Eric B. & Rakim

Released: May 22, 1990

Songwriter: Rakim

Producer: Eric B. Rakim Paul C Large Professor

[Verse 1]
Me and the rap's laid back
Nonchalant and relaxed in the track
Put together well, so it ain't hard to tell
Easy to recognize, so my records are sell
On the microphone, well known with a low tone
Show and prove when the stage show is shown
All you hear is screams when I'm hit by the laser beams
Ladies fiend, rappers are choosin' up teams
To hook the beat up, just before we meet up
Before I kick a rhyme, I kick my feet up
To let you know, everything's under control
Under surveillance, takin' over your soul
So let me handle this, gettin' scandalous
All my jams are hits, never plan to miss
Crowd is captured, released at my permission
Peep 'em, as I, keep 'em eager to listen

[Verse 2]
Opponents are found paralyzed from the mic down
Left with a little sight, ears still hear the sound
Try to clear your mind, but it's still there
Give him about a year, then give him a wheelchair
I damage and deteriorate, till you're brain dead
No huss cuss what I discuss bust his head
Here's some hearing aids when your eardrums fail
You get scars, so you could read it in braille
Close your third eye, then I do bodywork
And I keep the same procedure till somebody's hurt
My DJ'll sew up cuts like an M.D
And I still move crowds like an M.C
Entertainer-tear you out of your frame
Leave you in a puddle of blood, then let it rain
Then I get deep, so try to withstand
On my level to think, or sink like quicksand
He couldn't hang, so I cut the rope short
Watchin' 'em fall, 'cause they need more support
This is the way that I done, all of my competition
Peep 'em, as I, keep 'em eager to listen

Keep 'em eager to listen

[Verse 3]
The performance I give 'em is, something like a hypnotism
Swinging back and forth, 'till you can keep the rhythm
At the tone of my voice, you will become
Eager to listen, dance in a trance 'till you see the
R on stage, no cheers, all ears
All three of your eyes on me, so it appears
Just like you thought it would be, but even better
Live and direct on stage, instead of the
Radio or video or studio rehearsin'
I'm at my best in flesh in person
The main attraction, center of attention
The crowd will go crazy, soon as I mention
It's time to communicate, so let's conversate
I get my point across when you respond I make sense
So now we could continue the mission
As I, keep 'em eager to listen

As I, keep 'em eager to listen

[Verse 4]
I used to always say one day
I'll play in the N-B-A, 'cause I'll slay
Opponents well, and also excel
As a black quarterback in the N-F-L
My goal's to score, so I can hear the crowd roar
Keep 'em out of they're seats, and on the floor
And when I win, it'll pump my adrenaline
My record is undefeated, and I'll win again
I'll never lose or hear boos from the audience
'Cause they participate and applaud me, since
I bring 'em what they want to hear
And they'll fill up the atmosphere
With people that came to party, and have a good time
So when I'm gone, I'm sure, you understood the rhyme
Because I promise to accomplish the mission
'Cause I, keep 'em eager to listen

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.

more tracks from the album

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em

From the album

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em (1990)

Eric B. & Rakim popular songs

Keep ’Em Eager to ListenEric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em