered by the Art of Noise themselves – with nods to '80s hip-hop plus their '90s equivalent, <a href="/wiki/Drum%27n%27bass" class="mw-redirect" title="Drum'n'bass">drum'n'bass</a>."<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In November 1999, Rakim released <i><a href="/wiki/The_Master_(Rakim_album)" title="The Master (Rakim album)">The Master</a></i>, which received good reviews but sold poorly.<sup id="cite_ref-ALLMUSIC_1-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ALLMUSIC-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Rakim was signed to <a href="/wiki/Dr._Dre" title="Dr. Dre">Dr. Dre</a>'s <a href="/wiki/Aftermath_Entertainment" title="Aftermath Entertainment">Aftermath Entertainment</a> record label in 2000,<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> for work on an album tentatively titled <i>Oh, My God</i>. The album underwent numerous changes in artistic direction and personnel and was delayed several times. While working on the album, Rakim made guest appearances on four Aftermath projects, including the hit single "<a href="/wiki/Addictive_(song)" title="Addictive (song)">Addictive</a>" by <a href="/wiki/Truth_Hurts_(singer)" title="Truth Hurts (singer)">Truth Hurts</a> and its remix (which featured a different Rakim verse from the main version), the <a href="/wiki/Dr._Dre" title="Dr. Dre">Dr. Dre</a>-produced "The Watcher Part 2" by <a href="/wiki/Jay-Z" title="Jay-Z">Jay-Z</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Eminem" title="Eminem">Eminem</a>'s <i><a href="/wiki/8_Mile_(film)" title="8 Mile (film)">8 Mile</a></i> soundtrack album with the track "R.A.K.I.M". </p><p>However, Rakim left the label in 2003 and <i>Oh, My God</i> was indefinitely shelved.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After Rakim eventually left <a href="/wiki/Aftermath_Entertainment" title="Aftermath Entertainment">Aftermath Entertainment</a>, he stated that the reason he departed the label was because of creative differences with <a href="/wiki/Dr._Dre" title="Dr. Dre">Dr. Dre</a>. Discussing the period later, Rakim discussed how he was seeking to write <a href="/wiki/Conscious_hip_hop" class="mw-redirect" title="Conscious hip hop">conscious</a> material, while Dr. Dre was encouraging him to pursue <a href="/wiki/Gangsta_rap" title="Gangsta rap">gangsta rap</a> narratives instead.<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="2007–2009:_The_Seventh_Seal"><span id="2007.E2.80.932009:_The_Seventh_Seal"></span>2007–2009: <i>The Seventh Seal</i></h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: 2007–2009: The Seventh Seal"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Rakim_allah.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Rakim_allah.jpg/220px-Rakim_allah.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="217" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Rakim_allah.jpg/330px-Rakim_allah.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Rakim_allah.jpg/440px-Rakim_allah.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1560" data-file-height="1536" /></a><figcaption>Rakim at the B.B. Kings in New York, November 25, 2006</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Rakim_in_North_Carolina.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Rakim_in_North_Carolina.jpg/220px-Rakim_in_North_Carolina.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Rakim_in_North_Carolina.jpg/330px-Rakim_in_North_Carolina.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Rakim_in_North_Carolina.jpg 2x" data-file-width="400" data-file-height="266" /></a><figcaption>Rakim at Cat's Cradle in North Carolina, 2006</figcaption></figure> <p>Rakim retreated to his Connecticut estate to work leisurely on music. Not having released an album since 1999, he eschewed touring in favor of infrequent gigs.<sup id="cite_ref-Mitter_30-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Mitter-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Rakim was able to retain the tracks he had made with Dr. Dre<sup id="cite_ref-ALLMUSIC_1-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ALLMUSIC-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and, in 2006, announced that he would release a new studio album, <i><a href="/wiki/The_Seventh_Seal_(Rakim_album)" title="The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)">The Seventh Seal</a></i>.<sup id="cite_ref-7Seal_31-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7Seal-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The album was delayed into 2009; instead, he followed up with a live album, <i><a href="/wiki/The_Archive:_Live,_Lost_%26_Found" title="The Archive: Live, Lost & Found">The Archive: Live, Lost & Found</a></i>, in 2008.<sup id="cite_ref-ALLMUSIC_1-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ALLMUSIC-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In an interview with <i><a href="/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" title="Billboard (magazine)">Billboard</a></i> in 2007, when asked about story behind <i>The Seventh Seal</i><span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'</span>s title, Rakim said, </p> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1244412712">.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 32px}.mw-parser-output .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;margin-top:0}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .templatequotecite{padding-left:1.6em}}</style><blockquote class="templatequote"><p>The number 7 has a lot of significance. The seventh letter of the [<a href="/wiki/Supreme_Alphabet" class="mw-redirect" title="Supreme Alphabet">Supreme</a>] alphabet is G—that stands for God. There are seven continents, seven seas. <i>The Seventh Seal</i> deals with that and also some revelations in the Bible. Some call it the end of the world, but for me it's the end of the old and the beginning of the new. By me naming my album that, I'm using it metaphorically in hip hop. I'm hoping to kill the old state of hip hop and start with the new.<sup id="cite_ref-7Seal_31-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7Seal-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote> <p>In another interview with <i><a href="/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" title="Billboard (magazine)">Billboard</a></i> in 2009, he stated, </p> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1244412712" /><blockquote class="templatequote"><p>The seals are from the Bible—Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity—all have a version of the same events. The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times. After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them. When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I've always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times.<sup id="cite_ref-billboardnews_32-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-billboardnews-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></p></blockquote> <p><i>The Seventh Seal</i> was released on November 17, 2009, after several delays on Rakim's own Ra Records, TVM, and <a href="/wiki/SMC_Recordings" title="SMC Recordings">SMC Recordings</a> and distributed through <a href="/wiki/Fontana_Records" title="Fontana Records">Fontana</a> and <a href="/wiki/Universal_Music_Group" title="Universal Music Group">Universal Music Group</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Considered a comeback album after a ten-year gap between releases, the album features the two singles: "Holy Are You", which was released on July 14, 2009, and "Walk These Streets" which was released on October 7, 2009. It features production from several renowned hip hop artists, including <a href="/wiki/Nottz" title="Nottz">Nottz</a>, <a href="/wiki/J._Wells" title="J. Wells">J. Wells</a>, <a href="/wiki/Needlz" title="Needlz">Needlz</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jake_One" title="Jake One">Jake One</a>, and Nick Wiz.<sup id="cite_ref-HipHopDXnews_34-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-HipHopDXnews-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The album sold 12,000 copies in the United States by November 22, 2009, according to <a href="/wiki/SoundScan" class="mw-redirect" title="SoundScan">SoundScan</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>35<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Upon its release, <i>The Seventh Seal</i> received generally mixed or average reviews from most music critics; it holds an aggregate score of 59/100 at <a href="/wiki/Metacritic" title="Metacritic">Metacritic</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Meta_36-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Meta-36"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>36<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="2011–present:_Reunion_with_Eric_B._and_G.O.D.'s_Network:_Reb7rth"><span id="2011.E2.80.93present:_Reunion_with_Eric_B._and_G.O.D..27s_Network:_Reb7rth"></span>2011–present: Reunion with Eric B. and <i>G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth</i></h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: 2011–present: Reunion with Eric B. and G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>In 2011, Rakim performed <i>Paid in Full</i> in its entirety at the <a href="/wiki/Blue_Note_Jazz_Club" title="Blue Note Jazz Club">Blue Note Jazz Club</a> in New York City, in honor of the album's 25th anniversary.<sup id="cite_ref-revisits_37-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-revisits-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He was backed by <a href="/wiki/The_Roots" title="The Roots">The Roots</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-revisits_37-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-revisits-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2012, Rakim announced that he and Eric B. would release a 25th anniversary edition of their 1987 album <i>Paid in Full</i>, which would contain new tracks recorded by Eric B. & Rakim, by the end of 2012; Rakim announced he would release a new solo album by the end of 2012.<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He performed at the annual <a href="/wiki/The_Roots" title="The Roots">Roots</a>' Picnic in Philadelphia in June.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-39"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In an interview with <i><a href="/wiki/The_Detroit_Free_Press" class="mw-redirect" title="The Detroit Free Press">The Detroit Free Press</a></i> he announced he was in the studio with <a href="/wiki/Pharrell_Williams" title="Pharrell Williams">Pharrell Williams</a> working on a new album set to be released in 2013, saying the first single will be released before the end of the year.<sup id="cite_ref-www.detroitnews.com_40-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-www.detroitnews.com-40"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>40<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On September 24, 2013, he released a collaborative single with <a href="/wiki/DMX_(rapper)" class="mw-redirect" title="DMX (rapper)">DMX</a> entitled "Don't Call Me".<sup id="cite_ref-41" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>41<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2014, Rakim is featured on the collaborative single with American rock band <a href="/wiki/Linkin_Park" title="Linkin Park">Linkin Park</a>, titled "<a href="/wiki/Guilty_All_the_Same" title="Guilty All the Same">Guilty All the Same</a>". The song was released on March 6, 2014, by <a href="/wiki/Warner_Bros._Records" class="mw-redirect" title="Warner Bros. Records">Warner Bros. Records</a> as the first single from their sixth studio album, titled <i><a href="/wiki/The_Hunting_Party_(album)" title="The Hunting Party (album)">The Hunting Party</a></i>. He contributed his rhymes during the bridge for the main version of the song; however, he is not featured on the radio edit of the song. The song was officially released on March 7, 2014, for digital download. </p><p>On April 27, 2015, Rakim announced he was working on a new album and planned to release it in the middle or end of 2015. He said "This is one of those albums where I can have fun. My last album, <i>The Seventh Seal</i>, was somewhat of a conscious album. I wanted to make a statement on that album."<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>42<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On October 20, 2016, it was announced via <a href="/wiki/Twitter" title="Twitter">Twitter</a> that Rakim had reunited with Eric B. after 23 years. The duo teased a potential reunion tour the next morning, hosting a poll for the fans to give their opinion on what city Eric B. & Rakim should start the tour. Four locations were the potential candidates: <a href="/wiki/New_York_City" title="New York City">New York City</a>, <a href="/wiki/Las_Vegas" title="Las Vegas">Las Vegas</a>, <a href="/wiki/London" title="London">London</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Australia" title="Australia">Australia</a>. Since the announcement of the reunion, fans have speculated if the two will drop a new studio album in the near future.<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>43<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In late-June 2018, a new song, "King's Paradise", was released on <i><a href="/wiki/Luke_Cage:_Season_2_(Original_Soundtrack_Album)" class="mw-redirect" title="Luke Cage: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Album)">Luke Cage: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Album)</a></i>. Rakim performed the song for the first time on <a href="/wiki/National_Public_Radio" class="mw-redirect" title="National Public Radio">NPR</a>'s <a href="/wiki/Tiny_Desk_Concerts" class="mw-redirect" title="Tiny Desk Concerts">Tiny Desk Concerts</a> series along with former <a href="/wiki/A_Tribe_Called_Quest" title="A Tribe Called Quest">A Tribe Called Quest</a> member <a href="/wiki/Ali_Shaheed_Muhammad" title="Ali Shaheed Muhammad">Ali Shaheed Muhammad</a> and producer <a href="/wiki/Adrian_Younge" title="Adrian Younge">Adrian Younge</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In May 2024, <a href="/wiki/Masta_Killa" title="Masta Killa">Masta Killa</a> teased an image of Rakim, <a href="/wiki/Kurupt" title="Kurupt">Kurupt</a> and himself with the upcoming release of a single on June 21, 2024 titled <i>Be Ill</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-45"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Two weeks later, it was announced that Rakim's fourth studio album would be titled <i>G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth</i>, and would be fully produced by Rakim himself.<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-46"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>46<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The limited special edition of the album has been announced to feature artists such as <a href="/wiki/Nipsey_Hussle" title="Nipsey Hussle">Nipsey Hussle</a>, <a href="/wiki/Snoop_Dogg" title="Snoop Dogg">Snoop Dogg</a>, <a href="/wiki/Planet_Asia" title="Planet Asia">Planet Asia</a> and <a href="/wiki/Kobe_(singer)" title="Kobe (singer)">Kobe</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-47" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On May 29, 2024, Rakim posted a video of a potential video shoot of the new single on his Instagram.<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-48"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>48<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <i>G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth</i> was released on July 26, 2024.<sup id="cite_ref-RS2024_49-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-RS2024-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Artistry">Artistry</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Artistry"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Rakim's rhyming deviated from the simple rhyme patterns of early 1980s hip hop. His free-rhythm style ignored <a href="/wiki/Bar_(music)" title="Bar (music)">bar</a> lines and had earned comparisons to jazz pianist <a href="/wiki/Thelonious_Monk" title="Thelonious Monk">Thelonious Monk</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-dulac_50-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dulac-50"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>50<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <i><a href="/wiki/The_New_York_Times" title="The New York Times">The New York Times</a></i><span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'</span> Ben Ratliff wrote that Rakim's "unblustery rapping developed the form beyond the flat-footed rhythms of schoolyard rhymes".<sup id="cite_ref-Ratliff_51-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Ratliff-51"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> While many rappers developed their technique through improvisation, Rakim was one of the first to demonstrate advantages of a writerly style, as with for instance his pioneering use of <a href="/wiki/Internal_rhyme" title="Internal rhyme">internal rhymes</a> and <a href="/wiki/Multisyllabic_rhymes" title="Multisyllabic rhymes">multisyllabic rhymes</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-allmusic_52-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-allmusic-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Unlike previous rappers such as <a href="/wiki/LL_Cool_J" title="LL Cool J">LL Cool J</a>, <a href="/wiki/KRS-One" title="KRS-One">KRS-One</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Run-D.M.C." class="mw-redirect" title="Run-D.M.C.">Run-D.M.C.</a>, who delivered their vocals with high energy, Rakim employed a relaxed, stoic delivery.<sup id="cite_ref-ogg_19-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ogg-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-light_53-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-light-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>53<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> According to <a href="/wiki/MTV" title="MTV">MTV</a>, "We'd been used to MCs like Run and DMC, <a href="/wiki/Chuck_D" title="Chuck D">Chuck D</a> and <a href="/wiki/KRS-One" title="KRS-One">KRS-One</a> leaping on the mic shouting with energy and irreverence, but Rakim took a methodical approach to his microphone fiending. He had a slow flow, and every line was blunt, mesmeric."<sup id="cite_ref-mtv_54-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mtv-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Rakim's relaxed delivery results from his <a href="/wiki/Jazz" title="Jazz">jazz</a> influences; he had played the <a href="/wiki/Saxophone" title="Saxophone">saxophone</a> and was a <a href="/wiki/John_Coltrane" title="John Coltrane">John Coltrane</a> fan.<sup id="cite_ref-dulac_50-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dulac-50"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>50<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-taylor_55-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-taylor-55"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>55<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>56<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-57"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>57<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Artists and critics often credit Rakim with creating the overall shift from the more simplistic old school flows to more complex flows.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003224_2-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003224-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Kool Moe Dee says, "any emcee that came after 1986 had to study Rakim just to know what to be able to do.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003324_58-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003324-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> [...] Rakim, in 1986, gave us flow and that was the rhyme style from 1986 to 1994.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003325_59-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003325-59"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> [...] From that point on, anybody emceeing was forced to focus on their flow."<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003326_60-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003326-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>60<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Kool Moe Dee explains that before Rakim, the term 'flow' wasn't widely used – "Rakim is basically the inventor of flow. We were not even using the word flow until Rakim came along. It was called rhyming, it was called cadence, but it wasn't called flow. Rakim created flow!"<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003328_3-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003328-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He adds that while Rakim upgraded and popularized the focus on flow, "he didn't invent the word".<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003324_58-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003324-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Rakim's subject matter often covered his own rapping skills and lyrical superiority over other rappers.<sup id="cite_ref-61" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-61"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>61<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Harvell_62-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Harvell-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/AllMusic" title="AllMusic">AllMusic</a> editor Steve Huey comments that "the majority of his lyrics concern his own skills and his <a href="/wiki/Five-Percent_Nation" title="Five-Percent Nation">Islamic</a> faith."<sup id="cite_ref-amc_6-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-amc-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> He also notes Rakim for his "complex internal rhymes, <a href="/wiki/Sentence_clause_structure#Compound_sentences" title="Sentence clause structure">compounding</a>, literate imagery, velvet-smooth flow, and unpredictable, off-the-beat rhythms."<sup id="cite_ref-Huey_63-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Huey-63"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/Pitchfork_(website)" title="Pitchfork (website)"><i>Pitchfork</i></a> writer Jess Harvell described his rapping as "authoritative, burnished, [and] possessing an unflappable sense of rhythm".<sup id="cite_ref-Harvell_62-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Harvell-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Legacy">Legacy</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Legacy"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><i>Paid in Full</i> was released during the period that became known as <a href="/wiki/Golden_age_hip_hop" class="mw-redirect" title="Golden age hip hop">golden age hip hop</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Cobb140_64-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cobb140-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Alex Ogg considered it the duo's <a href="/wiki/Masterpiece" title="Masterpiece">magnum opus</a> in his book <i>The Men Behind Def Jam</i>.<sup id="cite_ref-ogg_19-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ogg-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Rakim's rapping set a blueprint for future rappers and helped secure <a href="/wiki/East_Coast_hip_hop" class="mw-redirect" title="East Coast hip hop">East Coast hip hop</a>'s reputation for innovative lyrical technique.<sup id="cite_ref-allmusic_52-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-allmusic-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-65" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/William_Jelani_Cobb" class="mw-redirect" title="William Jelani Cobb">William Jelani Cobb</a> stated in his book <i>To the Break of Dawn</i> that his rapping had "stepped outside" of the preceding era of <a href="/wiki/Old_school_hip_hop" class="mw-redirect" title="Old school hip hop">old school hip hop</a> and that while the vocabulary and lyrical dexterity of newer rappers had improved, it was "nowhere near what Rakim introduced to the genre".<sup id="cite_ref-Cobb140_64-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Cobb140-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <i>The New York Times</i><span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'</span> Dimitri Ehrlich, who described the album as "an artistic and commercial benchmark", credited Rakim for helping "give birth to a musical genre" and leading "a quiet musical revolution, introducing a soft-spoken rapping style".<sup id="cite_ref-ehrlich_66-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ehrlich-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Allmusic's Steve Huey declared <i>Paid in Full</i> one of hip hop's most influential albums and "essential listening" for those interested in the genre's "basic musical foundations".<sup id="cite_ref-Huey_63-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Huey-63"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <a href="/wiki/MTV" title="MTV">MTV</a> ranked it at number one in "The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time", stating it raised the standards of hip hop "both sonically and poetically" and described it as "captivating, profound, innovative and instantly influential".<sup id="cite_ref-mtv_54-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mtv-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The album is broken down track-by-track by Rakim in Brian Coleman's book <i><a href="/wiki/Check_the_Technique" title="Check the Technique">Check the Technique</a></i>.<sup id="cite_ref-67" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-67"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>67<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p><i>Rolling Stone</i> magazine listed it at number 227 on "<a href="/wiki/Rolling_Stone%27s_500_Greatest_Albums_of_All_Time" title="Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time">The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time</a>", calling it "Ice-grilled, laid-back, diamond-sharp: Rakim is a front-runner in the race for Best Rapper Ever, and this album is a big reason why."<sup id="cite_ref-68" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-68"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>68<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Similarly, <i><a href="/wiki/Blender_(magazine)" title="Blender (magazine)">Blender</a></i> magazine included the album in its "500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die".<sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-69"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>69<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <i><a href="/wiki/Time_(magazine)" title="Time (magazine)">Time</a></i> magazine listed it as one of the eighteen albums of the 1980s in its "All-TIME 100" albums; editor Alan Light acknowledged the record for changing the "sound, flow, and potential" of hip hop and that if Rakim is "the greatest MC of all time, as many argue, this album is the evidence". </p><p>Jess Harvell of <i>Pitchfork</i> complimented Rakim for an "endless display of pure skill" and described the album as "laidback and funky", but believed it contained "too much filler to get a free 'classic' pass".<sup id="cite_ref-Harvell_62-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Harvell-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <i>Pitchfork</i> placed <i>Paid in Full</i> at number fifty-two in its "Top 100 Albums of the 1980s"; editor Sam Chennault wrote that Rakim inspired a generation of MCs and "defined what it meant to be a hip-hop lyricist".<sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-70"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>70<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The rappers who have used the unique rapping style employed by Rakim and attribute it as inspiration include <a href="/wiki/GZA" title="GZA">GZA</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ghostface_Killah" title="Ghostface Killah">Ghostface Killah</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Raekwon" title="Raekwon">Raekwon</a> (from the <a href="/wiki/Wu-Tang_Clan" title="Wu-Tang Clan">Wu-Tang Clan</a>), <a href="/wiki/Tupac" class="mw-redirect" title="Tupac">Tupac</a>, <a href="/wiki/Nas" title="Nas">Nas</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kool_G._Rap" class="mw-redirect" title="Kool G. Rap">Kool G. Rap</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jay-Z" title="Jay-Z">Jay-Z</a>, <a href="/wiki/The_Notorious_B.I.G." title="The Notorious B.I.G.">The Notorious B.I.G.</a>, <a href="/wiki/Eminem" title="Eminem">Eminem</a>, <a href="/wiki/50_Cent" title="50 Cent">50 Cent</a>, <a href="/wiki/Cordae" title="Cordae">Cordae</a><sup id="cite_ref-71" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-71"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>71<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and many more.<sup id="cite_ref-ehrlich_66-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ehrlich-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-72" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> On July 11, 1995, the <a href="/wiki/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America" title="Recording Industry Association of America">Recording Industry Association of America</a> (RIAA) certified the album <a href="/wiki/RIAA_certification" title="RIAA certification">platinum</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-73" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-73"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>73<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> As of December 1997, it has sold over a million copies.<sup id="cite_ref-ehrlich_66-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ehrlich-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Discography">Discography</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Discography"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951" /><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Rakim_discography" title="Rakim discography">Rakim discography</a></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Studio_albums">Studio albums</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Studio albums"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p><b>Solo</b> </p> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/The_18th_Letter" title="The 18th Letter">The 18th Letter</a></i> (1997)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Master_(Rakim_album)" title="The Master (Rakim album)">The Master</a></i> (1999)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Seventh_Seal_(Rakim_album)" title="The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)">The Seventh Seal</a></i> (2009)</li> <li><i>G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth</i> (2024)</li></ul> <p><b>With Eric B. & Rakim</b> </p> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(album)" title="Paid in Full (album)">Paid in Full</a></i> (1987)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Follow_the_Leader_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_album)" title="Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)">Follow the Leader</a></i> (1988)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Let_the_Rhythm_Hit_%27Em" title="Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em">Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em</a></i> (1990)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Don%27t_Sweat_the_Technique" title="Don't Sweat the Technique">Don't Sweat the Technique</a></i> (1992)</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951" /><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Eric B. & Rakim">Eric B. & Rakim</a></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output 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q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFHuey" class="citation web cs1">Huey, Steve. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-p116720/biography">"Rakim Biography"</a>. <i>allmusic</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">December 13,</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=allmusic&rft.atitle=Rakim+Biography&rft.aulast=Huey&rft.aufirst=Steve&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2Fartist%2Frakim-p116720%2Fbiography&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003224-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003224_2-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003224_2-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKool_Moe_Dee2003">Kool Moe Dee 2003</a>, p. 224.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003328-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003328_3-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKool_Moe_Dee2003328_3-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFKool_Moe_Dee2003">Kool Moe Dee 2003</a>, p. 328.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130719045814/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml">"The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time"</a>. MTV.com. March 9, 2006. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml">the original</a> on July 19, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">March 30,</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=The+Greatest+Hip-Hop+Albums+Of+All+Time&rft.pub=MTV.com&rft.date=2006-03-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv.com%2Fbands%2Fh%2Fhip_hop_week%2F2005%2Fgreatest_albums_0505%2Findex11.jhtml&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120418092500/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index8.jhtml">"The Greatest MCs Of All Time"</a>. MTV.com. March 9, 2006. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index8.jhtml">the original</a> on April 18, 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">March 30,</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=The+Greatest+MCs+Of+All+Time&rft.pub=MTV.com&rft.date=2006-03-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mtv.com%2Fbands%2Fh%2Fhip_hop_week%2F2006%2Femcees%2Findex8.jhtml&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-amc-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-amc_6-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-amc_6-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFHuey" class="citation web cs1">Huey, Steve. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-p116720/biography">"Rakim"</a>. <i>AllMusic</i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120110063448/http://allmusic.com/artist/rakim-p116720/biography">Archived</a> from the original on January 10, 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">March 30,</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=AllMusic&rft.atitle=Rakim&rft.aulast=Huey&rft.aufirst=Steve&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2Fartist%2Frakim-p116720%2Fbiography&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_10.htm">"Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987–2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time"</a>. Rap.about.com. January 26, 2012. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130117013030/http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_10.htm">Archived</a> from the original on January 17, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">March 30,</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Top+50+MCs+of+Our+Time%3A+1987%E2%80%932007+%E2%80%93+50+Greatest+Emcees+of+Our+Time&rft.pub=Rap.about.com&rft.date=2012-01-26&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Frap.about.com%2Fod%2Ftoppicks%2Fss%2FTop50Emcees_10.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000719/http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside/">"The Source's Top 50 Lyricists Of All Time **Complete List Inside**"</a>. ThisIs50.com. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside">the original</a> on December 31, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 5,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=The+Source%27s+Top+50+Lyricists+Of+All+Time+%2A%2AComplete+List+Inside%2A%2A&rft.pub=ThisIs50.com&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisis50.com%2Fforum%2Ftopics%2Fthe-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-All-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-All_9-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFSteve_Huey" class="citation web cs1">Steve Huey. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-mn0000389137">"Rakim"</a>. <a href="/wiki/AllMusic" title="AllMusic">AllMusic</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190428153926/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-mn0000389137">Archived</a> from the original on April 28, 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">November 12,</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Rakim&rft.pub=AllMusic&rft.au=Steve+Huey&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.allmusic.com%2Fartist%2Frakim-mn0000389137&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Feature-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Feature_10-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.npr.org/2009/11/21/120633180/rakim-the-mc-reveals-his-seventh-seal">"Rakim: The MC Reveals His 'Seventh Seal'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i>NPR.org</i>. November 21, 2009. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190415082828/https://www.npr.org/2009/11/21/120633180/rakim-the-mc-reveals-his-seventh-seal">Archived</a> from the original on April 15, 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">April 30,</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=NPR.org&rft.atitle=Rakim%3A+The+MC+Reveals+His+%27Seventh+Seal%27&rft.date=2009-11-21&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.npr.org%2F2009%2F11%2F21%2F120633180%2Frakim-the-mc-reveals-his-seventh-seal&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://theshadowleague.com/rap-legend-rakim-reveals-his-nfl-dreams/">"Rap Legend Rakim Reveals His NFL Dreams"</a>. <i>theshadowleague.com</i>. March 13, 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=theshadowleague.com&rft.atitle=Rap+Legend+Rakim+Reveals+His+NFL+Dreams&rft.date=2020-03-13&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftheshadowleague.com%2Frap-legend-rakim-reveals-his-nfl-dreams%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFAhearn1991" class="citation magazine cs1">Ahearn, Charlie (February 1991). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=WwhU7vQ5ancC">"The Five Percent Solution"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Spin_(magazine)" title="Spin (magazine)">Spin</a></i>. Vol. 6, no. 11. San Francisco. p. 56. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140108003409/http://books.google.com/books?id=WwhU7vQ5ancC">Archived</a> from the original on January 8, 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 29,</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Spin&rft.atitle=The+Five+Percent+Solution&rft.volume=6&rft.issue=11&rft.pages=56&rft.date=1991-02&rft.aulast=Ahearn&rft.aufirst=Charlie&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DWwhU7vQ5ancC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFStewart2021" class="citation web cs1">Stewart, Shelby (April 12, 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.chron.com/culture/music/article/The-God-MC-Rakim-houston-Southern-hip-hop-rapper-16086689.php">"<span class="cs1-kern-left"></span>'The God MC' Rakim reflects on Southern hip-hop and the road ahead"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Chron.com" title="Chron.com">Chron.com</a></i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 1,</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Chron.com&rft.atitle=%27The+God+MC%27+Rakim+reflects+on+Southern+hip-hop+and+the+road+ahead&rft.date=2021-04-12&rft.aulast=Stewart&rft.aufirst=Shelby&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chron.com%2Fculture%2Fmusic%2Farticle%2FThe-God-MC-Rakim-houston-Southern-hip-hop-rapper-16086689.php&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREF17_Allah2022" class="citation web cs1">17 Allah, Mal'akiy (March 3, 2022). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2022/03/03/the-god-mc-rakim-allah-commemorates-physicalday/">"The God MC, Rakim Allah, commemorates physicalday"</a>. <i>New York Amsterdam News</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 1,</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=New+York+Amsterdam+News&rft.atitle=The+God+MC%2C+Rakim+Allah%2C+commemorates+physicalday&rft.date=2022-03-03&rft.aulast=17+Allah&rft.aufirst=Mal%27akiy&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Famsterdamnews.com%2Fnews%2F2022%2F03%2F03%2Fthe-god-mc-rakim-allah-commemorates-physicalday%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span><span class="cs1-maint citation-comment"><code class="cs1-code">{{<a href="/wiki/Template:Cite_web" title="Template:Cite web">cite web</a>}}</code>: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (<a href="/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list" title="Category:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list">link</a>)</span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-15">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFStewart2021" class="citation web cs1">Stewart, Shelby (April 12, 2021). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.chron.com/culture/music/article/The-God-MC-Rakim-houston-Southern-hip-hop-rapper-16086689.php">"<span class="cs1-kern-left"></span>'The God MC' Rakim reflects on Southern hip-hop and the road ahead"</a>. <i>Chron.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">October 1,</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Chron.com&rft.atitle=%27The+God+MC%27+Rakim+reflects+on+Southern+hip-hop+and+the+road+ahead&rft.date=2021-04-12&rft.aulast=Stewart&rft.aufirst=Shelby&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chron.com%2Fculture%2Fmusic%2Farticle%2FThe-God-MC-Rakim-houston-Southern-hip-hop-rapper-16086689.php&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130319005549/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Eric-B-Rakim-Biography/3B889685EFA7D988482568A500200208">"Eric B. & Rakim Biography"</a>. Sing365.com. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Eric-B-Rakim-Biography/3B889685EFA7D988482568A500200208">the original</a> on March 19, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 5,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Eric+B.+%26+Rakim+Biography&rft.pub=Sing365.com&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sing365.com%2Fmusic%2Flyric.nsf%2FEric-B-Rakim-Biography%2F3B889685EFA7D988482568A500200208&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://rap.about.com/od/artist1/tp/GreatestRapDuos.htm">"10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time – Top 10 Hip-Hop Duos"</a>. Rap.about.com. June 23, 2013. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130515190317/http://rap.about.com/od/artist1/tp/GreatestRapDuos.htm">Archived</a> from the original on May 15, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 5,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=10+Greatest+Hip-Hop+Duos+of+All-Time+%E2%80%93+Top+10+Hip-Hop+Duos&rft.pub=Rap.about.com&rft.date=2013-06-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Frap.about.com%2Fod%2Fartist1%2Ftp%2FGreatestRapDuos.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Rockhall-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Rockhall_18-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://rockhall.com/pressroom/announcements/2012-nominees/">"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Nominees for Induction. Eric B is represented by Louis Gregory, aka Uncle Louie, who is the CEO of ULMG"</a>. ULMG.org. September 27, 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115548/https://rockhall.com/pressroom/announcements/2012-nominees/">Archived</a> from the original on September 5, 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">April 3,</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=The+Rock+and+Roll+Hall+of+Fame+Announces+2012+Nominees+for+Induction.+Eric+B+is+represented+by+Louis+Gregory%2C+aka+Uncle+Louie%2C+who+is+the+CEO+of+ULMG&rft.pub=ULMG.org&rft.date=2011-09-27&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Frockhall.com%2Fpressroom%2Fannouncements%2F2012-nominees%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-ogg-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-ogg_19-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-ogg_19-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-ogg_19-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-ogg_19-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Ogg, Alex (2002). <i>The Men Behind Def Jam: The Radical Rise of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin</i>. p. 105. Omnibus Press. <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7119-8873-0" title="Special:BookSources/0-7119-8873-0">0-7119-8873-0</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-charts-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-charts_20-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/r27822/charts-awards/billboard-single">Allmusic – "Paid in Full" > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles</a>". Allmusic. Accessed August 4, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-21">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Cobb (2006), p. 142.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-22">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://fatlacemagazine.uproxx.com/?p=1633">[1]</a><sup class="noprint Inline-Template"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot"><span title=" Dead link tagged June 2016">dead link</span></a></i><span style="visibility:hidden; color:transparent; padding-left:2px">‍</span>]</span></sup></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-23">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://crunkster.abstractdynamics.org/archives/003807.html">"CRUNKSTER: Traveling at the Speed of Thought"</a>. Crunkster.abstractdynamics.org. August 5, 2004. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110724220222/http://crunkster.abstractdynamics.org/archives/003807.html">Archived</a> from the original on July 24, 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">March 30,</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=CRUNKSTER%3A+Traveling+at+the+Speed+of+Thought&rft.pub=Crunkster.abstractdynamics.org&rft.date=2004-08-05&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fcrunkster.abstractdynamics.org%2Farchives%2F003807.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="http://www.nodfactor.com/2008/09/29/420">[2]</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110101125040/http://www.nodfactor.com/2008/09/29/420">Archived</a> January 1, 2011, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"Farley, Keith" <a rel="nofollow" class="external autonumber" href="https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-seduction-of-claude-debussy-mw0000239886">[3]</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032127/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-seduction-of-claude-debussy-mw0000239886">Archived</a> July 24, 2018, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a> <i>allmusic.com</i>. Retrieved July 23, 2018.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-26">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Elon Johnson and Heather Parry (October 27, 2000). "<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1428236/20001027/dr_dre.jhtml">Rakim Signs With Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091123190654/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1428236/20001027/dr_dre.jhtml">Archived</a> November 23, 2009, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>". <i><a href="/wiki/MTV" title="MTV">MTV</a></i>. Retrieved January 24, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-27">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thaformula.com/rakim_guess_whos_back_thaformula_music.html">Q & A w/ Rakim: Guess Who's Back?</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20071229225023/http://thaformula.com/rakim_guess_whos_back_thaformula_music.html">Archived</a> December 29, 2007, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>" <i>ThaFormula.com</i> (2005). Retrieved January 24, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-28">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er-epVq8e0U&feature=relmfu">"Rakim on why no Primo on album and why all MC features are from NY"</a>. YouTube. November 9, 2009. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140215074720/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er-epVq8e0U&feature=relmfu">Archived</a> from the original on February 15, 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">February 20,</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Rakim+on+why+no+Primo+on+album+and+why+all+MC+features+are+from+NY&rft.pub=YouTube&rft.date=2009-11-09&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEr-epVq8e0U%26feature%3Drelmfu&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFThompson2023" class="citation web cs1">Thompson, Paul (February 6, 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.theringer.com/rap/2023/2/6/23587236/50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-anniversary">"The Man and the Machine: On 20 Years of 50 Cent and 'Get Rich or Die Tryin<span class="nowrap" style="padding-left:0.1em;">'</span>'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <a href="/wiki/The_Ringer_(website)" title="The Ringer (website)">The Ringer</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">April 6,</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=The+Man+and+the+Machine%3A+On+20+Years+of+50+Cent+and+%27Get+Rich+or+Die+Tryin%27%27&rft.pub=The+Ringer&rft.date=2023-02-06&rft.aulast=Thompson&rft.aufirst=Paul&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theringer.com%2Frap%2F2023%2F2%2F6%2F23587236%2F50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-anniversary&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Mitter-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Mitter_30-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFMitter2006" class="citation news cs1">Mitter, Siddhartha (August 4, 2006). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20130131193606/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1089350041.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+04,+2006&author=Siddhartha+Mitter,+Globe+Correspondent&pub=Boston+Globe&desc=RAKIM:+IT'S+TIME+FOR+HIP-HOP+ARTISTS+TO+TAKE+STAND+AGAINST+VIOLENCE&pqatl=google">"Rakim: It's Time for Hip-Hop Artists to Take a Stand Against Violence"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_Boston_Globe" title="The Boston Globe">The Boston Globe</a></i>. p. D.17. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1089350041.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+04%2C+2006&author=Siddhartha+Mitter%2C+Globe+Correspondent&pub=Boston+Globe&desc=RAKIM%3A+IT%27S+TIME+FOR+HIP-HOP+ARTISTS+TO+TAKE+STAND+AGAINST+VIOLENCE&pqatl=google">the original</a> on January 31, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">May 1,</span> 2012</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Boston+Globe&rft.atitle=Rakim%3A+It%27s+Time+for+Hip-Hop+Artists+to+Take+a+Stand+Against+Violence&rft.pages=D.17&rft.date=2006-08-04&rft.aulast=Mitter&rft.aufirst=Siddhartha&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fpqasb.pqarchiver.com%2Fboston%2Faccess%2F1089350041.html%3FFMT%3DABS%26FMTS%3DABS%3AFT%26type%3Dcurrent%26date%3DAug%2B04%252C%2B2006%26author%3DSiddhartha%2BMitter%252C%2BGlobe%2BCorrespondent%26pub%3DBoston%2BGlobe%26desc%3DRAKIM%253A%2BIT%2527S%2BTIME%2BFOR%2BHIP-HOP%2BARTISTS%2BTO%2BTAKE%2BSTAND%2BAGAINST%2BVIOLENCE%26pqatl%3Dgoogle&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7Seal-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-7Seal_31-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-7Seal_31-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048255/rakim-wrapping-new-cd-touring-with-ghostface">"Rakim Wrapping New CD, Touring With Ghostface"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/About.com" class="mw-redirect" title="About.com">About.com</a></i>. Henry Adaso. July 10, 2011. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160411152445/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048255/rakim-wrapping-new-cd-touring-with-ghostface">Archived</a> from the original on April 11, 2016<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 13,</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=About.com&rft.atitle=Rakim+Wrapping+New+CD%2C+Touring+With+Ghostface&rft.date=2011-07-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Farticles%2Fnews%2F1048255%2Frakim-wrapping-new-cd-touring-with-ghostface&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-billboardnews-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-billboardnews_32-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFMitchell2009" class="citation magazine cs1">Mitchell, Gail (July 13, 2009). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268107/rakim-ready-to-release-the-seventh-seal">"Rakim Ready To Release 'The Seventh Seal'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Billboard_(magazine)" title="Billboard (magazine)">Billboard</a></i>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20151129115715/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268107/rakim-ready-to-release-the-seventh-seal">Archived</a> from the original on November 29, 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">July 13,</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Billboard&rft.atitle=Rakim+Ready+To+Release+%27The+Seventh+Seal%27&rft.date=2009-07-13&rft.aulast=Mitchell&rft.aufirst=Gail&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.billboard.com%2Farticles%2Fnews%2F268107%2Frakim-ready-to-release-the-seventh-seal&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20130125130700/http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/RAKIM-Drops-Holy-Are-You-hip-hop-9362.html">"Hip-Hop Legend RAKIM Drops "Holy Are You" On July 28, 2009. Lead Single From Long Awaited Album THE SEVENTH SEAL"</a>. July 18, 2003. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/RAKIM-Drops-Holy-Are-You-hip-hop-9362.html">the original</a> on January 25, 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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HipHopDX. Retrieved on November 25, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Meta-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Meta_36-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/rakim/seventhseal"><i>The Seventh Seal</i> (2009): Reviews</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201031120642/https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-seventh-seal/rakim">Archived</a> October 31, 2020, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>. <a href="/wiki/Metacritic" title="Metacritic">Metacritic</a>. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 19,</span> 2017</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Mass+Appeal&rft.atitle=Quasimoto%2C+Madlib%27s+Alter-Ego%2C+Announces+New+Album+With+Eric+B+%26+Rakim+in+2017&rft.date=2016-10-25&rft.aulast=Nixon&rft.aufirst=Khari&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fmassappeal.com%2Fquasimoto-madlibs-alter-ego-announces-new-album-with-eric-b-rakim-in-2017%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-44">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47411/title.rakim-performs-kings-paradise-some-classics-for-npr-tiny-desk-concert">"Rakim Performs "King's Paradise" & Some Classics For NPR Tiny Desk Concert"</a>. hiphopdx.com. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">June 26,</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Rakim+Performs+%22King%27s+Paradise%22+%26+Some+Classics+For+NPR+Tiny+Desk+Concert&rft.pub=hiphopdx.com&rft.date=2018-06-25&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fhiphopdx.com%2Fnews%2Fid.47411%2Ftitle.rakim-performs-kings-paradise-some-classics-for-npr-tiny-desk-concert&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-45">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Xtx5sOuPR/&img_index=1">"1st single + video "REB7RTH" featuring @official_kurupt x @mastakillamusic (featuring x produced by: @thegodrakim) drops June 21st"</a>. 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"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/01/AR2006100101132.html">A Stop-and-Go Hip-Hop Show</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131619/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/01/AR2006100101132.html">Archived</a> December 1, 2017, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>". <i>The Washington Post</i>. Accessed September 5, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Ratliff-51"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Ratliff_51-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Ratliff, Ben. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEEDB1E3DF93BA25751C1A96E958260">Review: <i>Paid in Full</i></a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20081202184609/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEEDB1E3DF93BA25751C1A96E958260">Archived</a> December 2, 2008, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/The_New_York_Times" title="The New York Times">The New York Times</a></i>. Retrieved on October 19, 2009.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-allmusic-52"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-allmusic_52-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-allmusic_52-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Huey, Steve. "<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p116720/biography">allmusic Rakim > Biography</a>". Allmusic. Accessed September 5, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-light-53"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-light_53-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Light, Alan (November 13, 2006). "<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/0,27693,Paid_in_Full,00.html">The All-TIME 100 Albums</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20101104202741/http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/0,27693,Paid_in_Full,00.html">Archived</a> November 4, 2010, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>". <i>Time</i> magazine. Accessed September 29, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-mtv-54"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-mtv_54-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-mtv_54-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">"<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml">MTV.com: The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130719045814/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml">Archived</a> July 19, 2013, at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>". MTV (2005). Accessed July 15, 2008.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-taylor-55"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-taylor_55-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Taylor, Steve (2004). <i>The A to X of Alternative Music</i>. p. 20. 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Accessed September 5, 2008.</span> </li> </ol></div></div> <p><b>Sources</b> </p> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239549316">.mw-parser-output .refbegin{margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul{margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{margin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul li{list-style:none}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{padding-left:1.6em;text-indent:-1.6em}}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .refbegin{font-size:90%}}</style><div class="refbegin" style=""> <ul><li>Cobb, William Jelani (2006). <i>To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic</i>. New York University Press. <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8147-1670-9" title="Special:BookSources/0-8147-1670-9">0-8147-1670-9</a>.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFKool_Moe_Dee2003" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Kool_Moe_Dee" title="Kool Moe Dee">Kool Moe Dee</a>; et al. (November 2003). <a href="/wiki/There%27s_A_God_On_The_Mic" class="mw-redirect" title="There's A God On The Mic"><i>There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs</i></a>. Thunder's Mouth Press. p. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781560255338/page/224">224</a>. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-56025-533-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-56025-533-8"><bdi>978-1-56025-533-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=There%27s+A+God+On+The+Mic%3A+The+True+50+Greatest+MCs&rft.pages=224&rft.pub=Thunder%27s+Mouth+Press&rft.date=2003-11&rft.isbn=978-1-56025-533-8&rft.au=Kool+Moe+Dee&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul> </div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Further_reading">Further reading</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Further reading"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222" /><cite id="CITEREFRakimBakari_Kitwana2020" class="citation book cs1">Rakim; Bakari Kitwana (2020). <i>Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius</i>. Amistad Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-0628-5024-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-0628-5024-9"><bdi>978-0-0628-5024-9</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Sweat+the+Technique%3A+Revelations+on+Creativity+from+the+Lyrical+Genius&rft.pub=Amistad+Press&rft.date=2020&rft.isbn=978-0-0628-5024-9&rft.au=Rakim&rft.au=Bakari+Kitwana&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ARakim" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Rakim&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1235681985">.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:var(--background-color-interactive-subtle,#f8f9fa);display:flow-root}.mw-parser-output .side-box-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{padding:0.25em 0.9em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-image{padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-imageright{padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .side-box-flex{display:flex;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{flex:1;min-width:0}}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .side-box{width:238px}.mw-parser-output .side-box-right{clear:right;float:right;margin-left:1em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-left{margin-right:1em}}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1237033735">@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .sistersitebox{display:none!important}}@media 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plainlist">Wikimedia Commons has media related to <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rakim" class="extiw" title="commons:Category:Rakim">Rakim</a></span>.</div></div> </div> <ul><li><span class="official-website"><span class="url"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://thegodrakim.com">Official website</a></span></span></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0707582/">Rakim</a> at <a href="/wiki/IMDb_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="IMDb (identifier)">IMDb</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p116720">Rakim</a> at <a href="/wiki/AllMusic_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="AllMusic (identifier)">AllMusic</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.discogs.com/artist/Rakim">Rakim</a> discography at <a href="/wiki/Discogs" title="Discogs">Discogs</a></li></ul> <div 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.navbox-musical-artist .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-musical-artist .navbox-abovebelow{background-color:var(--background-color-neutral,#eaecf0)}html.skin-theme-clienpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbox-musical-artist .navbox-title{background-color:inherit}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clienpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbox-musical-artist .navbox-title{background-color:inherit}}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox navbox-musical-artist navbox-musical-artist-solo" aria-labelledby="Rakim71" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks vcard mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374" /><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239400231">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Rakim" title="Template:Rakim"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Rakim" title="Template talk:Rakim"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Rakim" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Rakim"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Rakim71" class="fn" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Rakim</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Solo albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/The_18th_Letter" title="The 18th Letter">The 18th Letter</a></i> (1997)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Master_(Rakim_album)" title="The Master (Rakim album)">The Master</a></i> (1999)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Archive:_Live,_Lost_%26_Found" title="The Archive: Live, Lost & Found">The Archive: Live, Lost & Found</a></i> (2008)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/The_Seventh_Seal_(Rakim_album)" title="The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)">The Seventh Seal</a></i> (2009)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Eric B. & Rakim">Eric B. & Rakim</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(album)" title="Paid in Full (album)">Paid in Full</a></i> (1987)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Follow_the_Leader_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_album)" title="Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)">Follow the Leader</a></i> (1988)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Let_the_Rhythm_Hit_%27Em" title="Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em">Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em</a></i> (1990)</li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Don%27t_Sweat_the_Technique" title="Don't Sweat the Technique">Don't Sweat the Technique</a></i> (1992)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Featured singles</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/Guilty_All_the_Same" title="Guilty All the Same">Guilty All the Same</a>"</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Related articles</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Rakim_discography" title="Rakim discography">Discography</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374" /><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235" /><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1256394678" /></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox navbox-musical-artist navbox-musical-artist-group" aria-labelledby="Eric_B._&amp;_Rakim104" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks vcard hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374" /><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231" /><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Template:Eric B. & Rakim"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Template talk:Eric B. & Rakim"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Eric B. & Rakim"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Eric_B._&amp;_Rakim104" class="fn org" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim" title="Eric B. & Rakim">Eric B. & Rakim</a></div></th></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div> <ul><li><b><a href="/wiki/Eric_B." title="Eric B.">Eric B.</a></b></li> <li><b><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Rakim</a></b></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Studio albums</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(album)" title="Paid in Full (album)">Paid in Full</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Follow_the_Leader_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_album)" title="Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)">Follow the Leader</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Let_the_Rhythm_Hit_%27Em" title="Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em">Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Don%27t_Sweat_the_Technique" title="Don't Sweat the Technique">Don't Sweat the Technique</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Compilations</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><i><a href="/wiki/Classic_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_album)" title="Classic (Eric B. & Rakim album)">Classic</a></i></li> <li><i><a href="/wiki/Gold_(Eric_B_%26_Rakim_album)" class="mw-redirect" title="Gold (Eric B & Rakim album)">Gold</a></i></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Singles</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li>"<a href="/wiki/Eric_B._Is_President" title="Eric B. Is President">Eric B. Is President</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Ain%27t_No_Joke" title="I Ain't No Joke">I Ain't No Joke</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/I_Know_You_Got_Soul_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_song)" title="I Know You Got Soul (Eric B. & Rakim song)">I Know You Got Soul</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Paid_in_Full_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_song)" title="Paid in Full (Eric B. & Rakim song)">Paid in Full</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Follow_the_Leader_(Eric_B._%26_Rakim_song)" title="Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim song)">Follow the Leader</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Microphone_Fiend" title="Microphone Fiend">Microphone Fiend</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Don%27t_Sweat_the_Technique_(song)" title="Don't Sweat the Technique (song)">Don't Sweat the Technique</a>"</li> <li>"<a href="/wiki/Know_the_Ledge" title="Know the Ledge">Know the Ledge</a>"</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Related articles</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Eric_B._%26_Rakim_discography" title="Eric B. & Rakim discography">Eric B. & Rakim discography</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rakim_discography" title="Rakim discography">Rakim discography</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374" /><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235" /><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1038841319">.mw-parser-output .tooltip-dotted{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox authority-control" aria-labelledby="Authority_control_databases_frameless&#124;text-top&#124;10px&#124;alt=Edit_this_at_Wikidata&#124;link=https&#58;//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q364214#identifiers&#124;class=noprint&#124;Edit_this_at_Wikidata1524" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><div id="Authority_control_databases_frameless&#124;text-top&#124;10px&#124;alt=Edit_this_at_Wikidata&#124;link=https&#58;//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q364214#identifiers&#124;class=noprint&#124;Edit_this_at_Wikidata1524" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Help:Authority_control" title="Help:Authority control">Authority control databases</a> <span class="mw-valign-text-top noprint" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q364214#identifiers" title="Edit this at Wikidata"><img alt="Edit this at Wikidata" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/10px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png" decoding="async" width="10" height="10" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/15px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/8a/OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg/20px-OOjs_UI_icon_edit-ltr-progressive.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="20" data-file-height="20" /></a></span></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">International</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"><ul><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://isni.org/isni/0000000118505494">ISNI</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://viaf.org/viaf/87336422">VIAF</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://id.oclc.org/worldcat/entity/E39PBJx8BC8qHj7pHbJwrDcQMP">WorldCat</a></span></li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">National</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"><ul><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://d-nb.info/gnd/135065615">Germany</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n92010703">United States</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb13952003p">France</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb13952003p">BnF data</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><span class="rt-commentedText tooltip tooltip-dotted" title="Rakim"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://aleph.nkp.cz/F/?func=find-c&local_base=aut&ccl_term=ica=osa20231179738&CON_LNG=ENG">Czech Republic</a></span></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://datos.bne.es/resource/XX1603074">Spain</a></span></li><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:au:finaf:000209978">Finland</a></span></li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Artists</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"><ul><li><span class="uid"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://musicbrainz.org/artist/2792b097-0b1d-4c50-97f6-f7f097f86438">MusicBrainz</a></span></li></ul></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://auth.wikimedia.org/loginwiki/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?useformat=desktop&type=1x1&usesul3=1" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" 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(state)">Rappers from New York (state)</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Universal_Records_artists" title="Category:Universal Records artists">Universal Records artists</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Songwriters_from_New_York_(state)" title="Category:Songwriters from New York (state)">Songwriters from New York (state)</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:21st-century_American_rappers" title="Category:21st-century American rappers">21st-century American rappers</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:21st-century_American_male_musicians" title="Category:21st-century American male musicians">21st-century American male musicians</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:21st-century_African-American_musicians" title="Category:21st-century African-American musicians">21st-century African-American musicians</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:20th-century_African-American_musicians" title="Category:20th-century African-American musicians">20th-century African-American musicians</a></li><li><a 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