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.
Whats Going On
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's happening it's been so long what's going on
And what's going wrong? The good old days are gone
You forgot your plot and your plans as a young man
You invented a scam even you don't understand
You rig the enigma can't figure it out
You use to cut class smoked grass still passed
Figured you was all that but that ain't last;
The times is harder, the drugs is heavier
You say whatever, the more, the merrier;
Smoke chokes your dreams and blurs your scenes,
Now a young man fiend change his plan to schemes;
No more good times, no more time,
Too far to find, you're almost blind,
You can't see what spot that the trap is in
(Hey bra!)What's happening!
You had it mapped out, your plans get torn,
You stayed up for days and now your dreams are gone
You said you quit, stated your word is bond
(Hey bro) what's going on?
What's going on?
My neighborhood don't look so good
I'll find a way out.. yeah, I would if I could,
But the government is doing a project
so I live in the projects;
Where we fight for elbow room to the doom,
Try to live long but you die too soon,
I might not be alive to see 25,
Taught at ten to make money and strive;
I sold tapes at school and made some ends
Met a lot of skins and even made some friends,
Cool, 'cause now I got a crew to run wit,
Break a couple of rules, have crazy fun wit;
But every now and then, they give my knuckle game a test,
But I won't fess, I just get rid of the stress!
And then shake hands like a man,
'Cause it's a family thing, only the crew would understand!
But you had a one on one fight wit drugs,
When we ain't cool no more, we buss slugs,
Clip after clip, until one of us is gone
(Hey bra!) what's going on?
Yo, what's going on?
The crime rate in New York State elevate,
A city filled wit hate, more deaths accumulate,
Drug wars daily, a lot of blood spilt,
Kids on the playground shot down and kilt!
Nobody wants to live on the 1st floor no more
'Cause stray bullets explore!
We're killing ourselves off slowly but surely,
And at the end of the year, I'm sure many more'll be
Rubbed out in a quest for clout
The rest'll be drugged out, this is bugged out!
Half of the projects is dead or locked up,
Kids getting kidnapped and then found chopped up.
Human abortion create distortions
And that's just a portion, you know that we're lost when
Babies are addicted to drugs when they are born!
(Hey bra!) what's going on?
(Hey bra!) what's going on?
(Hey bra!) what's going on?
Rakim's "What's Going On?" is a reflection on the changing times and the resulting chaos in society. The song's chorus repeats the question, "What's going on?" and asks specifically what's going wrong. The verses meditate on different aspects of a world seemingly gone awry, from an individual's personal struggles to live up to the expectations of their youth to societal issues, such as government projects that leave citizens stuck in bleak living conditions, and the rise of violence and drug addiction that devastate communities. The lyrics reveal a sense of frustration, confusion, and despair, as Rakim portrays both personal and communal suffering.
The song is a poignant commentary on the social and political issues of the late 1980s and early 1990s when Rakim released the album "The Master." The crime rate was high, and drug addiction and violence were widespread issues, particularly in urban areas. The song's critique of government projects could refer to the controversial formation of public housing projects that often left tenants in dire circumstances. Rakim's call for change, for people to acknowledge the problems facing their society, makes the song both timely and timeless. The introspective nature of the song's lyrics also gives it a universal appeal, as anyone can relate to the struggle to find meaning and purpose amidst turmoil.
Line by Line Meaning
What's going on?
Asking for an update on the current state of affairs.
What's happening it's been so long what's going on
Asking for an explanation about why things have changed so much and what the current situation is.
And what's going wrong? The good old days are gone
Wondering what led to the decline of the "good old days" and lamenting their loss.
You forgot your plot and your plans as a young man
Not following through with the plans and goals made in youth.
You invented a scam even you don't understand
Starting a dishonest scheme without a clear grasp of its workings.
You rig the enigma can't figure it out
Trying to cheat or manipulate something but unable to fully comprehend it.
You change the route now you're in doubt
Changing direction and subsequently feeling uncertain and hesitant.
You use to cut class smoked grass still passed
Taking part in recreational activities and still managing to succeed academically.
Figured you was all that but that ain't last;
Assuming that one is invincible, but ultimately being proven wrong.
The times is harder, the drugs is heavier
Describing the current state of society as tougher and with more severe drug problems.
You say whatever, the more, the merrier;
Taking a carefree attitude towards drug use and living recklessly.
Smoke chokes your dreams and blurs your scenes,
The use of narcotics inhibits one's ability to think clearly and work towards life goals.
Now a young man fiend change his plan to schemes;
A young man becomes addicted to drugs and shifts his focus to committing criminal acts to sustain his addiction.
No more good times, no more time,
The past is gone, and there is no hope for a better future.
Too far to find, you're almost blind,
Feeling hopeless and unable to see a way out of a dire situation.
You can't see what spot that the trap is in (Hey bra!)What's happening!
Unable to recognize the dangerous situation they are in and asking for advice or help.
You had it mapped out, your plans get torn,
Having a plan, but it gets ruined by unforeseen circumstances.
You stayed up for days and now your dreams are gone
Allowing addiction to take over and ruin one's life goals and dreams.
You said you quit, stated your word is bond (Hey bro) what's going on?
Claiming to have stopped drug use but still struggling and asking for help.
My neighborhood don't look so good
Describing the current state of the neighborhood as negative or dangerous.
I'll find a way out.. yeah, I would if I could,
Believing there is a way to improve one's life, but feeling powerless to do so.
But the government is doing a project so I live in the projects;
Being forced to live in low-income housing due to government policies and programs.
Where we fight for elbow room to the doom,
People in the projects struggle for space and basic necessities.
Try to live long but you die too soon,
Striving to live a long life, but it seems unlikely due to the dangerous environment.
I might not be alive to see 25,
Feeling like death is imminent and unlikely to live past a certain age.
Taught at ten to make money and strive;
Being trained from a young age to prioritize making money above all else and striving to succeed through hard work.
I sold tapes at school and made some ends
Working hard to make money through entrepreneurial means at a young age.
Met a lot of skins and even made some friends,
Meeting many new people and forming friendships.
Cool, 'cause now I got a crew to run wit,
Feeling happy to have a group of friends to spend time with.
Break a couple of rules, have crazy fun wit;
Engaging in risky behavior and feeling like it's exciting.
But every now and then, they give my knuckle game a test,
Being challenged to fight by friends in the group.
But I won't fess, I just get rid of the stress!
Choosing not to tell on his friends and instead release stress through other means.
And then shake hands like a man,
Resolving conflicts like mature adults.
'Cause it's a family thing, only the crew would understand!
Having a strong bond with the group of friends and feeling like only they can understand what it's like to be part of it.
But you had a one on one fight wit drugs,
Struggling with addiction and fighting a battle against drug use.
When we ain't cool no more, we buss slugs,
When friendships break down, people resort to violence.
Clip after clip, until one of us is gone (Hey bra!) what's going on?
Falling into a cycle of violence and asking for help and guidance to break free from it.
The crime rate in New York State elevate,
Describing the increase in crime rates in New York State.
A city filled wit hate, more deaths accumulate,
A bleak picture of a city that is full of hate and violence, resulting in more deaths.
Drug wars daily, a lot of blood spilt,
Daily violence due to drug-related conflicts, resulting in many casualties.
Kids on the playground shot down and kilt!
The shocking reality of children being murdered on playgrounds due to gun violence.
Nobody wants to live on the 1st floor no more
People living in low-income housing no longer feel safe on the first floor due to the prevalence of gun violence.
'Cause stray bullets explore!
Bullets from gun violence can hit anyone, even those who are not involved in the conflict.
We're killing ourselves off slowly but surely,
The people in the city are slowly dying due to the high levels of violence.
And at the end of the year, I'm sure many more'll be rubbed out in a quest for clout
Predicting that many more people will die due to the fight for power and status.
The rest'll be drugged out, this is bugged out!
The remaining inhabitants of the city will be consumed by drug addiction, making the situation even worse.
Half of the projects is dead or locked up,
A shocking reality that many people in low-income housing are either dead or in prison.
Kids getting kidnapped and then found chopped up.
The horrifying reality that children are being taken and killed, and their bodies are found mutilated.
Human abortion create distortions
The destruction of human lives leads to societal distortions and problems.
And that's just a portion, you know that we're lost when
The problems in society are vast and overwhelming, leading to a sense of hopelessness.
Babies are addicted to drugs when they are born! (Hey bra!) what's going on?
The tragic reality that even infants are being born addicted to drugs, and asking for help in the face of this crisis.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ERIC BARRIER, WILLIAM GRIFFIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian
on R.A.K.I.M.
Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
Ayo, when Rakim Allah attack, it's a wrap, y'all, relax
The almanac, just show me where the party's at
Seminars and tracks, cause, comas, and cardiacs
Broads and cats screaming, "oh, my God, he's back"
Just imagine, I hit the lab and get it crackin'
A thousand styles in one verse, rhythms will switch patterns
Chicks get stabbed in the back, 'til they get spasms
Known to spit a magnum, or split an atom
Who woulda known that Jesus would come back to the ghetto
On that level, and that thorough, like a black hero
And pack metal, so rap rebels, will back pedal
The pharaoh of five boroughs, and take over the rap world
Gettin' bizarre, hardcore, this is for y'all
The crib or the park, play it when you get in the car
Chill at the bar, sip somethin' or split a cigar
Get with your dogs, don't be alarmed, this kid is the bomb
It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
Uh, yeah, yo, I used to paint this flow, on ancient scrolls
And learn to make this dough where gangstas roll
Think like the late great Capone when the bank is closed
It's cats that claim they bold, but they ain't this cold
I'm from New York City even pretty chicks act up
Niggas get clapped up, you stack up, they stick that up
Quick to strap up, you'd think my name was "kid, back up"
Big niggas, pick that up or lift that up
Raised by gangstas and gamblers, hustlers, con artists
And convicts, killers and dons
Drug dealers, players and pimps, smooth talkers
Stick-up kids, thugs, real niggas and gods
Haunted by every soul that lay dead in the turf
Cursed by every spirit that never made it to birth
Since the Moon separated from Earth
That's why they say I'm the greatest that ever orchestrated a verse
It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
Ayo, toast to that, it's the cat that broke backs
To a soul clap, I smoke a track, how dope is that
Pope of rap, wrote backs that most slack
That note back before they turned coke to crack
To my dogs hearin' sirens on the firearms
Outcome die in wars or behind iron bars
The boulevard, retire frauds when I evolve
Try and rob my dialogue, I am God
Chicks moan just to get next to my throne
And sniff my cologne and get Ra alone
Sex pots at home, I'm testosterone
Caress spots, dress drops, bed rocks the bone
Hit the floor, it's hot for 2003
Hits galore, who rock a style as wild as me?
Rest assured, when I rock def crowds and scream
Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim
It's the R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne
R, rugged and rough, that's how I do it
A, Allah, who I praise to the fullest
K, keep it movin'
I stand alone
M, it's my crown, my world, my throne