View source for Rakim

{{short description|American rapper (born 1968)}}
{{about other people|the American rapper|Rakim|Rakim (name)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Rakim
| image             = Rakim at Paid Dues 4 (cropped).jpg
| caption           = Rakim performing in 2008
| birth_name        = William Michael Griffin Jr.
| alias             = {{hlist|The God MC|Kid Wizard|{{nowrap|The R}}|The 18th Letter|Rakim Allah}}
| birth_date        = {{birth date and age|1968|01|28}}
| birth_place       = [[Wyandanch, New York]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Hip-hop]]|[[jazz rap]]}}
| discography       = [[Rakim discography]]
| occupations       = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|record producer}}
| label             = {{hlist|Ra|[[Fontana Distribution|Fontana]]|[[SMC Recordings|SMC]]|[[4th & B'way Records|4th & B'way]]|[[Island Records|Island]]|[[MCA Records|MCA]]|[[Aftermath Entertainment|Aftermath]]|[[Universal Records|Universal]]}}
| past_member_of    = [[Eric B. & Rakim]]
| module          = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
 | signature       = Rakim sig.svg
 }} 
}}

'''William Michael Griffin Jr.''' (born January 28, 1968), better known by his stage name '''Rakim''' ({{IPAc-en|r|ɑː|ˈ|k|ɪ|m}}), is an American rapper. He is one half of [[golden age hip-hop]] duo [[Eric B. & Rakim]], with whom he released four albums: ''[[Paid in Full (album)|Paid in Full]]'' (1987), ''[[Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)|Follow the Leader]]'' (1988), ''[[Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em]]'' (1990), and ''[[Don't Sweat the Technique]]'' (1992). He also released four solo albums: ''[[The 18th Letter]]'' (1997), ''[[The Master (Rakim album)|The Master]]'' (1999), ''[[The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)|The Seventh Seal]]'' (2009), and ''G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth'' (2024).

Rakim is considered a transformative figure in hip hop.<ref name=ALLMUSIC>{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|title=Rakim Biography|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=rakim-p116720/biography|pure_url=yes}}|work=allmusic|access-date=December 13, 2010}}</ref> He helped to pioneer the use of [[internal rhymes]] and [[multisyllabic rhymes]], and was among the first to demonstrate the possibilities of sitting down to write intricately crafted lyrics packed with clever word choices and metaphors rather than the more improvisational styles and simpler rhyme patterns that predominated before him.<ref name=ALLMUSIC />  Rakim is also credited with creating the overall shift from the more simplistic old school flows to more complex flows.{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=224}}  Rapper [[Kool Moe Dee]] explained: "Rakim is basically the inventor of flow. We were not even using the word flow until Rakim came along. It was called rhyming, it was called cadence, but it wasn't called flow. Rakim created flow!"{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=328}}

''Paid in Full'' was named the greatest [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] album of all time by [[MTV]] in 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml|title=The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time|publisher=MTV.com|date=March 9, 2006|access-date=March 30, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719045814/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml|archive-date=July 19, 2013}}</ref> while Rakim himself was ranked No. 4 on MTV's list of the Greatest MCs of All Time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index8.jhtml|title=The Greatest MCs Of All Time|publisher=MTV.com|date=March 9, 2006|access-date=March 30, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418092500/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index8.jhtml|archive-date=April 18, 2012}}</ref> Steve Huey of [[AllMusic]] stated that "Rakim is near-universally acknowledged as one of the greatest MCs – perhaps ''the'' greatest – of all time within the hip-hop community".<ref name="amc">{{cite web|last=Huey|first=Steve|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-p116720/biography|title=Rakim|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110063448/http://allmusic.com/artist/rakim-p116720/biography|archive-date=January 10, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The editors of [[About.com]] ranked him No. 2 on their list of the 'Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_10.htm|title=Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987–2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time|publisher=Rap.about.com|date=January 26, 2012|access-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117013030/http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees_10.htm|archive-date=January 17, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]'' ranked him No. 1 on their list of the "Top 50 Lyricists of All Time".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside|title=The Source's Top 50 Lyricists Of All Time **Complete List Inside**|publisher=ThisIs50.com|access-date=July 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000719/http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside/|archive-date=December 31, 2013}}</ref>

==Early life==
William Michael Griffin Jr. was born on January 28, 1968, in [[Wyandanch, New York]].<ref name="All">{{cite web|author=Steve Huey|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-mn0000389137|title=Rakim|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428153926/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rakim-mn0000389137|archive-date=April 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the nephew of the late [[Rhythm and blues|R&B]] singer and actress [[Ruth Brown]]. He grew up in Wyandanch on [[Long Island]] and wrote his first rhyme at seven years old, about the cartoon character [[Mickey Mouse]]. He initially aspired to play professional [[Gridiron football|football]], and was a [[quarterback]] on his high school football team.

However, after being introduced to local DJ Eric B. by his friend Alvin Toney, he began writing lyrics to fit Eric's instrumentals and chose instead to focus on a career in music. Then known as '''Kid Wizard''', he made his first recordings live at Wyandanch High School in the year 1985.<ref name= "ALLMUSIC" /><ref name=Feature>{{cite web |url= https://www.npr.org/2009/11/21/120633180/rakim-the-mc-reveals-his-seventh-seal |title=Rakim: The MC Reveals His 'Seventh Seal'| date= November 21, 2009| website= NPR.org| access-date=April 30, 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190415082828/https://www.npr.org/2009/11/21/120633180/rakim-the-mc-reveals-his-seventh-seal|archive-date=April 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theshadowleague.com/rap-legend-rakim-reveals-his-nfl-dreams/ | title = Rap Legend Rakim Reveals His NFL Dreams|date = March 13, 2020 | website=Theshadowleague.com |  publisher= |access-date= }}</ref>

Rakim was initially introduced to the [[Nation of Islam]] in 1986; he later joined [[The Nation of Gods and Earths]] (also known as the 5 Percent Nation) and adopted the [[Rakim (name)|Arabic name Rakim]] Allah. He also chose to use “Rakim Allah” as his stage name, although it was most often shortened to simply “Rakim”.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Ahearn|first=Charlie|title=The Five Percent Solution| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WwhU7vQ5ancC|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|location=San Francisco |date=February 1991 |volume= 6|issue=11|page=56|access-date=October 29, 2016|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140108003409/http://books.google.com/books?id=WwhU7vQ5ancC| archive-date= January 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> During his career he has been nicknamed the "God MC" because of his acclaimed status as an MC and a reference to the "[[Allah]]" in his stage name, which is the Arabic word for [[God]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Shelby |date=2021-04-12 |title= 'The God MC' Rakim reflects on Southern hip-hop and the road ahead |url=https://www.chron.com/culture/music/article/The-God-MC-Rakim-houston-Southern-hip-hop-rapper-16086689.php |access-date=2022-10-01 |website= [[Chron.com]] |language= en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Mal'akiy |last=17 Allah |date=2022-03-03 |title=The God MC, Rakim Allah, commemorates physicalday |url= http://amsterdamnews.com/news/2022/03/03/the-god-mc-rakim-allah-commemorates-physicalday/ |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=New York Amsterdam News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Shelby |date=2021-04-12 |title='The God MC' Rakim reflects on Southern hip-hop and the road ahead |url=https://www.chron.com/culture/music/article/The-God-MC-Rakim-houston-Southern-hip-hop-rapper-16086689.php |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=Chron.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Career==
===Pairing with Eric B. (1985–1992)===
{{Main|Eric B. & Rakim}}
First meeting in 1985, Eric B. and Rakim went on to release four studio albums before their separation in 1992. The duo were described by journalist [[Tom Terrell (journalist)|Tom Terrell]] of [[NPR]] as "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Eric-B-Rakim-Biography/3B889685EFA7D988482568A500200208|title=Eric B. & Rakim Biography|publisher=Sing365.com|access-date=July 5, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130319005549/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Eric-B-Rakim-Biography/3B889685EFA7D988482568A500200208|archive-date=March 19, 2013}}</ref> while the editors of [[About.com]] ranked them as No. 4 on their list of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rap.about.com/od/artist1/tp/GreatestRapDuos.htm|title=10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time – Top 10 Hip-Hop Duos|publisher=Rap.about.com|date=June 23, 2013|access-date=July 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515190317/http://rap.about.com/od/artist1/tp/GreatestRapDuos.htm|archive-date=May 15, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> They were nominated for induction into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] in 2011, although they did not make the final selection.<ref name="Rockhall">{{cite web|url=http://rockhall.com/pressroom/announcements/2012-nominees/|title=The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Announces 2012 Nominees for Induction. Eric B is represented by Louis Gregory, aka Uncle Louie, who is the CEO of ULMG|publisher=ULMG.org|date=September 27, 2011|access-date=April 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115548/https://rockhall.com/pressroom/announcements/2012-nominees/|archive-date=September 5, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 1986–87: Beginnings and classic debut ====

{{further|Paid in Full (album)}}
After Rakim responded to Eric B.'s search for "New York's top MC",<ref name="ogg">Ogg, Alex (2002). ''The Men Behind Def Jam: The Radical Rise of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin''. p. 105. Omnibus Press. {{ISBN|0-7119-8873-0}}</ref> Eric B.'s friend and roommate [[Marley Marl]] allowed them to use his home studio. The first tracks they recorded—"[[Eric B. Is President]]" and "My Melody"—were released as a single/b-side on the independent Zakia Records in 1986. After [[Def Jam Recordings]] founder [[Russell Simmons]] heard the single, the duo were signed to [[Island Records]] and began recording the album in [[Manhattan]]'s Power Play Studios in early 1987.<ref name="ogg" />

On July 7, 1987, the duo released their debut album, ''[[Paid in Full (album)|Paid in Full]]'', on the [[Island Records|Island]]-subsidiary label [[4th & B'way Records]]. The album peaked at No. 58 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart and produced five singles: "Eric B. Is President", "[[I Ain't No Joke]]", "[[I Know You Got Soul (Eric B. & Rakim song)|I Know You Got Soul]]", "Move the Crowd", and "[[Paid in Full (Eric B. & Rakim song)|Paid in Full]]".<ref name="charts">"[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r27822/charts-awards/billboard-single| pure_url=yes}} Allmusic – "Paid in Full" > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles]". Allmusic. Accessed August 4, 2008.</ref>

====1988–89: Sophomore peak====
{{further|Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)}}

While its singles attained moderate success, ''Follow the Leader'' performed better on [[Record chart|music charts]] than Eric B. & Rakim's debut album and reached number 22 on the U.S. [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' Pop Albums]] chart. It has been certified [[RIAA certification|gold]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States. Released during [[Golden age hip hop|hip hop's "golden age"]], the album was well received by critics and has since been recognized by music writers as one of the most groundbreaking and influential hip hop albums of all time. American author [[William Jelani Cobb]] wrote of the album's significance, "On the heels of ''Paid in Full'', Eric B. & Rakim delivered a full clip of album titled ''Follow the Leader'' in 1988. Featuring a broader spectrum of sounds than the James Brown samples that had defined the initial release, ''Follow the Leader'' saw Rakim at his most lyrically fierce, issuing deft and death threats on such tracks as 'Microphone Fiend,' 'Lyrics of Fury,' and the nearly felonious 'No Competition.' The release marked the high point in the collaboration between the two and prefaced the long slide they faced in the 1990s."<ref>Cobb (2006), p. 142.</ref>

==== 1990–92: Final albums and dissolution ====
''[[Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em]]'', released in 1990, was Eric B. & Rakim's third album. This album saw the duo's sound develop further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, as well as more mature and serious subject matter. Musically, the production ranges from smoother soulful tracks such as "In the Ghetto" to the hard-edged assault of the title track. Though it could not support singles as popular as the duo's previous albums, it is considered by many to be the duo's most coherent album. It is one of the few albums to have received a "five-mic" rating from ''[[The Source (magazine)|The Source]]''. In 1998, the album was selected as one of ''The Source''{{'}}s 100 Best Rap Albums. The back cover features a dedication to the memories of Rakim's father William and producer [[Paul C.]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/category/music/|title=Music|date=July 7, 2025|website=Uproxx.com|access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref> who had worked on many of the album's tracks before his murder in July 1989. His protégé [[Large Professor]] completed his work. Neither receive credit in the album's notes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://crunkster.abstractdynamics.org/archives/003807.html|title=CRUNKSTER: Traveling at the Speed of Thought|publisher=Crunkster.abstractdynamics.org|date=August 5, 2004|access-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724220222/http://crunkster.abstractdynamics.org/archives/003807.html|archive-date=July 24, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[http://www.nodfactor.com/2008/09/29/420] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101125040/http://www.nodfactor.com/2008/09/29/420|date=January 1, 2011}}</ref>

In 1992, Eric B & Rakim released their fourth and final album, ''[[Don't Sweat the Technique]]''. The title track was a minor radio hit.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} "Casualties of War" was also released as a single. "[[Know the Ledge]]" first appeared in the film ''[[Juice (1992 film)|Juice]]'' under the title "Juice (Know the Ledge)". However, Eric B. refused to sign MCA's release contract, fearful that Rakim would abandon him. This led to a long, complicated court battle involving the two musicians and MCA. The legal wrangling eventually led to the duo dissolving completely.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

===Solo-career (1993–present)===
====1993–2003: Legal issues, solo debut, and Aftermath stint====
{{further|The 18th Letter}}
[[File:Rakim-02-mika.jpg|thumb|right|Rakim performing in Hamburg, Germany, June 3, 1998]]

After breaking up his partnership with Eric B. in early-1993, Rakim kept a low profile, only making one notable appearance on the soundtrack to the 1993 film ''[[Gunmen (1994 film)|Gunmen]]''. A reshuffling in MCA caused Rakim to be dropped from the label in 1994. As Rakim continued to struggle with legal problems, he secured a deal with [[Universal Records]] and began recording his solo debut album ''[[The 18th Letter]]'' in 1996. In November 1997, the album ''The 18th Letter'' was released. Expectations were high for Rakim, as the album debuted at No. 4 on the [[Billboard 200]] and was certified Gold by the [[RIAA]].

In June 1999, Rakim appeared on three tracks of "[[The Seduction of Claude Debussy]]" by [[Art of Noise]]. [[AllMusic]]'s Keith Farley notes that "the album charts the artistic use of sampled [[breakbeat]]s – pioneered by the Art of Noise themselves – with nods to '80s hip-hop plus their '90s equivalent, [[drum'n'bass]]."<ref>"Farley, Keith" [https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-seduction-of-claude-debussy-mw0000239886] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032127/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-seduction-of-claude-debussy-mw0000239886|date=July 24, 2018}} ''allmusic.com''. Retrieved July 23, 2018.</ref>

In November 1999, Rakim released ''[[The Master (Rakim album)|The Master]]'', which received good reviews but sold poorly.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" />

Rakim was signed to [[Dr. Dre]]'s [[Aftermath Entertainment]] record label in 2000,<ref>Elon Johnson and Heather Parry (October 27, 2000). "[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1428236/20001027/dr_dre.jhtml Rakim Signs With Dr. Dre's Aftermath Records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123190654/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1428236/20001027/dr_dre.jhtml |date=November 23, 2009 }}". ''[[MTV]]''. Retrieved January 24, 2008.</ref> 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 four Aftermath projects, including the hit single "[[Addictive (song)|Addictive]]" by [[Truth Hurts (singer)|Truth Hurts]] and its remix (which featured a different Rakim verse from the main version), the [[Dr. Dre]]-produced "The Watcher Part 2" by [[Jay-Z]], and [[Eminem]]'s ''[[8 Mile (film)|8 Mile]]'' soundtrack album with the track "R.A.K.I.M".

However, Rakim left the label in 2003 and ''Oh, My God'' was indefinitely shelved.<ref>"[http://www.thaformula.com/rakim_guess_whos_back_thaformula_music.html Q & A w/ Rakim: Guess Who's Back?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229225023/http://thaformula.com/rakim_guess_whos_back_thaformula_music.html |date=December 29, 2007 }}" ''ThaFormula.com'' (2005). Retrieved January 24, 2008.</ref> After Rakim eventually left [[Aftermath Entertainment]], he stated that the reason he departed the label was because of creative differences with [[Dr. Dre]]. Discussing the period later, Rakim discussed how he was seeking to write [[Conscious hip hop|conscious]] material, while Dr. Dre was encouraging him to pursue [[gangsta rap]] narratives instead.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er-epVq8e0U&feature=relmfu|title=Rakim on why no Primo on album and why all MC features are from NY|publisher=YouTube|date=November 9, 2009|access-date=February 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140215074720/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er-epVq8e0U&feature=relmfu|archive-date=February 15, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Paul |last=Thompson |title=The Man and the Machine: On 20 Years of 50 Cent and 'Get Rich or Die Tryin{{'}}' |url=https://www.theringer.com/rap/2023/2/6/23587236/50-cent-get-rich-or-die-tryin-anniversary |publisher=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |date=February 6, 2023 |access-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>

====2007–2009: ''The Seventh Seal''====
[[File:Rakim allah.jpg|thumb|Rakim at the B.B. Kings in New York, November 25, 2006]]
[[File:Rakim in North Carolina.jpg|thumb|Rakim at Cat's Cradle in North Carolina, 2006]]
Rakim retreated to his Connecticut estate to work leisurely on music. Not having released an album since 1999, he eschewed touring in favor of infrequent gigs.<ref name="Mitter">{{cite news|last=Mitter|first=Siddhartha|date=August 4, 2006|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1089350041.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+04%2C+2006&author=Siddhartha+Mitter%2C+Globe+Correspondent&pub=Boston+Globe&desc=RAKIM%3A+IT%27S+TIME+FOR+HIP-HOP+ARTISTS+TO+TAKE+STAND+AGAINST+VIOLENCE&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131193606/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/1089350041.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+04,+2006&author=Siddhartha+Mitter,+Globe+Correspondent&pub=Boston+Globe&desc=RAKIM:+IT'S+TIME+FOR+HIP-HOP+ARTISTS+TO+TAKE+STAND+AGAINST+VIOLENCE&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|title=Rakim: It's Time for Hip-Hop Artists to Take a Stand Against Violence|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|page=D.17|access-date=May 1, 2012}}</ref> Rakim was able to retain the tracks he had made with Dr. Dre<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> and, in 2006, announced that he would release a new studio album, ''[[The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)|The Seventh Seal]]''.<ref name="7Seal" /> The album was delayed into 2009; instead, he followed up with a live album, ''[[The Archive: Live, Lost & Found]]'', in 2008.<ref name="ALLMUSIC" /> In an interview with ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' in 2007, when asked about story behind ''The Seventh Seal''{{'}}s title, Rakim said,

{{blockquote|The number 7 has a lot of significance. The seventh letter of the <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Supreme Alphabet|Supreme]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> alphabet is G—that stands for God. There are seven continents, seven seas. ''The Seventh Seal'' deals with that and also some revelations in the Bible. Some call it the end of the world, but for me it's the end of the old and the beginning of the new. By me naming my album that, I'm using it metaphorically in hip hop. I'm hoping to kill the old state of hip hop and start with the new.<ref name="7Seal">{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048255/rakim-wrapping-new-cd-touring-with-ghostface|title=Rakim Wrapping New CD, Touring With Ghostface|date=July 10, 2011|website=[[About.com]]|publisher=Henry Adaso|access-date=July 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411152445/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1048255/rakim-wrapping-new-cd-touring-with-ghostface|archive-date=April 11, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

In another interview with ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' in 2009, he stated,
{{blockquote|The seals are from the Bible—Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse. But Islam, Judaism, Christianity—all have a version of the same events. The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times. After the Apocalypse, God rises from the ashes to recreate the Kingdom, taking only the greatest elements from the past with them. When you look at Hip-Hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene. I've always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times.<ref name="billboardnews">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268107/rakim-ready-to-release-the-seventh-seal|title=Rakim Ready To Release 'The Seventh Seal'|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|date=July 13, 2009|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=July 13, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151129115715/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/268107/rakim-ready-to-release-the-seventh-seal|archive-date=November 29, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

''The Seventh Seal'' was released on November 17, 2009, after several delays on Rakim's own Ra Records, TVM, and [[SMC Recordings]] and distributed through [[Fontana Records|Fontana]] and [[Universal Music Group]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/RAKIM-Drops-Holy-Are-You-hip-hop-9362.html|title=Hip-Hop Legend RAKIM Drops "Holy Are You" On July 28, 2009. Lead Single From Long Awaited Album THE SEVENTH SEAL|date=July 18, 2003|access-date=August 23, 2003|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125130700/http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/RAKIM-Drops-Holy-Are-You-hip-hop-9362.html|archive-date=January 25, 2013}}</ref> Considered a comeback album after a ten-year gap between releases, the album features the two singles: "Holy Are You", which was released on July 14, 2009, and "Walk These Streets" which was released on October 7, 2009. It features production from several renowned hip hop artists, including [[Nottz]], [[J. Wells]], [[Needlz]], [[Jake One]], and Nick Wiz.<ref name="HipHopDXnews">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9864/title.details-emerge-on-rakim-s-seventh-seal|title=Details Emerge On Rakim's Seventh Seal|last=Paine|first=Jake|date=September 24, 2003|magazine=HipHopDX|access-date=September 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303014034/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.9864/title.details-emerge-on-rakim-s-seventh-seal|archive-date=March 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The album sold 12,000 copies in the United States by November 22, 2009, according to [[SoundScan]].<ref>[http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10189/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-11-22-2009 Hip Hop Album Sales the Week Ending 11/22/2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922112138/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10189/title.hip-hop-album-sales-the-week-ending-11-22-2009 |date=September 22, 2012 }}. HipHopDX. Retrieved on November 25, 2009.</ref> Upon its release, ''The Seventh Seal'' received generally mixed or average reviews from most music critics; it holds an aggregate score of 59/100 at [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Meta">[http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/rakim/seventhseal ''The Seventh Seal'' (2009): Reviews] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031120642/https://www.metacritic.com/music/the-seventh-seal/rakim |date=October 31, 2020 }}. [[Metacritic]]. Retrieved on November 25, 2009.</ref>

====2011–present: Reunion with Eric B. and ''G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth''====
In 2011, Rakim performed ''Paid in Full'' in its entirety at the [[Blue Note Jazz Club]] in New York City, in honor of the album's 25th anniversary.<ref name="revisits" /> He was backed by [[The Roots]].<ref name="revisits">{{cite web|last=Blanco|first=Alvin|date=June 23, 2011|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666361/rakim-the-roots-paid-in-full.jhtml|title=Rakim, Backed By The Roots, Revisits Paid In Full|publisher=[[MTV News]]. [[MTV]]|access-date=May 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014095857/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1666361/rakim-the-roots-paid-in-full.jhtml|archive-date=October 14, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, Rakim announced that he and Eric B. would release a 25th anniversary edition of their 1987 album ''Paid in Full'', which would contain new tracks recorded by Eric B. & Rakim, by the end of 2012; Rakim announced he would release a new solo album by the end of 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/06/eric-b-rakim-to-re-release-paid-in-full-album/|title=Eric B. & Rakim to Re-Release Paid in Full Album – XXL|publisher=Xxlmag.com|date=June 6, 2012|access-date=February 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208022120/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/06/eric-b-rakim-to-re-release-paid-in-full-album/|archive-date=December 8, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> He performed at the annual [[The Roots|Roots]]' Picnic in Philadelphia in June.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sims|first=Seandra|date=June 5, 2012|url=http://allhiphop.com/2012/06/05/the-roots-the-kings-of-the-picnic-bring-out-rakim-wale-danny-brown-and-beyond/|title=The Roots Recap: The Kings Of The Picnic Bring Out Rakim, Wale, Danny Brown and Beyond|publisher=[[AllHipHop]]|access-date=September 29, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120806003309/http://allhiphop.com/2012/06/05/the-roots-the-kings-of-the-picnic-bring-out-rakim-wale-danny-brown-and-beyond/|archive-date=August 6, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with ''[[The Detroit Free Press]]'' he announced he was in the studio with [[Pharrell Williams]] working on a new album set to be released in 2013, saying the first single will be released before the end of the year.<ref name="www.detroitnews.com">[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121025/ENT04/210250301#ixzz2ALWoyj8f]{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

On September 24, 2013, he released a collaborative single with [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]] entitled "Don't Call Me".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/dmx-rakim-f-shontelle-aleks-d-dont-call-me|title=DMX & Rakim f/ Shontelle & Aleks D. "Don't Call Me"|magazine=Complex|date=September 24, 2013|access-date=January 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051027/http://www.complex.com/music/2013/09/dmx-rakim-f-shontelle-aleks-d-dont-call-me|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Rakim is featured on the collaborative single with American rock band [[Linkin Park]], titled "[[Guilty All the Same]]". The song was released on March 6, 2014, by [[Warner Bros. Records]] as the first single from their sixth studio album, titled ''[[The Hunting Party (album)|The Hunting Party]]''. He contributed his rhymes during the bridge for the main version of the song; however, he is not featured on the radio edit of the song. The song was officially released on March 7, 2014, for digital download.

On April 27, 2015, Rakim announced he was working on a new album and planned to release it in the middle or end of 2015. He said "This is one of those albums where I can have fun. My last album, ''The Seventh Seal'', was somewhat of a conscious album. I wanted to make a statement on that album."<ref>{{cite news|title=Rakim Is Working On a New Album – XXL|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/04/rakim-new-album/|access-date=June 19, 2017|work=XXL Mag|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824001718/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2015/04/rakim-new-album/|archive-date=August 24, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

On October 20, 2016, it was announced via [[Twitter]] that Rakim had reunited with Eric B. after 23 years. The duo teased a potential reunion tour the next morning, hosting a poll for the fans to give their opinion on what city Eric B. & Rakim should start the tour. Four locations were the potential candidates: [[New York City]], [[Las Vegas]], [[London]], and [[Australia]]. Since the announcement of the reunion, fans have speculated if the two will drop a new studio album in the near future.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nixon|first1=Khari|title=Quasimoto, Madlib's Alter-Ego, Announces New Album With Eric B & Rakim in 2017|url=https://massappeal.com/quasimoto-madlibs-alter-ego-announces-new-album-with-eric-b-rakim-in-2017/|website=Mass Appeal|access-date=June 19, 2017|date=October 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921192825/https://massappeal.com/quasimoto-madlibs-alter-ego-announces-new-album-with-eric-b-rakim-in-2017/|archive-date=September 21, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In late-June 2018, a new song, "King's Paradise", was released on ''[[Luke Cage: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Album)]]''. Rakim performed the song for the first time on [[National Public Radio|NPR]]'s [[Tiny Desk Concerts]] series along with former [[A Tribe Called Quest]] member [[Ali Shaheed Muhammad]] and producer [[Adrian Younge]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47411/title.rakim-performs-kings-paradise-some-classics-for-npr-tiny-desk-concert |title=Rakim Performs "King's Paradise" & Some Classics For NPR Tiny Desk Concert |publisher=hiphopdx.com |date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=June 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626111653/https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47411/title.rakim-performs-kings-paradise-some-classics-for-npr-tiny-desk-concert |archive-date=June 26, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2024, [[Masta Killa]] teased an image of Rakim, [[Kurupt]] and himself with the upcoming release of a single on June 21, 2024, titled ''Be Ill''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C7Xtx5sOuPR/&img_index=1 |title=1st single + video "REB7RTH" featuring @official_kurupt x @mastakillamusic (featuring x produced by: @thegodrakim) drops June 21st |website=Instagram.com |date=May 16, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref> Two weeks later, it was announced that Rakim's fourth studio album would be titled ''G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth'', and would be fully produced by Rakim himself.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://rockthebells.com/articles/new-rakim-album-drops-in-july/ |title=NEW SELF PRODUCED RAKIM ALBUM, 'G.O.D.'S NETWORK (REB7RTH)' SCHEDULED TO DROP IN JULY|website=Rockthebells.com |date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref> The limited special edition of the album has been announced to feature artists such as [[Nipsey Hussle]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Planet Asia]] and [[Kobe (singer)|Kobe]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/imeekpo/2024/05/30/rakim-the-god-mc-to-drop-new-album-after-15-year-hiatus/ |title=Rakim, The God MC, To Drop New Album After 15-Year Hiatus |website=Forbes.com |date=May 30, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref> On May 29, 2024, Rakim posted a video of a potential video shoot of the new single on his Instagram.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C7j3uakARy-/ |title=#staytuned |website=Instagram.com |date=May 29, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref> ''G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth'' was released on July 26, 2024.<ref name="RS2024">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/rakim-interview-new-album-the-gods-network-reb7rth-1235068714/ |title=Rakim on His First Album in 15 Years 'The God's Network: Reb7rth' |first=Andre |last=Gee |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=July 26, 2024 |access-date=August 7, 2024}}</ref>

Rakim collaborated with Hus Kingpin on the Big Ghost-produced single "Now Is The Time," the second release from his album ''The Re-Up'', which was dropped on August 8, 2025, alongside the official music video, ahead of the album's full release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indie-sound.com/2025/08/09/rakim-returns-with-new-single-and-video-now-is-the-time/|work=Indie Sound|title=Rakim Returns with New Single and Video “Now Is The Time|date=August 9, 2025}}</ref>

On May 21, 2025, Rakim was awarded the [[George Peabody Medal|George Peabody Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Music and Dance in America]], the highest honor bestowed by the [[Peabody Institute]] at [[Johns Hopkins University]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://magazine.peabody.jhu.edu/2025/05/09/hip-hop-pioneer-rakim-to-speak-receive-george-peabody-medal-at-peabody-conservatorys-2025-graduation-ceremonies/|title=Hip-Hop Pioneer Rakim to Speak, Receive George Peabody Medal, at Peabody Conservatory’s 2025 Graduation Ceremonies|date=May 9, 2025|website=Magazine.peabody.jhu.edu|access-date=August 26, 2025}}</ref>

==Artistry==
Rakim's rhyming deviated from the simple rhyme patterns of early 1980s hip hop. His free-rhythm style ignored [[bar (music)|bar]] lines and had earned comparisons to jazz pianist [[Thelonious Monk]].<ref name="dulac" /> ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}} Ben Ratliff wrote that Rakim's "unblustery rapping developed the form beyond the flat-footed rhythms of schoolyard rhymes".<ref name="Ratliff">Ratliff, Ben. [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEEDB1E3DF93BA25751C1A96E958260 Review: ''Paid in Full''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202184609/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DEEDB1E3DF93BA25751C1A96E958260 |date=December 2, 2008 }}. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved on October 19, 2009.</ref> While many rappers developed their technique through improvisation, Rakim was one of the first to demonstrate advantages of a writerly style, as with for instance his pioneering use of [[internal rhyme]]s and [[multisyllabic rhymes]].<ref name="allmusic">Huey, Steve. "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p116720/biography|pure_url=yes}} allmusic Rakim > Biography]". Allmusic. Accessed September 5, 2008.</ref> Unlike previous rappers such as [[LL Cool J]], [[KRS-One]], and [[Run-D.M.C.]], who delivered their vocals with high energy, Rakim employed a relaxed, stoic delivery.<ref name="ogg" /><ref name="light">Light, Alan (November 13, 2006). "[http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/0,27693,Paid_in_Full,00.html The All-TIME 100 Albums] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104202741/http://www.time.com/time/2006/100albums/0,27693,Paid_in_Full,00.html |date=November 4, 2010 }}". ''Time'' magazine. Accessed September 29, 2008.</ref> According to [[MTV]], "We'd been used to MCs like Run and DMC, [[Chuck D]] and [[KRS-One]] leaping on the mic shouting with energy and irreverence, but Rakim took a methodical approach to his microphone fiending. He had a slow flow, and every line was blunt, mesmeric."<ref name="mtv">"[http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml MTV.com: The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719045814/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2005/greatest_albums_0505/index11.jhtml |date=July 19, 2013 }}". MTV (2005). Accessed July 15, 2008.</ref> Rakim's relaxed delivery results from his [[jazz]] influences; he had played the [[saxophone]] and was a [[John Coltrane]] fan.<ref name="dulac">Freedom duLac, Josh. (October 2, 2006). "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/01/AR2006100101132.html A Stop-and-Go Hip-Hop Show] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201131619/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/01/AR2006100101132.html |date=December 1, 2017 }}". ''The Washington Post''. Accessed September 5, 2008.</ref><ref name="taylor">Taylor, Steve (2004). ''The A to X of Alternative Music''. p. 20. Continuum International Publishing Group. {{ISBN|0-8264-8217-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2009/11/rakim_on_john_coltrane.html|work=NPR|title=The Microphone Fiend On John Coltrane|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=October 6, 2011|first1=Patrick|last1=Jarenwattananon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503015443/http://www.npr.org/blogs/ablogsupreme/2009/11/rakim_on_john_coltrane.html|archive-date=May 3, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>"[http://www.thaformula.com/rakim_lyrics_of_fury_thaformula_music.html Q & A w/ Rakim: Lyrics of Fury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716214156/http://www.thaformula.com/rakim_lyrics_of_fury_thaformula_music.html |date=July 16, 2011 }}". ThaFormula.com (2005). Accessed October 29, 2008.</ref>

Artists and critics often credit Rakim with creating the overall shift from the more simplistic old school flows to more complex flows.{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=224}} Kool Moe Dee says, "any emcee that came after 1986 had to study Rakim just to know what to be able to do.{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=324}} [...] Rakim, in 1986, gave us flow and that was the rhyme style from 1986 to 1994.{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=325}} [...] From that point on, anybody emceeing was forced to focus on their flow."{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=326}} Kool Moe Dee explains that before Rakim, the term 'flow' wasn't widely used – "Rakim is basically the inventor of flow. We were not even using the word flow until Rakim came along. It was called rhyming, it was called cadence, but it wasn't called flow. Rakim created flow!"{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=328}} He adds that while Rakim upgraded and popularized the focus on flow, "he didn't invent the word".{{sfn|Kool Moe Dee|2003|p=324}}

Rakim's subject matter often covered his own rapping skills and lyrical superiority over other rappers.<ref>Darby, Derrick; Shelby, Tommie; West, Cornel (2005). ''Hip Hop and Philosophy: Rhyme 2 Reason''. p. 42. Open Court Publishing. {{ISBN|0-8126-9589-5}}.</ref><ref name="Harvell">{{cite web|last1=Harvell|first1=Jess|title=Eric B & Rakim: Paid in Full / Follow the Leader|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/17495|website=Pitchfork|access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20081225143228/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/17495|archive-date=December 25, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] editor Steve Huey comments that "the majority of his lyrics concern his own skills and his [[Five-Percent Nation|Islamic]] faith."<ref name="amc" /> He also notes Rakim for his "complex internal rhymes, [[sentence clause structure#Compound sentences|compounding]], literate imagery, velvet-smooth flow, and unpredictable, off-the-beat rhythms."<ref name="Huey">Huey, Steve. [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r27822/review|pure_url=yes}} Review: ''Paid in Full'']. [[Allmusic]]. Retrieved on October 19, 2009.</ref> [[Pitchfork (website)|''Pitchfork'']] writer Jess Harvell described his rapping as "authoritative, burnished, [and] possessing an unflappable sense of rhythm".<ref name="Harvell" />

==Legacy==
''Paid in Full'' was released during the period that became known as [[golden age hip hop]].<ref name="Cobb140" /> Alex Ogg considered it the duo's [[Masterpiece|magnum opus]] in his book ''The Men Behind Def Jam''.<ref name="ogg" /> Rakim's rapping set a blueprint for future rappers and helped secure [[East Coast hip hop]]'s reputation for innovative lyrical technique.<ref name="allmusic" /><ref>Karon, Tony (September 22, 2000). "[http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,55635,00.html 'Hip-Hop Nation' Is Exhibit A for America's Latest Cultural Revolution] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127032842/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,55635,00.html |date=November 27, 2010 }}". ''Time'' magazine. Accessed September 25, 2008.</ref> [[William Jelani Cobb]] stated in his book ''To the Break of Dawn'' that his rapping had "stepped outside" of the preceding era of [[old school hip hop]] and that while the vocabulary and lyrical dexterity of newer rappers had improved, it was "nowhere near what Rakim introduced to the genre".<ref name="Cobb140">Cobb (2006), 142.</ref> ''The New York Times''{{'}} Dimitri Ehrlich, who described the album as "an artistic and commercial benchmark", credited Rakim for helping "give birth to a musical genre" and leading "a quiet musical revolution, introducing a soft-spoken rapping style".<ref name="ehrlich">Ehrlich, Dimitri (December 7, 1997). "[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E00E6D71F3AF934A35751C1A961958260 Recordings View; A Rap Pioneer Defies the Odds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202184716/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E00E6D71F3AF934A35751C1A961958260 |date=December 2, 2008 }}". ''The New York Times''. Accessed July 16, 2008.</ref> Allmusic's Steve Huey declared ''Paid in Full'' one of hip hop's most influential albums and "essential listening" for those interested in the genre's "basic musical foundations".<ref name="Huey" /> [[MTV]] ranked it at number one in "The Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time", stating it raised the standards of hip hop "both sonically and poetically" and described it as "captivating, profound, innovative and instantly influential".<ref name="mtv" /> The album is broken down track-by-track by Rakim in Brian Coleman's book ''[[Check the Technique]]''.<ref>Coleman, Brian. ''[[Check The Technique]]: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies''. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007.</ref>

''Rolling Stone'' magazine listed it at number 227 on "[[Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time|The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time]]", calling it "Ice-grilled, laid-back, diamond-sharp: Rakim is a front-runner in the race for Best Rapper Ever, and this album is a big reason why."<ref>"[https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6599369/227_paid_in_full 227 Paid in Full] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412110716/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6599369/227_paid_in_full |date=April 12, 2010 }}". ''Rolling Stone'' (November 1, 2003). Accessed July 15, 2008.</ref> Similarly, ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' magazine included the album in its "500 CDs You Must Own Before You Die".<ref>"[http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=126 500 CDs You Must Own: Hip-Hop] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080809133340/http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=126 |date=August 9, 2008 }}". ''Blender'' magazine (April 2003). Accessed September 24, 2008.</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine listed it as one of the eighteen albums of the 1980s in its "All-TIME 100" albums; editor Alan Light acknowledged the record for changing the "sound, flow, and potential" of hip hop and that if Rakim is "the greatest MC of all time, as many argue, this album is the evidence".

Jess Harvell of ''Pitchfork'' complimented Rakim for an "endless display of pure skill" and described the album as "laidback and funky", but believed it contained "too much filler to get a free 'classic' pass".<ref name="Harvell" /> ''Pitchfork'' placed ''Paid in Full'' at number fifty-two in its "Top 100 Albums of the 1980s"; editor Sam Chennault wrote that Rakim inspired a generation of MCs and "defined what it meant to be a hip-hop lyricist".<ref>Chennault, Sam (November 20, 2002). "[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36736-top-100-albums-of-the-1980s Top 100 Albums of the 1980s] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402044136/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/36736-top-100-albums-of-the-1980s/ |date=April 2, 2008 }}". Pitchfork Media. Accessed September 29, 2008.</ref> The rappers who have used the unique rapping style employed by Rakim and attribute it as inspiration include [[GZA]], [[Ghostface Killah]], and [[Raekwon]] (from the [[Wu-Tang Clan]]), [[Tupac]], [[Nas]], [[Kool G. Rap]], [[Jay-Z]], [[The Notorious B.I.G.]], [[Eminem]], [[50 Cent]], [[Cordae]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pigeonsandplanes.com/interviews/2018/05/ybn-cordae-interview|title=Bridging Rap's Generational Divide: An Interview With YBN Cordae|via=Pigeons & Planes|access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref> and many more.<ref name="ehrlich" /><ref>"[http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index8.jhtml MTV.com: The Greatest MCs Of All Time] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402234920/http://www.mtv.com/bands/h/hip_hop_week/2006/emcees/index8.jhtml |date=April 2, 2010 }}". MTV (2006). Accessed October 28, 2008.</ref> On July 11, 1995, the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) certified the album [[RIAA certification|platinum]].<ref>"[https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Paid%20in%20Full&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 RIAA Searchable Database – Paid in Full] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019031736/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Paid%20in%20Full&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |date=October 19, 2015 }}". Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed September 5, 2008.</ref> As of December 1997, it has sold over a million copies.<ref name="ehrlich" />

==Discography==
{{Main|Rakim discography}}

===Studio albums===
'''Solo'''
*''[[The 18th Letter]]'' (1997)
*''[[The Master (Rakim album)|The Master]]'' (1999)
*''[[The Seventh Seal (Rakim album)|The Seventh Seal]]'' (2009)
*''G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth'' (2024)
*''The Re-Up'' (2025)
'''With Eric B. & Rakim'''
*''[[Paid in Full (album)|Paid in Full]]'' (1987)
*''[[Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)|Follow the Leader]]'' (1988)
*''[[Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em]]'' (1990)
*''[[Don't Sweat the Technique]]'' (1992)

==See also==
{{Main|Eric B. & Rakim}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
* Cobb, William Jelani (2006). ''To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic''. New York University Press. {{ISBN|0-8147-1670-9}}.
*{{cite book| author = Kool Moe Dee|date=November 2003| title = There's A God On The Mic: The True 50 Greatest MCs| page = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781560255338/page/224 224]| publisher = Thunder's Mouth Press| isbn= 978-1-56025-533-8| author-link = Kool Moe Dee |display-authors=etal|title-link=There's A God On The Mic}}

{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|author1=Rakim|author2=Bakari Kitwana|title=Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius|year=2020|publisher=Amistad Press|isbn=978-0-0628-5024-9}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Rakim}}
*{{Official website|thegodrakim.com}}
*{{IMDb name|0707582}}
*{{AllMusic|id=p116720}}
*{{Discogs artist|Rakim}}

{{Rakim}}
{{Eric B. & Rakim}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American male rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male rappers]]
[[Category:African-American songwriters]]
[[Category:Aftermath Entertainment artists]]
[[Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists]]
[[Category:Five percenters]]
[[Category:Island Records artists]]
[[Category:MCA Records artists]]
[[Category:People from Wyandanch, New York]]
[[Category:Rappers from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Universal Records artists]]
[[Category:Songwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:21st-century American rappers]]
[[Category:21st-century American male musicians]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American rappers]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American musicians]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:George Peabody Medal winners]]