Eric B. & Rakim
Encyclopedia
Eric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop
duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier (born November 8, 1965) and MC Rakim
(born William Michael Griffin Jr.).
Hailing from Long Island, New York, the pair are generally considered by hip hop enthusiasts to be one of the most influential and innovative groups in the genre. During hip hop's "golden age"
of the mid-1980s to the early 90s, the duo was almost universally regarded as the premier MC/DJ combo in hip hop. The two had a potent chemistry; the duo's beats built on the hard-hitting sound of Run-D.M.C.
by adding James Brown
samples and Eric B's scratching
, setting the stage for hip hop's late-1980s/early-1990s infatuation with samples from Brown.
Notable journalist Tom Terrell of NPR
referred to the duo as "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period," while the editors of About.com
ranked them as #3 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time.
section of Queens
, He played trumpet
and drums throughout high school, and later switched to experimenting with turntables
prior to graduation. The newly-dubbed "Eric B." soon began DJing for radio station WBLS in New York City
, including WBLS' promotional events around the city. Barrier wound up meeting Alvin Toney, a promoter based in Queens. Eric B. had been looking for rappers and Toney recommended he use Freddie Foxxx
, an aggressive Long Island
MC with a reputation for battle raps. Toney took Eric B. to Foxxx's home, but Foxxx wasn't there. Immediately, Toney suggested another option: Eric B. recalled in 2008, "[Toney] was like 'I got another dude, he nice too--this dude got a smooth, laid-back style.' So [he] takes me to Rakim's house and we start talking."
Griffin, then about 17, also came from Long Island
, had began writing rhymes as a teenager and had taken the name "Rakim" as a result of his conversion to The Nation of Gods and Earths
(also known as the 5 Percent Nation). Eric B. borrowed records from Rakim's brother, Stevie Blass Griffin (who worked at a plant pressing bootleg LPs) and began cutting them in the basement for Rakim, who was down there drinking a beer and relaxing. Said Eric B., "I took Fonda Rae's "Over Like A Fat Rat" and said 'This is the bass line I'm going to use for this record.' Rakim spit the beer all over the wall and thought it was the funniest shit in the world. I told Rakim, just like you laughing now you going to be laughing all the way to the bank and be a millionaire one day because of this record."
Eric B. & Rakim decided to record together and immediately came under the tutelage of legendary Queens-based hip hop producer Marley Marl
, and there exists some controversy over who actually produced their landmark first single, 1986s "Eric B. Is President
"—which was built on the distinctive Fonda Rea bass line sample. Eric B. told Allhiphop.com, "I took the records to Marley Marl's house in Queensbridge and paid Marley Marl to be the engineer. Marley got paid. That's why he's not a producer; that's why he is not getting publishing. I brought the music. I just couldn't work the equipment because that's not what I did..." Nonetheless, the single became an instant classic among hip hop fans, (though it went largely unnoticed in mainstream music), and Rakim's opening salvo of "I came in the door/said it before" would become one of the most quoted lines in hip hop music.
The duo recorded its debut album, the seminal Paid in Full
, in a week at Power Play Studios in New York. About his approach to writing the album, Rakim later said, "[I] used to write my rhymes in the studio and go right into the booth and read them. When I hear my first album today I hear myself reading my rhymes--but I'm my worst critic. That's what I hear, though--because that's what it was. I'd go into the studio, put the beat down, write the song in like an hour, and go into the booth and read it from the paper..." In 1987, 4th & Broadway issued the album; which, after the success of "Eric B. is President," was accompanied by a mighty underground buzz. The song, more often then not is additionally addressed as "Eric B "For" President" because of a mistake made when signing the original recording to licensing company - Cool Tempo/Chrysalis Records (UK), by http://www.superstarcase.com/founder.html (Zakia Records partner associate). The record climbed into the Top Ten on the R&B LP charts (as would all of their subsequent albums). The album represented an artistic shift in hip hop; the extensive sampling of James Brown would send the rest of hip hop rushing through the legendary performer's catalog; and Rakim's wordplay represented a quantum leap forward as far as lyrical complexity and skill. Eric B. would later admit that the album was actually rushed. "The reason Paid In Full is so short is because we stood in the studio for damn-near a week. The whole album came together in a week. Listen to the lyrics on it and listen to how short they are. That's because Rakim wrote it right there and we'd been in the studio like for a whole forty-eight hours trying to get the album finished. We basically did the album in a week." Marley Marl also stated to Allhiphop.com that Marley's cousin, Queensbridge rapper MC Shan
, was an assistant engineer on sessions for some tracks, including the single "My Melody," though Eric B. denies this. The
album made instant hip hop stars out of the duo; and the album cover, which featured Eric B. and Rakim dressed in gold chains and Gucci
leather suits with dollar bills behind them, became one of the most recognized in hip hop. Rolling Stone magazine stated: 'Ice-grilled, laid-back, diamond-sharp: Paid in Full was one of the first hip-hop records to fully embrace Seventies funk samples on stone hip-hop classics such as "I Know You Got Soul" and the title track.' The album was listed at #227 on the magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All TimeMTV
listed the album as the greatest in hip hop history: 'When Paid in Full was released in 1987, Eric B. and Rakim left a mushroom cloud over the hip-hop community. The album was captivating, profound, innovative and instantly influential. MCs like
Run-DMC, Chuck D and KRS-One had been 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. And Eric B. had an ear for picking out loops and samples drenched with soul and turned out to be a trailblazer for producers in the coming years.' The Coldcut
"Seven Minutes of Madness" remix of "Paid in Full" is considered a milestone in hip-hop, remix
es, and sample
-based music and is arguably the duo's most-recognized hit.
On the heels of the albums' success, the duo signed a deal with MCA.
, the duo's highly-anticipated follow-up to Paid In Full; saw their production move away from the blunt minimalism of their debut, utilizing more otherworldly samples and subtle instrumentation from Stevie Blass Griffin. On the mic, Rakim upped the ante lyrically once again, with the single "Microphone Fiend
" becoming something of a signature song for the rapper. The title track
and "Lyrics of Fury" were two of Rakim's most acclaimed lyrical performances. In 2003, comedian Chris Rock
referred to Rakim's rhymes on the "...Fury" as 'lyrically, the best rapping anyone's ever done...' Rock also listed Follow the Leader as 12th on his Vibe Magazine list of the Top 25 Hip Hop Albums of All-Time. Despite being hailed in the hip hop community as Eric B. & Rakim's
second classic album, the record went largely unnoticed by the mainstream music industry. Despite their spotty commercial success, the influence of the duo was beginning to become more evident in rap music. Rakim's inventive wordplay and smooth delivery had set him apart from bombastic, declarative MCs like Run
and DMC
of Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J
, Chuck D. of Public Enemy and other top rappers of the mid-80s. His upbringing as a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths also was reflected in his rhymes; while he wasn't overtly 'conscious' or 'political'--he always subtly referenced Afrocentric themes and concepts that reflected his Islamic faith. By 1988, the influence of Rakim was evident in the music released by rappers such as Big Daddy Kane
, Kool G. Rap, and Ice Cube
of N.W.A.
Even rappers that had established themselves before Eric B. and Rakim's debut were affected by Rakim's
lyrical innovations; Run's delivery became more polysyllabic as he began to use more internal rhyme, and KRS-One
of Boogie Down Productions
began to incorporate more Afrocentric imagery into his lyrics—although this could also be attributed to his more conscious persona emerging in the wake of his partner DJ Scott La Rock
's murder.
In 1989
, the pair teamed up with dance pop singer Jody Watley
on her single "Friends
" from the album Larger Than Life
. The song would reach the Top Ten on the Billboard
Hot 100 charts and was one of the first notable collaborations between hip hop and dance pop. Despite their continued acclaim in amongst hip hop aficionados, Eric B. & Rakim rarely collaborated with other rappers. This was especially evident in early 1990, when KRS-One's Stop the Violence Movement
put together the charity single "Self-Destruction
". The song featured numerous notable rappers, but Rakim was noticeably absent from the proceedings. He told HalftimeOnline.com years later, "I don't think they hollered at me or they hollered at Eric B. and he didn't say anything to me. I was a little bitter with that shit because I felt I had something to do with bringing
consciousness in hip hop to the table. I came out and did what I did in '86 and then you know people started running with it. Then when it comes time to do something they didn't holler at me so I was a little bitter. At the same time a lot of reasons I didn't do records with people is because I never wanted their light to reflect on me. I don't have a problem with it but everybody who knows at that time knows they were trying to say I was responsible for gangsta rap
, too. They thought I was that dude in the hood so maybe they didn't holler at me for a reason. I love Kris, though—he definitely contributed a lot to hip hop. I've been on tour with him and I know him as a person. He's a good dude. I like Kris, but they definitely didn't holler at me for that man because I would have definitely did it."
Their 1990 album Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
wasn't as successful commercially as their first two LPs, and, after De La Soul
's debut 3 Feet High & Rising helped launch alternative rap into the popular lexicon; and N.W.A.
's gangsta rap
classic Straight Outta Compton
exploded onto the national stage, many felt that the duo were too steadfast in their devotion to classic hip hop minimalism. Rakim had long been one of the most mysterious rappers in hip hop; but seemed to relish his 'outsider' status in rap circles. He even references his enigmatic reputation on the song "Set 'Em Straight": "Here's the inside scoop on the fiend/They want to know why I'm seldom seen/Cause who needs the TV screens and magazines/Or shooting through the city in fly limousines/Cause one thing I don't need is a spotlight/Cause I already got light..." He later said about his relative lack of commercial success: "You could sell a couple records and keep your integrity or you could go pop and
sell a bunch of records and be gone tomorrow. I was trying to stick to my guns at that point."
Many celebrated their consistency; Mark Coleman of Rolling Stone stated:
. But, much like their acclaimed debut, there exists controversy over the production credit. Acclaimed producer Large Professor
produced a large amount of the album's tracks, but wasn't credited on the album.
for the 1991 comedy House Party 2
, (the radio-friendly single "What's On Your Mind") and also recorded the theme for the dramatic urban coming-of-age film Juice
. The film, which starred a young rapper/actor named Tupac Shakur
and garnered substantial critical acclaim, helped the song "Juice (Know the Ledge)
" become one of Eric B. & Rakim's most popular.
Both singles were included on what would become the duo's last album together. Don't Sweat the Technique
was released in 1992
. The album built on the jazzier sound of Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and the title track was also one of the duo's last notable singles. The album wasn't supposed to be the last; but their contract with MCA was due to expire. During the recording of the album, both members expressed an interest in recording solo albums. However, Eric B. refused to sign the label's release contract, fearful that Rakim would abandon him. This led to a long and messy court battle involving the two musicians and their former label MCA Records
. The legal wrangling eventually led to the duo dissolving completely. Eric B. has clarified that the monetary problems stemmed from labels like Island
and others claiming ownership of the masters—not from any financial disputes between him and Rakim:
in 1997 to critical acclaim and unexpected commercial success. In 1999, Rakim's second solo album The Master
was released to less favorable reviews. By the turn of the millennium, Eric B. was pursuing other business interests outside of music.
Rakim signed with Dr. Dre
's Aftermath
label in 2000, with the hopes of releasing an album pairing the legendary MC with the legendary producer. However, due to creative differences, the album never materialized. Since then, Rakim has made notable guest appearances with numerous other artists like Jay-Z
("The Watcher, Part 2"), Truth Hurts
("Addictive"), Nas
, KRS-One
and Kanye West
("Classic"), and more.
In 2002, "Don't Sweat The Technique" appeared in the video game Aggressive Inline.
In 2004 "I Know You Got Soul" appeared on popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
, playing on classic hip-hop
radio station Playback FM.
In November 2009, Rakim released his long awaited album The Seventh Seal
.
Ownership of the duo's catalog consolidated in 1999, when PolyGram
(which owned Island Records
, which released Paid in Full) merged with the MCA Records
family of labels, which created the Universal Music Group
(and which owned the rest of the duo's albums).
Eric B. & Rakim were recently announced as one of fifteen finalists to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in September 2011. The official five inductees of the 2012 induction will be announced between November and December.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier (born November 8, 1965) and MC Rakim
Rakim
William Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B...
(born William Michael Griffin Jr.).
Hailing from Long Island, New York, the pair are generally considered by hip hop enthusiasts to be one of the most influential and innovative groups in the genre. During hip hop's "golden age"
Golden age hip hop
Hip hop's "golden age" is a name given to a period in mainstream hip hop—usually cited as being a period varying in time frames during the 1980s and 1990s said to be characterized by its diversity, quality, innovation and influence. There were strong themes of Afrocentricity and political...
of the mid-1980s to the early 90s, the duo was almost universally regarded as the premier MC/DJ combo in hip hop. The two had a potent chemistry; the duo's beats built on the hard-hitting sound of Run-D.M.C.
Run-D.M.C.
Run–D.M.C. was an American hip hop group from Hollis, in the Queens borough of New York City. Founded by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, the group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture.Run–D.M.C...
by adding James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
samples and Eric B's scratching
Scratching
Scratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the late 1980s, it has been used...
, setting the stage for hip hop's late-1980s/early-1990s infatuation with samples from Brown.
Notable journalist Tom Terrell of NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
referred to the duo as "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period," while the editors of About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
ranked them as #3 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time.
Early
Barrier was born and raised in the ElmhurstElmhurst, Queens
Elmhurst is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. It is bounded by Roosevelt Avenue on the north; Corona to the northeast; Junction Boulevard on the east; Rego Park to the southeast; the Long Island Expressway on the south; Middle Village to the south and southwest; and Maspeth...
section of Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
, He played trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and drums throughout high school, and later switched to experimenting with turntables
Phonograph
The phonograph record player, or gramophone is a device introduced in 1877 that has had continued common use for reproducing sound recordings, although when first developed, the phonograph was used to both record and reproduce sounds...
prior to graduation. The newly-dubbed "Eric B." soon began DJing for radio station WBLS in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, including WBLS' promotional events around the city. Barrier wound up meeting Alvin Toney, a promoter based in Queens. Eric B. had been looking for rappers and Toney recommended he use Freddie Foxxx
Freddie Foxxx
Freddie Foxxx, also known as Bumpy Knuckles, is an American rapper and music producer from Long Island, New York.- Biography :...
, an aggressive Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
MC with a reputation for battle raps. Toney took Eric B. to Foxxx's home, but Foxxx wasn't there. Immediately, Toney suggested another option: Eric B. recalled in 2008, "[Toney] was like 'I got another dude, he nice too--this dude got a smooth, laid-back style.' So [he] takes me to Rakim's house and we start talking."
Griffin, then about 17, also came from Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, had began writing rhymes as a teenager and had taken the name "Rakim" as a result of his conversion to The Nation of Gods and Earths
The Nation of Gods and Earths
The Nation of Gods and Earths, sometimes referred to as NGE or NOGE, the Five-Percent Nation, or the Five Percenters is an American organization founded in 1964 in the Harlem section of the borough of Manhattan, New York City, by Clarence 13X, a former student of Malcolm X, who left his mosque...
(also known as the 5 Percent Nation). Eric B. borrowed records from Rakim's brother, Stevie Blass Griffin (who worked at a plant pressing bootleg LPs) and began cutting them in the basement for Rakim, who was down there drinking a beer and relaxing. Said Eric B., "I took Fonda Rae's "Over Like A Fat Rat" and said 'This is the bass line I'm going to use for this record.' Rakim spit the beer all over the wall and thought it was the funniest shit in the world. I told Rakim, just like you laughing now you going to be laughing all the way to the bank and be a millionaire one day because of this record."
Eric B. & Rakim decided to record together and immediately came under the tutelage of legendary Queens-based hip hop producer Marley Marl
Marley Marl
Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
, and there exists some controversy over who actually produced their landmark first single, 1986s "Eric B. Is President
Eric B. Is President
"Eric B. Is President" is the debut single released by hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. The single has become one of the most memorable songs in hip hop, and Rakim's opening salvo of "I came in the door/I said it before" is one of rap's most oft-quoted lines...
"—which was built on the distinctive Fonda Rea bass line sample. Eric B. told Allhiphop.com, "I took the records to Marley Marl's house in Queensbridge and paid Marley Marl to be the engineer. Marley got paid. That's why he's not a producer; that's why he is not getting publishing. I brought the music. I just couldn't work the equipment because that's not what I did..." Nonetheless, the single became an instant classic among hip hop fans, (though it went largely unnoticed in mainstream music), and Rakim's opening salvo of "I came in the door/said it before" would become one of the most quoted lines in hip hop music.
The duo recorded its debut album, the seminal Paid in Full
Paid in Full (album)
Paid in Full is the debut album of American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released July 7, 1987, on the Island-subsidiary label 4th & B'way Records. The duo recorded the album at hip hop producer Marley Marl's home studio and Power Play Studios in New York City, following Rakim's response to Eric...
, in a week at Power Play Studios in New York. About his approach to writing the album, Rakim later said, "[I] used to write my rhymes in the studio and go right into the booth and read them. When I hear my first album today I hear myself reading my rhymes--but I'm my worst critic. That's what I hear, though--because that's what it was. I'd go into the studio, put the beat down, write the song in like an hour, and go into the booth and read it from the paper..." In 1987, 4th & Broadway issued the album; which, after the success of "Eric B. is President," was accompanied by a mighty underground buzz. The song, more often then not is additionally addressed as "Eric B "For" President" because of a mistake made when signing the original recording to licensing company - Cool Tempo/Chrysalis Records (UK), by http://www.superstarcase.com/founder.html (Zakia Records partner associate). The record climbed into the Top Ten on the R&B LP charts (as would all of their subsequent albums). The album represented an artistic shift in hip hop; the extensive sampling of James Brown would send the rest of hip hop rushing through the legendary performer's catalog; and Rakim's wordplay represented a quantum leap forward as far as lyrical complexity and skill. Eric B. would later admit that the album was actually rushed. "The reason Paid In Full is so short is because we stood in the studio for damn-near a week. The whole album came together in a week. Listen to the lyrics on it and listen to how short they are. That's because Rakim wrote it right there and we'd been in the studio like for a whole forty-eight hours trying to get the album finished. We basically did the album in a week." Marley Marl also stated to Allhiphop.com that Marley's cousin, Queensbridge rapper MC Shan
MC Shan
MC Shan is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for collaborating with Snow in "Informer", an international number one hit single.-Biography:...
, was an assistant engineer on sessions for some tracks, including the single "My Melody," though Eric B. denies this. The
album made instant hip hop stars out of the duo; and the album cover, which featured Eric B. and Rakim dressed in gold chains and Gucci
Gucci
The House of Gucci, better known simply as Gucci , is an Italian fashion and leather goods label, part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by French company PPR...
leather suits with dollar bills behind them, became one of the most recognized in hip hop. Rolling Stone magazine stated: 'Ice-grilled, laid-back, diamond-sharp: Paid in Full was one of the first hip-hop records to fully embrace Seventies funk samples on stone hip-hop classics such as "I Know You Got Soul" and the title track.' The album was listed at #227 on the magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All TimeMTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
listed the album as the greatest in hip hop history: 'When Paid in Full was released in 1987, Eric B. and Rakim left a mushroom cloud over the hip-hop community. The album was captivating, profound, innovative and instantly influential. MCs like
Run-DMC, Chuck D and KRS-One had been 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. And Eric B. had an ear for picking out loops and samples drenched with soul and turned out to be a trailblazer for producers in the coming years.' The Coldcut
Coldcut
Coldcut are an English dance music duo, comprising Matt Black and Jonathan More. Their signature style is electronic dance music, featuring cut up samples of hip hop, breaks, jazz, spoken word and various other types of music, as well as video and multimedia.-1980s:In 1986, computer programmer Matt...
"Seven Minutes of Madness" remix of "Paid in Full" is considered a milestone in hip-hop, remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es, and sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
-based music and is arguably the duo's most-recognized hit.
On the heels of the albums' success, the duo signed a deal with MCA.
"Follow the Leader" and "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em"
Follow the LeaderFollow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)
Follow the Leader is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released July 25, 1988 on MCA-subsidiary label Uni Records. It is the follow-up to their debut album Paid in Full...
, the duo's highly-anticipated follow-up to Paid In Full; saw their production move away from the blunt minimalism of their debut, utilizing more otherworldly samples and subtle instrumentation from Stevie Blass Griffin. On the mic, Rakim upped the ante lyrically once again, with the single "Microphone Fiend
Microphone Fiend
"Microphone Fiend" was the second single released from the hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim's second album Follow the Leader. The song became something of a signature song for rapper Rakim, and Allmusic.com's Steve Huey says the song "weaves references to substance addiction throughout in explaining why...
" becoming something of a signature song for the rapper. The title track
Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim song)
"Follow the Leader" was the first single and title track from the hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim's second album. The song, with its pulsing bass line and almost-ambient use of samples, signaled a departure from the minimalism of the duo's first album, Paid in Full. Rakim's lyrics showcase the rapper's...
and "Lyrics of Fury" were two of Rakim's most acclaimed lyrical performances. In 2003, comedian Chris Rock
Chris Rock
Christopher Julius "Chris" Rock III is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central...
referred to Rakim's rhymes on the "...Fury" as 'lyrically, the best rapping anyone's ever done...' Rock also listed Follow the Leader as 12th on his Vibe Magazine list of the Top 25 Hip Hop Albums of All-Time. Despite being hailed in the hip hop community as Eric B. & Rakim's
second classic album, the record went largely unnoticed by the mainstream music industry. Despite their spotty commercial success, the influence of the duo was beginning to become more evident in rap music. Rakim's inventive wordplay and smooth delivery had set him apart from bombastic, declarative MCs like Run
Joseph Simmons
Joseph Ward Simmons , known by the stage name Rev. Run or DJ Run, is one of the founding members of the influential hip hop group Run–D.M.C., and a practicing minister, known as Reverend Run. Simmons was born in Hollis, Queens, New York. He is the younger brother of Daniel "Danny" Simmons, Jr...
and DMC
Darryl McDaniels
-Video game appearances:*The Warriors - Scopes*Guitar Hero: Aerosmith - Himself- External links :* * * * * http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/12/entertainment/la-et-people-speak12-2009dec12...
of Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, Chuck D. of Public Enemy and other top rappers of the mid-80s. His upbringing as a member of the Nation of Gods and Earths also was reflected in his rhymes; while he wasn't overtly 'conscious' or 'political'--he always subtly referenced Afrocentric themes and concepts that reflected his Islamic faith. By 1988, the influence of Rakim was evident in the music released by rappers such as Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
, Kool G. Rap, and Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
of N.W.A.
N.W.A.
N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre....
Even rappers that had established themselves before Eric B. and Rakim's debut were affected by Rakim's
lyrical innovations; Run's delivery became more polysyllabic as he began to use more internal rhyme, and KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
of Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions was a hip hop group that was originally composed of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, months after the release of BDP's debut album, Criminal Minded. The name of the group, Boogie Down, derives from a nickname for the...
began to incorporate more Afrocentric imagery into his lyrics—although this could also be attributed to his more conscious persona emerging in the wake of his partner DJ Scott La Rock
Scott La Rock
Scott "La Rock" Sterling was the original DJ of the hip hop group Boogie Down Productions.-BDP:Sterling, a social worker, met rapper KRS-One in 1986 at the Franklin Men's Shelter in the Bronx where KRS lived. The pair, together with DJ D-Nice, formed Boogie Down Productions...
's murder.
In 1989
1989 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1989.-Events:*January 14 – Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in the USSR...
, the pair teamed up with dance pop singer Jody Watley
Jody Watley
Jody Vanessa Watley is an American, singer, songwriter, record producer, and founder of Avitone Records whose music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul....
on her single "Friends
Friends (Jody Watley song)
"Friends" is the second single from Jody Watley's second album, Larger Than Life. "Friends", like her previous single "Real Love", became a multi-format top-10 smash, reaching the top ten of the pop, R&B and dance charts in the U.S., as well as being her biggest single in the UK since her debut,...
" from the album Larger Than Life
Larger than Life (album)
Larger Than Life is the second album by American pop singer Jody Watley, released in 1989 .-Track listing:All songs written by André Cymone and Jody Watley, except where noted.#"Real Love" - 4:23#"Friends" Larger Than Life is the second album by American pop singer Jody Watley, released in 1989...
. The song would reach the Top Ten on the Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
Hot 100 charts and was one of the first notable collaborations between hip hop and dance pop. Despite their continued acclaim in amongst hip hop aficionados, Eric B. & Rakim rarely collaborated with other rappers. This was especially evident in early 1990, when KRS-One's Stop the Violence Movement
Stop the Violence Movement
The Stop the Violence Movement was begun by rapper KRS-One in 1989 in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities.In 1988, during a concert by Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy, a young fan was killed in a fight. The killing occurred shortly after Scott La Rock, a...
put together the charity single "Self-Destruction
Stop the Violence Movement
The Stop the Violence Movement was begun by rapper KRS-One in 1989 in response to violence in the hip hop and African American communities.In 1988, during a concert by Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy, a young fan was killed in a fight. The killing occurred shortly after Scott La Rock, a...
". The song featured numerous notable rappers, but Rakim was noticeably absent from the proceedings. He told HalftimeOnline.com years later, "I don't think they hollered at me or they hollered at Eric B. and he didn't say anything to me. I was a little bitter with that shit because I felt I had something to do with bringing
consciousness in hip hop to the table. I came out and did what I did in '86 and then you know people started running with it. Then when it comes time to do something they didn't holler at me so I was a little bitter. At the same time a lot of reasons I didn't do records with people is because I never wanted their light to reflect on me. I don't have a problem with it but everybody who knows at that time knows they were trying to say I was responsible for gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
, too. They thought I was that dude in the hood so maybe they didn't holler at me for a reason. I love Kris, though—he definitely contributed a lot to hip hop. I've been on tour with him and I know him as a person. He's a good dude. I like Kris, but they definitely didn't holler at me for that man because I would have definitely did it."
Their 1990 album Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em is the third album by groundbreaking hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released in 1990. The group's sound develops further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, and more mature and serious subject matter...
wasn't as successful commercially as their first two LPs, and, after De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
's debut 3 Feet High & Rising helped launch alternative rap into the popular lexicon; and N.W.A.
N.W.A.
N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre....
's gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
classic Straight Outta Compton
Straight Outta Compton
The lyrics on the album were mainly written by Ice Cube and MC Ren. Critics of the album expressed their view that the record glamorized Black-on-Black crime, but the emcees stated that the group was simply showing the reality of living in the areas of Compton, California, and South Central Los...
exploded onto the national stage, many felt that the duo were too steadfast in their devotion to classic hip hop minimalism. Rakim had long been one of the most mysterious rappers in hip hop; but seemed to relish his 'outsider' status in rap circles. He even references his enigmatic reputation on the song "Set 'Em Straight": "Here's the inside scoop on the fiend/They want to know why I'm seldom seen/Cause who needs the TV screens and magazines/Or shooting through the city in fly limousines/Cause one thing I don't need is a spotlight/Cause I already got light..." He later said about his relative lack of commercial success: "You could sell a couple records and keep your integrity or you could go pop and
sell a bunch of records and be gone tomorrow. I was trying to stick to my guns at that point."
Many celebrated their consistency; Mark Coleman of Rolling Stone stated:
"There's nothing trendy about this impassive duo, no Steely Dan bites or bits of Afrodelic rhetoric here. Eric B. and Rakim are hip-hop formalists devoted to upholding the Seventies funk canon and advancing rap's original verbal mandate. Almost every track on their third album is built on poetic boasts and wicked J.B. samples, but dismissing Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em as some sort of conservative reaction – a gold-chain throwback – completely misses the point. Masters of their appointed tasks, rapper Rakim and DJ Eric B. are also formal innovators. They both can riff and improvise like jazzmen, spinning endless variations on basic themes and playing off each other's moves with chilly intuition. The resulting music is as stark, complex and edgy as Rakim's stone-cold stare on the album cover."The album was one of the first to receive the honor of a 5 mic rating in The Source
The Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
. But, much like their acclaimed debut, there exists controversy over the production credit. Acclaimed producer Large Professor
Large Professor
Large Professor , also known as Large Pro and Xtra P, is a New York City-based hip hop record producer and emcee. He is also best known as a founding member of the influential underground hip hop group Main Source, and as a frequent collaborator with Nas...
produced a large amount of the album's tracks, but wasn't credited on the album.
"Don't Sweat the Technique" and the Split
The duo made an appearance on the soundtrackSoundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
for the 1991 comedy House Party 2
House Party 2
House Party 2, the sequel to the 1990 film House Party, was released in 1991 by New Line Cinema. The sequel returns most of the cast of the first movie along with new cast members such as Queen Latifah and Iman. The second installment includes more guest appearances from other famous entertainers...
, (the radio-friendly single "What's On Your Mind") and also recorded the theme for the dramatic urban coming-of-age film Juice
Juice (film)
Juice is a 1992 American crime drama film that stars rapper Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps. Additional cast members include Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins, Khalil Kain, Samuel L. Jackson, and features cameo appearances by Queen Latifah, EPMD, Special Ed, Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, Flex Alexander, Fab Five...
. The film, which starred a young rapper/actor named Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
and garnered substantial critical acclaim, helped the song "Juice (Know the Ledge)
Know the Ledge
"Know the Ledge", originally released on the soundtrack for the film Juice under the title "Juice ", is a 1992 single released from hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. It was the theme song for the film and a single released from the duo's 1992 album Don't Sweat the Technique. The song became one of Eric B...
" become one of Eric B. & Rakim's most popular.
Both singles were included on what would become the duo's last album together. Don't Sweat the Technique
Don't Sweat The Technique
Don't Sweat the Technique is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released June 23, 1992, on MCA Records. Their final album as a duo, it was recorded and produced by Eric B. & Rakim at The Hit Factory in New York City...
was released in 1992
1992 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1992.-January–February:*January 11**Nirvana's Nevermind album goes to #1 in the US Billboard 200 chart, establishing the widespread popularity of the Grunge movement of the 1990s....
. The album built on the jazzier sound of Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and the title track was also one of the duo's last notable singles. The album wasn't supposed to be the last; but their contract with MCA was due to expire. During the recording of the album, both members expressed an interest in recording solo albums. However, Eric B. refused to sign the label's release contract, fearful that Rakim would abandon him. This led to a long and messy court battle involving the two musicians and their former label MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
. The legal wrangling eventually led to the duo dissolving completely. Eric B. has clarified that the monetary problems stemmed from labels like Island
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
and others claiming ownership of the masters—not from any financial disputes between him and Rakim:
"The money got
split 50 /50 from the door, because I remember people would try to keep shit going. When we first came out, people were saying 'Eric was getting all the money' and 'he was trying to shine more than Rakim,' but that's not true. [I] would go to all the interviews, [because] Rakim didn't want to go to the interviews. He didn't like that part of the business. [But] we split all the money from dime one. I don't care what money I spent in the past, that money is never coming back. Whatever money we made, we split 50/50. Even up until now, we split every dime 50/50."
Post-Breakup and Legacy
Eric B. released a self-titled solo album in 1995 on the independent label '95th Street Recordings' (now out of print). Legal issues continued to delay Rakim's solo career, but he finally released The 18th LetterThe 18th Letter
The 18th Letter is the debut solo album of American rapper Rakim, released November 4, 1997 on Universal Records in the United States. It is his first release of new material, following a five-year hiatus after Don't Sweat the Technique as duo Eric B. & Rakim. The album features production by DJ...
in 1997 to critical acclaim and unexpected commercial success. In 1999, Rakim's second solo album The Master
The Master (album)
The Master is the second solo album by American hip hop rapper Rakim, released November 30, 1999 on Universal Records. It serves as the follow-up to Rakim's debut solo album, The 18th Letter .-Track listing:#"Intro"...
was released to less favorable reviews. By the turn of the millennium, Eric B. was pursuing other business interests outside of music.
Rakim signed with Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
's Aftermath
Aftermath Entertainment
Aftermath Entertainment is an American record label founded by Dr. Dre. It operates as a subsidiary of, and is distributed through, Universal Music Group's Interscope Records. Current acts include Dr. Dre, Eminem, 50 Cent and Slim da Mobster, with former acts including Busta Rhymes, Game, Raekwon,...
label in 2000, with the hopes of releasing an album pairing the legendary MC with the legendary producer. However, due to creative differences, the album never materialized. Since then, Rakim has made notable guest appearances with numerous other artists like Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
("The Watcher, Part 2"), Truth Hurts
Truth Hurts
Share Watson , known as Truth Hurts, is an American Contemporary R&B singer-songwriter.-Albums:-Singles:* 2002: "Addictive" Share Watson (born October 10, 1971, St. Louis, Missouri), known as Truth Hurts, is an American Contemporary R&B singer-songwriter.-Albums:-Singles:* 2002: "Addictive"...
("Addictive"), Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
and Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
("Classic"), and more.
In 2002, "Don't Sweat The Technique" appeared in the video game Aggressive Inline.
In 2004 "I Know You Got Soul" appeared on popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
, playing on classic hip-hop
Old school hip hop
Old school hip hop describes the earliest commercially recorded hip hop music , and the music in the period preceding it from which it was directly descended . Old school hip hop is said to end around 1983 or 1984 with the emergence of Run–D.M.C., the first new school hip hop group...
radio station Playback FM.
In November 2009, Rakim released his long awaited album The Seventh Seal
The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)
The Seventh Seal is the third solo studio album by American emcee Rakim. Released November 17, 2009 after several delays on Rakim's own Ra Records, TVM, and SMC Recordings and distributed through Fontana and Universal Music Group...
.
Ownership of the duo's catalog consolidated in 1999, when PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
(which owned Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
, which released Paid in Full) merged with the MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
family of labels, which created the Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
(and which owned the rest of the duo's albums).
Eric B. & Rakim were recently announced as one of fifteen finalists to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in September 2011. The official five inductees of the 2012 induction will be announced between November and December.
Discography
- Paid in FullPaid in Full (album)Paid in Full is the debut album of American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released July 7, 1987, on the Island-subsidiary label 4th & B'way Records. The duo recorded the album at hip hop producer Marley Marl's home studio and Power Play Studios in New York City, following Rakim's response to Eric...
(1987) - Follow the LeaderFollow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)Follow the Leader is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released July 25, 1988 on MCA-subsidiary label Uni Records. It is the follow-up to their debut album Paid in Full...
(1988) - Let the Rhythm Hit 'EmLet the Rhythm Hit 'EmLet the Rhythm Hit ’Em is the third album by groundbreaking hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released in 1990. The group's sound develops further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, and more mature and serious subject matter...
(1990) - Don't Sweat the TechniqueDon't Sweat The TechniqueDon't Sweat the Technique is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released June 23, 1992, on MCA Records. Their final album as a duo, it was recorded and produced by Eric B. & Rakim at The Hit Factory in New York City...
(1992)