Rakim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rakim
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Rakim performing in 2008
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| Birth name | William Michael Griffin Jr. |
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| Born | January 28, 1968 Wyandanch, New York, U.S. |
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William Michael Griffin Jr. (born January 28, 1968), known as Rakim, is an American rapper. He is famous for being one half of the hip hop group Eric B. & Rakim. Together, they released four important albums: Paid in Full (1987), Follow the Leader (1988), Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), and Don't Sweat the Technique (1992). Rakim has also released four solo albums, including The 18th Letter (1997) and G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth (2024).
Many people see Rakim as a game-changer in hip hop. He made rap lyrics more complex and creative. He was one of the first to use internal rhymes (rhymes within a line) and multisyllabic rhymes (rhymes with many syllables). Before Rakim, many rappers used simpler styles. He showed how writing detailed lyrics with clever words and metaphors could make rap even better. Rapper Kool Moe Dee said that Rakim basically invented the idea of "flow" in rap. Flow is how the words and rhythm fit together.
His album Paid in Full was called the greatest hip hop album ever by MTV in 2006. Rakim himself was ranked No. 4 on MTV's list of the Greatest MCs (rappers) of All Time. Many music experts agree that Rakim is one of the best rappers ever.
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Rakim's Early Life
Rakim is the nephew of the famous R&B singer and actress Ruth Brown. He grew up in Wyandanch, New York. He wrote his first rap at age seven about the cartoon character Mickey Mouse. At first, he wanted to be a professional football player. He was a quarterback on his high school team.
However, a friend introduced him to a local DJ named Eric B. Rakim then started writing lyrics for Eric B.'s music. He decided to focus on a music career instead. He was known as Kid Wizard when he made his first recordings in 1985.
In 1986, Rakim learned about the Nation of Islam. He later joined The Nation of Gods and Earths (also called the 5 Percent Nation). He took the Arabic name Rakim Allah. He used "Rakim Allah" as his stage name, but it was often shortened to "Rakim." He is sometimes called the "God MC" because of his amazing rapping skills and because "Allah" means God in Arabic.
Rakim's Music Journey
Working with Eric B. (1985–1992)
Eric B. and Rakim first met in 1985. They released four studio albums together before they went their separate ways in 1992. Many people consider them one of the most important DJ/MC duos in music history. They were even nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
First Album: Paid in Full (1986–1987)
Rakim answered Eric B.'s search for a top rapper in New York. They used Eric B.'s friend Marley Marl's home studio to record their first songs. These songs, "Eric B. Is President" and "My Melody," were released as a single in 1986. After Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons heard it, the duo signed with Island Records. They started recording their first album in 1987.
On July 7, 1987, they released their first album, Paid in Full. It became very popular and included hit songs like "Eric B. Is President" and "Paid in Full".
Second Album: Follow the Leader (1988–1989)
Their second album, Follow the Leader, came out in 1988. It did even better on the music charts than their first album. It sold over 500,000 copies in the United States. This album is seen as one of the most important hip hop albums ever. It showed Rakim's powerful lyrics on songs like "Microphone Fiend" and "Lyrics of Fury."
Last Albums and Breakup (1990–1992)
Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em was their third album, released in 1990. Rakim's voice became deeper and more powerful on this album. The songs covered more serious topics. Many critics consider it one of their best and most complete albums.
In 1992, Eric B. & Rakim released their fourth and final album, Don't Sweat the Technique. The song "Know the Ledge" was featured in the movie Juice. Soon after, Eric B. and Rakim had disagreements about their record contract. This led to a long legal battle and the group eventually broke up.
Rakim's Solo Career (1993–Present)
After the group split, Rakim began his solo career. He released his first solo album, The 18th Letter, in 1997.
The Seventh Seal (2007–2009)
Rakim spent time working on new music. After not releasing an album since 1999, he announced a new album called The Seventh Seal in 2006. It was released on November 17, 2009. This album was seen as his comeback after ten years. It included songs like "Holy Are You" and "Walk These Streets."
Reuniting with Eric B. and New Music (2011–Present)
In 2011, Rakim performed his entire Paid in Full album live in New York City. This was to celebrate the album's 25th anniversary.
In 2012, Rakim said that he and Eric B. would release a special 25th-anniversary edition of Paid in Full. It would include new songs. He also announced plans for a new solo album. In 2014, Rakim was featured on the song "Guilty All the Same" by the rock band Linkin Park.
In 2016, Rakim and Eric B. officially reunited after 23 years! They even talked about a possible reunion tour. Fans wondered if they would release new music together. In 2018, Rakim released a new song called "King's Paradise" for the TV show Luke Cage: Season 2 (Original Soundtrack Album).
In May 2024, Rakim announced his fourth solo album, G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth. Rakim produced the entire album himself. It was released on July 26, 2024.
Rakim's Unique Style
Rakim's rapping style was very different from earlier hip hop. He didn't follow simple rhyme patterns. His "free-rhythm" style was compared to jazz music. The New York Times said that Rakim's calm rapping changed the way rap sounded. While many rappers improved their skills by just making things up, Rakim was one of the first to show the benefits of writing carefully. He used internal rhymes and multisyllabic rhymes in new ways.
Unlike high-energy rappers before him, Rakim had a relaxed and calm way of delivering his lyrics. MTV noted that Rakim took a careful approach to rapping. His calm style came from his love for jazz music. He played the saxophone and was a big fan of jazz musician John Coltrane.
Many artists and critics say that Rakim changed rap from simple flows to more complex ones. Kool Moe Dee explained that before Rakim, the word "flow" wasn't commonly used in rap. He said, "Rakim basically invented flow. We were not even using the word flow until Rakim came along."
Rakim often rapped about his own amazing rapping skills. He also included ideas from his Islamic faith in his lyrics. Music experts praise Rakim for his "complex internal rhymes," "literate imagery," and "velvet-smooth flow."
Rakim's Impact on Hip Hop
The album Paid in Full came out during a time known as the golden age hip hop. Many people consider it a masterpiece. Rakim's rapping style created a blueprint for future rappers. It helped make East Coast hip hop known for its creative lyrics. One writer said that Rakim's rapping "stepped outside" of the older hip hop style. He added that while newer rappers had better words, it was "nowhere near what Rakim introduced to the genre."
The New York Times called Paid in Full an "artistic and commercial benchmark." They said Rakim helped "give birth to a musical genre." MTV ranked it as the number one "Greatest Hip-Hop Album of All Time." They said it raised the standards of hip hop "both sonically and poetically."
Rolling Stone magazine listed Paid in Full as one of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." They called Rakim a "front-runner in the race for Best Rapper Ever." Time magazine also listed it as one of the best albums of the 1980s. They said it changed the "sound, flow, and potential" of hip hop.
Many famous rappers have been inspired by Rakim's unique style. These include GZA, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon (from Wu-Tang Clan), Tupac, Nas, Kool G. Rap, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, and 50 Cent. In 1995, Paid in Full sold over a million copies.
Rakim's Albums
Solo Albums
- The 18th Letter (1997)
- The Master (1999)
- The Seventh Seal (2009)
- G.O.D.'s Network: Reb7rth (2024)
With Eric B. & Rakim
- Paid in Full (1987)
- Follow the Leader (1988)
- Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990)
- Don't Sweat the Technique (1992)
Images for kids
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Rakim performing in 2008
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Rakim at the B.B. Kings in New York, November 25, 2006
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Rakim at Cat's Cradle in North Carolina, 2006
See also
In Spanish: Rakim para niños
