Eric B. & Rakim

Released: July 26, 1988

Songwriter: Eric B. Rakim

Producer: Rakim Eric B.

[Verse 1]
Whoever underestimated, still waited
Pumpin' the radio, finally they played it
You wondered how come the album was late?
I was givin' you time to get the last one straight
The show must go on, I got somethin' to dance to
Slow it down and romance to, and give me a chance to
Keep you in tune and up to par
Then you're doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
Doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)

[Verse 2]
Somethin' new and to keep you doin' what'cha doin'
This is for you and your crew and for who in
The vicinity, I don't need no identity
I see hands in the air, that means many be
Cooperatin', I can't stop relatin'
Hip-hop is makin' more sense when I'm statin'
Paragraphs of potential to prevent you from usin' my instrumental
Keep in mind, I meant to
Illustrate another iller break immediately
Hurry up and learn the words and repeat it with me
Then soon, you're in tune and up to par
And then you're doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
Keep doin' it, you keep doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)

[Verse 3]
In the summertime, pockets bulgin'
Something's happenin', then I'm indulgin'
Music is mine, Gucci seats reclined
Gold grill, a paint job will shine
Pull up in the park and then pop the trunk
Turn up the bass and let the system thump
A block party starts to form, people start to swarm
Loud as a ghetto blaster, word is bond
Records remind you of a madness
The moment it's played, you get glad it's
The return of the brother, keepin' you up to par
And you're doing it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)

[Outro]
You know what I'm sayin'?
The microphone fiend Rakim in full effect
DJ Eric B. need more records to wreck
To the Queens posse, you’re doin' it with the R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
Brooklyn, you’re doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
The Bronx is doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
Manhattan, keep doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
And Strong Island, you’re doin it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
Wyandanch and the Paid In Full posse doin' it with The R
(The R, The R, The R, The R ...)
Peace to the Nation of Islam
And I'm outta here
Out, out, out

Eric B. & Rakim are a duo made of DJ Eric B. and MC Rakim. The two worked in the late ‘80s and early '90s and are considered to be one of the best and the most influential duos of all time.

The duo made their big break in 1987 with their classic album, Paid in Full which is considered to be one of the best rap albums of all time.

After that, they made three more albums – Follow the Leader, Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em, and Don’t Sweat the Technique – before splitting up.

The REric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim

Follow the Leader