“Rakim Is The Reason Why I Rap. The Reason Why I Rap Is Because Of That Man”

Written By S. Samuel

In light of Eric B. and Rakim's Paid in Full hip-hop classic getting re-released in honor of its 25th anniversary, rap veteran Erick Sermon talked to SOHH about his undying admiration toward the iconic emcee.

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Despite having endless music to his name, Sermon credits getting influenced by Eric B. and Rakim’s records from the 1980’s for shaping his rap career.

“Rakim is the reason why I rap,” Sermon told SOHH. “The reason why I rap is because of that man. Rakim. Of course I rhymed growing up but I knew I could do it when I heard ‘Eric B. for President.’ That’s when I knew that I could do that.” (SOHH)

Last weekend, Rakim announced plans to re-release the iconic 1987 Paid in Full LP.

Eric B. and Rakim have plans to re-release their classic album, Paid in Full. Rakim made that clear in an interview with AllHipHop this past weekend, following his performance with The Roots for their Roots Picnic 2012 event in Philadelphia. “We got the 25th anniversary of the Paid in Full album we about to release as well,” Ra told the hip-hop website. “It’s going to be a couple of new treats on that.” (XXL Mag)

In summer 2011, the hip-hop pioneer celebrated the album’s legacy.

“It’s a blessing to be in the game this long and to have your work recognized after 25 years,” Rakim said in an interview. “It’s a big thing. The MC’s lifespan in the game is maybe seven years, 10 years, 12 years, so to be around and to get respect at this point is a blessing.” (MTV)

Eric B. and Rakim’s album is most known for helping push hip-hop’s boundaries.

Paid In Full is routinely mentioned as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time and announced the emergence of legendary rhymer Rakim, who’s gift for wordplay elevated the art of emceeing seemingly overnight. The album is also credited with popularizing James Brown samples, which would become a hip hop staple well into the mid-1990s. (Hip Hop Blog)

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Written by S. Samuel

Steven Samuel is the co-founder of SOHH.com.

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