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.
Its Been A Long Time
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
Rakim, the microphone soloist
Follow procedures, the crowd couldn't wait to see this
Nobody been this long awaited since Jesus
I'm still one of the deepest on the mic since Adidas
They said I changed the times from the rhymes that I thought of
So I made some more to put the New World in Order
With Mathematics, put your status above the average
And help you rappers, make paragraphs with graphics
'Cause new days is dawnin', new ways of performin'
Brainstormin', I write and watch the night turn to mornin'
On and on and, I got the whole world respondin'
Rock, I keep it hot and blow the spot without warnin'
The emperor, well known for inventin' a sentence
Full of adventure, turnin' up the temperature
Rush with adrenaline, how long has it been again
To be in the state of mind that Rakim is in?
It's been a long time
Rakim, the microphone soloist
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
Rakim
When I'm out proppin', either, hangin' or shoppin'
People see me, stop and ask me when the album droppin'
The wait is over, in formation like a soldier
Like I told ya, greater, stronger, now that I'm older
I broke the code of silence with overloads of talents
My only challenge is not to explode in violence
I'm Asiatic, and blazin' microphones' a habit
At least once during the course of a day, it's automatic
In ghetto apparel, mind of a Egyptian pharaoh
Far from shallow, thoughts travel like an arrow
Allah's monotony, so far they can't stop me
You know, Ra want property like Mummar Khadafi
More thoughts than Bibles, recital taught disciples
A sawed-off mic, so words scatter like a rifle
Thoughts that's trifle, I'm bustin' these for you
Ayo, technical difficulties is through
It's been a long time
Rakim, the microphone soloist
It's been a long time
Rakim, the microphone soloist
It's been a long time
Rakim, the microphone soloist
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
When I flow at night, I show 'em new heights I go to write
They know I strike with new prototypes to blow the mic
Critics and biters don't know where my source of light is
Still leave authors and writers with arthritis
Cursed kids like the pyramids when they found the style
First to ever let a rhyme flow down the Nile
The rebirth of hip hop'll be dropped now
'Cause the crowd didn't hear the original in a while
So be alarmed, what you 'bout to see is the bomb
Like, 3D in 'Nam, vivid like CD-Rom
Info kept like internet.com
My notebook's my bond like the Holy Quran
Since I came in the door, said it before
But, no, I ain't down with Eric B. no more
At night the open mic be invitin' me to rhyme
So, yo, I'm online, it's been a long time
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
Rakim, the microphone soloist
It's been a long time
Rakim, the microphone soloist
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
It's been a long time
In Rakim's song "It's Been A Long Time", the rapper reflects on his legendary status in the hip-hop community and highlights the changes that have occurred since he first burst onto the scene. Rakim opens with the line, "Follow procedures, the crowd couldn't wait to see this, nobody been this long awaited since Jesus." This line expresses how eager the audience is to see him perform, highlighting his legendary status in the industry. The rapper then references his past contributions to hip-hop, stating that he "changed the times from the rhymes that I thought of." Rakim sees himself as a change-maker in the music industry, with his rhymes significantly influencing the genre.
In the second verse, Rakim touches on his personal growth as an artist, expressing how he has matured both artistically and personally with age. He declares that "the wait is over," and he is now "greater stronger" now that he's older. He frames himself as a master of rhymes, with "thoughts that's trifle," and he continues to "bust these (rhymes) for you." Rakim's lyrics illustrate how he has maintained his iconic status in the hip-hop industry over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
It's been a long time
Rakim is acknowledging that it has been a while since he made his mark in the rap game.
It's been a long time
Rakim continues to emphasize that it's been a long time since he has been recognized for his talent.
It's been a long time
Rakim restates that it has been a long time since he made his last debut in the rap industry.
It's been a long time
Rakim repeats it again to stress the point that he has been out of the public eye for some time now.
Rakim, the microphone soloist
Rakim introduces himself as a skilled rapper who can carry a song with his voice.
Follow procedures, the crowd couldn't wait to see this
Rakim has a loyal fan base that is eager to see him perform and listen to his music.
Nobody been this long awaited since Jesus
Rakim is so influential that fans have been waiting eagerly for him to release new music, just like people waited for Jesus to appear.
Who wouldn't believe this, I heard the word on the street is
Rakim has a solid reputation and fans believe in his talent despite what critics may say.
I'm still one of the deepest on the mic since Adidas
Rakim is one of the best rappers in the game and his skills with the mic have only improved over time.
They said I changed the times from the rhymes that I thought of
Rakim's unique style and flow have influenced the rap game and changed the style for other rappers.
So I made some more to put the New World in Order
Rakim created new music to help change and organize the rap game with his original style.
With Mathematics, put your status above the average
Rakim's music is intellectual and goes beyond average rap songs to make a fan's status better.
And help you rappers, make paragraphs with graphics
Rakim wants to inspire fellow rappers to write deeper and create graphics in their lyrics.
Cause new days is dawning, new ways of performing
The rap industry is changing and new methods of performance and style are emerging.
Brainstorming, I write and watch the night turn to morning
Rakim is a creative writer who puts in endless work and dedication to his craft.
On and on and, I got the whole world responding
Rakim's music is universal and he has fans all over the world who appreciate his style.
Rock, I keep it hot and blow the spot without warning
Rakim's performance style is energetic and spontaneous, often surprising fans.
The Emperor, well known for, inventing a sentence
Rakim is known for his ability to create complex and unique sentences in his lyrics.
full of adventure, turning up the temperature
Rakim's lyrics are filled with adventure and excitement, bringing the heat to the rap game.
Rush with adrenaline, how long has it been again
Rakim is always excited and full of energy when it comes to his music, and he's been this way for a long time.
To be in the state of mind that Rakim is in?
Fans are in awe of Rakim's state of mind when he writes his music and they want to experience that also.
When I'm out propping, either, hanging or shopping
Rakim is always out and about, and fans may spot him while he's shopping or spending time in public places.
People see me stop and ask me when the album dropping
Fans are always curious about when Rakim is going to drop new music.
The wait is over, in-formation like a soldier
Rakim's new music is finally here, filled with knowledge and wisdom like that of a soldier.
Like I told ya, greater stronger, now that I'm older
Rakim has grown stronger and wiser over time, and his new music reflects this.
I broke the, code of silence with overloads of talents
Rakim has so much talent that it's almost as if he has revealed a secret code to the rap game.
My only challenge, is not to explode in violence
Rakim has a lot of passion for his music, and sometimes it's difficult for him to contain it all.
I'm Asiatic, and blazing microphones a habit
Rakim is proud of his heritage and his love for music is second nature.
At least once during the course of a day, it's automatic
Rakim's desire to perform is so strong he can't go a whole day without doing it at least once.
In ghetto apparel, mind of a Egyptian Pharoah
Rakim's appearance is always in line with the gritty style of the Ghetto while his mind is filled with knowledge and history of ancient Egypt like a Pharaoh.
Far from shallow, thoughts travel like an arrow
Rakim's thoughts are deep and profound like an arrow making their way to his next goals.
Allah's monotony, so far they can't stop me
Rakim's faith is strong and nothing can stop him in his music career.
You know, Ra want property like Mumar Khadafi
Rakim wants to acquire influential resources like Libyan President Mumar Khadafi.
More thoughts than Bibles, recital, taught disciples
Rakim has so many thoughts and ideas that they are comparable to the amount of teachings in a bible, and he shares his knowledge with his followers.
A sawed off mic, so words scatter like a rifle
Rakim's microphone is powerful - his words are like bullets from a gun, powerful and unstoppable.
Thoughts that's trifle, I'm busting these for you
Rakim is taking time to share his more everyday thoughts with his fans in his music.
Hey yo, technical difficulties is through
Rakim overcomes any technical obstacles and is now ready to take back his place in the rap game.
When I float at night, I show em new heights, I go to write
Rakim gains inspiration from nightfall to write something new and innovative.
They know I strike with new prototypes to blow the mic
Rakim is always reinventing his craft to stay ahead of the game and is sure to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Critics and biters, don't know where my source of light is
Critics and copy cats do not understand or have access to the deep inspiration that motivates Rakim to create his music.
Still leave authors and writers with arthritis
Rakim's writing style is so unique and intricate that it causes other artists to struggle and experience arthritis in their writing hands.
Cursed kids like the Pyramids when they found the style
Rakim's influence is so powerful that he is compared to the legendary pyramids that were cursed by those who couldn't believe it was possible to create something so monumental.
First to ever let a rhyme flow down the Nile
Rakim was the first rapper to create a unique and memorable music flow for fans around the world.
The rebirth of hip-hop'll be dropped now
Rakim is bringing a new era to the hip-hop game with his new music.
Cause the crowd didn't hear the original in a while
Fans have been waiting for his original style, and Rakim is here to deliver.
So be alarmed, what you bout to see is the bomb
Rakim's new music is explosive and fans will be thrilled to hear it.
Like, 3-D in 'Nam, vivid like CD-Rom
Rakim's music is vivid, like he is providing fans with a 3-D image of his experiences that is vivid like a CD-Rom
Info kept like 'internet.com'
The information Rakim shares with fans is valuable and informative, not easily found like with the website 'internet.com'.
My note-book's my bond like the Holy Qu'ran
Rakim takes his writing seriously and keeps his work in a notebook, similar to the way people hold the Holy Qu'ran sacred.
Since I came in the door, said it before
Rakim has been sharing his unique style since he first came into the rap game, and he is not about to stop.
But no I ain't down with Eric B. no more
Rakim has parted ways with his music partner Eric B.; he is now focused on creating music independently.
At night the open mic be inviting me to rhyme
Rakim's passion for music doesn't stop; even when he's out at night, he seeks open mics to share his lyrics with others.
So yo I'm online, it's been a long time
Rakim is back and he's connecting to his fans via the internet after a long absence.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Barrier, Charles A Bobbit, James Brown, Bobby Byrd, William Griffin, Christopher E Martin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Grandevauto
Rakim can spit a whole track without saying one curse word! Real hip hop....Amazing !
@davidolajide3707
Like nf today
@SolomonMozart
I'm a Rakim disciple. You should check out my "Five Verses" project. I use three or four curse words very deliberately on the first two verses for emphasis, then the rest is clean rap. I say the f-word twice, the n-word once, and asshole once. Peace.
@martyrx3436
Will Smith been doing that…
@twinglckz8330
@@martyrx3436 nigga will Smith?
@byronherrera6114
Nas?
@LucasAdverse
DJ Premier + Rakim = pure bliss
@DylanFowler
Prem in Hindi means bliss.
@PedroSanchez-mv5fh
IF YOU WANT TO HEAR A MODERN RAPPER CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH AS NAS AND RAKIM LYRICALLY CHECK OUT HYNT. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSRO9z5BWLwTmuMkWsOasdQ?view_as=subscriber
@FredDubnah
Preemo