Rakim

Rakim, born William Michael Griffin Jr. in 1968 on Long Island, New York, is widely regarded as one of the most influential MCs in hip-hop history. He first rose to prominence as one half of Eric B. & Rakim, whose 1987 debut album «Paid in Full» reshaped rap lyricism with its complex internal rhyme schemes, laid-back cadence, and jazz-influenced production, becoming a foundational text for generations of rappers.

After the duo split in 1992, Rakim launched a solo career, releasing his acclaimed debut «The 18th Letter» in 1997, which reached the top five of the Billboard 200 and is often cited as a highlight of his catalog. He followed it with «The Master» in 1999, then returned after a decade away with «The Seventh Seal» in 2009. Tracks like «When I B on tha Mic», «It’s Been a Long Time», and «Guess Who’s Back» showcase his measured delivery and dense, multisyllabic wordplay.

Often credited as the architect of modern rap flow, Rakim’s technical precision and philosophical, sometimes mystical lyrical themes influenced countless East and West Coast artists, cementing his status as a foundational figure whose impact on hip-hop’s lyrical evolution is difficult to overstate.