Original thinking MC, original dope production (Paid In Full: Platinum Edition - Eric B & Rakim)

Member Name: Letterman

Product:	Paid In Full: Platinum Edition - Eric B & Rakim
Date:	11/06/09 (4 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Standalone importance, plus lasting legacy

Disadvantages: Pure hip hop, less crossover topic cuts

The god MC, Rakim Allah, what's left to say? Well, the albums tighter than anything you or I've been up on. This is seen as a one of the high points of hip hops 'golden era' and the legacy lives on. Read any comment from current rappers and Rakim is sighted as a pioneer and an influence.

Rakim is regarded as one of the original rappers to use multi-syllable rhymes, and in comparison to previous stars Run DMC 'shouty' style, Rakim's flow was smooth jazz monologues.

Paid in Full came out in '87, and of course, now sounds dated, as with any old school selection. But it ain't about that. Eric B productions and dj skill, the cuttin and the scratchin is doper than dope, of which snippets have made appearances in many cuts over the last twenty years. In a similar fashion, Rakim's quotables have been quoted and re-written many times, example "...i came in door, said it before..." has been used by shaky mc that is Puff daddy.

Probably the most famous tune on this album is the title track, Paid in Full, a name deriving from Eric B receiving payment from the label and realising said phrase was printed on the cheque. Dope. The song describes the feeling and process of writing, recording and yeah, getting paid in full.

In comparison to modern albums, the songs here don't revolve around strict topics, which is very much the style of the times. Instead, Eric B puts down the beat and Rakim weaves a combination of street logic, peace mentality, 5 percenter philosophy and hip hop swagger into intricate rap bars to be deciphered by the discerning listener. Might not be to everyone's taste, but if you Nas, CL Smooth, Earl Grey or Wu Tang, you feel the heritage and enjoy.

In the words of the great man himself PEACE! And that's what its all about.

Summary: Here is the reason they call him the God mc