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.
when i be on the mic
Rakim Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Hardcore...real ill niggas)
(I'm internationally known)
(When I be on the mic)
(Hardcore...real ill niggas)
(I'm internationally known, yo)
(Hardcore...real ill niggas)
(I'm internationally known)
(When I be on the mic)
(Hardcore...real ill niggas)
(So all hail the honorable)
It's to my real ill niggas, heavyweight hitters
Dough getters, fifty ways to make figures
My niggas, that come on the spot to feel sisters
Like they hear real spitters and kids on the zigga-ziggas
When it's ugly, then the club is lovely
Thugs be sipping Henessey and bubbly
To my comrades that keep it flaming hot
On dangerous blocks, claiming spots
Where the goal is to be one of the top-ranked soldiers
Forty-five holders, one of the high rollers
Get respect in the hood, credit is good
Knock it down lumberjack style, baby, extra wood
Rock it all night long, the bang-a-thon baby
Keep hanging on, we like it with the lights on
Don't have to blow twenty thou' to get to know honey's style
Show her the town, steal her heart, no money down
(Hook)
How about some hardcore, yeah we like it raw for sure
Broads on the floor, wall to wall
There's more at the door, players ball to score
'Cause this right here is for all of y'all
Rakim and Primo, yo I got what you need bro
You go see a show, smoke an L, mean yo
And deejays play hits with hard bass kicks
And then they display tricks like The Matrix
Make the record fly undetected by the naked eye
So just feel the vibe 'cause your ears never lie
Nowadays deejays bags of tricks, graphic
On some behind the back shit, catch it and scratch it
Classic, this kid got his craft mastered
Hands is mad quick like he mix with magic
Spin it back and forth and grab it, and know just where it is...
There it is
(Hook)
To my elite peeps with the murderous mystiques
I hit the streets with beats and they critique for weeks
They be like "How that kid Ra reach the peak?"
Pull out the heat and use my technique to speak
It's dangerous, sit calm and explain to kids
What part of the game this is and foreign languages
They hold Ra's events in different continents
Put my lyrical contents in monuments
In ghetto garments, I rock a towel like a pharaoh
Mind travel, design style like apparel
My fashions last long as a lifetime
Cause I can see the future when the god write rhymes
They're mad cause I managed to reign so long
Like their chance to make money done came and gone
This is strictly for my listeners on the corners at night
And the sisters that be keeping this right, when I be on the mic
(Hook)
The song "When I be on the mic" by Rakim is a tribute to the hardcore and real ill niggas who come on the spot to feel the sisters. It's an ode to his comrades who keep it flaming hot on dangerous blocks, claiming spots where the goal is to be one of the top-ranked soldiers. The song speaks about the struggles of the street life and the need for a voice to represent them. The lyrics are powerful and hard-hitting, with the reference to guns and the dangerous aspects of the street life. Rakim's rhymes and flow are impeccable, and he establishes himself as one of the best rappers in the game.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was produced by DJ Premier, who is known for his gritty and authentic beats. DJ Premier has produced some of the best tracks in hip-hop history and has worked with artists like Nas, Gang Starr, and Jay-Z. Another interesting fact is that the scratches in the hook were done by DJ Premier himself. The song was released in 1997 and appeared on Rakim's third album "The 18th Letter."
The song samples "It's Yours" by T La Rock, which was one of the first tracks that Rakim recorded on. "It's Yours" was produced by Rick Rubin and was released in 1984. The track is considered a classic and is known for its simple yet effective beat and Rakim's iconic flow. "When I be on the mic" is a tribute to the old school hip-hop that Rakim helped to establish.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it features a reference to The Matrix, which was released in 1999. The song talks about the deejays playing hits with hard bass kicks and then displaying tricks like The Matrix. The Matrix was a groundbreaking movie that revolutionized special effects and had a significant impact on popular culture.
The chords for the song are not known as the song is primarily a sample-based hip-hop track.
Line by Line Meaning
It's to my real ill niggas, heavyweight hitters
I am dedicating this song to my true friends who are strong, influential and successful.
Dough getters, fifty ways to make figures
My friends make money in many different ways and are experts at financial gain.
My niggas, that come on the spot to feel sisters
My friends come to parties and clubs to have a good time with women.
Like they hear real spitters and kids on the zigga-ziggas
They appreciate and admire skilled rappers and DJs.
When it's ugly, then the club is lovely
Even in difficult situations, like when there is trouble or violence, my friends still enjoy partying.
Thugs be sipping Henessey and bubbly
My friends who are involved in illegal activity still enjoy indulging in expensive alcohol.
To my comrades that keep it flaming hot
My friends who are always in the spotlight and successful at what they do.
On dangerous blocks, claiming spots
They assert their dominance in high-risk areas where competition is fierce.
Where the goal is to be one of the top-ranked soldiers
The objective is to be the best in their field and rise to the top of their industry.
Forty-five holders, one of the high rollers
They own guns and live a lavish lifestyle.
Get respect in the hood, credit is good
These people have the admiration and trust of their community and are financially reliable.
Knock it down lumberjack style, baby, extra wood
They are great at sex and can last long in bed.
Rock it all night long, the bang-a-thon baby
They can party and have sex all night without getting tired.
Keep hanging on, we like it with the lights on
They like to be intimate with the lights on.
Don't have to blow twenty thou' to get to know honey's style
They don't need to spend a lot of money to impress a woman or get to know her personally.
Show her the town, steal her heart, no money down
They can charm and impress a woman without spending money and make her fall in love with them.
How about some hardcore, yeah we like it raw for sure
We enjoy hard and intense things, both in music and in life.
Broads on the floor, wall to wall
There are many women dancing and partying in the club.
There's more at the door, players ball to score
More people are trying to enter the club, hoping to meet and hook up with someone.
'Cause this right here is for all of y'all
This song is dedicated to everyone listening.
Rakim and Primo, yo I got what you need bro
Together, Rakim and DJ Premier have what it takes to make great music.
You go see a show, smoke an L, mean yo
Go see one of our performances and have a good time, maybe smoke some marijuana.
And deejays play hits with hard bass kicks
Our DJ plays popular songs with strong bass sounds.
And then they display tricks like The Matrix
The DJ performs impressive techniques and tricks with their equipment, similar to those seen in the movie 'The Matrix.'
Make the record fly undetected by the naked eye
The DJ manipulates the music so smoothly that it sounds like the record is flying or moving on its own.
So just feel the vibe 'cause your ears never lie
The music is so good that you can feel its energy and your ears confirm its quality.
Nowadays deejays bags of tricks, graphic
Modern DJs have a lot of tricks and tools at their disposal, including advanced graphic displays that they use to enhance their performances.
On some behind the back shit, catch it and scratch it
The DJ performs tricks like reaching behind their back to manipulate the equipment and create scratching sounds.
Classic, this kid got his craft mastered
The DJ is a master of their craft and has perfected their skills.
Hands is mad quick like he mix with magic
The DJ's hands move so fast that it's like they have magical powers.
Spin it back and forth and grab it, and know just where it is...
The DJ can spin the record back and forth and stop it at the perfect moment, without needing to look at the equipment.
There it is
The DJ has successfully completed their trick or performance.
To my elite peeps with the murderous mystiques
This part of the song is dedicated to my friends who have a dangerous and unpredictable aura around them.
I hit the streets with beats and they critique for weeks
When I release new music, my friends analyze and critique it for a long time.
They be like "How that kid Ra reach the peak?"
My friends wonder how I've been able to achieve such a high level of success.
Pull out the heat and use my technique to speak
I use my powerful and skillful rapping techniques to express myself and make a statement.
It's dangerous, sit calm and explain to kids
My style and message can be risky and controversial, but I approach it in a calm and clear way.
What part of the game this is and foreign languages
I discuss and analyze various aspects of the rap and music industry, as well as addressing topics in different languages.
They hold Ra's events in different continents
My performances and events are held and celebrated in many different countries around the world.
Put my lyrical contents in monuments
My lyrics are so important and significant that they are memorialized and commemorated in various ways.
In ghetto garments, I rock a towel like a pharaoh
Despite coming from a rough background and dressing like it, I still maintain a regal and majestic presence with the way I carry myself and my accessories.
Mind travel, design style like apparel
I have a creative and imaginative mind that allows me to design and create unique styles and looks.
My fashions last long as a lifetime
My fashion choices and style endure and withstand the test of time.
Cause I can see the future when the god write rhymes
I have a special foresight and intuition when writing and creating music.
They're mad cause I managed to reign so long
Other people are jealous of my long-lasting and continued success.
Like their chance to make money done came and gone
Other people missed their opportunity for success and feel like it's too late for them now.
This is strictly for my listeners on the corners at night
This part of the song is dedicated to my fans who are out and about in the city during the nighttime.
And the sisters that be keeping this right, when I be on the mic
I appreciate and acknowledge the women who are supportive and keep the energy and flow going during my performances.
(Hook)
Repeating the chorus.
Contributed by Bailey B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@Aksh7995
When Clothes were Loose and Lyrics were Tight.
@kasule8358
You know!!
@bheyadlamini5213
Word...
@krazivan7587
Nowdays its the opposite
@Tupac96
Facts
@nicholasnicholas9821
Now lyrics are loose and clothes are to damn tight
@LeeMchanaji
I'm from Kenya, Africa. And I can confirm that he's internationally known. Respect!!!
@blackjack704
Ukweli na ukweli mtupu
@nikogichana6199
Nilifikiria Kenya iko kentucky
@edwinnjoroge9981
Rakim don't miss