Eric B. & Rakim
Eric B. & Rakim was a hip-hop duo from New York City, New York, United Stat… Read Full Bio ↴Eric B. & Rakim was a hip-hop duo from New York City, New York, United States composed of DJ Eric Barrier (born November 8, 1965) and MC Rakim (born William Michael Griffin Jr.). The duo went on to release 4 studio albums with their 1987, Paid in Full being regarded as one the most influential albums in Hip Hop. In 1988, they released their second album titled, Follow The Leader. They later continued to release two more albums in 1990, Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and in 1992, Don't Sweat the Technique in which they went on to split in that same year.

Eric B. & Rakim were almost universally recognized as the best DJ & MC duo. Not only was their chemistry superb, but individually, each represented the absolute peak in their respective skills. Eric B. was a hugely influential DJ and beatmaker whose taste for hard-hitting James Brown samples touched off a stampede through the Godfather of Soul's back catalog that continues up to the present day. Rakim, meanwhile, still tops fan polls as the greatest MC of all time. He crafted his rhymes like poetry, filling his lines with elaborate metaphors and complex internal rhymes, and he played with the beat like a jazzman, earning a reputation as the smoothest-flowing MC ever to pick up a mic. His articulation was clear, his delivery seemingly effortless, and his influence on subsequent MCs incalculable. Together, their peerless technique on the microphone and turntables upped the ante for all who followed them, and their advancement of hip-hop as an art form has been acknowledged by everyone from Gang Starr to the Wu-Tang Clan. While certain elements of their sound might come off as slightly dated today, it's also immediately clear how much of a hand Eric B. & Rakim had in leading hip-hop into the modern age.

Eric B. was born Eric Barrier in 1965 in Elmhurst, Queens; his future partner, William Griffin, Jr., was born in 1968 and also hailed from the suburbs of New York, specifically Wyandanch, Long Island. At age 16, Griffin converted to Islam and adopted the name Rakim Allah. Barrier played trumpet and guitar early on, but switched to the turntables in high school, and eventually landed a job as the mobile DJ for radio station WBLS. It was there that he met Rakim, and the two officially formed a partnership in 1985. Their first single -- "Eric B. Is President" (an ode to Barrier's DJ skills) b/w "My Melody" -- was released on the tiny Harlem-based indie label Zakia. It was a street-level sensation during the summer of 1986, and the duo was picked up by the larger 4th & Broadway imprint. The equally monumental singles "I Ain't No Joke" and "I Know You Got Soul" sampled James Brown and his cohort Bobby Byrd, respectively, and their utter funkiness began to revolutionize the sound of hip-hop. Moreover, Rakim's line "pump up the volume" on the latter track was in turn sampled itself, becoming the basis for M/A/R/R/S' hit of the same name.

In 1987, 4th & Broadway issued the duo's full-length debut, Paid in Full; accompanied by a mighty underground buzz, the record climbed into the Top Ten on the R&B LP charts (as would all of their subsequent albums). Additionally, the British DJ duo Coldcut remixed the title cut into a bona fide U.K. smash. The exposure helped make "Paid in Full"'s drum track one of the most sampled beats this side of James Brown's "Funky Drummer"; it provided the foundation for Milli Vanilli's "Girl You Know It's True," among many other, more credible hits. On the heels of Paid in Full, Eric B. & Rakim signed with MCA subsidiary Uni and consolidated their reputation with another landmark hip-hop album, 1988's Follow the Leader. The title cut took its place among the classic singles already in their canon, and Jody Watley soon tapped the duo for a guest spot on her 1989 single "Friends," which brought them into the pop Top Ten for the first and only time.

The 1990 follow-up Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em proved relatively disappointing from a creative standpoint, although 1992's slightly jazzier Don't Sweat the Technique was a more consistent affair that bolstered their legacy. As it turned out, the record also completed that legacy. The duo's contract with MCA was almost up, and they had discussed the possibility of each recording a solo album. Unfortunately, the resulting tension over the future of their partnership ultimately destroyed it. In the aftermath of the breakup, various legal issues prevented both parties from starting their solo careers for quite some time.
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Eric B. & Rakim Lyrics


and Rakim Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra R, rugged and rough, that's…
As The Rhyme Goes On (Pump it up, home boy) (Pump it up, home boy) Knowledge'll …
As the Rhyme Goes On (Pumpin' the Turbo: Chad Jay in Effect) Knowledge will begin until I finish this song ''cause the rh…
As the Rhythm Goes On Pump it up homeboy Pump it up homeboy Knowledge will beg…
Casualties Of War Casualties of War! Casualties of war; as I approach the…
Chinese Arithmetic We haven't lyrics of this song. Please, add these lyrics…
Don Don't sweat the Technique Don't sweat the Technique Let's t…
Don't Sweat the Technique (Funky Ginger Club version) Don’t sweat the technique Don’t sweat the technique Let’s t…
Dont Sweat The Technique Don't sweat the Technique Don't sweat the Technique Let's t…
Eric B & rakim I came in the door, I said it before I never…
Eric B 4 President Make 'em clap to this (To show our appreciation for your…
Eric B for President I came in the door, I said it before I never…
Eric B Is President I came in the door, I said it before I never…


Eric B Is The President Make 'em clap to this (To show our appreciation for your…
Eric B. Made My Day goddam that dj made my day eric b…
Eric B. Never Scared Eric Eric B make ya flap to this Eric B make ya…
Flow Forever [Rakim] Aiyyo.. what's goin on? The Mic Lebanon Teflon Don…
Follow the Leader Follow me into a solo, get in the flow And…
I Ain't No Joke I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic…
I Ain’t No Joke I ain't no joke, I use to let the mic…
I Know Aye yo, who's the most explosive one yet? The a…
I Know You Got It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you Without a…
I Know You Got Soul (a cappella) It's been a long time, I shouldn't have left you Without…
I Know You Got. It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you Without a…
I Like That You Can't Take That Away From Me Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note, Though by tomorro…
In The Ghetto Planet Earth was my place of birth Born to be the…
It's Been A Long Time "It's been a long time.." "It's been a long time.."…
Juice Sip the juice cuz I got enough to go around, And…
Juice (Know the Ledge) (Main mix) * - originally appeared on the juice sndtrk Sip the juice…
Just A Beat the beat (repeat)…
Keep 'Em Eager To Listen [Rakim] Me and the rap's laid back Nonchalant and relaxe…
Keep The Beat She asked could I keep the beat So here's the…
Kick Along Kick along (3x) If you like it accapella; soul clap…
Know The Ledge Sip the juice cuz I got enough to go around, And…
Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em Let the rhythm hit 'em I'm the arsenal I got artillery lyri…
Lyrics Of Fury I'm rated "R"...this is a warning, ya better void Poets are…
Mahogany Me and Eric be was coolin' at the Paladium Seen a…
Microphone Fiend I was a fiend before I became a teen I…
Move The Crowd Standin' by the speaker Suddenly I had this fever Was…
Musical Massacre How could I keep my composure When all sorts of thoughts…
My Melody Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand out…
No Competition No competition ... No competition ... Competition is…
No Omega I'm the Alpha with no Omega Beginning without the…
Paid in Full Yo, Rakim, what's up? Yo, I'm doing the knowledge, E., I'm…
Paid in Full (album version) (Eric B): Yo Rakim, what's up? (Rakim): Yo, I'm doing the…
Paid in Full (Derek B's Urban Respray) [Eric B]: Yo Rakim, what's up? [Rakim]: Yo, I'm doing the…
Paid In Full - Seven Minutes Of Madness - The Coldcut Remix (Eric B): Yo Rakim, what's up? (Rakim): Yo, I'm doing the…
Pass The Hand Grenade Pass the hand grenade It's gonna blow 'cause I took…
Pump Up the Volume Paid in Full (Eric B): Yo Rakim, what's up? (Rakim): Yo,…
Put Ya' Hands Together Clap your hands Clap your hands Clap your hands Clap your h…
Put Your Hands Together (Fon Force mix) *piano playing for 1:02 before the beginning of the main…
Real Shit Yeah It's the paragraph ambassador The wild style fashio…
Relax With Pep My styles will move I'm calm but deadly heat…
Remember That Remember that? Turn the beat up, I get lost in the…
Rest Assured Double oh seven is back... Double oh seven is back...…
Run For Cover Here I go again ready to flow again Better hold my…
Set 'Em Straight [Rakim] I came to set em straight and let…
Stay a While Rakim, Clark Kent bring it on [Repeat: x2] What you wann…
Step Back See if you can step to this (Back to the lab) Now…
Teach The Children No more time to pass time 'cause these are the…
The "R" Whoever underestimated, still waited Pumping the radio, fin…
The Ghetto Planet Earth was my place of birth Born to be the…
The Microphone Fiend I was a fiend before I became a teen I…
The Punisher Kill him again! Try to identufy the man in front…
The R Whoever underestimated, still waited Pumping the radio, fina…
The R. Whoever underestimated, still waited Pumping the radio, fin…
To The Listeners It's to the listeners It's to the listeners It's to…
Untouchables This is poetry in motion Try to catch on …
What's Going On What's going on? What's happening, it's been so long, what…
What's On Your Mind I seen her in the subway, on my way to…
When I be on the Mic Hardcore, real ill niggas I'm internationally known When I…
You Know I Got Soul It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you Without a…


We have lyrics for these tracks by Eric B.:


As the Rhyme Goes On Knowledge will begin until I finish this song 'Cause the…
Chinese Arithmetic It's not your situation I just need contemplation over you O…
Don't Sweat The Technique Don't sweat the technique Don't sweat the technique Let's …
Eric B Is President Make 'em clap to this (To show our appreciation for your…
Eric B. Made My Day goddam that dj made my day eric b…
Follow the Leader Follow me into a solo, get in the flow And…
Good Bye Posso ver a dor viva em seu olhar E eu sei…
I Ain't No Joke I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic…
I Can't Let You Our romance won't end on a sorrowful note, Though by tomorro…
I Know You Got Soul It's been a long time I shouldn't have left you Without…
is a president Make 'em clap to this (To show our appreciation for your…
Know The Ledge Sip the juice, I got enough to go around And the…
Know You Got Soul It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you Without a…
Love For your love For your love I'd give you everything and more…
Microphone Fiend I was a fiend before I became a teen I…
Move the Crowd Standin' by the speaker Suddenly I had this fever Was…
My Melody Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand out…
Paid in Full Yo, Rakim, what's up? Yo, I'm doing the knowledge, E., I'm…


We have lyrics for these tracks by Rakim:


-05- Remember That Remember that? Turn the beat up, I get lost in the…
05. All Night long I'm back! The god remains, still at the end They…
05. Remember That Remember that? Turn the beat up, I get lost in the…
08. Guess Who's Back "Once again back is the incredible" Yeah, yeah It's the ret…
18th Letter What yo Just when things seemed the same and…
5. Remember That Remember that? Turn the beat up, I get lost in the…
Addictive he breaks, me down he buils, me up he fills, my cup I…
After You Die Chorus 2x: Do You Ever Think What Life Would Be Where Yo…
Ain't No Joke I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic…
All Night Long I'm back! The god remains, still at the end They…
black messiah Love, respect and appreciation To the Black society And to t…
Casualties Of War Casualties of War! Casualties of war; as I approach the…
cold feeling [Intro: Rakim] Yeah (allowed it) Guess who (Raahaaaah) Uh…
Concrete Jungle Bob Marley: Even the spiritual environment, higher divinity,…
Dedicated You and me (You and me) We used to be together…
Documentary Of A Gangsta (Rakim) Ay, yo this right here man, its like the documentar…
don't sweat the technique Don't sweat the Technique Don't sweat the Technique Let's t…
E.L.E. 2 Intro Currently on Extinction Level Event 2 Genesis Chapter 11, ve…
Eric B For President I came in the door, I said it before I never…
Eric B Is President Make 'em clap to this (To show our appreciation for your…
Euphoria Yeah, you know what this is. NYC The triumphant return (Raki…
Finest Ones Where the ladies at? Clarkworld baby Uh, uh [Repeat:…
Flow Forever [Rakim] Hey yo what's going on? The Mic Lebanon Teflon Don, …
Follow The Leader Follow me into a solo, get in the flow And…
Get Visual [Verse 1] Yes, yes y’all – I still fiend by any…
Geuss Who's Back "Once again back is the incredible" Yeah, yeah It's the ret…
Ghetto Planet Earth was my place of birth Born to be the…
Guess Who Yeah, yeah (Once again, back is the incredible) It's the re…
Guess Who is Back "Once again back is the incredible" Yeah, yeah It's the ret…
Guess Who's Back Yeah, yeah (Once again, back is the incredible) It's the re…
Guess Who's Back ft. DJ Premier "Once again back is the incredible" Yeah, yeah It's the …
Guess Whos Back Yeah, yeah (Once again, back is the incredible) It's the re…
Guess who´s back "Once again back is the incredible" Yeah, yeah It's the …
Heat it Up (Take that microphone from that kid and heat it up)…
Hip Hop That's what it is, uh huh Nick Wiz, turn my headphones…
Holy Are You Holy are you There is no God but you There is no…
Hoodlum [Havoc] Sometimes it feels like the whole world is against m…
How 2 Emcee Look what yall made me do Chorus: this is your koran…
How I Get Down [Rakim] Before the dough came, my whole aim, was blow like…
How To Emcee Look what yall made me do Chorus: This is your koran…
I Ain't No Joke I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic…
i get visual [Rakim] Before the dough came, my whole aim, was blow like…
I Know It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you Without a…
I'll Be There [Chorus] I will always be there I always be there for you I…
I'll Be There ) I will always be there I'll always be there for you I…
In The Ghetto Planet Earth was my place of birth Born to be the…
Intro Currently on Extinction Level Event 2 Genesis Chapter 11, ve…
Intro ) What are you giving them back? [Rakim] I think what…
It It's been a long time It's been a long time It's been…
It's A Must ) If I lay low and let the day go it'll…
It's Been A Long Time It's been a long time It's been a long time It's been…
It's Been Along Time "It's been a long time" "It's been a long time" "It's been…
It's Nothing Yeah No further due Know who it is Uh huh (Rakim) This is w…
It's The 'R' Hey yo, it's Mr. Low,key, you need to go see…
Its A Must ) If I lay low and let the day go it'll…
Its Been A Long Time It's been a long time It's been a long time It's been…
Its The R Hey yo, it's Mr. Low,key, you need to go see…
It\xE2\x80\x99s Been a Long Time It's been a long time It's been a long time It's been…
It´s Been A Long Time "It's been a long time" "It's been a long time" "It's been…
IT’S A MUST If I lay low and let the day go it'll…
It’s Been a Long Time It's been a long time It's been a long time It's been…
It’s Nothing Yeah No further due Know who it is Uh huh (Rakim) This is w…
Juice Sip the juice, I got enough to go around And the…
Keep The Beat She asked could I keep the beat So here's the…
Know The Ledge Sip the juice 'cause I got enough to go around And…
Let the Rhythm Hit 'em Let the rhythm hit 'em I'm the arsenal I got artillery lyri…
Light It Up (Take that microphone from that kid and heat it up)…
Livin For The City In the city where life is animated with colors Contaminated…
Love hey yo every time hear some real hip hop man…
Love Me Yeah, check it out, show me love Promise you won't do…
Lyrics Of Fury I'm rated "R"...this is a warning, ya better void Poets are…
Mahogany Me and Eric be was coolin' at the Paladium Seen…
Man Above Ladies and gentlemen, ghettos all across the world The ma…
Message In The Song Yall know what my purpose is I spit verses that lift…
Microphone Fiend I was a fiend before I became a teen I melted…
Move The Crowd Standin' by the speaker Suddenly I had this fever Was…
Musical Massacre How could i keep my composure When all sorts of thoughts…
My Melody Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand out…
My Melody (Live) Verse One: Turn up the bass, check out my melody, hand…
Mystery If you can see if you can solve the mystery The…
New York If you was born in New York City let me…
New York City Nasty, yeah, yeah (New York, New York) Hey yo black it's…
New York New York If you was born in New York City let me…
Nos Fuimos Yo! Yo! That's right, baby! Rakim is in the building right n…
Outro What is, the one, main thing that you have That you…
Paid In Full Yo, Rakim, what's up? Yo, I'm doing the knowledge, E., I'm…
Psychic Love She got the type of love that entice a thug* A…
R A K I M Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra R, rugged and rough, that's…
R.A.K.I.M Rakh (x8) Chorus (x2) Are Rugged and rough that's how I do…
R.A.K.I.M. Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra R, rugged and rough, that's…
Rakim Remember That Remember that? Turn the beat up, I get lost in the…
Real Shit Yeah It's the paragraph ambassador The wild style fashione…
Remember That Remember that? Turn the beat up, I get lost in the…
Run Here I go again ready to flow again Better hold my…
Saga Begins "Ghetto Music" (here we go) [Repeat: x5] "Yo" "And my name…
Satisfaction Guaranteed Uh?..I got it good (Neyo) I put product in the street…
Show Me Love Yeah, check it out, show me love Promise you won't do…
Skit So just knowin that people umm, compare me with with…
Skit 1 It feel good, ya knahmean? To uhh, come back and and…
State Of Hip Hop Interlude The state of hip-hop right now man, as far as…
Stay A While Rakim, Clark Kent bring it on [Repeat: x2] What you wanna s…
Still In Love Hey yo every time hear some real hip hop man…
Strong Island [Rakim] One two Yeah, yeah, "Rough enough to break New York…
Take The Train Rakim: Calling all Rugrats (3x) Please come in Rugrats Tak…
The 18th Letter What yo Just when things seemed the same and…
The 18th Letter (Always And F What yo Just when things seemed the same and…
The Edge vs Eric B Is President Make 'em clap to this (To show our appreciation for your…
The Ghetto Planet Earth was my place of birth Born to be the…
The Mystery If you can see if you can solve the mystery The…
The Punisher Kill him again! Try to identufy the man in front…
The R's Hey yo, it's Mr. Low,key, you need to go see…
The Saga Begins "Ghetto Music" (here we go) [Repeat: x5] "Yo" "And my name…
Uplift Levantore Yeah, it's just ghetto, kid test the devil to hit…
Uplift ) Levantore! Yeah, it's just ghetto, kid test the devil to hi…
Waiting For The World To End [Rakim] Yeah, it's the god Rakim Word up, I'm blazin this ou…
Waiting For The World To End ) [Rakim] Yeah, it's the god Rakim Word up, I'm blazin this …
Walk These Streets [Tracey Horton - Intro] (Rakim) La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah …
Walk These Streets (feat. Maino) La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah (Uh...…
Walk These Streets featuring Maino Tracey Horton [Tracey Horton - Intro] (Rakim) La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah …
We'll Never Stop Yeah (it don't stop) Yeah Check it out (it don't stop) Come …
What's going on What's going on? What's happening, it's been so long, what…
What's on your mind I seen her in the subway, on my way to…
Whats Going On What's going on? What's happening it's been so long…
When I B On Tha Mic (DJ Premier scratches hook) (Hardcore...real ill niggas) …
When i B On Tha Mike Hardcore, real ill niggas I'm internationally known When I…
When I Be On Da Mic (Hardcore, real ill niggas) I'm internationally known (When …
When I Be On Tha Mic Hardcore, real ill niggas I'm internationally known When I…
when i be on the mic [DJ Premier scratches hook] (Hardcore...real ill niggas) …
When I'm Flowin Yes yes y'all, check it out y'all [Repeat: x2] [Chorus] (Yo…
When i`m flow in Yes yes y'all, check it out y'all [Repeat: x2] [Chorus] …
Won't Be Long [Intro - Rakim - talking] In the words of the…
Word On the Street I left the set... They need me, like, "Where he go?"…
Workin for You Yeah, let's get it cracking I've been working for you (it's…
You And I It's been a long time I shouldn'na left you Without a…


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