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.
Run
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better hold my mic don't blow again
Warned by alarms when the mic gets warm
Crowd'll get critical can't keep calm
Jet for the exit why hang around
Words that I found make the mic melt down
If you stay better cooperate 'cause I amputate
And whoever don't break I'm a suffocate
Mic to the massacre master who has the
Power to build and destroy at the same time
So track the wack at the right, and exact could shine
Meant to beat overheat, but I won't stop
So evacuate the spot when the mic's hot
Switch it from one hand to another
And that's a hint, my brother, run for cover
'Cause I'm armed, my brain contains a bomb
As if I escaped from Vietnam
Some people label me lethal, lyrics I made then put beats to
Format, collapse, your lungs twist your tongues
You can't bump your gums off of none of the drums
Words that I made'll create an iller scene
Eric B. is the fly human being on the guillotine
Hook 'em up to a respirator, 'cause it's the mista suffocator
What I write is like shovin' a mic down your windpipe
Don't let him bit rhymes Rakim write
No mic to mouth resuscitation is necessary
No obituary, and if they're left, they're buried
As it strikes on the same mic twice and then
Cut it on, and I'm a strike again
I meditate off the breaks, till the place shakes
Then I make rain, hail, snow and earthquakes
Speak the truth, tear the roof off the mother
The stage is stompin' grounds
Run for cover
Evacuate the building, danger, 'cause I came to explain the
Strategy that'll be tragic automatically
Havin' me to cause another catastrophe
All you gotta do is give Rakim the microphone
And the crowd'll yell "Timber"
Buildings collapsin', rappers gettin' trapped in
Areas closed off, no one gets back in
So set up roadblocks, barricade the doors
Fade, put a detour sign on the stage
Hold my microphone as evidence, the weapon I use and been usin' ever since
The days in the park when, rap was an art then
Plus I was dominant, determined and dark-skinned
Makin' it hard to walk the streets at night
For those who talk the weak beats on the mic
Whoever's livin' large better wear camouflage
Prepare to be bumrushed when I yell charge
Surround by sound of the beat-down another brother
This is stompin' grounds, run for cover
Wheels or foot, better not stay put
Whole place shook till the mic's unhooked
Then you've got seven minutes to vacate the premises
Lyrics'll echo soon as the break finishes
Don't act wild, single file to the door
No need for an encore, just clear the floor
'Cause my mic's about to self destruct
The stage'll blow up when my rhymes erupt
So make sure the place is cleared out and abandoned
'Cause minutes from now it won't be standin'
Then send out and A.P.B.: All Poets Beware of a brother like me
Now how many rhymes could your man manufacture
How many bitin' MCs can I capture
Trap rappers who try to run off at the mouth
Take over their route, play 'em out like a Cub Scout
So leave troopin' for MCs at war
And if it's a battle let the crowd keep score
'Cause me and the drummer make drama, and that's word to mother
Run for cover
The lyrics to Rakim's song "Run" convey a sense of confidence, power, and intimidation. Rakim starts off by asserting his readiness to flow and warns that his mic can get hot, causing the crowd to become critical and restless. He presents himself as a force to be reckoned with, someone who can build and destroy at the same time. Rakim's words and delivery are so potent that they can make the mic melt and leave his opponents gasping for breath.
Rakim's lyrics also showcase his mastery of the art of rap. He describes himself as a lethal force, creating lyrics that are both impactful and set to infectious beats. He challenges other rappers to step up their game, asserting his dominance and skill as an MC. Rakim is unapologetic in his pursuit of excellence, using his words to create an intense and memorable experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I go again ready to flow again
I am about to start rapping again with confidence and skill
Better hold my mic don't blow again
Be careful not to ruin the sound quality of my microphone
Warned by alarms when the mic gets warm
I can sense when my performance is getting intense and the crowd will become critical
Crowd'll get critical can't keep calm
The audience will become restless and demanding, it's hard to maintain their attention
Jet for the exit why hang around
It's better to leave quickly and not linger around
Words that I found make the mic melt down
My lyrics are so powerful and captivating that it overwhelms the microphone
If you stay better cooperate 'cause I amputate
If you stick around, you better work together because I'll cut off those who can't keep up
And whoever don't break I'm a suffocate
I will silence and overpower anyone who doesn't succumb to my talent
Leave 'em with asthma, you better pass the
You'll be left breathless and struggling to keep up, so pass the microphone
Mic to the massacre master who has the
Give the microphone to me, the master of delivering destructive performances
Power to build and destroy at the same time
I have the ability to create and demolish with my words simultaneously
So track the wack at the right, and exact could shine
If you pay attention to the weak rappers, my excellence will shine even brighter
Meant to beat overheat, but I won't stop
I'm meant to surpass the limit of excellence, even if it becomes intense
So evacuate the spot when the mic's hot
Clear the area when my performance becomes intense and captivating
Switch it from one hand to another
Pass the microphone from one person to another as a hint to run for cover
And that's a hint, my brother, run for cover
I'm warning you, my friend, to find shelter and escape my powerful lyrics
'Cause I'm armed, my brain contains a bomb
My mind holds explosive lyrics, ready to make an impact
As if I escaped from Vietnam
My lyrical prowess is comparable to surviving a war and emerging triumphant
Some people label me lethal, lyrics I made then put beats to
I am considered dangerous due to the potent lyrics I create and then match with beats
Format, collapse, your lungs twist your tongues
My unique style and delivery will leave you breathless and speechless
You can't bump your gums off of none of the drums
You can't speak arrogantly or boastfully when faced with the incredible beats I produce
Words that I made'll create an iller scene
My lyrics will generate an even more intense and remarkable atmosphere
Eric B. is the fly human being on the guillotine
Eric B. is the exceptional DJ representing the cutting-edge, while I deliver my deadly lyrics
Hook 'em up to a respirator, 'cause it's the mista suffocator
Connect these inferior rappers to a life support system, as I suffocate them with my talent
What I write is like shovin' a mic down your windpipe
My lyrics are forceful and impactful, akin to forcefully inserting a microphone into your throat
Don't let him bit rhymes Rakim write
Don't try to imitate or plagiarize the rhymes that Rakim writes
No mic to mouth resuscitation is necessary
No need to save these weak rappers by giving them a microphone
No obituary, and if they're left, they're buried
These rappers won't receive an obituary because if they are left standing, they'll be forgotten and overshadowed
As it strikes on the same mic twice and then
As I deliver my incredible performance on the same microphone twice, and then
Cut it on, and I'm a strike again
I will continue to deliver powerful rhymes, striking again and again
I meditate off the breaks, till the place shakes
I gather my thoughts and focus during the instrumental breaks, causing the venue to shake with energy
Then I make rain, hail, snow and earthquakes
Through my performance, I unleash a torrent of emotions and create a sense of chaos and impact
Speak the truth, tear the roof off the mother
I speak the absolute truth and create such an intense atmosphere that it feels like the roof is being ripped off
The stage is stompin' grounds
The stage is my territory, where I dominate and excel
Run for cover
Everyone should find shelter and escape my powerful presence
Evacuate the building, danger, 'cause I came to explain the
Everyone should leave the premises immediately because I have arrived to deliver an intense message
Strategy that'll be tragic automatically
The plan I have in mind will result in a catastrophic outcome without fail
Havin' me to cause another catastrophe
My presence alone will lead to another disastrous event
All you gotta do is give Rakim the microphone
Hand over the microphone to Rakim and he will take control and deliver his powerful performance
And the crowd'll yell 'Timber'
The audience will erupt with enthusiasm and excitement, as if a tree has fallen
Buildings collapsin', rappers gettin' trapped in
Metaphorically, the impact of my lyrics causes chaos and destruction, while trapping inferior rappers
Areas closed off, no one gets back in
Sections are restricted and inaccessible, no one is allowed to return
So set up roadblocks, barricade the doors
Block any means of entry, barricade the exits to prevent anyone from escaping
Fade, put a detour sign on the stage
Disappear from the stage, leaving a sign indicating that it's an alternate route and not safe
Hold my microphone as evidence, the weapon I use and been usin' ever since
My microphone is like a weapon, and I present it as evidence of my skill and dominance
The days in the park when, rap was an art then
I reminisce about the past when rap was more artistic and meaningful
Plus I was dominant, determined and dark-skinned
I stood out as a powerful force in the rap scene, driven by my determination and being of dark complexion
Makin' it hard to walk the streets at night
My reputation and skill made it challenging for me to move around freely during the nighttime
For those who talk the weak beats on the mic
Those who produce inferior beats and deliver weak performances on the microphone
Whoever's livin' large better wear camouflage
Anyone who boasts and presents themselves as successful should hide and blend in to avoid my wrath
Prepare to be bumrushed when I yell charge
Be ready to be overwhelmed and attacked vigorously when I give the order to attack
Surround by sound of the beat-down another brother
Encircled by the sound and impact of my aggressive rhymes as I overpower another rapper
This is stompin' grounds, run for cover
This is where I reign supreme and deliver my powerful performances, everyone should seek shelter
Wheels or foot, better not stay put
Whether you're in a vehicle or on foot, you should not remain in one place
Whole place shook till the mic's unhooked
The entire venue is filled with intensity and energy until the microphone is disconnected
Then you've got seven minutes to vacate the premises
Once the microphone is disconnected, you have a limited time to leave the building
Lyrics'll echo soon as the break finishes
As soon as the musical break ends, my powerful lyrics will resonate and fill the space
Don't act wild, single file to the door
Don't behave recklessly, line up in an orderly manner and head towards the exit
No need for an encore, just clear the floor
There's no request for an additional performance, simply evacuate the area
'Cause my mic's about to self destruct
My microphone is on the verge of causing chaos and destruction
The stage'll blow up when my rhymes erupt
When I unleash my explosive rhymes, the stage will figuratively explode with energy and impact
So make sure the place is cleared out and abandoned
Ensure that the venue is completely vacant and deserted
'Cause minutes from now it won't be standin'
In a matter of minutes, the venue will be destroyed and no longer exist
Then send out an A.P.B.: All Poets Beware of a brother like me
Inform all other poets to be cautious and wary of someone as talented and dangerous as me
Now how many rhymes could your man manufacture
How many rhymes can your favorite rapper produce
How many bitin' MCs can I capture
How many unoriginal rappers can I expose and conquer
Trap rappers who try to run off at the mouth
I catch and expose rappers who talk boastfully without substance
Take over their route, play 'em out like a Cub Scout
I dominate their career path and humiliate them, treating them as if they were inexperienced Cub Scouts
So leave troopin' for MCs at war
Leaving the task of rapping and performing to those who are truly skilled and competitive
And if it's a battle let the crowd keep score
If there's a rap battle, let the audience judge the winner
'Cause me and the drummer make drama, and that's word to mother
The combination of my rhymes and the drummer's beats creates intense and dramatic performances, and I swear it's true
Run for cover
Everyone should seek shelter and protect themselves from the impact of my talent
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC BARRIER, WILLIAM GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elliott Covert
Spittin' pure fire!
Don Satch
His Lyrics are Gold unbelievable Rakim,The Goat !! Keep Spitting Fire Rah !
nasmdok53
being a legend is a understatement 4 Rakim
Sn eex
Legend, Pure Talent
theyoungcommander
Damn. Just listen to how this fool rides the beat! Flawless. As far as words flowing perfectly over a beat, only B.I.G does that as well as Rah, imo. Plus the God emcee has so many other skills: complex arrangements, visuals in his rhymes, double metaphors... ...beast.
Byron Davies
I remember this. True story. Tried getting him on unpaid child support or something.
Strictly HighGrade
I was there. It was Timbo King(from Royal Fam), Buddha Monk with me standing right there when Raekwon, Rakim,Shawn Wiggs pulled up. As soon as Ra was coming to the backdoor of Roseland the under covers hopped out and snatched rakim , pulled guns on us all and said back up. The white boy promoter for the show started screaming WTF THEY TOOK THE GOD EMCEE!!!
Radamez Jr.
That Vick spin dip regarding the cops was prophetic
Ethereum Foundation
agree they all bring classics to the table.
Phillip Peño
sick beat