Rakim: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубліковано 1 лип 2018
- June 25, 2018 | Abby O'Neill -- It had been nearly a decade since Rakim released new music, but that drought ended Friday when the godfather of rap lyricism and one half of the revered duo Eric B & Rakim released a new song, "King's Paradise." The track was written for Season 2 of Marvel's Luke Cage, which premiered on Netflix the same day, but it wasn't entirely new to select NPR staff; they heard it days earlier when the God MC performed at the Tiny Desk.
The New York rap icon wasn't the only legend in the building that day. Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest - who produced and co-wrote "King's Paradise" with keyboardist Adrian Younge under their new project The Midnight Hour - played bass, and rising blues torchbearer Christone "Kingfish" Ingram sat in on guitar.
"King's Paradise" pays homage to the heroes of the Harlem Renaissance as well as its fictional superhero, the bulletproof Luke Cage. Rakim tipped his hat to Philip Payton Jr., Joe Lewis, Lena Horne, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou and Louis Armstrong, before concluding with a few bars about the comic book-inspired series.
Younge then led the nine-member backing band through two of Rakim's undeniable classics: "Paid in Full" and "Know the Ledge." For the former, drummer David Henderson rolled right in with the unmistakable breakbeat, - originally sampled from The Soul Searchers "Ashley's Roachclip." Muhammad, who's been playing bass since age 19 despite being known for his production and DJ work, provided the low end for "Know The Ledge."
Rakim released his first single 32 years ago, yet the timbre of his voice and Dali Llama aura remain strong. Let's hope this is the beginning of another renaissance.
Set List
"King's Paradise"
"Paid In Full"
"Know The Ledge"
MUSICIANS
Rakim (vocals), Adrian Younge (keys), Ali Shaheed Muhammad (bass), Jack Waterson (guitar), David Henderson (drums), Loren Oden (vocals), Saudia Mills (vocals), Angela Munoz (vocals), Stephanie Yu (violin), Bryan Hernandez-Luch (violin), DeAndre Shaifer (trumpet) , Jordan Pettay (saxophone), Joi Gilliam (vocalist), Christone Ingram (Kingfish) (guitar)
CREDITS
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Khun Minn Ohn, Maia Stern, Beck Harlan, Kara Frame; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Eslah Attar/NPR.
Hey Tiny Desk Fans,
Check out NPR’s Black Stories, Black Truths - a collection of podcasts hosted by journalists who speak truth to power. Our voices are as varied, nuanced, and dynamic as the Black experience. And stories should never be about us without us. Listen now: www.npr.org/podcasts/510372/black-stories-black-truths
Let agree to disagree
@@GONZOSARTIMPORIUMwhy disclose your investment in the preservation of inequities?
correction… Rakim is the greatest lyricist of all time
Timeless!
@@jwilli850that's facts
Let’s be clear....Rakim is the greatest MC of all time
You ain’t lying
MF DOOM?
Agreed 100....
It’s hard to argue isn’t it?
Uhhh say it a little louder for the kids sittin in the back.
When Rakim comes to your house, you're the guest.
you realy nailed it lollol
Facts!
Amen to that!
Werd👍
Inshaallah...
"Rakim is basically the inventor of flow. We were not even using the word flow until Rakim came along. It was called rhyming, it was called cadence, but it wasn't called flow. Rakim created flow!" - Kool Moe Dee
No he isn't not at all
@@adamnoyb7853 enlighten us then wise one
@@sobe9ograff bro no one raps like him today!!!! Y'all claim he's the best boom bap is the best etc... But it's all gone and Dead. No one cares about y'all sub genre of hip hop anymore but y'all still claim it's superior. Lol. Ice T is more duplicated today than anyone from the past.
@@adamnoyb7853 lol you tripping. read his comment again.
@@adamnoyb7853 Rakim helped to pioneer the use of internal rhymes and multisyllabic rhymes, and he was among the first to demonstrate the possibilities of sitting down to write intricately crafted lyrics packed with clever word choices and metaphors rather than the more improvisational styles and simpler rhyme patterns that predominated before him.[2] Rakim is also credited with creating the overall shift from the more simplistic old school flows to more complex flows.
Educate yourself
The dude with the grey guitar is ill. Props to Ali Shaheed Muhammad for being there too. This whole thing is sick, Rakim is amazing
@Ernesto Mendez yes. The one and only!
Just rewatched this and noticed Ali and Kingfish. 😲
He’s definitely sick with it
Ali is one of my favorite bass players!
Came for Rakim, coming back for Kingfish 🤌
Rakim, the man who said " Age don't matter in the booth, as long as your flow stays submerged in the fountain of youth". Respect for still flowing true to your style
That's hard!
On which track?
@@kay_mac138 classic..krs,nas,kanye,Rakim
@@BEsaddiqali the dj primo track, Classic :)
💯💯
Rakim was the MC that changed the tempo from nursery rhymes to soul. Legend
Legend for sure :)
You have Kool G Rao
I met him after one of his gigs and he signed my Don't sweat the technique album and gig poster plus he gave me his Hat! Still have it
Legend and one Lovely Soul
Perfect way to describe it
JU-Neek "Survival" (feat. MC Don-E) -> see iTunes, Amazon Music, Spotify, etc.
I enrolled in a poetry class a few years back and I brought Paid in Full as my example of a great poem. Greatest MC in the game.
check out Mavi- "miracle baby"
Paid in Full never gets old. Lyrically Rakim was ahead of his time and shifted the culture to birth MCs like NAS. To this day the lyrics are relevant and fire!
Tell me about it! As I continue to get my paper up I go back to that song for inspiration 😊
Paid in Full is still my favorite by him!
@@coryjackson6944 It definitely has inspired me throughout my journey!
@@sonjaistheone4614 No doubt. It's my favorite song as well!
Old skool. No swearing, no disrespect, no vitriol. The true definition of keeping it real.
Word Up ....... No need for vulgarity when your grammar is nice!!!
York Young most def homie, you know deal
I would pay serious money to watch him do a full set with this band.
I 2nd that
🙋🏾♀️ 3rd that
A colorblind Masterpiece
Chris Kasatka Me also.
I 4th that 🔥🔥🔥
the guy with the guitar is a legend!
Kingfish!
His name is King Fish
Kingfish a Legend
Kingfish a Legend
Legendary Kingfish
Got backstage to meet Rakim a few years ago on his European tour and he signed my Don't sweat the technique Album and gave me his Hat as well. Put his arm around me for a photo. Lovely down to earth man who cares for his fans.
GOD MC
NO DOUBT
Rakim was so far ahead of EVERYONE 30 years ago that now, 30 years later, he’s a lifetime ahead.
Yesssss!:)
He's timeless.
So true
💯
Brilliant point
I’ve never been to New York in my life, but when I hear lyricists like Rakim and Nas, they verbally paint pictures of New York with their lyrics. For me, their voices, along with their flow, IS New York.
Salute King! This is why I Fell in Love wit Hip Hop back in 85. It’s Universal... It Ain’t Where Ya From It’s Where Ya @! ✌🏽
We all from different areas. Rah speaks about the nyc boroughs but he's a long island kid. We absolutely LOVE RAKIM
SuperBabytee1 .... Nahhhh... Rakim Allah.. The 7th Letter... The God Always S/O Strong Island!!! I know Nothing About L.I... But I’m A Die Hard Hip Hop Fan... Public Enemy/EPMD/K-Solo/Keith Murray/LONS/Busta Buss/Method Man... SIP Craig Mack... Get Well Soon To The LI Don.. That put ya on the map.... NOBODY (WILL EVER!) BEAT THE BIZ!!!
I've been twice and you're right, Rakim kills it!!!
I know exactly what you mean..when I went last year I finally felt it!
I'm from the UK. Jamaican/Welsh parentage. Aged 16, 1988, my mum and dad sent me to New York for the six weeks summer holidays. I stayed with my aunt in South Bronx. That's when I got deep into hip hop. This reminds me of those times. So many adventures.
He should make an album with this band.
Rakim need to release a jazz album this is fire
That would be dope because he's actually nice on the horn.
Austin S please and thank you
The Solution!4Kickz You heard him play?
@@bolder2009 he grew up playing. Do a search there's footage of him playing.
The Solution!4Kickz I have searched. I can't find any footage. Just a photo from his high school band class.
This is criminally short.
I feel blessed to have heard even one minute. The normalization of greed has left you perpetually wanting.
Therein lies the challenge though! Who else can tell the story of an entire City in this short amount of time? He captured New York so beautifully in this picture he painted through music!!! Wow!
That has been my thought for years. But last year i just appreciated how they did and said so much in such a short space. Timeless.
It’s pure jazz in the background. My man is flowing over soulful jazz. This is music
Why am I just now seeing this masterpiece? Rakim!!! GOAT. Take notes youngin's, this is when rap had a meaning, a flow, a message.
Man I'm like why am I just hearing this!
Exactly! I had to come up on it on social media. Smh all these tiny desks and I miss THIS?! I also see there's a BDK one 😮
Don’t feel bad I’m just seeing it 11 months after you! I found this because a post about how DMX acted the first time he actually spoke to Rah….guess I’ll be looking at his videos for the rest of the day now.
Hold on to your seat !
Lets take care of Rakim... The living legend.
FOR REAL! TRUTH!
One of,if not THE GREATEST of all time!
True. If balling was rapping? I hate to combine TWO game changing, league-evolving players into ONE to most accurately describe the R's effect on the game, but?
You would need TWO game changing players to most accurately describe Rakim Allah's effect on MCing but Rakim is to hiphop what Bill Russell and Rafer "Skip-To-My-Lou" Alston is to balling. Rakim is the Rafer Russell of hiphop!
Also keep that big man on the guitar in your prayers
He’ll yeah The R ......
Ali Shaheed on bass, Kingfish on guitar and of course mr. Rakim on vocals... what a legenadary band. mind it guys!
+Adrian Younge on keys🔥
Priceless!
@@TrippiePineapplzI was coming to say it.
I am 45 yo and a fan of Rakim since the late 80’s, Clean lyrics, clear decisive flow and legendary content , one of the best honorable MC’s ever, may god give you health old G. ❤
43 yo.
Paid in Full the first song I memorized
Being a blues head and a Kingfish fan made me a Rakim fan today.
That sound engineer really deserves props for enhancing such beautiful sounds.
Yessssss
ikr
Back there with the earphones on.
the bass levels are so good
@@Phred7447 and groovin
Rakim won't ever know how he helped save a young white cats life back in the 80s. A sony walkman and a Eric B and Rakim tape playing while i walked through the one night. Man i was in so much pain, but Rakim kept saying "maybe i might just search for a 9 to 5, cuz if i thrive maybe i'll stay alive as i walk through the streets whistling this, feeling out of place..." I can't even listen to it, had to ff through it. I don't ever want to be there again. Much love homie. Thank you for keeping it authentic.
That's REAL
Boom! :)
Love to each and every one of these GREAT MUSICIANS - Rakim (vocals), Adrian Younge (keys), Ali Shaheed Muhammad (bass), Jack Waterson (guitar), David Henderson (drums), Loren Oden (vocals), Saudia Mills (vocals), Angela Munoz (vocals), Stephanie Yu (violin), Bryan Hernandez-Luch (violin), DeAndre Shaifer (trumpet) , Jordan Pettay (saxophone), Joi Gilliam (vocalist), Christone Ingram (Kingfish) (guitar).
The God MC!! The invincible, microphone fiend, Rakim!! ✊🏽✊🏽
I just learned of him today.... my apologies.
Shoutout to the guitarist.
In E. F. F. E. C. T.
A smooth operator -
Operatin’ correctly.
"Dig into my pockets all my money is spent."
"I dig deeper still coming up with lint."
One of my all time favorite lines.
Long live the King Rakim.
Rakim Allah
The man is telling straight fables of life. He is a fucking national treasure. A true artist.
jay bee hell yeah!!
I take 7 MC's put them in a line. Add 7 more brothers who think they can rhyme. It will take 7 more before I go for mine that's 21 MC's ate up at the same time. Coldest line in rap history.
@keith moran- “Because I'm number one, competition is none
I'm measured with the heat that's made by sun.
Whether playin ball or bobbin in the hall,
I just writin my name in graffiti on the wall.
You shouldn't have told me you said you control me...
So now a contest is what you owe me.
Pull out your money, pull out your cut,
Pull up a chair, and I'ma tear shit up.
My name is Rakim Allah, and R & A stands for "Ra"
Switch it around, but still comes out aR.”
The GOAT. The GAWD. Struggle, strife, the games...Rakim made it a verbal mosaic, and burned it down with that fire 🔥. Brother created, destroyed and still moves mountains with his words and flow. Peace y’all.
That guitar player tho...🔥🔥🔥
Kingfish Ingram is the name he had a great voice too.
Kingfish is such an amazing guitar player, he has some of Hendrix soul in him.
yeah kingfish man. Hes the man
5:30 look at that kid's face lol dude already a legend
Kingfish is one of the best modern blues artists running around.
Rakim is untouchable.
Kingfish on the guitar with Rakim!!!!! That's hard
Rakim needs to do an album with a live jazz band. This is dope!
Remember the Jazzmatazz volumes that Guru put together? That shit was incredible.
It would be 2nd nature for him. Maybe even 1st.
EXACTLY bro..he STILL the TRUTH..
i know ghostface did, and that shit is fucking fire.....
Jack Gillespie tupac started that
I've seen him live in the UK, I was at the front and he shook my hand. I went on my own because none of my friends were hip hop heads, one of the best nights of my life. A true living legend.
💙💙 Niiice
yea mate i feel you. None of my friends are either. I go to shows by myself
U need new friend my g
@@andythehumbleman3307 ain't got time when you reach your 30s. It's all about money.
@@fahimaljahangir3059 tell me about it lol
The rhythm section was sick…🎹
Let's be CRYSTAL!! Rakim is the Marlon Brando. From then on, MCs knew the possibilities.
Even if he just does old songs, I want Rakim to release an album done like this, all live instruments. It sounds so dope and just elevates his songs to a whole other level 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
you should listen to "school of hard knocks" the whole album is in that style and it is dope, even though its not rakim :)
@@jamiej5229 thanks for the reccomendation man, I'll check it out 🙂
🙌🙌🙌💯💯💯🎶👏🔥🔥🔥🔥😲
YES! Rakim, RA Orchestra & Flow
Ye ngl always knew he was an OG but think am just to young to get into his music on record but this was amazing
This is the only way Rakim should tour from now on. He deserves a full band.
Slntpsych tupac started this
Slntpsych agreed
@@siyabongabhongoza8201 Actually Too Short is the first rapper to record an album with a live band (of course we know his early music was funk influenced so it's not surprising that live bands would be incorporated into his music)
EXACTLY!!!!
I legit thought this nigga was dead😂
Lyrical MASTERPIECE
Facts!!!
Lyrical masterpiece no doubt but remember everyone Rakim has an awesome flow and voice too
Rakim is so authentic! The band is LIVE!
NPR IS INSANE FOR THIS!
Yep
You're right, Abraham Sun. NPR deserves a lot of credit for giving Rakim this platform, great musical taste...
Is music not a beautiful thing when all cultures, all instruments and all ages coming together to make it happen
Facts
It would be even better if life worked that way.
Agreed
Truth right here! One love
Yes Lord
Who is still mesmerized by this performance in 2022? All hail the KING of legendary classical rap!
The first song is bomb, especially live variant!!! Respect. He is proving that rap is music
We're witnessing the evolution of NPR Tiny Desk into its best form. This is the Tiny Desk golden age, ppl
Damn, his words are smooth like jazz.
The lyricists of the 90s are the equivelants of the jazz greats passed
Right
Rakim actually gets a lot of influence from jazz artists Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane. His flow is just impeccable.
He said he played the Sax so he just flowed to the beat like a sax player swingin to the beat.
Right? But of course
This guy was so far ahead its Crazzzzy. The voice, the flow, lyrics, the way he phrazes and Where in the bar he chooses to put it is amazing. I cant believe this is from the 80's! Fire
Rakim forever one of the pioneers and GOATs of rap
Ali Shahid Muhammad on bass. This is pure class
I never knew he played bass.
Ra's vocals haven't aged at all. Exact same as they were in 86'. He sounds exactly the same. Amazing!!!
Just saw Rakim a month ago. It was like being a time machine. Rakim is still smooth like butter.
The man has ascended to an Elder Master. His word is hip-hop scripture. You can see the craft and talent just exude from him. Still humble at that.
I'm having goosebumps...literally. OMG, this is pure gold from the golden age of hip hop.
He really inspired and influenced some of best rap artist, like Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Eminem Jay-Z, etc.
with this live instrumental built, everithing is perfect. absolutely amazing
Kingfish and Rakim and the ensemble have made for some of the best versions of Rakim's songs!!!!! This is incredible
A poetic genius, full string section, real fender Rhodes, fantastic guitar and bass; NPR you have outdone yourselves! We cannot thank you enough for what you do for music culture
Well put!
I agree. And we need Hiatus Kaiyote here!!
Absolutely! Choose Your Weapon is my shit fr
Joshua Reed Yes bro, I tweeted that same thing and got a like from Lianne La Havas, so it means something lol.
I love all from them, cant wait for new album. Nai laid vocals for new Drake track, but did not listen to it yet...
Rakim... We need more than 9 mins!!!
Leroy Walker Jr FACTS!!
Just disrespectful! They know we need more.
Leroy Walker Jr Right!
Agreed, I'd have liked Follow the Leader. Would have sounded great with the brass and strings live as they play a big part on that track. Ali could have played the bass synth part.
He should had played follow the leader
Hiphop needs to be shown in this light more often. I really feel it would make people that don't like hiphop to have a different understanding of it.
Absolutely!!
I could watch him do his entire catalogue like this. Not sure how I missed this but thank you! The GOD MC.
Rakim is a legend, he elevated rap by writing bars that contained many multi syllable rhymes which rhymed with the next bar as well as other words in that bar (internal rhymes), which is what creates that sweet sound of flow. Ultimately he sounded so incredible that everyone started doing what he was doing, and that's why he's really most influential emcee ever.
Indeed!
gj watching vox
connorp3030 exactly assonance and alliteration
Wize One Writing and MCing has gotten better and better, it’s better now than it ever was. Those who followed Rakim definitely surpassed him
Nas for one?
That big dude killed it with his guitar solo, fuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!
That's the mighty Kingfish on guitar.
I need him and Thundercat to get on some bs together
My man Kingfishhhh
@MiNd Of MaVeRiCk living legend Christone is. Dude's a monster on the strum
Same thing I'm sayingggggg
How I enjoyed this. For a minute I was back in 86 passing some 40’s around with my crew back in The Bronx. Beautiful time. Glad I survived it. Rakim was everywhere. Thanks King. ☝️🇵🇷
The Violinists reaction once the Sax kicks in on Paid in Full says it all for me!
Pure enjoyment, makes me smile 😊
As A 45 year old man who been listening to rap/hip hop since sugarhill, I appreciate this.. thank you.. 🙏🙏
You to young for Sugarhill
56 here Bro old school rap for me. Long live Rakim.
@@keithmoran5695 👍49 bruh The God MC
40 here Bro, long live Rakim!!!
I’m only 20 so rakim is way before my time, but I always listen to him from time to time because his lyrics are just that good
Rakim is Timeless. 4 year old kids be bopping to The Microphone Fiend....
Rakim truly broke the on beat rhymes from early 80's such a EPMD, Grand Masta Flash, Sugar Hill gang, but RAKIM changed it into actual flow, rhyming on and off beat, creating flows that weave in and out of the rhythm. He was the chosen one. Legend with no exaggeration and no equal. - Lion
And story telling
No he didn't
Love seeing Ali Shaheed on the bass❤️
Rakim, Brother Ali, and King Fish!!! Perfection!
Rakim is the epitome of what it means to be hard in hip hop. No one will ever duplicate his vibe.
Effortless. Completely natural 💯
The sax players, the key board, the guitar player and the drummer are all amazing!!! They were right in sync with Rakim’s flow! Job extremely well done everyone!!!
Impeccable behaviour. Rakim was the inventor of 'flow' in Rap. Amazing band in this performance too. Love from England to you ALL!
THAT BAND IS DANGEROUS!!!👌👍💪
Art Tali yes they are amazing
right??!!
...because they killed it.
I'm Not gonna kick Saxophone's Chicks back in.
Surgical
KingFish on the guitar!? You are kidding me. This is awesome!
I honestly yelled in happiness! Genuinely Hendrix reincarnated. What an incredible talent he is.
Ayr Mendina I am glad I was not the only one to find happiness in this. Hope you enjoyed watching it as much as I did :)
I truly did! Thank you! :) The very same to you!
i dead ass saw that and was like wtf lol, he is amazing
I love how he just pops in and then pops out
Juice has always been one of my favorites. I like how the song progresses, he starts off with
"Let's see if I know the ledge". Then:
"Hoping that I know the ledge". Then:
"I guess I didn't know the ledge"
WoW!! Rakim sounds unreal. His flow is as good as ever. And ever is the best!!
Dude like a Professor teaching a college course on Ryhming! Peace!
Yess
AMEN!! Word life!!!
With Nas as his star student graduating with high honours, and then teaching a whole bunch of others.
you've outdone yourself npr!
It’s because of Adrian Younge
I must take the time to thank NPR music Tiny Desk Concerts for all the Excellent music on UA-cam!
👍👏👏👏
Living legend gets madd respect from his peers in the industry just look at the band backing Rakim aka Microphone Fiend 💯🔥❤🍫👑🖋🎤🎼😌✊. Fan from day one and forever I shall remain one 😌.
Hip Hop ... Rakim changed the game🎤🎧 AINT NO JOKE 🐐
thank you, for knowing the score!
Facts.
Damn I wish he would have did that one!
rakim started the game
Fi Real
Rakim is legendary for a reason. The only thing that makes me especially sad is that "hip hop at large" will only care about him after he passes away. Even in his own city they will only play his music on the radio in memoriam. Love the greats while they're here, acknowledge their trailblazing, and don't write off the vary talent they often still retain in spite their are. Thanks for posting. This was soul food.
Indeed.. Deserves "Heart Beat Props" ....( Digital Under Ground...Son of the P )
Preach !! This is what’s wrong with “music “ as we speak
💯
well said
Facts facts
I need this to be a Tour. Bring everyone involved along. Charge whatever you want. I’m there! This was amazing. G.O.A.T
Rakim the God Mc brought along young Blues great Christone Kingfish Ingram. Amazing from start to finish. Live instruments give new life to these classic tunes. Well done Ra, Kingfish, the band and thank you NPR.
You can smell the streets of New York through his lyrics. He’s a God MC. One of the smoothest to do it.
I'm sure I'm not the first to notice this, but that's 'Kingfish' Ingram on guitar. Dude is incredible and he's only 20.
Yea i remember his videos from awhile back and i was talking to him about big pun so i know he loves hip hop so this must have been a crazy moment for him
They both did musical features on Luke Cage as well.
Dude sick fa real !
Fat bol? He's fucking sick. Thanks for the name!
This needed to be way longer sooo good. Rakim a legend!
This man is the absolute definition of hip hop.
Dude on the guitar is a beast killed it on stage in Luke Cage.. Thrill is gone..
T Smith King fish is a legendary player
connorp3030 Thanks for the info didn't know.. Just saw him. Killing it here and on Luke Cage
T Smith and the bass player is Ali shaheed Muhammad
connorp3030 from a tribe called quest? Damn. Thanks for the info.
Npr tryna get the entire mount rushmore of rap on
Daquan 83 Gonna be a bit difficult to get Pac and Biggie on.
Drake with four different expressions?
rakim kane g rap and slick rick
Hopefully KRS1 next
Daquan 83 Yesss! Just about succeeded too
It was privilege growing up in NYC during the awakening of rap and watching Rakim, and Big Daddy Kane, come of age. His flow reminds me so much of jazz.
Unbelievable all-star backing band!
*Wow, the God Rakim!..* ..
The best 9 minutes I've spent on UA-cam in years!
Same here. Had to make it into 18 minutes.
James Gunz, yes sir. I totally agree. I’m not consumed by social media like my younger counterparts...
However, I gave my staff an extra 10 minutes added to their tea break time, just so I could go watch this without any distractions. Rakim is a lyrical genius, and was clearly ahead of his time!
Never needs to curse. Man this man is smooth.
Man's a legend
@@digitalomen2013 100%
If I'm not mistaken know the ledge is the only song where he uses the n-word
when he came out most people didnt curse alot on records. But he did curse on records, I dont know why everybody says he never had to curse. That was from an incorrect meme. peep Mahogany, my melody, and a few others, but when you put it up against todays music forget about it....
@@macd95 Seems like cussing in hip hop and music in general didn't become common until NWA made it big
Know the Ledge! That bass intro still gives me chills!
This guy is literally the definition of a genius. No one ever put words together this this before him and very few was able to achieve this level after him
Big man on the guitar 🔥🔥🔥🔥
His name is Cristone "Kingfish" Ingram if you dig em
Ali Shaheed Mohammad on the bass
This was it right here! 🔥🔥🔥🎸🎻🥁Didn’t want it to end! Oh how I miss this era!
How good was know the ledge, RKin still got it after all these years! Real lyricist with flow..not many around nowadays! Big props to Rakim
It’s so sad that hip hop don’t celebrate him at all#One of my favorites🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Rakim is Trueblood Hip Hop all killer no filler this industry is just rap all filler no killer but I wish him and Dr.Dre could have completed their project I think it would have been colossal cuz I heard one leaked song and it was amazing
Because this the hip pop era hip hop is comatose right
Watchu talking bout brah..rakim gets saluted daily...come to Boston .the Bean loves Ra
Eugene Pinex Eminem does.
One of the best who ever do it 💯💯💯💯💯
No way!! I said like 2 months ago on the GZA video "Whats next, Rakim or Slick Rick!?!" NPR you guys have outdone yourselves yet again bringing in another rap legend! Thank you so much!!!
Rakim said that he played in a jazzband in school and he eventually applied that knowledge to rap , which changed basic rap rhythm forever. Ive never seen him live but so good to see how he controled his flow and projection next to super tight group. You can really sees he knows what hes doing