Griffin is the nephew of American R&B singer and actress Ruth Brown. He grew up in Wyandanch, New York, and became involved in the New York hip hop scene at a young age. Eric B brought him to Marley Marl’s house to record "Eric B. is President." At the time Griffin was fresh out of high school and on his way to college, but he decided to forgo higher education and instead chose to record with Eric B. Leshaun
When Griffin turned 16, he joined The Nation of Gods and Earths (also known as the 5 Percent Nation) and changed his name to Rakim Allah.
In 1986, Rakim started to work with New York-based producer-DJ Eric B. The duo — known as Eric B & Rakim — is widely regarded as among the most influential and groundbreaking of hip-hop groups. The duo’s first single, "Eric B. Is President" (#48, 1986) b/w “My Melody,” was a success and got the duo a contract with the fledgling Island Records sub-label 4th & B'way. The duo’s next single, the smash “I Know You Got Soul,” sparked early debate on the legality of unauthorized, uncredited sampling when James Brown sued to prevent the duo's use of a fragment of his music. Their first full length album, Paid in Full, was released in 1987, and has since been hailed as one of hip-hop's seminal albums. Their follow-up LP; Follow the Leader was released a year later, and was also well received by fans and critics. The duo recorded two more albums; Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and Don't Sweat The Technique before they parted ways in late 1992. Due to legal wrangling over royalties and his contracts with both his record label, and with Eric B., Rakim would not release a solo album until five years later.
After splitting with Eric B., Rakim signed with his good friend at the time DeShamus "Q=BOB" Sallis of Q=BOB Records to commence his solo career, however, the label folded shortly afterward. He eventually returned in 1997 with The 18th Letter, which included collaborations with DJ Premier and Pete Rock; which was released in two versions, one of which included an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits disc titled The Book of Life. The critical reception of the album was positive, and it was certified gold. In 1999, Rakim released The Master, which received very good reviews as well.
Rakim was signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment record label in 2000, for work on an album tentatively titled Oh, My God. The album underwent numerous changes in artistic direction and personnel and was delayed several times. While working on the album, Rakim made guest appearances on numerous Aftermath projects, including the hit single "Addictive" by Truth Hurts, the Dr. Dre-produced "The Watcher Part 2" by Jay-Z, and Eminem's 8 Mile soundtrack. However, Rakim left the label in 2003 and Oh, My God was indefinitely shelved, a result of creative differences with Dre. Rakim signed with DreamWorks Records shortly afterward, but the label closed its doors shortly after that.
Rakim also made cameos in the Juelz Santana video "Mic Check," the Timbaland & Magoo video "Cop that Disc," and the Busta Rhymes video "New York Shit." Eric B. and Rakim's classic album Paid In Full was named the greatest hip-hop album of all time by MTV. Rakim was engaged in a lawsuit with reggaeton performer R.K.M (formerly Rakim) over the use of the name "Rakim". Rakim won the rights to the name. Recently, Rakim was featured in an All-Pro Football 2K8 commercial.
The Seventh Seal, Rakim's long-anticipaited album, was released November 17 2009. The first single off the album, Holy Are You, was released through his MySpace page on July 14, 2009 and was made available on iTunes July 28. A second track "Walk These Streets" ft. Maino was released in October. Rakim has been active during its recording with several national tours and special events. Rakim recently closed the Knitting Factory in NYC as the last Hip-Hop performer to walk off the historic club's stage after 25 years of underground performances.
Rakim has influenced songs by Jay-Z, Nas, The Notirious BIG, Lil- Wayne and countless others. Other rappers use many of his lyrics in their songs, often without giving credit.
Tributes to Rakim include:
* Tupac Shakur pays homage to Rakim in the song "Old School" off the album "Me Against the World"
* Raekwon of Wu-Tang Clan dedicated a tribute to Rakim titled "Rakim Tribute," which was released on DaVinci Code: The Vatican Mixtape Vol. II in 2006.
* 50 Cent makes a reference to Rakim on his hugely successful collaborative effort "Hate It or Love It" with The Game. "Daddy ain't around, probably out committing felonies/my favorite rapper used to sing Ch-Check out my melody," referencing Eric B & Rakim's hit "My Melody".
* Shock-G paid homage to Rakim by playfully reciting lines from the Eric-B & Rakim song "I Know You Got Soul" in the Digital Underground song Doowutchyalike: "since ya came here ya gotta show & prove, and do that dance until it don't move.."
* Saul Williams mentions Rakim in the song "Twice The First Time", stating: "not until you've listened to Rakim on a rocky mountain top have you heard hip hop" and also in the song "Penny For A Thought" where he says "Someone like Rakim said – 'I could quote any MC, but why should I? how would it benefit me?'"
* Kurupt references Rakim on Snoop Dogg's debut album, Doggystyle. On "For All My Niggaz and Bitches," Kurupt says, "Who's jokin'? Rakim never joked, so why should I, loc? now that's my idol...."
* Ghostface Killah references Rakim in the end of "Paisely Darts," by saying that he is better than every artist except for Rakim, referring to him as "the older god". On his album More Fish, the first track, "Ghost is Back", makes use of the beat from "Juice (Know the Ledge)". He also raps some lines from "Move the Crowd" in "Ghost Deini."
* Eminem has also paid tribute to Rakim's style as an inspiration and references lines from "My Melody"" in his song “I'm Back”. The hook in Eminem's song "The Way I Am" is a homage to the line "I'm the R, the A, to the KIM. If I wasn't then why would I say I am?" from Eric B and Rakim's "As the Rhyme Goes On". Nas made a similar reference in Got Ur Self A...: "I'm the N the A to the S-I-R / and If I wasn't I must've been Escobar". I-Kompleate has also does the same in his song "Rhymes" on the hook: "I'm not I-K-O to the N-I-C, cos if I was I wouldn't be I-Kompleate".Masta Ace uses this in the song by Bekay "Brooklyn Bridge": "I'm from the B-R double O-K L-Y-N, if I wasn't then why would I yell I am"
* I-Kompleate pays tribute and references Rakim in his songs Rhymes, Dominate (The Microphone), and I'm Ready. "Leaving a trace of R, When I chase the stars" "
* Jay-Z paid tribute to Rakim in his 2007 hit "Blue Magic," where he states: "Eighty-seven state of mind that I'm in/I'm in my prime so for that time I'm Rakim."
* Killah Priest references Rakim in many of his songs. He states: "I remind you of Rakim but I'm not him."
* British rapper Scroobius Pip mentions Rakim in his song "Fixed" from the album Angles, as an example of hip hop as art, in the lines "Take it back to the start/Like KRS and Rakim use passion and heart".
* Nas' Street's Disciple album has a track titled "U.B.R. (Unauthorized Biography of Rakim)" where he tells a short version of Rakim's musical career and life.
* The Game directly refers to Rakim in the first line of the third verse of "Da Shit" by saying, "I'm the West Coast Rakim, got niggaz blocked in." He also mentions Rakim in his song "Angel" on LAX: "So I start hip-hop and I understand why Common used to love her. She got me open so I even had to fuck her. But I used the rubber, cause she was married to Rakim".
* Apathy pays homage to Rakim in his song "Hip Hop is Dead" on Baptism by Fire. Apathy raps, "Remember that video 'I Ain't No Joke', Rakim had a chain that'll break your neck, I'm trying to get paid in full and get that check."
* Rapper R.A. The Rugged Man references Rakim in his song "On The Block" referring to the golden age, "that's when Rakim ran shit."
* Rage Against the Machine covered the song "Microphone Fiend" as the opening song on their final album, Renegades, in 2000.
* Canibus pays homage to Rakim on his 1000-bar song "Poet Laureate Infinity", most notably with the bars "I been toe to toe with the best, I ‘Know the Ledge’" and "As odd as it may seem, the Microphone Fiend, Is God of the Hip Hop regime"
* Songs like Lloyd's "Girls Around the World" and Snoop Dogg's "Paper'd Up" sample the beat of Eric B. and Rakim's "Paid in Full" with both Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg putting their own twist on the Rakim's verse.
* Brother Ali calls Rakim his hero in his song "As Real As Can Be". He also references the line "I came in the door/said it before" from "Eric B is President" in his song "Whatcha Got" where he raps "I came in the door/1984".
* Drunken Tiger (South Korean hip-hop artist) features Rakim on the track "Monster" off of his 2009 album, "Feel gHood Muzik: The 8th Wonder".
* Jay-Z references Rakim in his song "Run This Town" rapping, "Please follow the leader/So Eric B. we are/Microphone fiend/It's the return of the god/Peace god..."
* Jin references Rakim in his song "It's All Over" from "The Emcee's Properganda" album with the line "ya'll needa follow the leader like Rakim gave the orders"
* Nas paid tribute in his song The World Is Yours by saying "The fiend of hip-hop has got me stuck like a crack pipe"
* Scott Van Pelt recently said on his radio show that '...because I'm Paid in Full like Rakim'
* Saigon mentions Rakim in his song 'Hip-Hop' stating "We crown Rakim the king, cos he was calling the gods of earth that came with bling bling"
* Jedi Mind Tricks paid tribute to Rakim by sampling two of his lines from Heat It Up in their song Saviorself, "Elements burst and gave birth to the first/Get the pen from the nurse and hook the mic up first"
Widely considered the greatest rapper of all time, he continues his career with the recently released Seventh Seal.
08. Guess Who's Back
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah
It's the return of the Wild Style fashionist
Smashing hits, make it hard to adapt to this
Put pizazz and jazz in this, and cash in this
Mastered this, flash this and make em clap to this
DJ's throw on cuts and obey the crowd
Hip-Hop's embedded, before I said I wouldn't let it
But me and the microphone is still magnetic
Straight off the top, I knew I'd be forced to rock
Dance floors just stop, the spot's scorching hot
Hoping I open Rakim Allah seminars
Massage at the bar smoking ten dollar cigars
While I admire midas, with more vision than TV's
I find it easy catching diabetes from fly sweeties
Sit back and wait to hear a slamming track
Rocking jams by popular demand, I'm back
[Chorus]
I control the crowd, you know I hold it down
When it drop you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world reknowned
And I rock New York City all year around
Check it out
It's on so you can swerve when it's heard in clubs
Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs
Equations are drawn up in paisley form
Mic it stay warm, my flow is Evian
Deep as a Nautilus, you stay dipped in Ra style
From the shores of Long Island to Panama Canal
Intellect pitches new trends like a clothes designer
I'm in effect, quicker than medicines in China
Split the mic open fill it with something potent to go in
And take a toke then, mental planes start floating
Hot science is smoking altitudes cause choking
Product is hypnotic you're soaking and still smoking
Showing better scenes than grams of amphetamines
Plans to scheme, means I'll forever fiend
Long as the mic is loud and the volume is pumping
I'ma move crowds to 2000
[Chorus]
Yo, my rhymes and lyrics, find spirits like a seance
Since fat Cray-ons, I write and display chaos
My plan is damage, the diagram to where the jam
I take advantage, until the crowd go bananas
What a rush I hear cuts then I lust to touch
Microphones get clutched by the illustrious
Word spread I inherited, many ways to say the unsaid
Born with three 7's in my head
In time no one can seem to blow your mind as far as this
To find you'll need philosophers and anthropologists
Astrologists, professors from your smartest colleges
With knowledge of scholarships, when Ra be dropping this
Some of the things I know, will be in your next Bible
When I die go bury me and my notebook in Cairo
With the great God from Egypt manifest was write rhymes
Align with the stars, I come back to bless the mic
[Chorus: x2]
"Once again, back is the incredible"
Word up, Rakim Allah the Microphone Fiend is back, ya know what I mean?
"Rakim Allah"
Till death do us part
"Once again, back is the incredible"
It's on
"Rakim Allah"
"Once again back is the incredible
The incredible, the incredible
The incredible
Once again back is the incredible
Rhyme animal, the incredible"
The opening line of the song "Once again back is the incredible" is a reference to Rakim's previous hit single "Eric B. Is President," which opened with the same line. The verse is all about Rakim's return to hip-hop music as an incredible force after a brief hiatus. He raps about making it hard for other artists to adapt to his unique style, which not only includes traditional hip-hop elements like DJs and rhyming but also jazz and pizzazz. He then goes on to talk about his magnetic personality and how he is still able to rock the dance floors despite not wanting to let hip-hop become embedded in his life. Rakim also boasts about his control over the crowd with his flow and lyrics.
Rakim's second verse continues with more intricate wordplay and metaphors as he compares his rhyming style to a Nautilus and his lyrics to an equation displayed on a paisley rug. He talks about his ability to create new trends like a fashion designer and his intelligence in catching on to things quickly like medicines in China. The verse ends with him joking that the product is so hypnotic that it's like you're soaking in it and still smoking at the same time. Finally, Rakim's third verse touches on the idea that his rhymes and lyrics are so powerful that they will be studied and analyzed by scholars and philosophers for centuries to come.
Line by Line Meaning
Once again back is the incredible
Rakim Allah, the Microphone Fiend, is back with fresh rhymes to amaze the audience.
It's the return of the Wild Style fashionist
Rakim has an unrivaled rap style that he is bringing back to the music scene.
Smashing hits, make it hard to adapt to this
Rakim is dropping dope rhymes that listeners find hard to keep up with.
Put pizazz and jazz in this, and cash in this
Rakim adds flavor and style to his rhymes to sell more records.
Mastered this, flash this and make em clap to this
Rakim has perfected his craft and is getting the audience to clap along to his rhymes.
DJ's throw on cuts and obey the crowd
Rakim instructs the DJs to play his music and follow what the crowd wants to hear.
Just pump the volume up, and play it loud
Rakim wants his music to be played at a high volume.
Hip-Hop's embedded, before I said I wouldn't let it
Rakim has been a part of Hip-Hop culture for a long time even though he once thought he wouldn't be a part of it.
But me and the microphone is still magnetic
Rakim's voice and flow is still captivating and attracts listeners.
Straight off the top, I knew I'd be forced to rock
Rakim has always known he has the talent to create amazing music that will get people dancing.
Dance floors just stop, the spot's scorching hot
Rakim's music is so incredible that people on the dance floor have to stop to appreciate it.
Hoping I open Rakim Allah seminars
Rakim hopes to inspire others to create amazing music like him.
Massage at the bar smoking ten dollar cigars
Rakim is living luxuriously and enjoying life to the fullest.
While I admire midas, with more vision than TV's
Rakim is stunned by individuals who have a forward-thinking mindset.
I find it easy catching diabetes from fly sweeties
Rakim cannot resist the temptations of beautiful women.
Sit back and wait to hear a slamming track
Rakim is confident that he has made great music and is waiting for the audience to show their love for it.
Rocking jams by popular demand, I'm back
Rakim has returned to the music scene and is in high demand by the public.
I control the crowd, you know I hold it down
Rakim dominates the stage and the audience respects his authority.
When it drop you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
Rakim's music is the epitome of cool with beats and rhymes that are unmatched.
From town to town, until it's world reknowned
Rakim's music is spreading all over the world and gaining popularity.
And I rock New York City all year around
Rakim is the king of New York and makes music that immerses the listener in the city's culture.
It's on so you can swerve when it's heard in clubs
Rakim's music is so good that it makes people get up and dance.
Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs
Rakim's thought process is deep and intricate like the patterns on Persian rugs.
Equations are drawn up in paisley form
Rakim is creating rhymes that have meaning and represent a specific pattern or formula.
Mic it stay warm, my flow is Evian
Rakim's rap style is crisp and refreshing like Evian water.
Deep as a Nautilus, you stay dipped in Ra style
Rakim's rhymes have depth and complexity that you cannot get enough of.
From the shores of Long Island to Panama Canal
Rakim's music is enjoyed by people all over the world.
Intellect pitches new trends like a clothes designer
Rakim is always coming up with new and innovative ideas like fashion designers do.
I'm in effect, quicker than medicines in China
Rakim is fast and efficient in delivering his rhymes, like the medicine in China.
Split the mic open fill it with something potent to go in
Rakim is pouring his soul into every verse of his music.
And take a toke then, mental planes start floating
Rakim's music has a powerful psychedelic effect on the listener's mind.
Hot science is smoking altitudes cause choking
Rakim's rhymes are so intense that they take the audience's breath away.
Product is hypnotic you're soaking and still smoking
Rakim's music is so hypnotic that it can create a trance-like state for the listener.
Showing better scenes than grams of amphetamines
Rakim's music can transport you to a better place than drugs ever could.
Plans to scheme, means I'll forever fiend
Rakim's addiction to creating great music will last forever.
Long as the mic is loud and the volume is pumping
Rakim is confident that he can get the crowd hyped when the music is loud and pumping.
I'ma move crowds to 2000
Rakim has the power to make a whole crowd move and groove to his music.
Yo, my rhymes and lyrics, find spirits like a seance
Rakim's music connects with listeners on a spiritual level like a seance.
Since fat Cray-ons, I write and display chaos
Rakim has been an amazing lyricist ever since his early days with Crayola crayons.
My plan is damage, the diagram to where the jam
Rakim intends to destroy the competition and create a guide for future musicians to follow.
I take advantage, until the crowd go bananas
Rakim's music drives the audience to go wild and become uncontrollable.
What a rush I hear cuts then I lust to touch
Rakim's love of music is so great that he feels the rush and urges to play the instruments himself.
Microphones get clutched by the illustrious
Rakim and other famous rappers have a tight grip on the microphone.
Word spread I inherited, many ways to say the unsaid
Rakim's rhymes have spread far and wide, and he has a unique way of conveying complex ideas.
Born with three 7's in my head
Rakim has a unique and special divine connection with music that others cannot replicate.
In time no one can seem to blow your mind as far as this
No one can amaze the audience with incredible rhymes like Rakim can.
To find you'll need philosophers and anthropologists
Rakim's music is so deep and thought-provoking that it requires the minds of intellectual scholars to understand it fully.
Astrologists, professors from your smartest colleges
Even experts like astrologists and professors from top universities need to analyze Rakim's music to fully comprehend its impact.
With knowledge of scholarships, when Ra be dropping this
Only those with excellent academic credentials can fully appreciate Rakim's rhymes when he drops them.
Some of the things I know, will be in your next Bible
Rakim's music is so influential, that in the future, it will become a custom among people.
When I die go bury me and my notebook in Cairo
Rakim would like to be buried with his notebook full of rhymes in Cairo next to some of the legendary figures in history.
With the great God from Egypt manifest was write rhymes
Rakim believes that writing rhymes is a spiritual and sacred activity that the Gods of ancient Egypt used to do.
Align with the stars, I come back to bless the mic
Rakim's divine connection with music makes him feel like he can bless the microphone by making it produce amazing rhymes.
Once again back is the incredible
Rakim is reminding the listeners that he is back to create more amazing music.
The incredible, the incredible
Rakim's rhymes are so awesome that they can only be described as incredible.
Once again back is the incredible
Rakim is once again back to remind the audience that he is one of the most incredible rappers in history.
Rhyme animal, the incredible
Rakim's rhymes are so intense and powerful that he is referred to as a rhyme animal that is nothing short of incredible.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM GRIFFIN, CARLTON RIDENHOUR, ERIC BARRIER, RODOLFO ANTONIO FRANKLIN, JAMES HENRY BOXLEY III, ERIC T. SADLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ImJustSalvo
Yeah, yeah (once again, back is the incredible)
It's the return of the Wild Style fashionist
Smashin' hits, make it hard to adapt to this
Put pizzazz and jazz in this, and cash in this
Mastered this, flash this and make 'em clap to this
DJ's throw on cuts and obey the crowd
Just pump the volume up, and play it loud
Hip-hop's embedded, before I said I wouldn't let it
But me and the microphone is still magnetic
Straight off the top, I knew I'd be forced to rock
Dance floors just stop, the spot's scorchin' hot
Hopin' I'll open Rakim Allah seminars
Massage at the bar, smokin' ten-dollar cigars
While I admire MIDI, with more vision than TVs
I find it easy catchin' diabetes from fly sweeties
Sit back and wait to hear a slammin' track
Rockin' jams, by popular demand, I'm back
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
It's on, so you can swerve when it's heard in clubs
Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs
Equations are drawn up in paisley form
Mic, it stay warm, my flow is Evian
Deep as a Nautilus, you stay dipped in Ra's style
From the shores of Long Island to Panama Canal
Intellect pitches new trends like a clothes designer
I'm in effect, quicker than medicines in China
Split the mic open, fill it with somethin' potent to go in
And take a toke then mental planes start floatin'
Hot science is smokin', altitudes cause chokin'
Product is hypnotic, you're soakin' and still smokin'
Showin' better scenes than grams of amphetamines
Plans to scheme, means I'll forever fiend
Long as the mic is loud and the volume's pumpin'
I'ma move crowds to 2000 and somethin'
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around (yo)
My rhymes and lyrics find spirits like a séance
Since fat crayons, I write and display chaos
My plan is damage, the diagram to where the jam is
I take advantage until the crowd go bananas
What a rush! I hear cuts, then I lust to touch
Microphones get clutched by the illustrious
Word spread, I inherited many ways to say the unsaid
Born with three 7's in my head
In time, no one can seem to blow your mind as far as this
To find, you'll need philosophers and anthropologists
Astrologists, professors from your smartest colleges
With knowledge of scholarships, when Ra be droppin' this
Some of the things that I know will be in your next bible
When I die, go bury me and my notebook in Cairo
With the great God from Egypt, manifest, was writin' rhymes
Align with the stars, I come back to bless the mic
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
word up, Rakim Allah the Microphone Fiend is back
Yaknahmean? (Rakim Allah)
'Til death do us part, it's on (once again, back is the incredible)
(Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again back is the incredible
The incredible, the incredible, the incredible
Once again, back is the incredible
Rhyme animal, the incredible
Thomas Dorsey
It's the return of the Wild Style fashionist
Smashin' hits, make it hard to adapt to this
Put pizzazz and jazz in this, and cash in this
Mastered this, flash this and make 'em clap to this
DJ's throw on cuts and obey the crowd
Just pump the volume up, and play it loud
Hip-hop's embedded, before I said I wouldn't let it
But me and the microphone is still magnetic
Straight off the top, I knew I'd be forced to rock
Dancefloors just stop, the spot's scorchin' hot
Hopin' I open Rakim Allah seminars
Massage at the bar smokin' ten dollar cigars
While I admire midas, with more vision than TV's
I find it easy catchin' diabetes from fly sweeties
Sit back and wait to hear a slammin' track
Rockin' jams by popular demand, I'm back
[Hook]
I control the crowd, you know I hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy
When you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
[Verse 2]
It's on, so you can swerve when it's heard in clubs
Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs
Equations are drawn up in paisley form
Mic, it stay warm, my flow is Evian
Deep as a Nautilus, you stay dipped in Ra's style
From the shores of Long Island to Panama Canal
Intellect pitches, new trends, like a clothes designer
I'm in effect, quicker than medicines in China
Split the mic open, fill it with somethin' potent to go in
And take a toke then, mental planes start floatin'
Hot science is smokin', altitudes cause chokin'
Product is hypnotic, you're soakin' and still smokin'
Showin' better scenes than grams of amphetamines
Plans to scheme, means I'll forever fiend
Long as the mic is loud and the volume's pumpin'
I'ma move crowds to two-thousand and somethin'
[Hook]
I control the crowd, you know I hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy
When you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
[Verse 3]
Yo, my rhymes and lyrics find spirits like a seance
Since fat crayons, I write and display chaos
My plan is damage, the diagram to where the jam is
I take advantage, until the crowd go bananas
What a rush! I hear cuts, then I lust to touch
Microphones get clutched by the illustrious
Word spread I inherited, many ways to say the unsaid
Born with three 7's in my head
In time no one can seem to blow your mind as far as this
To find you'll need philosophers and anthropologists
Astrologists, professors from your smartest colleges
With knowledge of scholarships, when Ra be droppin' this
Some of the things that I know will be in your next bible
When I die, go bury me and my notebook in Cairo
With the great God from Egypt, manifest was write rhymes
Align with the stars, I come back to bless the mic
[Hook]
I control the crowd, you know I hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy
When you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
I control the crowd, you know I hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy
When you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
[Outro]
Once again, back is the incredible
Word up, Rakim Allah the Microphone Fiend is back
Yaknahmean? (Rakim Allah!)
Til' death do us part, it's on
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah!)
Once again back is the incredible
The incredible, the incredible, the incredible
Once again, back is the incredible
Rhyme animal, the incredible
kota coca
Yeah, yeah (once again, back is the incredible)
It′s the return of the Wild Style fashionist
Smashin' hits, make it hard to adapt to this
Put pizzazz and jazz in this, and cash in this
Mastered this, flash this and make ′em clap to this
DJ's throw on cuts and obey the crowd
Just pump the volume up, and play it loud
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Hip-hop's embedded, before I said I wouldn′t let it
But me and the microphone is still magnetic
Straight off the top, I knew I′d be forced to rock
Dance floors just stop, the spot's scorchin′ hot
Hopin' I′ll open Rakim Allah seminars
Massage at the bar, smokin' ten-dollar cigars
While I admire MIDI, with more vision than TVs
I find it easy catchin′ diabetes from fly sweeties
Sit back and wait to hear a slammin' track
Rockin' jams, by popular demand, I′m back
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it′s jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
It′s on, so you can swerve when it's heard in clubs
Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs
Equations are drawn up in paisley form
Mic, it stay warm, my flow is Evian
Deep as a Nautilus, you stay dipped in Ra′s style
From the shores of Long Island to Panama Canal
Intellect pitches new trends like a clothes designer
I'm in effect, quicker than medicines in China
Split the mic open, fill it with somethin′ potent to go in
And take a toke then mental planes start floatin'
Hot science is smokin', altitudes cause chokin′
Product is hypnotic, you′re soakin' and still smokin′
Showin' better scenes than grams of amphetamines
Plans to scheme, means I′ll forever fiend
Long as the mic is loud and the volume's pumpin′
I'ma move crowds to 2000 and somethin'
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it′s jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it′s world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around (yo)
My rhymes and lyrics find spirits like a séance
Since fat crayons, I write and display chaos
My plan is damage, the diagram to where the jam is
I take advantage until the crowd go bananas
What a rush! I hear cuts, then I lust to touch
Microphones get clutched by the illustrious
Word spread, I inherited many ways to say the unsaid
Born with three 7's in my head
In time, no one can seem to blow your mind as far as this
To find, you′ll need philosophers and anthropologists
Astrologists, professors from your smartest colleges
With knowledge of scholarships, when Ra be droppin' this
Some of the things that I know will be in your next bible
When I die, go bury me and my notebook in Cairo
With the great God from Egypt, manifest, was writin′ rhymes
Align with the stars, I come back to bless the mic
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it′s world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
I control the crowd, you know Ra hold it down
When it drop, you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world-renowned
And I rock New York City all year around
(Once again, back is the incredible) word up, Rakim Allah the Microphone Fiend is back
Yaknahmean? (Rakim Allah)
′Til death do us part, it′s on (once again, back is the incredible)
(Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again, back is the incredible (Rakim Allah)
Once again back is the incredible
The incredible, the incredible, the incredible
Once again, back is the incredible
Rhyme animal, the incredible
El Hadji Malick Sene
"Once again back is the incredible"(Chuck D)
Yeah, yeah
It's the return of the Wild Style fashionist
Smashin hits, make it hard to adapt to this
Put pizazz and jazz in this, and cash in this
Mastered this, flash this and make em clap to this
DJ's throw on cuts and obey the crowd
Just pump the volume up, and play it loud
Hip-Hop's embedded, before I said I wouldn't let it
But me and the microphone is still magnetic
Straight off the top, I knew I'd be forced to rock
Dancefloors just stop, the spot's scorchin hot
Hoping I open Rakim Allah seminars
Massage at the bar smokin ten dollar cigars
while I admire midas, with more vision than TV's
I find it easy catchin diabetes from fly sweeties
Sit back and wait to hear a slammin track
Rockin jams by popular demand, I'm back
chorus:
I control the crowd, you know I hold it down
When it drop you know it's jiggy when you hear the sound
From town to town, until it's world reknowned
And I rock New York City all year around
(Check it out)
It's on so you can swerve when it's heard in clubs
Thought patterns displayed on Persian rugs
Equations are drawn up in paisley form
Mic it stay warm, my flow is Evian
Deep as a Nautilus, you stay dipped in Ra style
from the shores of Long Island to Panama Canal
Intellect pitches new trends like a clothes designer
I'm in effect, quicker than medicines in China
Split the mic open fill it with somethin potent to go in
and take a toke then, mental planes start floatin
Hot science is smokin altitudes cause chokin
Product is hypnotic you're soakin and still smokin
Showin better scenes than grams of amphetamines
Plans to scheme, means I'll forever fiend
Long as the mic is loud and the volume is pumpin
I'ma move crowds to 2000
chorus
Yo, my rhymes and lyrics, find spirits like a seance
Since fat Cray-ons, I write and display chaos
My plan is damage, the diagram to where the jam
I take advantage, until the crowd go bananas
What a rush I hear cuts then I lust to touch
Microphones get clutched by the illustrious
Word spread I inherited, many ways to say the unsaid
Born with three 7's in my head
In time no one can seem to blow your mind as far as this
To find you'll need philosophers and anthropologists
Astrologists, professors from your smartest colleges
with knowledge of scholarships, when Ra be droppin this
Some of the things I know, will be in your next Bible
When I die go bury me and my notebook in Cairo
with the great God from Egypt manifest was write rhymes
align with the stars, I come back to bless the mic
chorus 2X
"Once again, back is the incredible" (Chuck D)
Word up, Rakim Allah the Microphone Fiend is back, yaknahmean?
"Rakim Allah"(Rakim)
Till death do us part
"Once again, back is the incredible" (Chuck D)
It's on
"Rakim Allah" (Rakim)
"Once again back is the incredible
The incredible, the incredible
The incredible...
Once again back is the incredible
Rhyme animal, the incredible..." (Chuck D)
ASG 250
Shout out to the real OG’s who noticed this song in the new Spiderman film.
X O C Y Z M
soon as that beat hit i was like helllllll yeah
harubutjojo
First thing I searched for after coming out the cinema. Such a tune.
Slime Roy
as SOON as i heard the first beat i was smiling ear to ear, bopping my head saying "Aaayyyeeeee lets go!!"
Naz Islam
Hype
Eddie Pena
As soon as the beat came in I said, “oh shit” out loud in front of my kid. Got a very confused look from her. 😅
til infinity.
Got the chills when this played in Spider-Verse :)
Ovais Malik
Same! Really wasn't expecting to hear Rakim in such a popular movie. Pleasantly suprised. 😊
CJ2
Dude I was so sure it was Rakim but I ccouldnt rly pin point the song. I tried to google spider-verse ost and this song isnt even mentioned ffs. Glad I found this
Domonic Louis
Same Here!!!💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾