#61 Eric B. and Rakim, 'Paid in Full' (1987)

Previously #228

Eric B. and Rakim’s ‘Paid In Full’ was the album that a lot of Hip Hop post-1987 was based on. Firstly, it was the album that pioneered the use of internal rhyming in Hip Hop, but secondly, and most importantly, it was the record to introduce the use of heavy sampling in Hip Hop making Eric B. and Rakim pioneers in Hip Hop production, masters of turntablism and Kings of the rhyme. Rakim’s delivery was smooth and relaxed, as opposed to other rappers of the time such as LL Cool J & Run-D.M.C., who spit improvised rhymes with high energy impertinence. Rakim’s rhymes were thought out and considered; he would write his lyrics down and rap from his written word. It allowed him to perfect his words and would inspire rappers that followed to be more considerate with their lyrics, as opposed to improvising on the spot.

Rakim was inspired by Jazz and his delivery has often been compared to that of Thelonious Monk or John Coltrane, but where his vocal would replace the piano or saxophone. ‘Eric B Is President’ was the first single. It contained an unauthorized use of James Brown’s ‘Funky President (People It’s Bad).’ Brown sued to prevent its use, but ultimately it was allowed and it was the song that popularized the use of James Brown’s music in Hip Hop. Eventually, James Brown would be sampled over 7,400 times, making him the most sampled artist of all time. ‘Funky President’ has been sampled about 919 times, from artists such as N.W.A. to The Offspring but it was Eric B and Rakim that did it first. When listening to the song ‘As The Rhyme Goes On’ my ears pricked up when I suddenly recognised another song. “I'm the r the a to the k-i-m/If I wasn't, then why would I say I am,” holy shit – it’s Eminem’s ‘The Way I Am.’ ‘Paid In Full,’ ‘I Ain’t No Joke’ and ‘I Know You Got Soul’ were other highlights on the record. Eric B and Rakim did for Hip Hop, what Little Richard did for Rock ‘n Roll.

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