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.
Eric B. Is President
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(To show our appreciation for your support)
Make 'em clap to this
(Thank you DJ's)
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
I came in the door, I said it before
I never let the mic magnetize me no more
But it's bitin' me, fightin' me, invitin' me to rhyme
I can't hold it back, I'm lookin' for the line
Takin' off my coat, clearin' my throat
The rhyme will be kickin' it 'til I hit my last note
My mind remains to find all kind of ideas
Self esteem makes it seem like a thought took years to build
But still say a rhyme after the next one
Prepared, never scared, I'll just bless one
And you know that I'm the soloist
So Eric B., Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap, make 'em clap, make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this (clap your hands)
(Clap your hands)
Make 'em clap to this (clap yo-)
(Clap yo-, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
I don't bug out or chill or be actin' ill
No tricks in '86, it's time to build
Eric B. Easy on the cut, no mistakes allowed
'Cause to me, MC means move the crowd
I made it easy to dance to this
But can you detect what's comin' next from the flex of the wrist?
Say indeed then I'll proceed 'cause my man made a mix
If he bleed he won't need no band-aid to fix
His fingertips sew a rhyme until there's no rhymes left
I hurry up because the cut'll make 'em bleed to death
But he's kickin' it, 'cause it ain't no half steppin'
The party is live, the rhyme can't be kept inside
It needs eruptin' just like a volcano
It ain't the everyday style or the same old rhyme
'Cause I'm better then the rest of them
Eric B. Is on the cut and my name is Rakim (nasty)
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap-, make 'em clap-
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap-
Go get a girl and get soft and warm
Don't get excited, you've been invited to a quiet storm
But now it's out of hand 'cause you told me you hate me
And then you ask what have I done lately
First you said, "All you want is love and affection"
Let me be your angel and I'll be your protection
Take you out, buy you all kinds of things
Make 'em clap to this
Caught an attitude, you need food to eat up
I'm schemin' like I'm dreamin' on a couch with my feet up
You scream I'm lazy, you must be crazy
Thought I was a donut, you tried to glaze me
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap, make 'em clap, make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap, make 'em clap, make 'em clap
Make 'em clap to this
I made it easy to dance to this
But can you detect what's comin' next from the flex of the wrist?
Say indeed then I'll proceed 'cause my man made a mix
If he bleed he won't need no band-aid to fix
Make 'em clap to this
Eric B. Is on the cut
Eric B. Is on the cut
Eric B. Is on the cut and my name is Rakim (nasty)
Make 'em clap to this
Rakim
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands to what he's doin'
Clap your hands to what he's doin'
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands
Clap your hands to what he's doin'
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
Make 'em clap to this
The lyrics to Rakim's hit song Eric B. Is President showcase the MC's impressive ability to consistently deliver complex rhymes in a smooth flow. The song starts with Rakim acknowledging his magnetic attraction to the microphone, despite his efforts to resist its pull. He describes the process of refining an idea into a rhyme, highlighting the importance of self-esteem in the creative process. The MC is confident in his abilities, and prepares himself to deliver a strong performance. Rakim asserts his position as the soloist, and calls on his DJ Eric B to hype up the crowd.
Line by Line Meaning
I came in the door, I said it before
I am starting this song just like I did before
I never let the mic magnetize me no more
I don't let the microphone control what I say anymore
But it's biting me, fighting me, inviting me to rhyme
The urge to rap is hard to resist
I can't hold it back, I'm looking for the line
I can't stop myself from rapping and searching for a good rhyme
Taking off my coat, clearing my throat
I am getting ready to rap and preparing myself
The rhyme will be kicking until I hit my last note
I will rap with energy until the end of the song
My mind remains refined, all kind of ideas
I have many creative ideas in my head
Self-esteem makes it seem like a thought took years to build
My confidence in my rhyming ability makes it sound like I spent a long time crafting my lyrics
But still say a rhyme after the next one
I continue to come up with new rhymes continuously
Prepared, never scared, I'll just bless one
I am ready and confident in my rapping abilities
And you know that I'm the soloist
I am a solo rapper without a group
So Eric B make 'em clap to this
Eric B is controlling the music and getting the crowd to clap along
I don't bug out or chill or be acting ill
I am not acting crazy or trying too hard to impress
No tricks in '86, it's time to build
I am focusing on making good music rather than being gimmicky
Eric be easy on the cut, no mistakes allowed
Eric B should be careful when he is scratching the record to avoid any errors
Cause to me, MC means move the crowd
The job of a good rapper is to excite and entertain the crowd
I made it easy to dance to this
My music is easy to dance to and enjoy
But can you detect what's coming next from the flex of the wrist
Can you anticipate the next song from how Eric B is manipulating the record?
Say indeed and I'll proceed cause my man made a mix
If you say you are ready, I will continue rapping because my DJ (Eric B) made a good mix
If he bleed he won't need no band-aid to fix
Eric B is so skilled that even if he makes a mistake, he can recover without any help
His fingertips sew a rhyme until there's no rhymes left
Eric B is so good at scratching the record that he can make a beat for me to rap over until the song is over
I hurry up because the cut will make 'em bleed to death
I have to hurry up and rap because the music is so good that it will make the crowd go crazy
But he's kicking it cause it ain't no half stepping
Eric B is doing a great job because he is not taking any shortcuts
The party is live, the rhyme can't be kept in-
The crowd is energetic and enjoying the music, and I can't keep myself from rapping
Side, it needs erupting just like a volcano
The energy from the crowd is intense and explosive
It ain't the everyday style or the same old rhyme
My music is unique and different from other songs
Cause I'm better than the rest of them
I am confident in my abilities and believe that I am better than other rappers
Eric B is on the cut and my name is Rakim
Eric B is controlling the music and I am the rapper performing the song
Go get a girl and get soft and warm
Go find a girlfriend and be loving and affectionate
Don't get excited, you've been invited to a quiet storm
Stay calm and relax, you have been invited to a peaceful environment
But now it's out of hand cause you told me you hate me
The situation has escalated because you said you don't like me
And then you ask what have I done lately
You are questioning my recent actions
First you said all you want is love and affection
You previously said that all you wanted was love and attention
Let me be your angel and I'll be your protection
Let me be a source of love and support for you
Take you out, buy you all kinds of things
I will take you on dates and buy you gifts
I must have got you too hot and burned off your wings
I might have been too intense and scared you away
You caught an attitude, you need food to eat up
You are upset with me and need something else to focus on
I'm scheming like I'm dreaming on a couch with my feet up
I am thinking and plotting while relaxing on the couch
You scream I'm lazy, you must be crazy
You accuse me of being lazy, but that's not true
Thought I was a donut, you tried to glaze me
You tried to control me and change me, like putting icing on a donut
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Eric Barrier, 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