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.
All Night Long
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They sabotage the game, still I'm a win
Rakim Allah's the name, and with a pen
No one can dodge the rain, kill 'em again
In a club or the streets I swerve, cool in the cut
Looking to see what occurs, crusin' the truck
Shorty got deadly curves, soothin' her up
If I must explain with words, I smooth as a fuck!
You obsolete, you cannot compete, drop the beat
Keep ya ear to the ground when I rock the street
Cock the heat, we deep, papi got to eat
So cut on the mic and spit, I much rougher
Plenty of ice and a whip, plus a crusher
Because I don't like to stick, or bust a brother
Long as they never forget I'm a ill mother fucker
So if you love to get your party on
And you feel that your game is strong
And you get mad when the broads is gone
You like it all-night-long
And when they love it when the place is warm
And they go out for their favorite song
They hate when the player game is wrong
They like it all-night-long
My caliber's out rated
Yeah, player, so why hate it?
My rhyme through, out of control when I say it
Spit back with a rap or gat, can I spray it
How can I say it? I leave it dehydrated
I take aim, and he keep the place flamin'
Till the place cave in, hey yo, this ain't a safe haven
The best is yet to come, so they stay in
They keep the music loud, the lights is low
The kid with a different style, I like to flow
It's time to move the crowd, tonight's the show
See what it's all about, they like to go
Get Henny and Mo and Cris, the clothes, the platinum, gold, the wrist
Plenty of dough, and chicks who pose for flicks
Women who love roll their hips when I'm holding this
My mic's equipped with a microchip, with a million megs
Bite this I might flip, spread a billion plagues
Put medicine in it before I kill ya dead
You can get away if you can fill your legs
Could you walk? No, at least you thought though
Auto fours blow a hole in your torso
Damage his brain with more flow until he talk slow
Try to say something now? I thought so!
I leave emcee's bleeding while I'm fleeing across sea, and
Start breeding, double my Swiss cheese in Sweden
Free on the weekend, come back see if he breathing
They breathing, somebody left his brains beat in
A deadly attack is rare, style will be raw
Be ready to rap, you'll hear, as wild as before
If I bust a gat in the air, watch the galaxy fall
And the world will be splat on the floor, that'll be all
In Rakim's song "All Night Long", he begins with a statement of his return. He refers to himself as the "god" and directly states that no matter how hard they sabotage, he will come out as a winner. Rakim Allahs also reinforces his name with a pen as being capable of killing any competition. He further explains how he can cruise on the streets without worrying much about what the end results may be. He lets us in on his love life and how he interacts with women he meets, explaining how smooth he always is with the ladies.
Rakim Allahs is claiming his place in the hip-hop industry as the greatest, and no one can compete with him. He warns any competition that they may not be able to keep up with him, and he doesn't like to stick around too long with anyone by busting a brother. Rakim also talks about how he is a master with the mic; his lyrics leave his competitors dehydrated, and he aims to keep things loud and dangerous. He wraps the song up by positioning himself as a deadly attack whose style is always raw and as wild as before.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm back! The god remains, still at the end
Rakim is back and still at the top of his game as a god of hip-hop.
They sabotage the game, still I'm a win
Despite attempts to sabotage him, Rakim is still successful.
Rakim Allah's the name, and with a pen
Rakim, also known as Rakim Allah, is a master of the written word.
No one can dodge the rain, kill 'em again
Rakim is invincible and will come out on top every time.
In a club or the streets I swerve, cool in the cut
Rakim is always in control, whether in a club or on the streets.
Looking to see what occurs, crusin' the truck
Rakim is observant and always aware of his surroundings while driving.
Shorty got deadly curves, soothin' her up
Rakim is attracted to a woman with curves and he knows how to charm her.
If I must explain with words, I smooth as a fuck!
Rakim is a smooth talker and can explain things with ease.
The world's most greatest, hip-hop's elite
Rakim is one of the greatest and most elite hip-hop artists in the world.
You obsolete, you cannot compete, drop the beat
Others cannot compete with Rakim and his style.
Keep ya ear to the ground when I rock the street
Rakim demands attention and respect when he performs on the streets.
Cock the heat, we deep, papi got to eat
Rakim and his crew are prepared for anything and are always on the lookout to make money.
So cut on the mic and spit, I much rougher
Rakim is a tougher and better performer than others.
Plenty of ice and a whip, plus a crusher
Rakim has expensive jewelry and a nice car, and a weapon to protect himself.
Because I don't like to stick, or bust a brother
Rakim does not like to get into fights or conflicts with others.
Long as they never forget I'm a ill mother fucker
Despite his calm demeanor, Rakim reminds others that he is a skilled and dangerous artist.
So if you love to get your party on
Rakim is addressing those who enjoy partying.
And you feel that your game is strong
Rakim is addressing those who feel confident in their style and abilities.
And you get mad when the broads is gone
Rakim is addressing those who are unhappy when women leave the party.
You like it all-night-long
Rakim is promoting the idea of enjoying the party all night long.
And when they love it when the place is warm
Rakim is addressing those who enjoy partying in a warm environment.
And they go out for their favorite song
Rakim is addressing those who like to dance to their favorite songs.
They hate when the player game is wrong
Rakim is addressing those who dislike when someone's attempts at flirting fail.
They like it all-night-long
Rakim is promoting the idea of enjoying the party all night long.
My caliber's out rated
Rakim's skills and talent surpass what is expected.
Yeah, player, so why hate it?
Rakim questions why anyone would dislike him or his abilities.
My rhyme through, out of control when I say it
Rakim's flow is powerful and impressive when he performs.
Spit back with a rap or gat, can I spray it
Rakim can respond with either words or bullets if someone attacks him.
How can I say it? I leave it dehydrated
Rakim's rhymes and flow will leave others speechless and thirsting for more.
I take aim, and he keep the place flamin'
Rakim is ready to take down anyone who challenges him and is capable of causing chaos.
Till the place cave in, hey yo, this ain't a safe haven
Rakim is capable of causing destruction and chaos until the safety of the environment is compromised.
The best is yet to come, so they stay in
Rakim is excited for what's to come and encourages others to stay and witness it as well.
They keep the music loud, the lights is low
The party atmosphere is in full swing with loud music and dim, low lighting.
The kid with a different style, I like to flow
Rakim is proud of his unique style and enjoys performing it for others.
It's time to move the crowd, tonight's the show
Rakim is ready to get the party started and put on a great show for the crowd.
See what it's all about, they like to go
Rakim wants everyone to experience the party and have a good time.
Get Henny and Mo and Cris, the clothes, the platinum, gold, the wrist
Rakim is referencing popular partying accessories such as alcohol, fancy clothes, and bling.
Plenty of dough, and chicks who pose for flicks
Rakim has lots of money and women who are willing to take pictures with him.
Women who love roll their hips when I'm holding this
Rakim enjoys the attention and affection of women when he's performing and holding his microphone.
My mic's equipped with a microchip, with a million megs
Rakim's microphone is state-of-the-art and powerful, with a capacity of one million megabytes.
Bite this I might flip, spread a billion plagues
Rakim is warning that if someone tries to steal his style or challenge him, he'll retaliate and spread widespread destruction.
Put medicine in it before I kill ya dead
Rakim's rhymes and flow are so powerful that he may cause harm, so he withholds it until the right moment.
You can get away if you can fill your legs
Rakim is so fast and unstoppable that someone can only escape him by literally running away.
Could you walk? No, at least you thought though
Rakim is so powerful that someone who tries to challenge him would not even be able to walk properly due to fear of him.
Auto fours blow a hole in your torso
Rakim and his crew are armed with firearms and will use them to harm others if necessary.
Damage his brain with more flow until he talk slow
Rakim's rhymes and flow are so powerful that they can cause brain damage and render someone incapable of speaking clearly.
Try to say something now? I thought so!
Rakim's rhymes and flow are so powerful that they leave others speechless and unable to defend themselves.
I leave emcee's bleeding while I'm fleeing across sea, and
Rakim is so powerful that he inflicts harm on others and then flees the country to avoid consequences.
Start breeding, double my Swiss cheese in Sweden
Rakim is making money and breeding a new generation of hip-hop artists while in Sweden and is doubling his earnings.
Free on the weekend, come back see if he breathing
Rakim may harm others but still offers them a chance to recover on weekends.
They breathing, somebody left his brains beat in
Rakim and his crew inflicts harm on others and leaves them badly injured, but still alive.
A deadly attack is rare, style will be raw
Rakim does not often attack others and prefers to show off his unique and raw style of hip-hop.
Be ready to rap, you'll hear, as wild as before
Rakim is known for his wild and powerful performances and anyone who challenges him must be prepared for his full force.
If I bust a gat in the air, watch the galaxy fall
Rakim's use of firearms is so powerful that it could cause widespread destruction across the galaxy.
And the world will be splat on the floor, that'll be all
Rakim's use of firearms is so powerful that it will cause destruction and end the world as we know it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL R HARPER, WILLIAM GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian
on R.A.K.I.M.
Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
Ayo, when Rakim Allah attack, it's a wrap, y'all, relax
The almanac, just show me where the party's at
Seminars and tracks, cause, comas, and cardiacs
Broads and cats screaming, "oh, my God, he's back"
Just imagine, I hit the lab and get it crackin'
A thousand styles in one verse, rhythms will switch patterns
Chicks get stabbed in the back, 'til they get spasms
Known to spit a magnum, or split an atom
Who woulda known that Jesus would come back to the ghetto
On that level, and that thorough, like a black hero
And pack metal, so rap rebels, will back pedal
The pharaoh of five boroughs, and take over the rap world
Gettin' bizarre, hardcore, this is for y'all
The crib or the park, play it when you get in the car
Chill at the bar, sip somethin' or split a cigar
Get with your dogs, don't be alarmed, this kid is the bomb
It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
Uh, yeah, yo, I used to paint this flow, on ancient scrolls
And learn to make this dough where gangstas roll
Think like the late great Capone when the bank is closed
It's cats that claim they bold, but they ain't this cold
I'm from New York City even pretty chicks act up
Niggas get clapped up, you stack up, they stick that up
Quick to strap up, you'd think my name was "kid, back up"
Big niggas, pick that up or lift that up
Raised by gangstas and gamblers, hustlers, con artists
And convicts, killers and dons
Drug dealers, players and pimps, smooth talkers
Stick-up kids, thugs, real niggas and gods
Haunted by every soul that lay dead in the turf
Cursed by every spirit that never made it to birth
Since the Moon separated from Earth
That's why they say I'm the greatest that ever orchestrated a verse
It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
Ayo, toast to that, it's the cat that broke backs
To a soul clap, I smoke a track, how dope is that
Pope of rap, wrote backs that most slack
That note back before they turned coke to crack
To my dogs hearin' sirens on the firearms
Outcome die in wars or behind iron bars
The boulevard, retire frauds when I evolve
Try and rob my dialogue, I am God
Chicks moan just to get next to my throne
And sniff my cologne and get Ra alone
Sex pots at home, I'm testosterone
Caress spots, dress drops, bed rocks the bone
Hit the floor, it's hot for 2003
Hits galore, who rock a style as wild as me?
Rest assured, when I rock def crowds and scream
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne