The 18th Letter is the debut solo album

Studio album

A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...

 of American rapper 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...

, released November 4, 1997 on Universal Records

Universal Records

Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...

 in the United States. It is his first release of new material, following a five-year hiatus after 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...

(1992) as duo Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier and MC Rakim .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...

. The album features production by DJ Clark Kent

Clark Kent (producer)

Clark Kent is a hip hop DJ, record producer and music executive of Panamanian descent . His crew of DJs is called "The Supermen", and his DJ moniker is derived from the name of Superman's alter ego....

, Pete Rock

Pete Rock

Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...

, Nick Wiz, and DJ Premier

DJ Premier

Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...

. It contains lyrical themes that concern the 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...

, Rakim's rapping prowess, and the state of hip hop.

The album debuted at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200

Billboard 200

The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...

 chart and sold 500,000 copies in the United States. A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with the compilation disc The Book of Life (UD2-53111), an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection. The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP in 1997.

Track listing

1. "Intro"
2. "The 18th Letter (Always And Forever)"
   • Produced by Father Shaheed
     Poor Righteous Teachers
     Poor Righteous Teachers is a hip hop group from Trenton, New Jersey, founded in 1989. Often referred to as PRT by its fans, Poor Righteous Teachers are known as pro-Black conscious hip hop artists, with musical content inspired by the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths. Wise Intelligent, as...
     
     
   • Contains samples from "Do Your Thing" by Lyn Collins
     Lyn Collins
     Lyn Collins was an African American soul singer best known for working with James Brown in the 1970s. Contrary to some reports, she is not related to Bootsy Collins, nor Catfish Collins....
     
     
3. "Skit"
4. "It's Been a Long Time"
   • Produced by DJ Premier
     DJ Premier
     Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
     
     
   • Contains samples from "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim
     Eric B. & Rakim
     Eric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier and MC Rakim .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...
     
      and "Call Me (Come Back Home)" by Cecil Holmes
     Cecil Holmes
     Cecil Holmes was a co-founder of Casablanca Records and a founder of Chocolate City Records.In 1986, while working at Columbia's black music division, he signed The New Kids on the Block to their first record contract.-References:...
     
     
5. "Remember That"
   • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
     Clark Kent (producer)
     Clark Kent is a hip hop DJ, record producer and music executive of Panamanian descent . His crew of DJs is called "The Supermen", and his DJ moniker is derived from the name of Superman's alter ego....
     
     
   • Contains samples from "Thoughts of Old Flames" by Pleasure
6. "The Saga Begins"
   • Produced by Pete Rock
     Pete Rock
     Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
     
     
   • Contains samples from "Love Has a Way" by Monty Alexander
     Monty Alexander
     Monty Alexander is a jazz pianist and melodica player. His playing has a strong Caribbean influence and swinging feeling, but he has also been influenced by Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly, and Ahmad Jamal.-Biography:Alexander discovered the piano at the age of 4, taking classical music...
     
      and "Hell on Earth (Front Lines)" by Mobb Deep
     Mobb Deep
     Mobb Deep is an American hip hop duo from Queensbridge, Queens, New York, U.S., that consists of Havoc and Prodigy. The duo is "one of the most critically acclaimed hardcore East Coast hip-hop groups." The group is best known for its dark, hardcore delivery, as exemplified by the single "Shook Ones...
     
     
7. "Skit"
8. "Guess Who's Back"
   • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
     Clark Kent (producer)
     Clark Kent is a hip hop DJ, record producer and music executive of Panamanian descent . His crew of DJs is called "The Supermen", and his DJ moniker is derived from the name of Superman's alter ego....
     
     
   • Contains samples from "Shamboozie" by Bob James
     Bob James (musician)
     Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
     
     , "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy and "My Melody" by Eric B. & Rakim
     Eric B. & Rakim
     Eric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier and MC Rakim .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...
     
     
9. "Stay a While"
   • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
     Clark Kent (producer)
     Clark Kent is a hip hop DJ, record producer and music executive of Panamanian descent . His crew of DJs is called "The Supermen", and his DJ moniker is derived from the name of Superman's alter ego....
     
     
10. "New York (Ya Out There)"
    • Produced by DJ Premier
      DJ Premier
      Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
      
      
    • Contains samples from "Down and Out in New York City" by 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...
      
      , "Long Red" by Mountain
      Mountain (band)
      Mountain is an American hard rock band that formed in Long Island, New York in 1969. Originally comprising vocalist and guitarist Leslie West, bassist Felix Pappalardi and drummer N. D. Smart, the band broke up in 1972 before reuniting in 1974 and remaining active until today...
      
       and "MC Battle" by DJ Grand Wizard Theodore
11. "Show Me Love"
    • Produced by Nic Wiz
    • Contains samples from "The Understanding" by Hubert Eaves III
      Hubert Eaves III
      Hubert Eaves III is a keyboardist, songwriter and record producer. He worked on all of the hits by the influential dance act D-Train in the early 1980s. He also did session work with Mtume. Eaves was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he was taught piano by his father.-References:...
      
      
12. "Skit"
13. "The Mystery (Who Is God?)"
    • Produced by Naughty Shorts; Co-Produced by Bill Blass
    • Scratches by DJ Sond
14. "When I'm Flowin'"
    • Produced by Pete Rock
    • Contains samples from "A Time for Love" by Monty Alexander
      Monty Alexander
      Monty Alexander is a jazz pianist and melodica player. His playing has a strong Caribbean influence and swinging feeling, but he has also been influenced by Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly, and Ahmad Jamal.-Biography:Alexander discovered the piano at the age of 4, taking classical music...
      
       and "The Distant Galaxy" by Don Sebesky
      Don Sebesky
      Don Sebesky is an American jazz trombonist and arranger.-Biography:Sebesky trained in trombone at the Manhattan School of Music; in his early career, he played with Kai Winding, Claude Thornhill, Tommy Dorsey, Warren Covington, Maynard Ferguson and Stan Kenton...
      
      
15. "It's Been a Long Time" (Suave House Mix)
    • Produced by Mo-Suave-A
16. "Guess Who's Back" (Alternative Mix)
    • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
      Clark Kent (producer)
      Clark Kent is a hip hop DJ, record producer and music executive of Panamanian descent . His crew of DJs is called "The Supermen", and his DJ moniker is derived from the name of Superman's alter ego....
      
      
17. "Outro"

The Book of Life

1. "I Know You Got Soul"
2. "Follow the Leader"
3. "Eric B. Is President"
4. "Microphone Fiend"
5. "I Ain't No Joke"
6. "Lyrics of Fury"
7. "My Melody"
8. "Know the Ledge "
9. "Move the Crowd"
10. "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em"
11. "Mahogany"
12. "In the Ghetto"
13. "Casualties of War"
14. "The Punisher"
15. "Paid in Full"

External links

• The 18th Letter at Discogs
  Discogs
  Discogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...
  
  
• Rapper Keeps His Cool at New York Daily News
  New York Daily News
  The Daily News of New York City is the fourth most widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 605,677, as of November 1, 2011....
  
  
• The Microphone God — By Vibe