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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.
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621:, 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
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from 1986 to 1994. From that point on, anybody emceeing was forced to focus on their flow." 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!" He adds that while Rakim upgraded and popularized the focus on flow, "he didn't invent the word".
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Ben
Ratliff wrote that Rakim's "unblustery rapping developed the form beyond the flat-footed rhythms of schoolyard rhymes". 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
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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
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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". The album is broken down track-by-track by Rakim in Brian Coleman's book
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Artists and critics often credit Rakim with creating the overall shift from the more simplistic old school flows to more complex flows. Kool Moe Dee says, "any emcee that came after 1986 had to study Rakim just to know what to be able to do. Rakim, in 1986, gave us flow and that was the rhyme style
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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."
909:. 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
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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". The rappers who have used the unique rapping style employed by Rakim and attribute it as inspiration include
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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.
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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
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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. Rakim was able to retain the tracks he had made with Dr. Dre and, in 2006, announced that he would release a new studio album,
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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".
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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:
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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!"
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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". Allmusic's Steve Huey declared
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Allah. He also chose to use “Rakim Allah” as his stage name, although it was most often shortened to simply “Rakim”. During his career he has been nicknamed the "God MC" because of his acclaimed status as an MC and a reference to the
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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." Rakim's relaxed delivery results from his
764:. 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 "
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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,
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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
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967:, 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. He performed at the annual
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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".
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After his 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
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Rakim is considered a transformative figure in hip hop for raising the bar for MC technique higher than it had ever been. Rakim helped to pioneer the use of
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1947:"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"
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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
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The number 7 has a lot of significance. The seventh letter of the alphabet is G—that stands for God. There are seven continents, seven seas.
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and that while the vocabulary and lyrical dexterity of newer rappers had improved, it was "nowhere near what Rakim introduced to the genre".
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one of hip hop's most influential albums and "essential listening" for those interested in the genre's "basic musical foundations".
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ranked them as No. 4 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time. They were nominated for induction into the
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working on a new album set to be released in 2013, saying the first single will be released before the end of the year.
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writer Jess
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s 100 Best Rap Albums. The back cover features a dedication to the memories of Rakim's father
William and producer
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in 1988. Featuring a broader spectrum of sounds than the James Brown samples that had defined the initial release,
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2304:"Hip-Hop Legend RAKIM Drops "Holy Are You" On July 28, 2009. Lead Single From Long Awaited Album THE SEVENTH SEAL"
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Rakim's rhyming deviated from the simple rhyme patterns of early 1980s hip hop. His free-rhythm style ignored
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received generally mixed or average reviews from most music critics; it holds an aggregate score of 59/100 at
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in 2006, while Rakim himself was ranked No. 4 on MTV's list of the Greatest MCs of All Time. Steve Huey of
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In 2012, Rakim announced that he and Eric B. would release a 25th anniversary edition of their 1987 album
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Rakim's subject matter often covered his own rapping skills and lyrical superiority over other rappers.
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After Rakim responded to Eric B.'s search for "New York's top MC", Eric B.'s friend and roommate
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as "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period", while the editors of
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was released on November 17, 2009, after several delays on Rakim's own Ra Records, TVM, and
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editor Steve Huey comments that "the majority of his lyrics concern his own skills and his
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stated that "Rakim is near-universally acknowledged as one of the greatest MCs – perhaps
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2471:"The Roots Recap: The Kings Of The Picnic Bring Out Rakim, Wale, Danny Brown and Beyond"
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2650:"NEW SELF PRODUCED RAKIM ALBUM, 'G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH)' SCHEDULED TO DROP IN JULY"
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ranked him No. 2 on their list of the 'Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)'. In 2012,
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2572:"Quasimoto, Madlib's Alter-Ego, Announces New Album With Eric B & Rakim in 2017"
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1198:, literate imagery, velvet-smooth flow, and unpredictable, off-the-beat rhythms."
1016:, was somewhat of a conscious album. I wanted to make a statement on that album."
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and its remix (which featured a different Rakim verse from the main version), the
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was released. Expectations were high for Rakim, as the album debuted at #4 on the
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2602:"Rakim Performs "King's Paradise" & Some Classics For NPR Tiny Desk Concert"
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for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States. Released during
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In 2014, Rakim is featured on the collaborative single with American rock band
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in New York City, in honor of the album's 25th anniversary. He was backed by
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This article is about the American rapper. For other people named Rakim, see
2020:
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2174:"The Man and the Machine: On 20 Years of 50 Cent and 'Get Rich or Die Tryin
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The Men Behind Def Jam: The Radical Rise of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin
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magazine included the album in its "500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die".
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and himself with the upcoming release of a single on June 21, 2024 titled
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and wrote his first rhyme at seven years old, about the cartoon character
3256:". Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed September 5, 2008.
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Allmusic – "Paid in Full" > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles
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than Eric B. & Rakim's debut album and reached number 22 on the U.S.
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2204:"Rakim: It's Time for Hip-Hop Artists to Take a Stand Against Violence"
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Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius
3069:'Hip-Hop Nation' Is Exhibit A for America's Latest Cultural Revolution
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ranked him No. 1 on their list of the "Top 50 Lyricists of All Time".
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allowed them to use his home studio. The first tracks they recorded—"
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greatest – of all time within the hip-hop community". The editors of
2147:"Rakim on why no Primo on album and why all MC features are from NY"
1870:"'The God MC' Rakim reflects on Southern hip-hop and the road ahead"
1802:"'The God MC' Rakim reflects on Southern hip-hop and the road ahead"
1663:"The Source's Top 50 Lyricists Of All Time **Complete List Inside**"
1637:"Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987–2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time"
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2721:"Rakim on His First Album in 15 Years 'The God's Network: Reb7rth'"
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In 1992, Eric B & Rakim released their fourth and final album,
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3206:"Bridging Rap's Generational Divide: An Interview With YBN Cordae"
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In late-June 2018, a new song, "King's Paradise", was released on
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completed his work. Neither receive credit in the album's notes.
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that his rapping had "stepped outside" of the preceding era of
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On September 24, 2013, he released a collaborative single with
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faith." He also notes Rakim for his "complex internal rhymes,
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record label in 2000, for work on an album tentatively titled
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William Michael Griffin Jr. was born on January 28, 1968, in
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2444:"Eric B. & Rakim to Re-Release Paid in Full Album – XXL"
1921:"10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time – Top 10 Hip-Hop Duos"
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2672:"Rakim, The God MC, To Drop New Album After 15-Year Hiatus"
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To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic
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as the first single from their sixth studio album, titled
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chart and produced five singles: "Eric B. Is President", "
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in 2011, although they did not make the final selection.
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1993–2003: Legal issues, solo debut, and Aftermath stint
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239:(born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name
1777:. Vol. 6, no. 11. San Francisco. p. 56.
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3004:"Eric B & Rakim: Paid in Full / Follow the Leader"
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Rakim at the B.B. Kings in New York, November 25, 2006
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material, while Dr. Dre was encouraging him to pursue
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was indefinitely shelved. After Rakim eventually left
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Darby, Derrick; Shelby, Tommie; West, Cornel (2005).
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On July 7, 1987, the duo released their debut album,
428:(also known as the 5 Percent Nation) and adopted the
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Recordings View ; A Rap Pioneer Defies the Odds
2927:". ThaFormula.com (2005). Accessed October 29, 2008.
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Elon Johnson and Heather Parry (October 27, 2000). "
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was released during the period that became known as
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wrote of the album's significance, "On the heels of
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magazine (April 2003). Accessed September 24, 2008.
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2410:"Rakim, Backed By The Roots, Revisits Paid In Full"
1830:"The God MC, Rakim Allah, commemorates physicalday"
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3292:There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs
2034:. Crunkster.abstractdynamics.org. August 5, 2004.
685:Rakim performing in Hamburg, Germany, June 3, 1998
437:" in his stage name, which is the Arabic word for
1120:lines and had earned comparisons to jazz pianist
1049:. Rakim performed the song for the first time on
720:In June 1999, Rakim appeared on three tracks of "
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3195:". Pitchfork Media. Accessed September 29, 2008.
2847:MTV.com: The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time
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2239:"Rakim Wrapping New CD, Touring With Ghostface"
1046:Luke Cage: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Album)
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2886:Jarenwattananon, Patrick (November 23, 2009).
2360:Hip Hop Album Sales the Week Ending 11/22/2009
2032:"CRUNKSTER: Traveling at the Speed of Thought"
999:". The song was released on March 6, 2014, by
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836:Rakim at Cat's Cradle in North Carolina, 2006
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2097:Rakim Signs With Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records
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627:. In 1998, the album was selected as one of
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272:), is an American rapper. He is one half of
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3151:(November 1, 2003). Accessed July 15, 2008.
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2369:. HipHopDX. Retrieved on November 25, 2009.
2272:"Rakim Ready To Release 'The Seventh Seal'"
1853:: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (
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304:(1992). He also released four solo albums:
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793:However, Rakim left the label in 2003 and
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38:
3236:". MTV (2006). Accessed October 28, 2008.
2749:Freedom duLac, Josh. (October 2, 2006). "
1750:"Rap Legend Rakim Reveals His NFL Dreams"
1551:"The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time"
1355:Recording Industry Association of America
699:and began recording his solo debut album
585:Recording Industry Association of America
506:heard the single, the duo were signed to
2809:". Allmusic. Accessed September 5, 2008.
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2331:"Details Emerge On Rakim's Seventh Seal"
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3247:RIAA Searchable Database – Paid in Full
3127:. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.
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2888:"The Microphone Fiend On John Coltrane"
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2541:"Rakim Is Working On a New Album – XXL"
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1799:
1712:
1474:
977:he announced he was in the studio with
941:2011–present: Reunion with Eric B. and
859:in 2007, when asked about story behind
3762:
3096:Ehrlich, Dimitri (December 7, 1997). "
3082:magazine. Accessed September 25, 2008.
2977:Hip Hop and Philosophy: Rhyme 2 Reason
2859:
2856:". MTV (2005). Accessed July 15, 2008.
2841:
2839:
2833:magazine. Accessed September 29, 2008.
2712:
2407:
2284:from the original on November 29, 2015
2201:
2195:
2153:from the original on February 15, 2014
1992:
1974:
1972:
1970:
1968:
1953:from the original on September 5, 2015
1766:
1687:
420:Rakim was initially introduced to the
3549:
3387:
3227:MTV.com: The Greatest MCs Of All Time
3184:Chennault, Sam (November 20, 2002). "
2812:
2740:
2569:
2450:from the original on December 8, 2012
2328:
2228:
2202:Mitter, Siddhartha (August 4, 2006).
2123:Q & A w/ Rakim: Guess Who's Back?
2002:". Allmusic. Accessed August 4, 2008.
1643:from the original on January 17, 2013
1617:from the original on January 10, 2012
1600:
1598:
1353:and many more. On July 11, 1995, the
1272:magazine listed it at number 227 on "
705:in 1996. In November 1997, the album
612:1990–92: Final albums and dissolution
514:'s Power Play Studios in early 1987.
480:1986–87: Beginnings and classic debut
280:, with whom he released four albums:
3850:21st-century American male musicians
3026:
2551:from the original on August 24, 2017
2468:
2372:
1828:17 Allah, Mal'akiy (March 3, 2022).
1781:from the original on January 8, 2014
531:. The album peaked at No. 58 on the
3446:The Archive: Live, Lost & Found
3067:Karon, Tony (September 22, 2000). "
3001:
2836:
2718:
2481:from the original on August 6, 2012
2251:from the original on April 11, 2016
2172:Thompson, Paul (February 6, 2023).
2136:(2005). Retrieved January 24, 2008.
1965:
1730:from the original on April 15, 2019
1700:from the original on April 28, 2019
1639:. Rap.about.com. January 26, 2012.
1274:The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
1219:. Alex Ogg considered it the duo's
850:The Archive: Live, Lost & Found
13:
3315:
2918:Q & A w/ Rakim: Lyrics of Fury
2818:Light, Alan (November 13, 2006). "
2608:from the original on June 26, 2018
2521:from the original on March 4, 2016
2341:from the original on March 3, 2014
2329:Paine, Jake (September 24, 2003).
2038:from the original on July 24, 2011
1868:Stewart, Shelby (April 12, 2021).
1800:Stewart, Shelby (April 12, 2021).
1681:
1595:
1142:. Unlike previous rappers such as
776:-produced "The Watcher Part 2" by
410:on his high school football team.
14:
3876:
3840:Songwriters from New York (state)
3341:
3295:. Thunder's Mouth Press. p.
3215:– via Pigeons & Planes.
3125:: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies
2570:Nixon, Khari (October 25, 2016).
2395:. Retrieved on November 25, 2009.
1927:from the original on May 15, 2013
1767:Ahearn, Charlie (February 1991).
743:In November 1999, Rakim released
510:and began recording the album in
3046:. Retrieved on October 19, 2009.
2979:. p. 42. Open Court Publishing.
2898:from the original on May 3, 2012
2793:. Retrieved on October 19, 2009.
2270:Mitchell, Gail (July 13, 2009).
1949:. ULMG.org. September 27, 2011.
1923:. Rap.about.com. June 23, 2013.
1604:
1493:
1375:
853:, in 2008. In an interview with
450:Pairing with Eric B. (1985–1992)
245:
3825:People from Wyandanch, New York
3795:Aftermath Entertainment artists
3744:Eric B. & Rakim discography
3289:; et al. (November 2003).
3239:
3219:
3198:
3178:
3154:
3130:
3114:
3061:
2969:
2910:
2879:
2867:The A to X of Alternative Music
2690:
2664:
2642:
2620:
2604:. hiphopdx.com. June 25, 2018.
2594:
2563:
2533:
2503:
2462:
2436:
2408:Blanco, Alvin (June 23, 2011).
2353:
2306:. July 18, 2003. Archived from
2296:
2165:
2139:
2115:
2089:
2067:
2050:
2024:
2014:
2005:
1913:
1895:"Eric B. & Rakim Biography"
1887:
1861:
1821:
1793:
1760:
1742:
1108:was released on July 26, 2024.
722:The Seduction of Claude Debussy
386:. He is the nephew of the late
3322:Rakim; Bakari Kitwana (2020).
2469:Sims, Seandra (June 5, 2012).
2247:. Henry Adaso. July 10, 2011.
2212:. p. D.17. Archived from
1665:. ThisIs50.com. Archived from
1655:
1629:
1577:"The Greatest MCs Of All Time"
1569:
1543:
1364:
1171:influences; he had played the
713:and was certified Gold by the
1:
3845:21st-century American rappers
3830:Rappers from New York (state)
3780:African-American male rappers
3274:. New York University Press.
3270:Cobb, William Jelani (2006).
3162:500 CDs You Must Own: Hip-Hop
2807:allmusic Rakim > Biography
2764:. Accessed September 5, 2008.
2149:. YouTube. November 9, 2009.
2112:. Retrieved January 24, 2008.
1897:. Sing365.com. Archived from
1467:
655:" first appeared in the film
579:chart. It has been certified
426:The Nation of Gods and Earths
394:. He grew up in Wyandanch on
377:
3800:East Coast hip hop musicians
3790:African-American songwriters
2719:Gee, Andre (July 26, 2024).
2446:. Xxlmag.com. June 6, 2012.
7:
3186:Top 100 Albums of the 1980s
2365:September 22, 2012, at the
1769:"The Five Percent Solution"
1456:
1357:(RIAA) certified the album
1111:
237:William Michael Griffin Jr.
60:William Michael Griffin Jr.
16:American rapper (born 1968)
10:
3881:
3074:November 27, 2010, at the
2751:A Stop-and-Go Hip-Hop Show
2128:December 29, 2007, at the
2102:November 23, 2009, at the
2086:. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
1460:
1368:
1076:teased an image of Rakim,
988:entitled "Don't Call Me".
879:In another interview with
674:
666:Solo-career (1993–present)
557:
546:", "Move the Crowd", and "
483:
474:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
453:
18:
3865:American male songwriters
3835:Universal Records artists
3736:
3720:Don't Sweat the Technique
3669:
3644:
3635:Don't Sweat the Technique
3605:
3583:
3527:
3509:
3499:Don't Sweat the Technique
3464:
3421:
3413:
3252:October 19, 2015, at the
3111:. Accessed July 16, 2008.
3103:December 2, 2008, at the
2825:November 4, 2010, at the
2783:December 2, 2008, at the
2756:December 1, 2017, at the
2700:. Instagram. May 29, 2024
2630:. Instagram. May 16, 2024
2387:October 31, 2020, at the
1982:. p. 105. Omnibus Press.
1449:Don't Sweat the Technique
1411:G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth
1207:
1106:G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth
1086:G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth
1057:series along with former
948:In 2011, Rakim performed
943:G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth
648:Don't Sweat the Technique
444:
424:in 1986; he later joined
324:G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth
301:Don't Sweat the Technique
217:
213:
203:
154:
144:
124:
114:
91:
64:
54:
49:
37:
30:
3805:Hardcore hip hop artists
2061:January 1, 2011, at the
1418:With Eric B. & Rakim
901:and distributed through
3167:August 9, 2008, at the
3143:April 12, 2010, at the
2820:The All-TIME 100 Albums
1834:New York Amsterdam News
952:in its entirety at the
799:Aftermath Entertainment
758:Aftermath Entertainment
554:1988–89: Sophomore peak
529:4th & B'way Records
348:was named the greatest
3815:Island Records artists
3628:Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
3491:Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
3232:April 2, 2010, at the
3191:April 2, 2008, at the
2923:July 16, 2011, at the
2865:Taylor, Steve (2004).
2852:July 19, 2013, at the
2517:. September 24, 2013.
2079:July 24, 2018, at the
1441:Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
1225:The Men Behind Def Jam
974:The Detroit Free Press
892:
877:
837:
829:
686:
618:Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
589:hip hop's "golden age"
295:Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
50:Background information
3785:American male rappers
2582:on September 21, 2017
1726:. November 21, 2009.
907:Universal Music Group
887:
868:
866:s title, Rakim said,
835:
827:
684:
675:Further information:
558:Further information:
484:Further information:
352:album of all time by
3678:Eric B. Is President
3014:on December 25, 2008
2011:Cobb (2006), p. 142.
1669:on December 31, 2013
1339:The Notorious B.I.G.
1237:To the Break of Dawn
1140:multisyllabic rhymes
1063:Ali Shaheed Muhammad
1059:A Tribe Called Quest
1001:Warner Bros. Records
929:. Upon its release,
885:in 2009, he stated,
813:narratives instead.
752:Rakim was signed to
568:performed better on
496:Eric B. Is President
486:Paid in Full (album)
335:multisyllabic rhymes
3820:MCA Records artists
3692:I Know You Got Soul
3577:Eric B. & Rakim
3518:Guilty All the Same
3466:Eric B. & Rakim
3123:Check The Technique
2762:The Washington Post
2424:on October 14, 2013
2310:on January 25, 2013
2216:on January 31, 2013
1754:theshadowleague.com
1463:Eric B. & Rakim
1263:Check the Technique
1235:stated in his book
1233:William Jelani Cobb
997:Guilty All the Same
954:Blue Note Jazz Club
593:William Jelani Cobb
544:I Know You Got Soul
456:Eric B. & Rakim
390:singer and actress
384:Wyandanch, New York
278:Eric B. & Rakim
208:Eric B. & Rakim
108:Wyandanch, New York
3109:The New York Times
2790:The New York Times
1978:Ogg, Alex (2002).
1245:The New York Times
1241:old school hip hop
1229:East Coast hip hop
1217:golden age hip hop
1127:The New York Times
1055:Tiny Desk Concerts
838:
830:
687:
527:-subsidiary label
500:Def Jam Recordings
274:golden age hip hop
3757:
3756:
3749:Rakim discography
3706:Follow the Leader
3621:Follow the Leader
3543:
3542:
3483:Follow the Leader
3333:978-0-0628-5024-9
3326:. Amistad Press.
3306:978-1-56025-533-8
3058:Cobb (2006), 142.
2964:Kool Moe Dee 2003
2952:Kool Moe Dee 2003
2940:Kool Moe Dee 2003
1901:on March 19, 2013
1756:. March 13, 2020.
1583:on April 18, 2012
1538:Kool Moe Dee 2003
1523:Kool Moe Dee 2003
1496:"Rakim Biography"
1433:Follow the Leader
1371:Rakim discography
1006:The Hunting Party
979:Pharrell Williams
697:Universal Records
605:Follow the Leader
601:Follow the Leader
566:Follow the Leader
430:Arabic name Rakim
289:Follow the Leader
231:
230:
149:Rakim discography
3872:
3737:Related articles
3713:Microphone Fiend
3570:
3563:
3556:
3547:
3546:
3528:Related articles
3510:Featured singles
3454:The Seventh Seal
3408:
3401:
3394:
3385:
3384:
3353:
3352:
3350:Official website
3337:
3310:
3257:
3243:
3237:
3223:
3217:
3216:
3214:
3212:
3202:
3196:
3182:
3176:
3158:
3152:
3138:227 Paid in Full
3134:
3128:
3120:Coleman, Brian.
3118:
3112:
3094:
3083:
3065:
3059:
3056:
3047:
3033:
3024:
3023:
3021:
3019:
3010:. Archived from
2999:
2988:
2973:
2967:
2961:
2955:
2949:
2943:
2937:
2928:
2914:
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2635:
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2598:
2592:
2591:
2589:
2587:
2578:. Archived from
2567:
2561:
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2558:
2556:
2537:
2531:
2530:
2528:
2526:
2507:
2501:
2497:
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2486:
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2460:
2459:
2457:
2455:
2440:
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2431:
2429:
2420:. Archived from
2405:
2396:
2380:The Seventh Seal
2376:
2370:
2357:
2351:
2350:
2348:
2346:
2326:
2320:
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2317:
2315:
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2261:
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2256:
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2209:The Boston Globe
2199:
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2177:
2169:
2163:
2162:
2160:
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2143:
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2093:
2087:
2073:"Farley, Keith"
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2018:
2012:
2009:
2003:
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1593:
1592:
1590:
1588:
1573:
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1564:
1562:
1557:on July 19, 2013
1547:
1541:
1535:
1526:
1520:
1511:
1510:
1508:
1506:
1491:
1404:The Seventh Seal
1311:Ghostface Killah
1292:Jess Harvell of
1249:
1132:
1014:The Seventh Seal
931:The Seventh Seal
895:The Seventh Seal
872:The Seventh Seal
865:
861:The Seventh Seal
844:The Seventh Seal
819:The Seventh Seal
633:
319:The Seventh Seal
271:
270:
267:
266:
263:
260:
257:
254:
251:
227:
224:
105:
102:January 28, 1968
101:
99:
81:
67:
57:
42:
28:
27:
3880:
3879:
3875:
3874:
3873:
3871:
3870:
3869:
3810:Five percenters
3760:
3759:
3758:
3753:
3732:
3685:I Ain't No Joke
3665:
3640:
3601:
3579:
3574:
3544:
3539:
3523:
3505:
3460:
3430:The 18th Letter
3417:
3412:
3377:discography at
3348:
3347:
3344:
3334:
3318:
3316:Further reading
3313:
3307:
3261:
3260:
3254:Wayback Machine
3244:
3240:
3234:Wayback Machine
3224:
3220:
3210:
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3193:Wayback Machine
3183:
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3169:Wayback Machine
3159:
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3145:Wayback Machine
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3105:Wayback Machine
3095:
3086:
3076:Wayback Machine
3066:
3062:
3057:
3050:
3034:
3027:
3017:
3015:
3002:Harvell, Jess.
3000:
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2974:
2970:
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2950:
2946:
2938:
2931:
2925:Wayback Machine
2915:
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2785:Wayback Machine
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2389:Wayback Machine
2382:(2009): Reviews
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2367:Wayback Machine
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2130:Wayback Machine
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1388:The 18th Letter
1378:
1373:
1367:
1247:
1210:
1136:internal rhymes
1130:
1122:Thelonious Monk
1114:
946:
863:
822:
707:The 18th Letter
702:The 18th Letter
679:
677:The 18th Letter
673:
668:
640:Large Professor
631:
614:
562:
556:
540:I Ain't No Joke
504:Russell Simmons
488:
482:
458:
452:
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422:Nation of Islam
380:
331:internal rhymes
307:The 18th Letter
248:
244:
234:
221:
199:
175:4th & B'way
140:
137:record producer
106:
103:
97:
95:
87:
84:The 18th Letter
79:
65:
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24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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3731:
3730:
3727:Know the Ledge
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1065:and producer
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66:Also known as
63:
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44:Rakim in 2008
41:
36:
29:
26:
22:
3699:Paid in Full
3658:
3651:
3645:Compilations
3633:
3626:
3619:
3614:Paid in Full
3612:
3595:
3594:
3587:
3497:
3489:
3481:
3475:Paid in Full
3473:
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3436:
3428:
3414:
3323:
3291:
3287:Kool Moe Dee
3271:
3263:
3262:
3241:
3221:
3209:. Retrieved
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3180:
3172:
3156:
3148:
3132:
3121:
3116:
3108:
3079:
3063:
3039:Paid in Full
3038:
3016:. Retrieved
3012:the original
3007:
2976:
2971:
2959:
2947:
2912:
2900:. Retrieved
2891:
2881:
2866:
2861:
2830:
2814:
2788:
2777:Paid in Full
2776:
2769:
2761:
2730:. Retrieved
2724:
2714:
2702:. Retrieved
2698:"#staytuned"
2692:
2680:. Retrieved
2675:
2666:
2654:. Retrieved
2644:
2632:. Retrieved
2622:
2610:. Retrieved
2596:
2584:. Retrieved
2580:the original
2575:
2565:
2553:. Retrieved
2544:
2535:
2523:. Retrieved
2514:
2505:
2495:
2483:. Retrieved
2464:
2454:February 20,
2452:. Retrieved
2438:
2426:. Retrieved
2422:the original
2379:
2374:
2355:
2343:. Retrieved
2334:
2324:
2312:. Retrieved
2308:the original
2298:
2286:. Retrieved
2275:
2265:
2253:. Retrieved
2242:
2218:. Retrieved
2214:the original
2207:
2197:
2185:. Retrieved
2167:
2157:February 20,
2155:. Retrieved
2141:
2133:
2117:
2107:
2091:
2084:allmusic.com
2083:
2069:
2052:
2040:. Retrieved
2026:
2016:
2007:
1994:
1979:
1955:. Retrieved
1941:
1929:. Retrieved
1915:
1903:. Retrieved
1899:the original
1889:
1877:. Retrieved
1873:
1863:
1837:. Retrieved
1833:
1823:
1811:. Retrieved
1805:
1795:
1783:. Retrieved
1772:
1762:
1753:
1744:
1732:. Retrieved
1723:
1714:
1704:November 12,
1702:. Retrieved
1688:Steve Huey.
1683:
1671:. Retrieved
1667:the original
1657:
1645:. Retrieved
1631:
1619:. Retrieved
1610:
1585:. Retrieved
1581:the original
1571:
1559:. Retrieved
1555:the original
1545:
1505:December 13,
1503:. Retrieved
1499:
1447:
1439:
1431:
1425:Paid in Full
1423:
1417:
1416:
1410:
1402:
1394:
1386:
1380:
1379:
1319:Wu-Tang Clan
1302:Paid in Full
1301:
1297:
1293:
1291:
1283:
1277:
1269:
1268:
1261:
1253:Paid in Full
1252:
1244:
1236:
1224:
1223:in his book
1213:Paid in Full
1212:
1211:
1200:
1185:
1181:
1125:
1115:
1105:
1085:
1081:
1071:
1044:
1042:
1018:
1013:
1011:
1004:
990:
983:
972:
965:Paid in Full
964:
962:
950:Paid in Full
949:
947:
942:
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894:
893:
888:
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878:
871:
869:
860:
854:
848:
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792:
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761:
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742:
726:Art of Noise
719:
706:
700:
690:
688:
656:
646:
644:
628:
622:
616:
615:
604:
600:
597:Paid in Full
596:
574:
570:music charts
565:
563:
548:Paid in Full
533:
520:Paid in Full
518:
516:
489:
459:
419:
414:
412:
406:, and was a
400:Mickey Mouse
381:
369:
361:
346:Paid in Full
345:
344:
339:Kool Moe Dee
328:
323:
322:(2009), and
317:
311:
305:
299:
298:(1990), and
293:
287:
283:Paid in Full
281:
240:
236:
235:
25:
21:Rakim (name)
3770:1968 births
3535:Discography
3422:Solo albums
2576:Mass Appeal
1785:October 29,
1365:Discography
1331:Kool G. Rap
1221:magnum opus
1196:compounding
1098:Planet Asia
1074:Masta Killa
993:Linkin Park
817:2007–2009:
811:gangsta rap
770:Truth Hurts
738:drum'n'bass
492:Marley Marl
462:Tom Terrell
408:quarterback
396:Long Island
223:thegodrakim
145:Discography
125:Occupations
3764:Categories
3438:The Master
2902:October 6,
2676:forbes.com
2525:January 6,
2393:Metacritic
2314:August 23,
2182:The Ringer
1879:October 1,
1839:October 1,
1813:October 1,
1468:References
1396:The Master
1317:(from the
1175:and was a
1152:Run-D.M.C.
1094:Snoop Dogg
995:, titled "
935:Metacritic
795:Oh, My God
762:Oh, My God
746:The Master
734:breakbeats
629:The Source
624:The Source
577:Pop Albums
415:Kid Wizard
392:Ruth Brown
378:Early life
371:The Source
313:The Master
134:songwriter
98:1968-01-28
76:Kid Wizard
73:The God MC
56:Birth name
3008:Pitchfork
2732:August 7,
2475:AllHipHop
2277:Billboard
2244:About.com
2042:March 30,
1874:Chron.com
1807:Chron.com
1734:April 30,
1647:March 30,
1621:March 30,
1587:March 30,
1561:March 30,
1298:Pitchfork
1294:Pitchfork
1201:Pitchfork
1173:saxophone
1144:LL Cool J
1038:Australia
1030:Las Vegas
958:The Roots
927:SoundScan
882:Billboard
856:Billboard
807:conscious
766:Addictive
575:Billboard
534:Billboard
523:, on the
512:Manhattan
470:About.com
366:About.com
204:Member of
195:Universal
190:Aftermath
3370:AllMusic
3250:Archived
3230:Archived
3211:July 30,
3189:Archived
3165:Archived
3141:Archived
3101:Archived
3072:Archived
3044:Allmusic
3037:Review:
3018:June 18,
2921:Archived
2896:Archived
2850:Archived
2823:Archived
2781:Archived
2775:Review:
2754:Archived
2704:June 14,
2682:June 14,
2656:June 14,
2634:June 14,
2612:June 26,
2606:Archived
2586:June 19,
2555:June 19,
2549:Archived
2519:Archived
2479:Archived
2448:Archived
2414:MTV News
2385:Archived
2363:Archived
2339:Archived
2335:HipHopDX
2288:July 13,
2282:Archived
2255:July 13,
2249:Archived
2187:April 6,
2151:Archived
2126:Archived
2100:Archived
2077:Archived
2059:Archived
2036:Archived
1957:April 3,
1951:Archived
1925:Archived
1849:cite web
1779:Archived
1728:Archived
1698:Archived
1694:AllMusic
1641:Archived
1615:Archived
1611:AllMusic
1500:allmusic
1457:See also
1359:platinum
1188:AllMusic
1112:Artistry
923:Jake One
915:J. Wells
730:AllMusic
502:founder
404:football
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