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.
It's A Must
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aye-yo I'm a terrorize charge and slay shows
Ra slay flows go as far as the Barbados
On the turntable sound like tornadoes
My style is performed like tropical storms
Your not to get on the whole spot will get torn
I keep the metropolitan hollering and bring the dollars in
Keep the models following wise as King Solomon
Invade any land I go like General Hannibal
From Long Island to Queens light up the New York scenes
All the way to New Orleans and everything in between
Left to go bless a show in Mexico
Next Thing I know it's extra cold I see Eskimo's
Time to rock get it hot soon as I get in there
Spit in they ear so flow they froze and I disappear
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
They said I was a head of my time or either here before
To see the idea clear it takes a year or more
Now times that by the years I reign straight-seven
No hear for four years still multiplied by eleven
The silence's a set back make em regret that
One way to get back is violence and wet cats
But hold your head black or I'll never rap again
Just when I thought I was out they pulled me back in
Now that was two years ago and if cats start interfering
Then I'm a go back to the gat and racketeering
My sabotage is camaflouge and espionage
You ain't havin Ra so don't test the god
I'm takin' all orders I can't afford extorters
I hit em in the head with a hundred dollars in quarters
So warn a friend tell em it's on again
If it's a freestyle bust in a park I want in
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
I managed to get paid for a decade now add three years on to that
Perform with a knack yes I was born to rap
The mic Lebanon Teflon don is back
I strike with better bombs and armed to attack
So reload the van go ahead let em in
Every tours a war and I'm on the road again
surprise a town the place it's live and loud
We vibin' now I go wild and dive in the crowd
Never hit the ground they catch me and carry me around
Then put me right back on stage to shut it down
From New York to Cali, Japan and I-tali
I'm known as the microphone Muhammad Ali
I'm worldwide my brothers be biggin' me up
Keep the girls occupied lovin' diggin' me what
Ain't around when I come to town they mad glad
Like Saddaam they even say I'm the bomb in Baghdad
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
In Rakim Feat. Rahzel's song "It's A Must", Rakim delivers two verses and the chorus. The song starts with Rakim showing his motivation for his music career, stating that if he doesn't work hard and stays passive, he won't make enough money. Then he talks about his ability to rock shows and his lyrical prowess, comparing his style to tropical storms and himself to General Hannibal, a Roman commander who successfully invaded Italy in 218 BC. Rakim also boasts his fame and versatility, saying he has rocked shows from Long Island to New Orleans and even in Mexico.
In the second verse, Rakim talks about his legacy and experience in the game, stating that he has been active for seven years straight and has been making music for a decade plus three years. He also addresses his potential retirement from the rap game, specifying that if he ever quits or stops making music, he won't return despite the tempting offers. Rakim then shows his versatility again, claiming that he is not only a rapper but also a hitman and can take out his enemies with quarters. Finally, he speaks about his stage presence and impact on the audience, stating that he is known as the microphone Muhammad Ali and can electrify any crowd worldwide.
Overall, "It's A Must" showcases Rakim's lyrical potency, versatility, and his confidence in his music career. The song is an excellent example of his unique flow, wordplay, and delivery.
Line by Line Meaning
If I lay low and let the day go it'll slow my payroll
I need to keep performing and earning money, so I can't waste time
Aye-yo I'm a terrorize charge and slay shows
I am going to dominate and conquer every performance I do
Ra slay flows go as far as the Barbados
My unique and powerful style of rapping extends far beyond just the local scene
On the turntable sound like tornadoes
When I'm on the turntables, the sound is destructive and powerful
My style is performed like tropical storms
I am unstoppable and intense when I perform
Your not to get on the whole spot will get torn
Don't try to challenge me, or you'll get destroyed
I keep the metropolitan hollering and bring the dollars in
I am a popular and successful artist who brings in money wherever I go
Keep the models following wise as King Solomon
My fame attracts beautiful women who are drawn to my impressive skills and wisdom
Come slow through the jungle like an animal
I move slowly and calculated like a predator when I enter a scene
Invade any land I go like General Hannibal
I don't just perform, I conquer every place I visit
From Long Island to Queens light up the New York scenes
I have taken over the New York hip-hop scene
All the way to New Orleans and everything in between
My reach extends all the way to New Orleans and beyond
Left to go bless a show in Mexico
I have traveled to Mexico to perform and spread my music
Next Thing I know it's extra cold I see Eskimo's
I am so powerful, I can even influence the weather and change the environment around me
Time to rock get it hot soon as I get in there
I know how to turn up any performance as soon as I hit the stage
Spit in they ear so flow they froze and I disappear
My rhymes are so intense they leave the audience stunned as I move on to the next performance
They said I was a head of my time or either here before
Some people believe that I am ahead of my time or have been reincarnated to bring my unique style of music to the world
To see the idea clear it takes a year or more
It takes a long time to develop and perfect my musical vision
Now times that by the years I reign straight-seven
I have been consistently dominating the music scene for over seven years now
No hear for four years still multiplied by eleven
Even when I take a break from the scene, my influence grows stronger and multiplies in impact
The silence's a set back make em regret that
When I am not performing, my absence is felt and people regret not being able to experience my music
One way to get back is violence and wet cats
If people try to intervene or attack my career, I will fight back and defend myself with force
But hold your head black or I'll never rap again
If I am pushed too far, I will quit music forever
Just when I thought I was out they pulled me back in
Even when I try to leave the music scene, I am constantly pulled back in because of my talent and influence
Now that was two years ago and if cats start interfering
This happened two years ago, but if anyone starts to interfere with my success again, I will respond fiercely
Then I'm a go back to the gat and racketeering
I will resort to violence and illegal activities to protect my career
My sabotage is camaflouge and espionage
I am skilled at sabotaging others without being noticed or suspected
You ain't havin Ra so don't test the god
You cannot challenge my divine talent and influence
I'm takin' all orders I can't afford extorters
I am open to performing for anyone, but I will not tolerate extortion or unfair treatment
I hit em in the head with a hundred dollars in quarters
If someone tries to rip me off, I will retaliate with force and intimidation
So warn a friend tell em it's on again
Let others know that I am back and ready to take over the music scene once again
If it's a freestyle bust in a park I want in
I am willing to perform anywhere and show off my rap skills
I managed to get paid for a decade now add three years on to that
I have been financially successful in the music industry for over ten years now and am still going strong
Perform with a knack yes I was born to rap
Rapping comes naturally to me and I perform with skill and ease
The mic Lebanon Teflon don is back
I am back and ready to dominate the microphone with my magnetic presence
I strike with better bombs and armed to attack
My rhymes are even more powerful and intense, and I am prepared to take on any challenge
So reload the van go ahead let em in
I am ready to hit the road again and perform for my fans
Every tours a war and I'm on the road again
Every tour is a battle or conquest for me, and I am prepared to face it head-on
surprise a town the place it's live and loud
I surprise and invigorate every town or city I visit with my live performances
We vibin' now I go wild and dive in the crowd
The crowd and I are in sync, and I become even more intense and wild as I dive into the audience
Never hit the ground they catch me and carry me around
No matter how wild I get, the crowd always catches me and carries me around like a king
Then put me right back on stage to shut it down
After I am carried around, I am right back on stage to continue my dominating performance
From New York to Cali, Japan and I-tali
My influence and popularity extend from New York to California and all the way to Japan and Italy
I'm known as the microphone Muhammad Ali
I am famous for my skills and fighting spirit, much like the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali
I'm worldwide my brothers be biggin' me up
I am a global superstar, and my friends and colleagues are proud of my success
Keep the girls occupied lovin' diggin' me what
My fame and success attract many female admirers who love and support me
Ain't around when I come to town they mad glad
People are disappointed when I am not performing in their town or city, and are ecstatic when I do show up
Like Saddaam they even say I'm the bomb in Baghdad
People compare my explosive talent to the infamous bombing of Baghdad by claiming that I am the bomb in Baghdad
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
I am obligated to dominate and excel on any microphone that is put in front of me
It's inherited it runs in the family
My musical talent and success runs in my bloodline and has been passed down through my family
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: RAHZEL BROWN, JONATHAN BURKS, WILLIAM GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@terminal2881
[Verse 1]
If I lay low and let the day go it'll slow my payroll
Aye-yo I'm a terrorize charge and slay shows
Ra slay flows go as far as the Barbados
On the turntable sound like tornadoes
My style is performed like tropical storms
Your not to get on the whole spot will get torn
I keep the metropolitan hollering and bring the dollars in
Keep the models following wise as King Solomon
Come slow through the jungle like an animal
Invade any land I go like General Hannibal
From Long Island to Queens light up the New York scenes
All the way to New Orleans and everything in between
Left to go bless a show in Mexico
Next Thing I know it's extra cold I see Eskimo's
Time to rock get it hot soon as I get in there
Spit in they ear so flow they froze and I disappear
[Hook]
It's a must that I bust any mic that you hand to me
It's inherited it runs in the family
[Verse 2]
They said I was a head of my time or either here before
To see the idea clear it takes a year or more
Now times that by the years I reign straight-seven
No hear for four years still multiplied by eleven
The silence's a set back make em regret that
One way to get back is violence and wet cats
But hold your head black or I'll never rap again
Just when I thought I was out they pulled me back in
Now that was two years ago and if cats start interfering
Then I'm a go back to the gat and racketeering
My sabotage is camaflouge and espionage
You ain't havin Ra so don't test the god
I'm takin' all orders I can't afford extorters
I hit em in the head with a hundred dollars in quarters
So warn a friend tell em it's on again
If it's a freestyle bust in a park I want in
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
I managed to get paid for a decade now add three years on to that
Perform with a knack yes I was born to rap
The mic Lebanon Teflon don is back
I strike with better bombs and armed to attack
So reload the van go ahead let em in
Every tours a war and I'm on the road again
Suprise a town the place it's live and loud
We vibin' now I go wild and dive in the crowd
Never hit the ground they catch me and carry me around
Then put me right back on stage to shut it down
From New York to Cali, Japan and I-tali
I'm known as the microphone Muhammad Ali
I'm worldwide my brothers be biggin' me up
Keep the girls occupied lovin' diggin' me what
Ain't around when I come to town they mad glad
Like Saddaam they even say I'm the bomb in Baghdad
[Hook]
@klaw181
Rakim absolutely changed the landscape with his rhymes
@MrMickthemonster
Oh fuck yeah.. he's his own style.. everyone's was walking around in someone else's shadow and Rakim went Fuck this and stepped out into the light and cast his own shadow for others to walk around in and nobody's is ever gonna touch that level
@sebastiands___
If I lay low and let the day go, it'll slow my payroll. Rakim is a lyrical genius - no-one can hate.
@Onieracraft
"They even say I'm the bomb in Baghdad "
LOL
@monicaheddneck8190
Full album is criminally underrated
@Cosmicslopman
yes great album .can't always believe the source mic ratings
@Iriscience
fuck the source
@kellydukes8080
Not to real hiphop
@kellydukes8080
By suckas
@Rivalthedon
This is my favorite hip hop album