Rakim

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Rakim (pronounced rah-KIM) (Born William Michael Griffin Jr. on January 28, 1968 in Long Island, New York) is an American rapper and pioneer of the musical genre of hip hop. He is consistently cited as one of the most skilled (and top amongst the most influential) MCs of all time due to his exceptional flow and complex lyrical craftsmanship, he revolutionized hip-hop lyricism with his complex flow, elaborate metaphors and rapid delivery. Together with Eric B, he released a number of classic albums between 1987 and 1992. To date his most successful album is ‘The 18th Letter,’ released in 1997 as his solo debut album.

Griffin is the nephew of American R&B singer and actress Ruth Brown. He grew up in Wyandanch, New York, and became involved in the New York hip hop scene at a young age. Eric B brought him to Marley Marl’s house to record “Eric B. is President.” At the time Griffin was fresh out of high school and on his way to college, but he decided to forgo higher education and instead chose to record with Eric B. Leshaun

When Griffin turned 16, he joined The Nation of Gods and Earths (also known as the 5 Percent Nation) and changed his name to Rakim Allah.[5]


In 1986, Rakim started to work with New York-based producer-DJ Eric B. The duo — known as Eric B & Rakim — is widely regarded as among the most influential and groundbreaking of hip-hop groups. The duo’s first single, “Eric B. Is President” (#48, 1986) b/w “My Melody,” was a success and got the duo a contract with the fledgling Island Records sub-label 4th & B’way. The duo’s next single, the smash “I Know You Got Soul,” sparked early debate on the legality of unauthorized, uncredited sampling when James Brown sued to prevent the duo’s use of a fragment of his music.
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  • The 18th Letter
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  • The Master
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  • Master
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  • The 18th Letter / The Book Of Life
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  • Chingy314

    nobody can't fuck with rakim's flow and lyrics! he is s god mc and muthafucking rap legend!

    19 days ago

  • andrey_guss

    батько

    21 days ago

  • david-1992

    IxCLuTcH i'm not disregarding his whole career I used to listen to him all the time up until about 06 but for FrankyRey to say he's better than Rakim is a joke, and he says at the end of 25 to life 'fuck you hiphop', he says he's quitting but it must have been for dramatic effect or somethin, and @FrankyRey crossin over into pop territory doesn't make you a better hiphop artist, there are artists who are more lyrically advanced than rakim but eminem in his prime didn't raise the bar, at best he was on the same level as rakim, eminems influences include masta ace, rakim, big daddy kane and kool g rap but he hasnt raised the bar since either, lyrically or musically, so for eminem to be in the charts a lot and have more listeners online than rakim after the way rakim changed the game goes to show eminem is more overrated than rakim

    last month

  • FrankyRey

    And I'm not dissing by Rakim by any means...I'm just saying that SINCE he's come out there has been better...and that's saying something.

    last month

  • FrankyRey

    Honestly the fact that Eminem has been able to crossover into pop territory should be more credit to him...he's been able to remain relevant in the mainstream and be recognized by hip hop heads....

    last month

  • Music-Ninja

    he is called GOD EMCEE for a reason

    last month

  • IxCLuTcH

    There has been plenty of people to use Hip Hop as a metaphor for a girl since Common. And Eminem i'm not sure is talking about Hip Hop because he mentions quitting but he clearly isn't retired. Yes Eminem has gone down hill the past few years, but he had those first few albums that were true hip hop, with dope lyrics and production. Don't disregard his whole career because of what he is now.

    last month

  • david-1992

    @FrankyRey: Rakim changed the game, you can hear it when you listen to hip-hop artists that made music before Rakim then compare them to artists that came out after him, he revolutionised hip-hop, Eminem put out a few nice albums, but Em gets more credit than Rakim, Em is way more overrated coz he makes pop/rap, Rakim makes hip-hop/art, plus Em steals lyrics and concepts, in Spellbound Eminem says 'love is evil, spell it backwards ill show you', rakim said 'love backwards is evil' on his song Uplift (more than 10 years before Em put Spellbound out) and in 25 to life Em talks about a woman then reveals at the end of the song he was talkin about hip-hop, Common did the exact same thing on his song I used to love H.E.R more than 15 years before Em put out 25 to life, plus Kanye, Kid Cudi and Lupe are in your top 10

    last month
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