Rakim was revolutionary in hip-hop, no doubt. At the same time, this statement is inaccurate:
"Let me put this another way: Before Rakim, all rap was like listening to a jazz saxophonist playing everything strictly within the structure of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"; after Rakim, rap sounded more like John Coltrane's "Giant Steps."
The first example coming to my mind that dispels that sentence? Kool Moe Dee/Treacherous Three. I'd say do some research and then present your argument in a way that doesn't dis the history of hip-hop before it.
Charles, Eric B is not a producer and hence is not an "underrated" producer. Eric B was the business man. Rakim produced a lot of the first 2 Eric B & Rakim albums himself (also Paul C is in there -- the last track he ever worked on was an Eric B & Rakim track, RIP Paul C). "Producing" was different in those days though. The engineer might've hooked up a lot of the beats, worked the MPC or SP and the named "producer" just gave the engineer the sample.
Find the book "Rakim Told Me" or "Check the Technique" (same book basically) by Brian Coleman and read the Eric B & Rakim chapter. It is illuminating on the subject.
Also, using "Down With the King" to demonstrate changing rap styles is kind of weird. I love Pete Rock, but have you heard his verse? It's not quite coming from the Rakim school... Plus Run's verse and especially DMC's verse are pretty sophisticated. Is that "great wack"?
@12, im right about "down with the king," so will not waist my breath on that. as for being a producer, i refer you to my essay on the turntable (http://www.ctheory.net/articles.aspx?id=…). it will explain that i'm aware of the distinction, but for the sake of brevity in this article collapsed the two. but back in the day, all djs were essentially businessmen.
@Charles Mudede, no, I'm not Kool Moe Dee. All I can say is, I respectfully disagree with your perspective on some aspects of this article (in particular, Rammellzee's opinion of Basquiat comes to mind, which makes pairing them in a sentence entertaining). Rakim did provide a pivotal moment in hip-hop, is one of the best to ever do it, and he stood on the shoulders of giants, IMO. Peace.
Seems like a silly claim to say anyone is a the greatest at anything when the criteria is totally subjective. Aside from the unsubstantiated claim, you really aren't saying anything we don't already know: Rakim is game-changing rapper. Thanks for the history lesson, but those of us who have been around hip-hop as long as hip-hop as been around don't need it. Seems like this was written more for people like ExitOnly who clearly don't know anything about hip-hop's rich tradition and cultural heritage (perhaps you're baiting the rest of us into a G.O.A.T. argument?).
Seems like a silly claim to say anyone is a the greatest at anything when the criteria is totally subjective. Aside from the unsubstantiated claim, you really aren't saying anything we don't already know: Rakim is game-changing rapper. Thanks for the history lesson, but those of us who have been around hip-hop as long as hip-hop has been around don't need it. Seems like this was written more for people like ExitOnly who clearly don't know anything about hip-hop's rich tradition and cultural heritage (perhaps you're baiting the rest of us into a G.O.A.T. argument?).
I'm a white dude from South Philly who started listening to hip-hop in the mid-80's. I disagree that Rakim is the greatest rapper of all time. I say this only because I consider the term "rapper" as a commercialized form of being an MC. The criteria is a little different. Rakim was a true MC. He moved the crowd. A beat, a turntable, and a mic was all he needed and he could flow ALL DAY LONG. A rapper can spit a rhyme over a track. A rapper can sell 10 million units but still be a weak MC. A rapper might have crossover appeal, but not enough street cred and lyrical content to battle in a cypher or appear on a legit mixtape. JayZ is arguably the greatest rapper of all time based on shear consistency in the rap game. Eminem is a lyrical beast but he often raps about absolutely nothing, however, there is no denying that he is a lyrical genius who knows how to string words together for shock value. But as far as MC’s go…I have to go with RAKIM hands down. He didn’t stand on any shoulders because before him all of the other rappers sounded pretty much the same other than RUN DMC, Kool Moe D, KRS One, and Kool G Rap. Just my opinion!
I understand Rakim and why he is highly respected. But you look at his ryhmes now, and they're just as nursery as the ones who came before him. With GMF These are the breaks, he wasn't a lyricist, but he did have a message. And thats what I consider a real rapper. A rapper that raps about something. But Africa Bambaataa, ryhmes were nursery, but the music itself was dope. And now you look at Em as the best. I don't think he was. Pac was the best rapper, and I think Big Pun was the best lyricist. He murdered the Mic harder than Biggie or Pac. But Pac was diverse, he had songs about everything, and wasn't afraid to show his emotions both in and out of the studio. Thats why he's idolized so much. As for Em his style is a lot like Big L. Run DMC made hits, and brought music to the white culture when they collaborated with Aerosmith. And to say Beastie Boys made hits as well, so to say they were good wack? No they were good. They opened the door for white rappers. But Big Pun listen to his best verses, he goes harder than any other rapper, and makes sense. Em is a close second. Whoever said that he ryhmes well but about nothing, must be in idiot and not understand what he's saying. Because he uses, double entendres. I would never claim to be no
Ray Benzino
An 83 year old, fake Pacino
So how can he hold me over some balcony
Without throwing his lower back out
As soon as he goes to lift me (*grunts*)
Please don't, you'll probably fall with me
And our asses'll both be history (AHH!!!)
But then again you finaly get your wish
Cause you'll be all over the street like 50 cent. Thats a hard line. The great thing about Em is when you're trying to understand what one line meant he already spit 4 more bars that you're like wait! Im trying to catch up.
"Let me put this another way: Before Rakim, all rap was like listening to a jazz saxophonist playing everything strictly within the structure of "Mary Had a Little Lamb"; after Rakim, rap sounded more like John Coltrane's "Giant Steps."
The first example coming to my mind that dispels that sentence? Kool Moe Dee/Treacherous Three. I'd say do some research and then present your argument in a way that doesn't dis the history of hip-hop before it.
Find the book "Rakim Told Me" or "Check the Technique" (same book basically) by Brian Coleman and read the Eric B & Rakim chapter. It is illuminating on the subject.
Also, using "Down With the King" to demonstrate changing rap styles is kind of weird. I love Pete Rock, but have you heard his verse? It's not quite coming from the Rakim school... Plus Run's verse and especially DMC's verse are pretty sophisticated. Is that "great wack"?
Ray Benzino
An 83 year old, fake Pacino
So how can he hold me over some balcony
Without throwing his lower back out
As soon as he goes to lift me (*grunts*)
Please don't, you'll probably fall with me
And our asses'll both be history (AHH!!!)
But then again you finaly get your wish
Cause you'll be all over the street like 50 cent. Thats a hard line. The great thing about Em is when you're trying to understand what one line meant he already spit 4 more bars that you're like wait! Im trying to catch up.