Rakim Quotes

William Michael Griffin Jr., known professionally as Rakim, is an iconic figure in the American rap scene and one of the founding voices of golden age hip hop. Born on January 28, 1968, Rakim became famous as one half of the dynamic duo Eric B. & Rakim. Together, they released four influential albums: Paid in Full (1987), Follow the Leader (1988), Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), and Don't Sweat the Technique (1992). Beyond his group's success, Rakim also made a mark with his solo works, including The 18th Letter (1997), The Master (1999), and The Seventh Seal (2009). Celebrated for elevating MC technique, Rakim introduced complex lyricism with internal and multisyllabic rhymes. His approach brought a sophisticated, written quality to rap, setting a new standard for the genre's lyrical complexity. His album Paid in Full was declared the greatest hip hop album of all time by MTV in 2006, and Rakim himself has been consistently ranked among the greatest MCs ever by various music critics and publications.