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.
Follow The Leader
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you could picture, like a photo
Music makes mellow, maintains to make
Melodies for MCs, motivates the breaks
I'm everlasting; I can go on for days and days
With rhyme displays that engrave deep as x-rays
I can take a phrase that's rarely heard
Flip it now it's a daily word
Bambino along, Rakim'll remain calm
Self esteem make me super superb and supreme
Before a microphone, still, I fiend
This was a take, I wasn't supposed to break
I was supposed to wait, but let's motivate
I wanna see 'em keep followin' and swallowin'
Takin' the makin', bitin' and borrowin'
Brothers try and others die to get the formula
But I'm a let 'cha sweat. You still ain't warm
You a step away from frozen, stiff as if you're posin'
Dig into my brain as the rhyme gets chosen
So follow me, and while you're thinking you were first
Let's travel adventitious at speeds around the universe
What could you say as the earth gets further and further away
Planets as small as balls of clay?
Astray into the Milky Way, world's out of sight
As far as the eye can see, not even a satellite
Now stop and turn around and look
As you stare into the darkness, your knowledge: took!
So keep starin', soon you suddenly see a star
You better follow it 'cause it's the "R"
This is a lesson. If you're guessin' and if you're borrowin'
Hurry hurry step right up and keep followin'
The Leader
Follow the leader
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Keep Followin'
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
This is a lifetime mission
Vision a prison. All right, listen
In this journey, you're the journal, I'm the journalist
Am I eternal or an eternalist?
I'm about to flow long as I can possibly go
Keep you movin' 'cause the crowd said so
Dance! Cuts rip your pants
Eric B. on the blades, bleedin' death. Call an ambulance!
Pull out my weapon and start to squeeze
A magnum as a microphone, murderin' MCs
Let's quote a rhyme from a record I wrote
"Follow the Leader!" ...Yeah, dope!
'Cause every time I stop, you see, just duck
As soon as you try to step off you self-destruct
I came to overcome before I'm gone
By showin' and provin' and lettin' knowledge be born
Then after that I'll live forever. You disagree?
You say, "Never?" Then follow me
From century to century, you'll remember me
In history, not a mystery or a memory
Called by nature, mind raised in Asia
Since you was tricked, I had to raise ya
From the cradle to the grave
But remember, you're not a slave
'Cause we were put here to be much more than that
But we couldn't see because our mind was trapped
But I'm here to break away the chains, take away the pains
Remake the brains, rebuild my name
Again, somebody told you, a little knowledge is dangerous
It can't be mixed, diluted, it can't be changed with a
Switch. Here's a lesson if you're guessin', if you're borrowin'
Hurry hurry step right up and keep followin'
The Leader
Follow the leader
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
A fear if I freestyle lyrics-a-fury
My third eye make me shine like jury
You're just a rented rapper, you're rhymes are minute-maid
I'll be here when they fade, I'll watch you flip like a renegade
I can't wait to break and eliminate
On every trade of my snake so stay awake
And follow and follow 'cause the tempo's a trail
The stage is a cage, the mic is a third rail
I'm Rakim, the fiend of a microphone
I'm not him, so leave my mic alone
Soon as the beat is felt, I'm ready to go
So fasten your seatbelt 'cause I'm about to flow
No need to speed, slow down and let the leader lead
Word to Daddy... Indeed!
The "R's" a rollin' stone, so I'm rollin'
Directs the tone then rhymes are stolen
Stop buggin'! A brother said, "Dig him?" I never dug him
He couldn't follow the leader long enough so I drug him
It's a danger zone, he should arrange his own
Face it, to space it, grace it, change the tone
There's one "R" in the alphabet
It's a one letter word and it's about to get
More complex from one rhyme to the next
Eric B., be easy on the flex
I've been from state to state. Follow us. Tailgate
Keep comin', but you came too late, but I'll wait
So back up your group, get a grip, come equipped
You're the next contestant. Clap your hands. You won a trip
The price is right. Don't make a deal too soon
How many notes? Could you name this tune?
"Follow the Leader" is a title they task
Now you know; you don't have to ask
Rappers' rhythm and poetry, cuts create sound effects
You might get junked if you follow the records he wrecks
Until then, keep eatin' and swallowin'
You better take a deep breath and keep followin'
The Leader
Follow the leader.
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Keep followin'.
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
The "R!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Peace."
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Follow the leader.
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!" Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Rakim'll say, "Follow the leader!"
Follow the leader!
Kaboom!
In "Follow The Leader," Rakim exhibits his virtuosity as an MC. He describes himself as a "fiend of a microphone" and he proudly declares that he can "go on for days and days." Rakim rhymes with incredible fluidity, and he tells a story about traveling at high speeds to the far ends of the universe, pausing only briefly to warn against the dangers of borrowing and stealing. He emphasizes his importance as a pioneering artist, introducing the world to the complexities of rap and unveiling a new style that hadn't been seen before. The lyrics contain Rakim's call to action for listeners to follow him and his message, even if it requires a deep commitment.
Rakim proclaims his change-agent status, insisting that he will break the chains that have bound the artistic world. He criticizes the superficiality of other rappers and encourages his listeners to see past the surface and identify real talent. Rakim's self-confidence is undeniable. He calls himself a "rollin' stone," unstoppable and unyielding. Finally, Rakim instructs his followers to listen closely to his music, to absorb the message that he's delivering, and to follow him as he takes the rap game to new heights.
Overall, "Follow The Leader" is a manifesto of Rakim's position in the music industry. It's a call to action for others to join him on his journey and to recognize his unmatched talents as an MC. Rakim's lyrics in "Follow The Leader" are powerful and inspiring. They present a vision for the future that resonated with his audience then, and remains relevant today.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow me into a solo, get in the flow
Join me in a solo performance and find your rhythm
And you could picture, like a photo
Immerse yourself in the music and imagine vividly
Music makes mellow, maintains to make
Music has a soothing effect and continues to create
Melodies for MCs, motivates the breaks
Creating melodies for rappers and inspiring their rhythm breaks
I'm everlasting; I can go on for days and days
I have enduring skills and can continue to rap for an extended period
With rhyme displays that engrave deep as x-rays
My rhymes are profound and leave a lasting impact
I can take a phrase that's rarely heard
I can transform an uncommon phrase into a common one
Flip it now it's a daily word
Change its meaning to make it a commonly used word
I can get illin' at normal killin'
I can excel even at a regular level of skill
Bambino along, Rakim'll remain calm
No matter the circumstances, I'll stay composed
Self-esteem make me super superb and supreme
Having confidence makes me extraordinarily excellent and superior
Before a microphone, still, I fiend
I have an insatiable desire to perform in front of a microphone
This was a take, I wasn't supposed to break
I was supposed to continue without pause, but I'll motivate instead
I was supposed to wait, but let's motivate
Although I was expected to wait, let's inspire and uplift instead
I wanna see 'em keep followin' and swallowin'
I want to witness people continue to listen and internalize my lyrics
Takin' the makin', bitin' and borrowin'
Copying and imitating others who came before me
Brothers try and others die to get the formula
Many attempt, and some fail, in their quest to replicate my success
But I'm a let 'cha sweat. You still ain't warm
I will make you work hard and persevere; you're not yet ready
You a step away from frozen, stiff as if you're posin'
You're nearly frozen and rigid, as if posing for a picture
Dig into my brain as the rhyme gets chosen
Delve into my thoughts as I select the perfect rhyme
So follow me, and while you're thinking you were first
Follow my lead, and as you believe you were original
Let's travel adventitious at speeds around the universe
Let's embark on a spontaneous journey at incredible speeds across the universe
What could you say as the earth gets further and further away
How would you react as we distance ourselves from the earth?
Planets as small as balls of clay?
The planets appear insignificant, no larger than tiny spheres
Astray into the Milky Way, world's out of sight
We venture into the Milky Way, leaving the world behind
As far as the eye can see, not even a satellite
There is no limit to how far we can see, not even a satellite can reach
Now stop and turn around and look
Pause and turn back to face the darkness
As you stare into the darkness, your knowledge: took!
As you gaze into the unknown, your understanding expands
So keep starin', soon you suddenly see a star
Continue looking, and you'll eventually spot a guiding star
You better follow it 'cause it's the 'R'
You should follow that star because it represents Rakim
This is a lesson. If you're guessin' and if you're borrowin'
This serves as a lesson for those who speculate and imitate
Hurry hurry step right up and keep followin'
Quickly come forward and continue to follow
The Leader
Follow the leader
Follow the leader
Follow the leader
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim commands, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim instructs, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim urges, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim encourages, 'Follow the leader!'
This is a lifetime mission
This is a lifelong purpose
Vision a prison. All right, listen
Imagine a prison for your thoughts. Okay, pay attention
In this journey, you're the journal, I'm the journalist
In this adventure, you're the one experiencing, and I'm the one documenting
Am I eternal or an eternalist?
Are my impact and influence everlasting?
I'm about to flow long as I can possibly go
I'm about to rap as long as I can possibly continue
Keep you movin' 'cause the crowd said so
I'll keep you grooving as dictated by the audience
Dance! Cuts rip your pants
Dance to the beats! The scratches are so lively they rip your pants
Eric B. on the blades, bleedin' death. Call an ambulance!
Eric B. skillfully handles the turntables, creating an intense sound. It's so powerful that it feels dangerous, requiring medical attention
Pull out my weapon and start to squeeze
I take out my microphone and start rhyming intensely
A magnum as a microphone, murderin' MCs
My microphone is as powerful as a magnum gun, effectively ending the careers of other MCs
Let's quote a rhyme from a record I wrote
Let's reference a line from one of my previous songs
'Follow the Leader!' ...Yeah, dope!
'Follow the leader!'... It's an impressive and excellent line
'Cause every time I stop, you see, just duck
Whenever I pause in my performance, you should be cautious
As soon as you try to step off you self-destruct
If you dare to leave my guidance, you will face your downfall
I came to overcome before I'm gone
I'm here to achieve greatness and leave a lasting legacy
By showin' and provin' and lettin' knowledge be born
I demonstrate and validate my skills while sharing wisdom
Then after that I'll live forever. You disagree?
After accomplishing all that, my influence will endure. Do you doubt it?
You say, 'Never?' Then follow me
If you think it's impossible, then just continue to follow my lead
From century to century, you'll remember me
Throughout time, my impact will be remembered
In history, not a mystery or a memory
I will make my mark in history and not be forgotten or dismissed
Called by nature, mind raised in Asia
Gifted with natural talent, my mind influenced by Asian culture
Since you was tricked, I had to raise ya
Since you were misled, I had to educate and elevate you
From the cradle to the grave
From birth to death
But remember, you're not a slave
However, always remember that you are not enslaved
'Cause we were put here to be much more than that
Our purpose in life is not limited to being enslaved
But we couldn't see because our mind was trapped
But due to our limited perspective, we couldn't realize it
But I'm here to break away the chains, take away the pains
I'm here to free us from our constraints and alleviate our suffering
Remake the brains, rebuild my name
Transform our thinking and restore my reputation
Again, somebody told you, a little knowledge is dangerous
Once again, someone warned you that a small amount of knowledge can be harmful
It can't be mixed, diluted, it can't be changed with a switch
Knowledge cannot be altered or reduced; it is constant
Here's a lesson if you're guessin', if you're borrowin'
Here's an important lesson if you're speculating or imitating
Hurry hurry step right up and keep followin'
Quickly, move forward and continue to follow my lead
The Leader
Follow the leader
Follow the leader
Follow the leader
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim commands, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim instructs, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim urges, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim encourages, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Peace.'
Rakim concludes with the phrase 'Peace.'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim commands, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim instructs, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim urges, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim'll say, 'Follow the leader!'
Rakim encourages, 'Follow the leader!'
Follow the leader!
Follow the leader!
Kaboom!
Explosion!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Eric Barrier, William Griffin, Bob James
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cbchansey6866
@@rwj197311
Sorry buddy, King Los has long taken the crown
To recognize the genius I am
You'd have to have one foot on Venus to even visit these arenas I'm in
Now did I say arenas or Serena's?
I kill shit, Venus/Serena's, I kill shit, I Gilbert Arenas
I'm ill wit' the skill wit', the skill wit'
If this the shit that I build
When I'm buildin' a buildin' built with a billion builders
That's buildin' a buildin' on top of this one
No feelin' is toppin' this one
No villain is stoppin' this one
That'd be a dark night, won't it?
While overlookin' my city, had a Dark Knight moment
I'm overlookin' my city, same city that overlooked me
Now it's back to back tours, cause cities just overbook me
Speaking of Dark Knight, I know some jokers that scheme
Cuz I done blew up somethin' sick like the openin' scene
Not to mention, nobody gon mention you this year
You just a joker, I really made the pencil disappear
I got that Edgar Allen Poe flow, bars like a bear trap
Shakespeare's only rebuttal would be a head scratch
I haven't been amateur, ever, never
Iambic pentameter, clever, better
Nobody even seems this deep
I got niggas stayin' awoke to put my dreams to sleep
But, watch me maneuver
New maroon drop for my jewel
I need moon rocks for my Muller, I'm the future
Tell these niggas I need my proper spot
They a bunch of Papa Docs and Chocolate Drops
My 16's proper, give me my props or not
I went Pac at 16 when my Pops was shot
Uh, it left my mind out of place
I guess that's why in my rhymes, I spend time out of space
So, I speak life, rappers talk
Can't be a rap god if you've never rapped for God
Gotta be close to him like the woman in The Bible who felt she could be blessed just to grab his cloth
Uh, bulletin: we full of sin
If we wade in the water, the weight of it might pull us in
They, fake, fake, fake, fake, fake
Can't fake what you ain't, ain't, ain't, ain't
Wait, if you're searchin' for a way, wait
I made a way, all my homies used to weigh weight
Brakes, pump your brake, brake, brake, brakes
My niggas break in and take, they don't take breaks
I can't fail, I don't believe in it
You don't possess humble nor obedience
Comedians told me that I wouldn't fly
I remember losin' family members and I wouldn't cry
Nigga if you had wooden eyes
You could see I'm fly in my future, so why wouldn't I?
I'm too good, these niggas good and high
Boys in the hood don't rock wit' you Cuba Goodin' guys
Niggas on that "be alike" shit
Guess they "copy, paste" us cause we the right clique
Uh, get it? Right click, copy, paste?
Life hit a rocky phase, ice wrist, Versace shade
White whip, on hockey blades, grill like a hockey mask
Chop it like a hockey stick, niggas pop it to pocket cash
Talkin' bout you poppin' gats, runnin' wit' those sloppy cats
Same suckas probably be watchin' you get your pockets tapped
Fuck all that cocky shit, where I'm from they cocking straps
Think you wavy 'til you get hit with 8 in your stocking cap
But, I choose to excel
Made my old ex mad, gave my new ex hell
Went from no X to one X to two X, well
I been nice since my tee shirt was 2XL
Yeah that's XX, like two exes ago
But it's still all love like X's and O's
Cause at some point, we feel we have exes who owe
You know an explanation why they made an exit, and oh
If you think I'm talkin' bout my exes, come on, man
Tell XXL they got one more chance
But, man I lay low
If I ain't on ya list, then that bitch don't exist, Manti Te'o
I'm anti aye-bro, that shit they puttin' up corny
Tell these niggas they ain't good enough to bore me
I'm just paintin' so y'all see the story
I can't be guarded in rap, to God be the glory
King
@TripSe7en_77
In just 8 bars of this song he has outrapped 95% of today’s rap era.
@matt-dj5ub
hardly anyone these days compares to this level of lyrical ability
@chrisjackson3848
The only modern day artist on his level is Kedrick Lamar.
@siturl5834
Did you say rap or crap? :p Cant tell the difference nowadays. Now this is awesome.
@Archaic1Eye
Real talk ...
@mauricesmith3821
We were witnessing greatness during those day. I didn't even realize it back then. Glad I was there ( juke box, video vibrations, rap city, etc.)
@jimjankswankson
This man single handedly changed the tone of hip hop in the 80’s and still relevant 30 plus years later.
@gabrielleelliott2487
No other rapper can compare
@Dee_Nice89
@@gabrielleelliott2487
Rakim birthed alot of rappers in the game, and that's why he's The God MC cause he layed the foundation with his lyrical style and ability 💯
@blackbolt57
I can totally relate to this because I wasn't a big fan of hip hop in comparison to others. It was cool hearing groups like fat boys, sugar hill,etc,but I was enthralled with the genre like that until Run DMC came out with walk this way,then I moved to another state and one of the first rappers I heard was Rakim,Ice T and later Kool Moe D,etc and the rest was history.
Years later when I got into the sounds of Granddaddy IU I've had ppl ask me if it was Rakim when they heard me playing him,so he is definitely an influence on those coming up behind him.