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 Nothing
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No further due
Know who it is
Uh huh
(Rakim)
This is what it is, it's nothing, (ugh)
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing (ghetto's across the world)
Because the God is back, that's something (New York City)
This is what it is, it's nothing, (It's what they need)
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing (East Coast to West coast)
They got my phone tapped, it's nothing (It's what it is)
Because the God is back, that's something (Across sea's, world-wide, baby)
Ayo, we.
Stuck in a time of drought, nothing to rhyme about
Ghetto and crime, on the grind, pulling iron out
Industry crying out, major labels buying out
Who put the fire out? Real Hip-Hop is dying out
Sounds like the perfect time for Ra, set off
A new beginning, let me finish where Nas left off
I went to LA to get with Dre, we tried to bridge the gap in
Take night, mix it with day, I guess it wasn't meant to happen
I move, lotta dudes hope I lose but its cool, baby
I'm like Ray, I make it do what it do, baby
Bounce like medallions 'til it's off the chain
And I remain up in the lab 'til it's engulfed in flames
Just call me too hot, same ol' hood look like a new spot
A new block, like Time Square 'fore the doo-wop
Without the gun on my Hip I bring the new Hop
For Scott La Rock, Freaky Tah, L, Biggie Smalls and 2Pac, I'm back
This is what it is, it's nothing
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing
They got my phone tapped, it's nothing
Because the God is back, that's something
This is what it is, it's nothing
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing
They got my phone tapped, it's nothing
Because the God is back, that's something
This is hell and hell is where the storm is, drug sellers kill for corners
Death is here to haunt us, the president's still in office
The heaven's hear the horrors, and letters fill with warriors
Deadly weapons fell before us, the Seventh Seal's upon us
Rakim won't fear, begin to fear, the end is here, you goners
Stiff as rigormortis, now let 'em feel the When the God spit, I'm still a yards stick of real performance
Record deals and touring, my repp is still enormous
I hit the block or party and mami's be watching papi
A show be smashed, photographed by the paparazzi
My army's armed and highly, don't bring no drama by me
It's deadly, fill your boy with blanks, slash, kamikaze
The alpha and omega, no doubted innovator
In front of your bodega, it's the style-originator
You doubters and you haters, Ra 'bout to end your data
With Writer's Block, I'm off the top, without the pen, no paper
The archeologist that y'all acknowledging
Then I start the apocalypse then watch the God demolish it
I heard the news, this the dude they wanna hear from
Take it from square one, lace up them Air One's
Then bring the new commandments to the planets
For living life in the hood and for the music fanatics
It's for the time's beyond and my love for writing songs
When the club mic is on, I'm on my just to cipher, bomb, I'm back
This is what it is, it's nothing
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing
They got my phone tapped, it's nothing
Because the God is back, that's something
This is what it is, it's nothing
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing
They got my phone tapped, it's nothing
Because the God is back, that's something
I'm Back.
The song "It's Nothing" by Rakim speaks about the current state of the hip-hop industry and the societal issues of crime and poverty. The rapper starts off by acknowledging that the situation is bleak and that he is being monitored by authorities, but he reassures his fans that his comeback is something. Rakim talks about how the rap game has become dominated by mainstream labels, and real hip-hop is dying out. In response, he makes a call to action to keep the culture alive and keep real rap going.
Rakim speaks about his visit to LA to collaborate with Dr. Dre, but the project did not pan out. He then discusses how he keeps evolving his style so that it continues to resonate with listeners. He references several influential names in the rap industry who have passed away, and he dedicates the song to them. In the end, Rakim expresses his confidence and his desire to take charge as a leader in hip-hop once again.
Line by Line Meaning
This is what it is, it's nothing, (ugh)
This is the reality, there's nothing to it, unimportant.
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing (ghetto's across the world)
You believed it was finished or done, but it's not a big deal (in every disadvantaged area across the globe).
They got my phone tapped, it's nothing (Yo', this what they want)
They're listening to my conversations, but it's not a big deal (they're trying to cause trouble).
Because the God is back, that's something (New York City)
Because Rakim, the God MC, has returned, that's significant (in the city of New York).
This is what it is, it's nothing (It's what they need)
This is simply how it is, not a big deal (it's what people want).
You thought it was a wrap, it's nothing (East Coast to West coast)
You assumed it was concluded, but it's insignificant (happening from one coast to the other).
They got my phone tapped, it's nothing (It's what it is)
My conversations are being monitored, but it doesn't matter (it's normal).
Because the God is back, that's something (Across sea's, world-wide, baby)
The return of Rakim, the God MC, is significant (all around the world, everywhere).
Stuck in a time of drought, nothing to rhyme about
In a period where creativity is lacking, no inspiration to create rhymes.
Ghetto and crime, on the grind, pulling iron out
Living in impoverished areas with high criminal activity, always working to make ends meet, and resorting to violence.
Industry crying out, major labels buying out
The music industry is struggling, and big record companies are purchasing smaller ones to stay afloat.
Who put the fire out? Real Hip-Hop is dying out
Who extinguished the flame of true Hip-Hop? The authentic genre is fading away.
Sounds like the perfect time for Ra, set off
This appears to be the ideal moment for Rakim to make a significant impact.
A new beginning, let me finish where Nas left off
Starting fresh and taking over where Nas left off.
I went to LA to get with Dre, we tried to bridge the gap in
I went to Los Angeles to work with Dr. Dre and consolidate differences.
Take night, mix it with day, I guess it wasn't meant to happen
Merge the two different worlds, but it didn't work out as planned.
I move, lotta dudes hope I lose but its cool, baby
Many people want to see me fail, but it doesn't bother me.
I'm like Ray, I make it do what it do, baby
I'm resourceful and will make the best of any situation, as Ray Charles famously sang.
Bounce like medallions 'til it's off the chain
Keep the rhythm going like bouncing a medallion back and forth until it falls off the chain.
And I remain up in the lab 'til it's engulfed in flames
I'll work in the studio until it's destroyed or until I achieve greatness.
Just call me too hot, same ol' hood look like a new spot
I'm too hot to handle, and I can make the same old hood look like a new place.
A new block, like Time Square 'fore the doo-wop
Pioneering a new area like New York City's Time Square before the doo-wop era.
Without the gun on my Hip I bring the new Hop
I don't need a weapon to make an impact, I bring innovative Hip-Hop.
For Scott La Rock, Freaky Tah, L, Biggie Smalls and 2Pac, I'm back
Honoring the memory of important figures in Hip-Hop who have passed away and proclaiming his return.
This is hell and hell is where the storm is, drug sellers kill for corners
Living in a place of suffering and chaos, where drug dealers are willing to murder for territory.
Death is here to haunt us, the president's still in office
Death looms over us, and the leader of the country is still in power.
The heaven's hear the horrors, and letters fill with warriors
God and heaven are aware of the horrors and violence occurring, and letters are written by those fighting back.
Deadly weapons fell before us, the Seventh Seal's upon us
Weapons of destruction are being defeated by us, and it's like the apocalypse prophesized in the Book of Revelation.
Rakim won't fear, begin to fear, the end is here, you goners
I won't be afraid, but you should be afraid because the end is near.
Stiff as rigormortis, now let 'em feel the When the God spit, I'm still a yards stick of real performance
As rigid as a corpse, but now let them experience the greatness of Rakim's rhymes since he's still an excellent performer.
Record deals and touring, my repp is still enormous
Despite record deals and touring, my reputation remains colossal and influential.
I hit the block or party and mami's be watching papi
I attend street gatherings or celebrations, and women are paying attention to me.
A show be smashed, photographed by the paparazzi
A concert of mine will be a hit and captured by the paparazzi.
My army's armed and highly, don't bring no drama by me
My team is armed and prepared for anything, so don't cause any trouble near me.
It's deadly, fill your boy with blanks, slash, kamikaze
It's lethal, and your partner will be shot with blank rounds, cut, or commit suicide.
The alpha and omega, no doubted innovator
Beginning and end, an innovator with no doubt.
In front of your bodega, it's the style-originator
Outside of your town's corner store, the originator of style is here.
You doubters and you haters, Ra 'bout to end your data
Those who doubt or dislike me, get ready to be proven wrong since I am going to end your statistics and data.
With Writer's Block, I'm off the top, without the pen, no paper
Even when I have Writer's Block, I can improvise rhymes on the spot without writing anything down.
The archeologist that y'all acknowledging
The person who discovers and interprets the old school Hip-Hop is being recognized (Rakim).
Then I start the apocalypse then watch the God demolish it
I will begin the end of the world and then witness myself as the amazing figure that causes the destruction.
I heard the news, this the dude they wanna hear from
I receive the message that the world wants to listen to me.
Take it from square one, lace up them Air One's
Let's start from the beginning, and put on some comfortable Nike's.
Then bring the new commandments to the planets
Then start promoting new rules to the whole world.
For living life in the hood and for the music fanatics
For those living in impoverished areas and for those who are passionate about music.
It's for the time's beyond and my love for writing songs
It's for the current and future times, and for my passion for composing music.
When the club mic is on, I'm on my just to cipher, bomb, I'm back
When the microphone is on at a club or social event, I'm rapping and ready to drop bars. I'm back to the spotlight.
I'm Back.
I have returned.
Contributed by Micah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@FugitivoAH
Thank you rakim, you just made my year. Respect from Portugal.
@alirasheed7268
As long is there's rap music Rakim da God Nas da Godson will always be heard peace
@s1ncere10
rakim is that thine line between old n new school = perfect hip hop
@AEG1906
Now it's time for a Premo remix! The GOD MC, The Lyrical Lord....RAKIM!
@mcteeosupreme
in front of ya bodega it's the style originator.. Rakim is that dude feel me
@jellybalboa
old is gold, this man is definately the master, hes jus too good,
@GlasgowsHanlon
love rakim.. bringin the old school to the new school !
@reggiemunch
Straight fire-Ra the 1n only
@ryanbrandt3374
"Rap is something you do, hip hop is something you live." Rakim need to get with premo for an album. Now
@skizmuey
nah man, rakim is still the best, bow down to the GOD MC