More Than 20 MCs Join Eric B. & Rakim In Celebrating Their 30th Anniversary (Video)

Yesterday (July 7), marked the 30th anniversary of the release of Eric B. & Rakim’s classic album, Paid In Full, and they celebrated it in grand fashion. The two were joined on stage at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater by by more than 20 artists from eras both before and after Eric & Ra’s debut dropped, as a testament to what the act has meant to Hip-Hop.

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Over the course of two and a half hours, several artists performed in tribute to the duo, including Main Source, Joeski Love, Ma$e, Flava Flav, T La Rock, Peter Gunz, B Fats, Lovebug Starski, Al B. Sure, EPMD, Fat Joe, Ice-T, Maino, Sweet Tee, Roxanne Shante, Mr. Cheeks and Special Ed. Kool Herc, Bumpy Knuckles, Michael Bivins, Ralph McDaniels, Chuck Chillout, Charlie Mack and more also came out to celebrate the momentous occasion.

While Eric and Rakim took top billing on the show, it was more a celebration of them than a concert by them. Rakim took the stage twice during the evening, performing “I Ain’t No Joke,” “My Melody,” “I Know You Got Soul” and “Eric B. Is President.” For “Paid In Full,” he let the crowd do the honors, basking in the moment, as the crowd serenaded him.

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As the show ended, the crowd was left wanting more from Eric and Rakim, whether from their acclaimed debut or some of their other storied catalog. However, fans in the NYC-area will be able to catch Rakim again at the 2017 Brooklyn Hip-Hop festival on July 15.