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.
Walk These Streets
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah
La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah (Uh...yeah...)
(This is for the haters...keep hatin)
La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah
La-da-da-dah, la-da-da-dah
(It's what we call money music, right here)
(Uh, yeah, let's go in)
[Rakim - Verse 1ne]
I perform in cities, hoods, and slums, the best seller is drugs
And money is the only thing that get love
They say don't let it make you, but that's how they rate you
And the more you got, the more they hate you (That's okay too!)
Just don't get in the way, 'cause at the end of the day
My agenda's make sure I get them ends to get paid (uh-huh)
So I'm stackin grands 'til the math expand
It's the man with the master plan
Since the Bambino, cash made my path cross with evil
Uno dos cinco on a crowded corner rollin c-lo
To chips and the chick in the casino pourin Cliquot
'Cause now I make music for the c-notes
From New York to Puerto Rico, California to Rio
Hit the streets like the kilo but I'm legal
It's swga like I walk with heat though with all my people
But it's just me and my alter ego
[Chorus: Tracey Horton]
I walk these streets, wit my mind on my plan
It's alright if you don't understand
I walk these streets, think like I got a gun in my hand
'cause hatin is the nature of man
(Sometimes I wanna, stop the cameras, just pop the hammer
Box the innocent bystander and his man up)
I walk these streets, think like I got a gun in my hand
It's alright if you don't understand
Just stay outta my waaaay
[Maino - Verse 2wo]
MAINOOOOO~!
Yo, one for my comrades, two for my family
Three for the day that I run into my enemies
We gon' make a movie, the world gon' remember me
I survived it all dawg, what the hell you tellin me?
I remember days when, I was young and aidin
Cuttin class, chasin ass, couldn't pass grades and
Chillin on the block then, listenin to Rakim
Back of his album filled up with Killer Ben
Supreme Magnetic and I wasn't athletic
But I ran around with the Tre-8 Magnetic
Money on my mind, crack vials in my Levi's
Been a dog since I had the cream colored Filas (Hahahah!)
Yeah, yeah, we fly, seen it all with these eyes
Gunplay and drugs if you put my mind on rewind
Fast forward my life, ya boy done MADE IT!
If I could do it over, I wouldn't CHANGED IT!
[Chorus]
[Rakim - Verse 3hree]
(Ay, good lookin out my dude)
Aiyyo Maino, it's the same ol' same ol'
Don't matter if you in it for the fame or you lay low
Haters gon' hate but, it's okay though (Keep doin what you ddo)
The angle is make sure the payroll stay swoll
Big faces, cake dough and di-nay-ros
Rubels, yen yang, euros and pesos
Seven digit figures, tryna make more zay-ros
Spray holes in whoever in the way so (Stay outta my waaaay)
While I count the next bundle (that's right)
"All means necessary," Malcolm X hustle
A threat yet humble, about to flex muscle
Get a big amount then I'm in and out the next jungle
'Cause every other day, I'm in another state
It's like I cross the thin line between love and hate
But I gotta eat, gotta get another plate
So I'm on my cake walk for the cake
[Chorus]
Just stay outta my waaaay..
(It's what they do..)
Just stay outta my waaaay..
The song "Walk These Streets" by Rakim and featuring Maino, is a reflection of the harsh realities of life in the streets. The song begins with Tracey Horton's intro saying that the song is for the haters, and Rakim then takes over with his lyrics, explaining that he performs in different cities, including the hoods and slums. He goes on to explain that money is the only thing that gets love in the streets, and if you have more of it, the more people hate you. He further notes that he's not done until he gets paid and that he's stacking grands till his math expands. To him, it's all about the money, and he's making sure he has enough to survive.
The chorus by Tracey Horton reiterates Rakim's message about being in the streets and dealing with haters. She notes that sometimes she thinks like she has a gun in her hand as a way of dealing with haters who are the nature of men. On the other hand, Maino's verse talks about his journey to success. He remembers days when he barely passed his grades, but he never gave up. He mentions that he listened to Rakim's music and was inspired by it. By the end of the verse, he notes that he made it to the top, and he wouldn't change a thing about his past.
Overall, "Walk These Streets" is a song that talks about the realities of the streets; the need to hustle, the struggle with haters, and the importance of money. The song reflects the hard life of being in the streets, and the need to survive by any means possible.
Line by Line Meaning
I perform in cities, hoods, and slums, the best seller is drugs
I do shows in urban areas where drug dealing is prevalent.
And money is the only thing that get love
People only care about money and success.
They say don't let it make you, but that's how they rate you
People claim that you shouldn't be consumed by money, but that's how you are judged by others.
And the more you got, the more they hate you (That's okay too!)
The more successful you become, the more people will dislike you, but that's something to be expected.
My agenda's make sure I get them ends to get paid (uh-huh)
My goal is to make sure I earn enough money to sustain my lifestyle.
So I'm stackin grands 'til the math expand
I am accumulating large sums of money until I have enough to expand my wealth even further.
Since the Bambino, cash made my path cross with evil
Ever since I've had money, I've encountered dangerous or unsavory people.
Uno dos cinco on a crowded corner rollin c-lo
I used to play dice in public places with a large number of people.
To chips and the chick in the casino pourin Cliquot
Now I am gambling in casinos with expensive champagne and beautiful women.
'Cause now I make music for the c-notes
I am now making music for money.
From New York to Puerto Rico, California to Rio
I have found success and performed in many locations.
Hit the streets like the kilo but I'm legal
I am as prevalent on the streets as drugs, but my money-making methods are legal.
It's swga like I walk with heat though with all my people
I am very confident in my swagger when I am with my crew.
But it's just me and my alter ego
Despite my bravado, it's really just me and my persona as Rakim.
I walk these streets, wit my mind on my plan
I am constantly focused on my plan for success.
It's alright if you don't understand
Not everyone will understand my drive for success.
'cause hatin is the nature of man
People are naturally prone to hate and jealousy.
(Sometimes I wanna, stop the cameras, just pop the hammer
Sometimes I feel like resorting to violence against those who oppose me.
Box the innocent bystander and his man up)
I might even harm innocent people around my target.
Just stay outta my waaaay
Stay clear of me and my path to success.
Yo, one for my comrades, two for my family
I have love for my close friends and relatives.
Three for the day that I run into my enemies
I am waiting for the day I can confront my enemies.
We gon' make a movie, the world gon' remember me
I will leave a significant impact on the world.
I survived it all dawg, what the hell you tellin me?
I have been through a lot and have overcome it all.
Chillin on the block then, listenin to Rakim
I used to listen to Rakim's music while hanging out on the streets.
But I ran around with the Tre-8 Magnetic
I hung out with people who were involved in gang activity.
Money on my mind, crack vials in my Levi's
I was focused on getting money while also participating in drug dealing.
Been a dog since I had the cream colored Filas (Hahahah!)
I've been tough and unrelenting since I was wearing cream-colored Filas.
Yeah, yeah, we fly, seen it all with these eyes
I have witnessed and experienced a lot.
Gunplay and drugs if you put my mind on rewind
If I reminisce, I think about gun violence and drug activity.
Fast forward my life, ya boy done MADE IT!
But currently, I have succeeded and achieved my goals.
If I could do it over, I wouldn't CHANGED IT!
I have no regrets and wouldn't do anything differently.
The angle is make sure the payroll stay swoll
My focus is to ensure that my income stays high.
Big faces, cake dough and di-nay-ros
I want to earn large amounts of cash in a variety of currencies.
Rubels, yen yang, euros and pesos
I want to earn money in many different countries and currencies.
Seven digit figures, tryna make more zay-ros
I am aiming to reach the millions in earnings and increase even further.
Spray holes in whoever in the way so (Stay outta my waaaay)
I am violent towards those who oppose me and advise others to stay out of my path.
While I count the next bundle (that's right)
I am counting my earnings while waiting for the next source of cash.
"All means necessary," Malcolm X hustle
I am motivated by Malcolm X's idea that any means necessary could be used to achieve success.
A threat yet humble, about to flex muscle
I am both strong and confident yet remain humble and respectful.
Get a big amount then I'm in and out the next jungle
Once I earn a large sum, I will move on to the next area to conquer.
'Cause every other day, I'm in another state
I am constantly on the move and touring in different states.
It's like I cross the thin line between love and hate
My career path makes me feel like I am constantly balancing between love and hate from the public.
But I gotta eat, gotta get another plate
I am determined to continue earning more money to survive.
So I'm on my cake walk for the cake
I am easily succeeding in my quest for wealth.
Contributed by Isaac N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
antonhbp
Rakim is truly one of a kind. His voice, his delivery, his flow. Living Legend.
Michael Malapi
Greatest rapper to ever graze, 2nd comes the GZA
Amrit Singh
"definition of classic is timeless,so age doesn't count in the booth when your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth" - Rakim.
Y
Bro Are you alive...am from 2022
Amrit Singh
@Y I am
African Rascal
Damnn those bars ❤️🔥❤️🔥
Eva Burnz
@Amrit Singh what up balla, hope you're at the top of your game 10 years on
ZacharyB
Chuch!
X-FLAME
"money is the only thing that get love
They say don't let it make you, but that's how they rate you" the realness spoken bluntly by Rakim
z 8rooklynkid
X-FLAME EL DRACONUM W