On this day in Hip-Hop, Eric B. & Rakim released one of the most influential rap albums of all time. Paid In Full is one of the greatest albums, from their custom suits and Big ass gold joints on the album cover to Rakim’s sharp witty lyrics on the tracks. It was the genesis of the great lyrics and dope beats duo.
As a team, Eric B. and Rakim revolutionized hip-hop into something that was not only fun, but also introspective and abstract. As the DJ/producer, Eric B. offered original break beats with scratching and sampling. While the "God MC" often used complex rhymes and literal imagery, which was not common at the time.
The album produced some legendary joints. It exemplified a diverse sound with songs like “Eric B. Is President” and “My Melody” that was deeply lyrical, while “I Know You Got Soul” was a party jam yet crazy lyrical featuring the opening line: “It’s been a long time/I shouldn’t have left you/Without a strong rhyme to step to.”
The album probably didn't get the commercial love, but Paid In Full was the streets bible. To this day, the album continues to gain respect and inspires plenty of active MCs in the game.
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