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.
Word On the Street
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They need me, like, "Where he go?" ...To bed.
He's still off the heezy, yo! The kid spit, weezy. But, easy? No.
I make it, hard to read me, graffiti flow...
East to West, the world wanna see me blow.
Syndicated, like your favorite T.
V. show. I get respect, and get a check,
Ra's still killin' 'em. Block's; still fillin' 'em.
Knots; still peelin' 'em. (HOT!) Still reelin' 'em. Real as them.
Drop! Sell millions. Seventh Seal,
here it come. Ra's chillin', top buildin' spot's still feelin' him.
Papi in Puerto Rico, UK's King Harold.
The Bronx; I'm Carlito, the block; I'm Raw Ghetto.
Jamaica; I'm Ja', and Rio' know my M.
O. Japan; It's, (Kwa tachi gua la Kimo.) - (Japanese??)
It don't matter where you at, O.T. or on the same block I rep'.
(You know!) All come from the same Struggle. (I know!)
You understand my lingo. So,
no matter, wherever, I know you got my back.
(Yes.) And if it ever pop off,
I'm gone' react! You see, the word on the streets...
. Is the world got our back, so we NEED... To send LOVE wherever we go!
When I'm flowin', my master craft is demographic,
it's growin'. I check the status,
then let 'em have it. The chosen; Rakim is classic,
time, so far past it. Masses won't grasp it, till I'm in the casket.
When I'm zonin'...
I've seen it all, like, "Casualties of War" before
it happened. Perhaps, my pen is magic.
Unloadin'. Mic chokin', smoke,
keep clappin', till it's broken. Pop open, like emptyin' a ratchet.
Black-Berry Benzino. Guts is red.
Black and Cherry Timb's, and feet,
so stuffed with bread. The lee-low.
Seein' ya group, like I'm duckin' the Fed's.
Ra's still on fire, like I puff with dreads.
"Studio-Gangster-Talk-Tough" is dead.
My 16's a slug stuck in your head.
. Enough said. This is for fans,
and neighborhood's, celeb's.
Baby girl, let's hit the club. Hurry up, get dressed. So, let's go!
It don't matter where you at, O.T. or on the same block I rep'.
(You know!) All come from the same Struggle. (I know!)
You understand my lingo. So,
no matter, wherever, I know you got my back.
(Yes.) And if it ever pop off,
I'm gone' react! You see, the word on the streets...
. Is the world got our back, so we NEED... To send LOVE wherever we go!
It's Hip-Hop, when DJ's throw it on in the club,
and watch... Mami's drop and start warmin' it up.
They get hot. Bartender puts some more in the cup.
Thugs hear it outside, start stormin' the club.
It Don't Stop! Once it's on,
we enjoyin' the buzz. Inhale the song in your lungs,
it's as strong as a blunt,
or raw rocks off of the block.
The audience bump, till the cops run in the spot,
like I'm wanted for drugs.
I party with Mami's, with Bacardi and they zombies.
Sophisticated hotties, that ride with me on Ducatis.
Fit bodies in they Armani's, mix Karate with Pilates.
Yeah, they hobby's with Papi put tsunami's in their punanys.
The God stay fly, it ain't hard to aim high.
Like I'm armed with a launcher,
or a Don on they grind. Ra' displays rhymes,
it's the crime, dark or day time.
Like a mobster sprays 9's, I'm a monster, ain't I?
It don't matter where you at, O.T. or on the same block I rep'.
(You know!) All come from the same Struggle. (I know!)
You understand my lingo. So,
no matter, wherever, I know you got my back.
(Yes.) And if it ever pop off,
I'm gone' react! You see, the word on the streets...
. Is the world got our back, so we NEED... To send LOVE wherever we go!
New York City.
Detroit.
ATL.
The Westcoast.
The Midwest...
. Across seas.
R. A. K. I. M.
In the song Word On the Street by Rakim, the artist discusses his lifestyle as a popular hip-hop figure, and his travels around the world performing for his fans. He opens the song with the line, “I left the set… They need me, like, ‘Where he go?’ …To bed.” This makes it clear that he is discussing his life as a busy performer who is in high demand. Rakim asserts that his “graffiti flow” makes it hard to read him, and that he is syndicated like a hit TV show. He goes on to describe how he receives respect and a paycheck from the CDs he sells. He talks about how he is known and appreciated all over the world, from the Bronx to Puerto Rico, Japan, and beyond.
In the chorus, Rakim says, “It don’t matter where you at, O.T. or on the same block I rep'. All come from the same Struggle. You understand my lingo. So, no matter, wherever, I know you got my back. And if it ever pop off, I'm gone' react!” This is a statement about how music can bring people together from different places and backgrounds, and how they can all relate to the struggle and experiences that are expressed in songs like Rakim’s.
Line by Line Meaning
I left the set...
I stopped what I was doing and went to bed.
They need me, like, "Where he go?" ...To bed.
People are wondering where I went, even though I just went to sleep.
He's still off the heezy, yo! The kid spit, weezy. But, easy? No.
Despite my success, I still work hard and never make it easy.
I make it, hard to read me, graffiti flow...
My style is unique and not easily understood.
East to West, the world wanna see me blow.
My talent is in demand and fans across the world want to see me succeed.
Syndicated, like your favorite T.
My content is widely distributed and popular, like a mainstream TV show.
V. show. I get respect, and get a check,
from cd's sold. The President, Record Exec', from C.E.O.
I earn respect and financial success from my music, catching the attention of high-ranking music industry figures.
Ra's still killin' 'em. Block's; still fillin' 'em.
Knots; still peelin' 'em. (HOT!) Still reelin' 'em. Real as them.
Drop! Sell millions. Seventh Seal,
here it come. Ra's chillin', top buildin' spot's still feelin' him.
I am still making successful music and dominating the industry. My next project, "Seventh Seal," is predicted to be popular and successful.
Papi in Puerto Rico, UK's King Harold.
I am respected and popular in various regions, from Puerto Rico to the UK.
The Bronx; I'm Carlito, the block; I'm Raw Ghetto.
I represent the raw essence of the Bronx and its tough neighborhood culture.
Jamaica; I'm Ja', and Rio' know my M.
O. Japan; It's, (Kwa tachi gua la Kimo.) - (Japanese??)
My music is popular across the world and I have different personas to represent different regions, like Ja' in Jamaica and Kimo in Japan (despite not speaking the language fluently).
It don't matter where you at, O.T. or on the same block I rep'.
(You know!) All come from the same Struggle. (I know!)
You understand my lingo. So,
no matter, wherever, I know you got my back.
(Yes.) And if it ever pop off,
I'm gone' react! You see, the word on the streets...
It doesn't matter where you are from, we all face struggles and can relate to my music. I know my fans have my back and will support me, and I will defend myself if necessary. This is what's being said on the streets.
. Is the world got our back, so we NEED... To send LOVE wherever we go!
The world is embracing our music and culture, so it is our duty to spread love and positivity wherever we go.
When I'm flowin', my master craft is demographic,
it's growin'. I check the status,
then let 'em have it. The chosen; Rakim is classic,
time, so far past it. Masses won't grasp it, till I'm in the casket.
My music is very popular across different age groups and demographics, and I will continue to create quality work. My classic style is timeless and people may not fully appreciate it until I have passed away.
When I'm zonin'...
I've seen it all, like, "Casualties of War" before
it happened. Perhaps, my pen is magic.
When I am in the zone writing my music, I have a gift of predicting events before they happen and conveying them into my songs.
Unloadin'. Mic chokin', smoke,
keep clappin', till it's broken. Pop open, like emptyin' a ratchet.
I am giving it my all when it comes to performing, to the point of choking on the mic. But I won't stop until the energy is drained and the crowd is satisfied.
Black-Berry Benzino. Guts is red.
Black and Cherry Timb's, and feet,
so stuffed with bread. The lee-low.
Seein' ya group, like I'm duckin' the Fed's.
Ra's still on fire, like I puff with dreads.
I have expensive taste, from my Black-Berry phone to my sneakers. I am still popular and making great music, like I am smoking a joint.
"Studio-Gangster-Talk-Tough" is dead.
My 16's a slug stuck in your head.
. Enough said.
Posers who act tough behind the mic are no longer relevant, while my powerful lyrics remain memorable and impactful.
This is for fans,
and neighborhood's, celeb's.
My music is for my fans, neighbors, and even celebrities.
Baby girl, let's hit the club. Hurry up, get dressed. So, let's go!
Addressing a woman, let's go out and party.
It's Hip-Hop, when DJ's throw it on in the club,
and watch... Mami's drop and start warmin' it up.
They get hot. Bartender puts some more in the cup.
Thugs hear it outside, start stormin' the club.
Hip-hop music is the genre of choice in the club, where women start dancing and the energy goes up with more alcohol. Outside, people are drawn to the sound and may try to get in.
It Don't Stop! Once it's on,
we enjoyin' the buzz. Inhale the song in your lungs,
it's as strong as a blunt,
or raw rocks off of the block.
The audience bump, till the cops run in the spot,
like I'm wanted for drugs.
The excitement and enjoyment from the music never ends. It's like breathing it in like smoke, whether from a joint or the dangerous environment of the block. The audience gets hyped up until the police come in, as if I were involved in a drug bust.
I party with Mami's, with Bacardi and they zombies.
Sophisticated hotties, that ride with me on Ducatis.
Fit bodies in they Armani's, mix Karate with Pilates.
Yeah, they hobby's with Papi put tsunami's in their punanys.
I have fun with attractive women, drinking and dancing, and even riding motorcycles together like Ducatis. They take care of themselves physically and know martial arts, as well as enjoying intimate moments with me.
The God stay fly, it ain't hard to aim high.
Like I'm armed with a launcher,
or a Don on they grind. Ra' displays rhymes,
it's the crime, dark or day time.
Like a mobster sprays 9's, I'm a monster, ain't I?
I have style and confidence, and it's easy to set my sights high. I am like an armory or a well-connected gangster. My lyrics are powerful and impactful like a gunman's weapons, making me a powerful threat.
New York City.
Detroit.
ATL.
The Westcoast.
The Midwest...
. Across seas.
R. A. K. I. M.
My success and reach of my music is represented from coast to coast, and even internationally. I am Rakim.
Contributed by Skyler E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Roomer645
Ever notices how Rakim can spit a complete album without defaulting to curse words ? Now that truly is the definition of somebody who masters rap as an art form. Rakim has no competition, he is in a league of his own. Hats off and bowing down ....
@byronherrera6114
Nas the same way
@darrenbradly2702
Here is a man...the artist...that could spin and twist words without muddying up the lyrical waters with curse words.
@amirrox
still bumping this since last year, still havent gotten enough of this song!
@jzz5752
Protect ears, listen not much.
@Roomer645
One of his very best ! The one and only 'R' The beat is sick and never gets tiresome, props to the DJ !
@Roomer645
Rakim truly is the King of Rap, period !
@shemereali961
A Lyrical Genius Ra is the God
@ratavaravatar
My favourite 4 songs: hip hop, word on the street, love 4 sale, it's nothing... And others.
@jackson1569
wa-ta-shi-wa Rakim