Eric B. & Rakim
| Company type | Hip hop duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Long Island, New York , United States |
| Products | Hip hop music, albums |
Eric B. & Rakim emerged as a prominent American hip hop duo originating from Long Island, New York, in 1986. The pair consisted of DJ Eric B. and the rapper Rakim. They achieved widespread recognition with their 1987 debut album, Paid in Full, which included notable singles such as "Eric B. Is President" and the album’s title track. Subsequently, they released three additional acclaimed albums: Follow the Leader (1988), Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990), and Don't Sweat the Technique (1992).
Acknowledged by AllMusic as the leading DJ/MC duo during hip hop’s late 1980s golden era, they garnered critical acclaim. NPR’s Tom Terrell described them as "the most influential DJ/MC combo in contemporary pop music period."
Early years and Paid in Full
Eric Barrier, raised in East Elmhurst, Queens, initially played trumpet and drums before transitioning to turntablism. Performing under the name "Eric B.," he was a DJ for New York’s WBLS radio station. Through promoter Alvin Toney, Eric B. was introduced to William Griffin, known professionally as Rakim.
Griffin began crafting rhymes during his teenage years in Wyandanch and adopted the moniker "Rakim" after affiliating with the Five-Percent Nation. Eric B. incorporated samples from records owned by Rakim’s brother to help shape their distinctive sound. Eric B. recalled selecting the bass line from Fonda Rae's "Over Like A Fat Rat" for their debut track, which inspired Rakim’s enthusiasm.
Their inaugural single, "Eric B. Is President", was released in 1986 with Marley Marl serving as engineer, utilizing that bass line sample.
The duo recorded their first album, Paid in Full, at Power Play Studios in New York City. The album’s title partly referenced a well-known New York collective that included artists like Kool G Rap and Freddie Foxxx. Released by 4th & B'way Records in 1987, the album reached the Top Ten on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Eric B. acknowledged that the album was produced rapidly—completed within one week—with Rakim composing lyrics spontaneously during sessions. Rakim also admitted to writing rhymes quickly while recording and often reading them directly into the microphone.
MTV recognized Paid in Full as one of hip hop’s most influential albums due to its groundbreaking production techniques and Rakim’s precise lyrical delivery. The album eventually sold over one million copies and received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1995.
Following this achievement, Eric B. & Rakim became pioneers as the first rap artists to secure a million-dollar contract—a three-album agreement with MCA Records.
Follow the Leader and Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
The duo's sophomore effort, Follow the Leader, marked a departure from the stark minimalism that characterized their debut, Paid In Full. Rakim's renowned lyrical prowess was prominently displayed on tracks like the title track and "Lyrics of Fury". In 2003, comedian Chris Rock lauded Rakim's verses on "...Fury" as some of the finest ever crafted. Additionally, Rock placed Follow the Leader at number 12 on his curated list of the Top 25 Hip Hop Albums for Vibe. The album enjoyed commercial success, propelled by the iconic single and accompanying video “Microphone Fiend,” which received substantial airplay on MTV’s flagship program, Yo Mtv Raps.
In 1989, Eric B. & Rakim teamed up with Jody Watley on her track "Friends" from the album Larger Than Life. This single broke into the Billboard Hot 100 Top Ten and stood out as an early significant blend of hip hop and dance-pop genres. Despite this collaboration, Eric B. & Rakim seldom partnered with other rappers; notably, Rakim declined participation in KRS-One's Stop the Violence Movement anthem "Self-Destruction". He later voiced his dissatisfaction regarding his exclusion despite his role in advancing conscious hip hop.
Their 1990 release, Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em, achieved gold certification with sales surpassing 700,000 copies. On the track "Set 'Em Straight," Rakim reflected on maintaining artistic authenticity over commercial appeal: "You could sell a couple records and keep your integrity or you could go pop and sell a bunch of records and be gone tomorrow."
Mark Coleman of Rolling Stone characterized Eric B. & Rakim as "hip-hop formalists," emphasizing their dedication to preserving funk traditions while pushing rap’s verbal artistry forward. He commended their improvisational talents and synergy, describing the album as "stark, complex and edgy." Notably, Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em was among the earliest albums to receive a perfect 5 mic rating from The Source. Nonetheless, there remains some controversy surrounding who exactly handled production duties on this project.
Don't Sweat the Technique and split up
In 1991, the duo contributed "What's On Your Mind" to the soundtrack of House Party 2 and later recorded the theme song for Juice. Both tracks were included on their final collaborative album, Don't Sweat the Technique, which debuted in 1992. Although not originally planned as their last joint work, their contract with MCA was nearing expiration. During production, both artists expressed desires to pursue solo careers; however, Eric B. declined to sign any release agreement out of concern that Rakim might depart. This impasse triggered legal battles involving their former label and ultimately led to their separation. Eric B. emphasized that financial disagreements stemmed from disputes over master recordings with the label rather than conflicts between themselves:
"The money got split 50/50 from the door... We split all the money from dime one... Even up until now, we split every dime 50/50."
Post-breakup and legacy
Eric B. issued a solo album titled after himself in 1995 through the independent label 95th Street Recordings. Due to legal complications, Rakim’s solo debut was postponed until the release of The 18th Letter in 1997. His subsequent album, The Master from 1999, garnered less enthusiastic critical reception. By the year 2000, Eric B. shifted his focus toward business endeavors beyond music, while Rakim signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label but did not release any albums there. Since then, Rakim has appeared on tracks alongside artists such as Jay-Z, Truth Hurts, Nas, KRS-One, and Kanye West. In 2002, the track "Don't Sweat The Technique" was featured in the video game Aggressive Inline. Rakim later unveiled The Seventh Seal in November 2009.
Ownership of their catalog was unified in 1999 when PolyGram, which controlled Island Records—the label behind Paid in Full—merged with Universal Music Group, the successor to MCA Records, which held rights to their subsequent albums.
Eric B. & Rakim were shortlisted as finalists for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in September 2011 and earned a second nomination in 2024.
Reunion
On October 20, 2016, Eric B. announced via Twitter that he and Rakim had reunited after a 23-year hiatus and intended to embark on a tour in 2017. This reunion was corroborated by Eric B.’s business manager, Uncle Louie, during an interview with Rolling Stone.
Their initial reunion performance occurred at New York City’s renowned Apollo Theater on July 7, 2017. The duo subsequently revealed plans for a spring 2018 U.S. tour consisting of 17 dates.
Rapping technique and jazz influences
Rakim’s approach to rhyming diverged significantly from the straightforward patterns prevalent in early 1980s hip hop, adopting a free-form rhythm often likened to that of jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. As noted by The New York Times' critic Ben Ratliff, Rakim’s “unblustery rapping” pushed the genre beyond its previously rigid rhythmic constraints. Unlike many contemporaries who emphasized improvisation, Rakim introduced a more literary style characterized by internal rhymes and multisyllabic structures. His calm and stoic vocal delivery stood in contrast to the energetic performances typical of predecessors like LL Cool J, KRS-One, and Run-D.M.C.. According to MTV, Rakim’s deliberate and measured flow rendered each line sharp and captivating.
Drawing inspiration from jazz, Rakim was also a saxophonist and held admiration for jazz legend John Coltrane. His lyrics frequently underscored his mastery of rap technique and lyrical prowess. Music critic Steve Huey from AllMusic highlighted Rakim’s emphasis on both his artistic skill and his Islamic beliefs, noting his intricate internal rhyme schemes, sophisticated imagery, fluid delivery, and unexpected rhythmic patterns. Pitchfork characterized his style as “authoritative, polished, and exhibiting an unwavering sense of rhythm.”
Musical style
The album Paid in Full introduced grimy, robust, and dark production elements that signaled the growing prominence of extensive sampling within hip hop. Of its ten tracks, three are purely instrumental pieces. As a DJ, Eric B. revitalized live turntable mixing by incorporating soulful samples that influenced the direction of hip hop production for years to come. Critic Robert Christgau praised Eric B.’s nuanced use of horn or whistle sounds subtly woven into the sampled percussion and scratching techniques.
Accolades
Editors at About.com ranked Eric B. & Rakim fifth among the top 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos ever, while Rolling Stone placed them fifth on their list of the 20 Greatest Duos of all time. The pair received nominations for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in both 2012 and again in 2024.
Discography
- Paid in Full (1987)
- Follow the Leader (1988)
- Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990)
- Don't Sweat the Technique (1992)