rakim Archives

Rakim – What’s Wrong

Here's a previously unreleased track from Rakim from 2009. Straight fire! The God MC is still dropping knowledge. Check out What's Wrong below. Here's the story about the track: “What’s Wrong,” was initially produced and recorded for Rakim’s “Seventh Seal” (2009) LP, but due to clearance issues was nixed from... Read more

March 9, 2013 Audio

The Legacy of Donald Byrd

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February 9, 2013 Audio, Throwback

Rakim – Bring It On

Here's a red hot previously unreleased version of Rakim's Bring It On. Check it out below. Related: Rakim – New York to Cali (Audio)... Read more

January 8, 2013 Audio

Rakim performs with ArtOfficial (Video)

Here's some footage of Rakim performing It's Been a Long Time and Paid in Full with ArtOfficial, a local Miami band. The God MC + a live band = GENIUS! Check out the video. Related: Rakim discusses how he narrowly avoided starting a beef with Big Daddy Kane (Video)... Read more

December 10, 2012 Video

Rakim – New York to Cali

Here's a previously unreleased alternate version of a rare track by Rakim. Check out this version and the original of New York to Cali below. Props: YouHeardThatNew Related: Big Daddy Kane vs. Rakim: here’s the playlist that settles the debate once and for all…or does it? (Playlist) Here's the original... Read more

November 27, 2012 Audio

Rakim performs Juice (Know the Ledge) in Atlanta (Video)

We got to witness the legendary Rakim Allah perform his classic from the Juice soundtrack last night in Atlanta from about 5 feet away after he was honored with the I Am Hip Hop Icon Award at the 2012 BET Hip-Hop Awards. The God MCs still commands a stage like... Read more

September 30, 2012 Video

Throwback: Classic Audio of Rakim and Biz Markie Rhyming in High School (Audio)

Wow. Wow. WOW. Here's a super rare gem--audio footage of Biz Markie and Rakim rhyming in high school. It's so vintage Rakim rhymed under a different name...SUPER FRESH. This is from a project called the Lunchroom Battles. Check it out. Related: Rakim vs Big Daddy Kane: the playlist that settles... Read more

September 5, 2012 Audio, Throwback

Big Daddy Kane vs. Rakim: here’s the playlist that settles the debate once and for all…or does it? (Playlist)

Rakim's recent interview discussing the rivalry he had at one time with Big Daddy Kane rekindled the chatter about which MC would win in a battle. Since that battle likely will never occur, we decided to take matters into our own hands to settle the debate once and for all.... Read more

August 10, 2012 Audio, Food for Thought, Playlists, Throwback

Rakim discusses how he narrowly avoided starting a beef with Big Daddy Kane (Video)

Here’s a really dope video of Rakim discussing the 4 bars he originally included in Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em where he went at Big Daddy Kane. He also discusses how the potentially epic beef was avoided. Check out the video. Related: Rakim - The Definition of a Classic Documentary... Read more

August 9, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Rakim: The Definition of a Classic documentary. Prepare to be taken on a journey through the music and impact of Rakim Allah, the God MC (Video)

Here's an incredibly well done mini-documentary on Rakim by Complex and Reebok Classic. It features tons of great historical photos and video footage, as well as sharp commentary from Bill Adler, DJ Premier, Noah Callahan-Bever (EIC of Complex) and Rakim himself. Props: 2DBZ Related: Video playlist celebrating the 25th Anniversary... Read more

July 13, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Salute to Eric B & Rakim. 7/7 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of their landmark album Paid in Full. Hip-hop has never been the same since that day. Here’s a video playlist of some of the gems from that classic album (Video)

Related: Playlist celebrating the career of Rakim (Video)... Read more

July 6, 2012 Playlists, Throwback, Video

Rakim interview with OkayPlayer and performance in NYC at Joe’s Pub (Video)

Here's a dope interview of Rakim by OkayPlayer. It also features footage of him performing with The Roots. You can check out the interview and footage of Rakim performing recently in NYC at Joe's Pub below. Related: Playlist celebrating the music of Rakim (Audio)... Read more

June 29, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Rakim interview with Montreality (Video)

We celebrated the career of Rakim last week with a playlist of some of his many classics. Here's a 20-minute interview of The R that touches on a number of subjects including MCs of today that he's feeling, his top 5 MCs of all time, his biggest fear, what he... Read more

June 18, 2012 Video

Living Legends: A Playlist Celebrating the Career of the One and Only Rakim (Playlist)

Watching Rakim perform last night (see footage below) was a reminder of why he has nicknames like the God MC and Rakim Allah. There was a good 5-10 year stretch where there was NO QUESTION who the GOAT was. The debate started at #2, after the R. For these reasons... Read more

June 13, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Throwback, Video

Here’s a back in the day playlist of 80’s hip-hop classics from Melle Mel, Rakim, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, LL Cool J, Slick Rick, Kurtis Blow, Whodini and more (Playlist)

This back in the day playlist was inspired by hearing Nas talk about his love for 80's hip-hop legends like Melle Mel, Kurtis Blow, KRS-One, Slick Rick, Rakim and others. In addition to those MCs, you'll hear tracks from The Fat Boys, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, LL... Read more

March 31, 2012 Audio, Playlists, Throwback

Angie Martinez introduces A$AP Rocky to Rakim (Video)

Here's a really dope video where Angie Martinez orchestrates a surprise introduction of A$AP Rocky to his namesake Rakim. It's great to see different generations of hip-hop come together. There is no question from his reaction the respect Rocky has for Rakim. Check it out.... Read more

February 1, 2012 Video

Rakim Speaks: The Complex Interview

Rakim interviews are few and far between these days. Complex recently got a good one. He discusses working on new material, other rappers whose work he respects, his recent nomination for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the 25th anniversary of the release of Paid in Full and more. ... Read more

November 2, 2011 Food for Thought

Masta Ace – BK (We Don’t Play)

Here's a previously unreleased Masta Ace song from the early 2000s. The track is produced by Paul Nice and you may recognize it as the track that DJ Premier flipped several years later in his remix of Classic. Check both songs out below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xg8TbsQQMI Here's Primo's Classic (literally): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCU-qgR_4bM... Read more

July 28, 2011 Audio, The Bridge

Footage of Rakim and Nas performing at Paul Rosenberg’s (Eminem’s manager) party.

These videos dropped a couple of days ago, but if you missed them, they are well worth a look. Check them out below. Rakim - Eric B. Is President and Follow the Leader http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPPf552f1Ek&feature=player_embedded Nas -N.Y. State of Mind and The World is Yours http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0Z7CEL96ko&feature=player_embedded... Read more

July 26, 2011 Video

The Roots recently linked with Rakim to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Paid in Full. Here’s some footage (not nearly enough) of the performance and some interviews with ?uestlove, Black Thought, and Rakim Allah.

Props to MTV.com for the news brief. Also, if you missed it, click here to check out our back in the day mix that centers on the late 80's/early 90's era that birthed Rakim. Tags: MTV Shows If you missed our back in the day mix, which focuses on that... Read more

June 24, 2011 Video

Rakim speaks on his favorite verse in this interview. What’s yours?

SO many choices, but mine would be "I take 7 MCs put 'em in a line..." You know the rest. Here's the interview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRXCSooqqpk&feature=player_embedded... Read more

June 9, 2011 Throwback, Video

This week’s playlist is the first in a series dedicated to the greatest producers in hip-hop. First up is the legendary DJ Premier.

Primo burst onto the national scene more than 23 years ago and has been a hip-hop staple ever since. He represents guaranteed credibility for any project he touches and has often been the go-to guy for the greatest rappers in the game. You know what to expect: Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z,... Read more

March 11, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Good God. I was not ready for the remake of Eric B. and Rakim’s classic In the Ghetto by The Roots, John Legend and Rakim Allah, himself.

Black Thought's verse alone would have been enough. This is from J. Period's mixtape remix of The Roots and John Legend's Wake Up! album. You can download the full mixtape for free here. Click here to download In The Ghetto. Here's the original--easily one of the best rap records ever:... Read more

February 16, 2011 Audio, Mixes, The Bridge

Jazz has never been one of my favorite genres. Yet, it is the foundation of hip-hop samples (along with James Brown and Funkadelic). Chuwee’s Yes Yes Yo reminded me of this and inspired this week’s playlist. You’ll find A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, Gang Starr, The Roots, Nas, Eric B. and Rakim and others.

Guaranteed to help make a smooth transition into the weekend. Press play, sit back and enjoy. If you missed Yes Yes Yo by Chuwee, click here.... Read more

February 4, 2011 Audio, Playlists

Here’s a playlist of hip-hop classics to get your head moving but not much else. You’ll find classic cuts from Eric B. and Rakim, O.C., EPMD, De La Soul, The Pharcyde, Mobb Deep, Black Moon, Pete Rock & CL Smooth and others. At 100 BPM or less, it’s to the listeners…

January 30, 2011 Audio, Playlists

When’s the last time you heard a rap with no curses that wasn’t the “clean” version? Check out Lo Fi Love by Theo Martins.

He talks about Africa, family, faith and real life concerns without coming across as preachy. The verse and the track are on point. It's a rare and good look. It's hard to believe but there used to be a time when cursing in hip-hop was rare...No judgments, just food for... Read more

January 27, 2011 Audio, The Bridge

Speaking of Old School, you're not ready for this new Swizz Beatz joint ft Rakim Allah. I promise you.

The song is called King Tut. Click here to download. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUyAbHCCpBM... Read more

November 8, 2010 Audio