Musician Spotlight: Eric B and Rakim

Gifted with the talent to write songs and produce captivating music, Eric B. and Rakim are among the most influential duos from the 80’s Hip-Hop music scene. In the Greatest Duos of All Time, Rolling Stone ranked them No.5 in the top 20, while About.com ranked them No.5 on the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time.

They became globally recognized as the first DJ/MC team. Before the duo came together, Eric B was a gifted drummer all through his high school years.

He also experimented with turntables and trumpets before embarking on becoming a DJ. Perhaps these skills paved the way for him to actualize his dream of becoming a DJ.

Eric B. was introduced to Rakim, where he started by cutting some of Rakim’s records to fine-tune and added beats to them. This was a great start in their music career. They proceeded to record four albums together before splitting the band.

Though Eric B. and Rakim had different music skillset and only connected through a mutual friend, the duo was an instant fit. With Rakim as the lyrical genius and Eric B the beats connoisseur, they produced songs that their fan base adores up to date.

They made their debut album in 1986, and as Eric B. admitted, the first album, ‘’Paid In Full’’, was rushed. The duo stayed in the studio for a week, writing and producing the album at that time.

Major Accomplishments

Despite the rushed album, it charted in the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album Charts. Their debut album’s success didn’t end there. A couple of years later, the album got certified platinum, which put the duo on the front line of signing a music deal with MCA.

Unlike their first album, which had minimalist beats and lyrics, their follow up album was as edgy as intricate. It, too, received a lot of controversy over its production, which led to several lawsuits.

However, the album received a 5 mic rating honor from The Source, one of the first to receive this honor. By this time, the DJ/MC duo had garnered much local and international attention and their music was selling off the shelves.

Considered responsible for gangsta rap’s rise, the duo made rap the heart of their hip-hop music that almost certainly revolutionized the music genre. Hence, the recognition from multiple music charts, MCA, RIAA and other artists collaborated with them in their albums.

Their albums were; Paid In Full, Follow The Leader, Let the Rhythm Hit ’em and Don’t Sweat the Technique.

Check out this live performance of their hit “Paid in Full”:

Music Genre

Eric B and Rakim were well-known for one music genre, hip-hop.

Music Instruments and Sounds

Hip-hop music production uses specific instruments in the studio. They include; DAWs, midi controllers, synthesizers, samplers and microphones.

Like all other bands, the duo split up after producing their fourth album in 1992. This set the tone for what was to happen to them in the years leading up to the present. After releasing his first solo album, Eric B. went on to pursue businesses outside music.

On the other hand, Rakim continued with his music career collaborating with big names like Nas and Kanye West. His 2000 music deal with Dr Dre saw that he produced a couple of solo albums throughout the years.

The epic duo reunited in 2016 and had their first concert in 23 years in the following year in New York. Sadly, the duo’s work alongside other artists’ got destroyed in the 2008 Universal fire.