Historic masterpiece that built a golden age
This work, which combines precise, restrained rhyming with James Brown-based sampling, fundamentally changed the concept of rap.
Recorded in a short space of time at Marley Marl's home studio and Power Play Studios, this album boasts a history of being a turning point. Rakim's subdued vocals emanate complex internal rhymes, while Eric B.'s sharp scratching creates a tense balance. The stripped-back beat of "I Ain't No Joke" reflects the atmosphere of the time, while "I Know You Got Soul," featuring Bobby Byrd, offers a new expression of funk. It was a major influence on subsequent MCs, becoming a major turning point.
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A:
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1)
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I Ain't No Joke
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2)
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Eric B. Is On The Cut
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3)
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My Melody
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4)
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I Know You Got Soul
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5)
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Move The Crowd
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B:
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1)
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Paid In Full
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2)
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As The Rhyme Goes On
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3)
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Chinese Arithmetic
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4)
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Eric B. Is President
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5)
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Extended Beat
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Producer, Written-By - Eric B. & Rakim
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Engineer - Patrick Adams
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Mastered By - Herb "Pump" Powers Jr.
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Engineer - Elai Tubo
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Executive-Producer - Robert Hill
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Art Direction - Ruth Kaplan
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Photography By - Ron Contarsy
