Paid In Full - Eric B. & Rakim

Released in 1987, "Paid in Full" is the debut album from the legendary Hip Hop duo, Eric B. & Rakim. Until recently, when I educated myself on this musical genre, and the progression which it had made over the years, I knew very little about this pair, other than hearing one of the tracks from this album, "I Know You Got Soul", on a couple of occassions, but I beleive that after hearing the whole album through, you understand its signficance for Hip Hop, and why it should be called a classic record. The rapper, Rakim, and DJ, Eric B. were groundbreaking in what they presented with this album, and their partnership effortlessly combines ...  Read the complete review

Eric B and Rakim stopped recording as a partnership in 1992 but still have an amazing influence over Hip Hop. Since the cease of one of the best rap performers ever, no one has successfully filled their huge fat laced sneaks. Hip Hop divides into genre’s of its own, so does its audience: Gangsta lovers help keep Puff Daddys wallet fat, afro-bohos and their white folk get Rawkus, whereas people who are into commercail rubbish have got Eminem. But no one, it seems, covers the whole range of the unified "Hip-Hop Nation" in the way that Eric B and Rakim did, back in the day. Eric B (né Barrier) and Rakim (William Griffin Jr) were part of the rich ...  Read the complete review