Eric B. & Rakim

Released: January 1, 1988

Songwriter: Rakim Eric B.

Producer: Eric B. Rakim

[Intro]
This is a journey into sound (music)
This is a journey into sound
A journey which along the way will bring to you
New color, new dimension, new value

(When all is ready, I throw this switch)
(Pump up the volume
Pump up the volume)
(Pump that bass)

(Im nin'alu daltei n'divim)
(Please err, would you mind saying that again?)
(Im nin'alu daltei n'divim)
(You make me feel so good)

(We interrupt this broadcast to bring you a special news bulletin from our on the spot task force)
(Oh my gosh)
(The music just turns me on)

(He’s a sweet soul brother)

[Scratches Lead: Coldcut]
Thinking of a master plan
Def with record, def with the record
Thinking of a master plan
Def with record, def with the record

[Verse 1: Rakim]
Thinking of a master plan
‘Cause ain't nothing but sweat inside my hand
So I dig into my pocket, all my money is spent
So I dig deeper, but still coming up with lint
So I... start my mission, leave my residence
Thinking, "How could I get some dead presidents?"
I need money; I used to be a stick-up kid
So I think of all the devious things I did

[Scratches interlude: Coldcut]
I used to roll up… roll up… roll up
I used to roll up… roll up… roll up

[Verse 2: Rakim]
I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nothing funny
Stop smiling, be still, don't nutin’ move but the money
But now I learned to earn ‘cause I'm righteous
I feel great; so maybe I might just
Search for a 9 to 5, if I strive
Then maybe I'll stay alive
So I walk up the street whistling this
Feeling out of place ‘cause, man do I miss
A pen and a paper, a stereo, a tape of
Me and Eric B, and a nice big plate of
Fish, which is my favorite dish
But without no money it's still a wish
‘Cause I don't like to dream about getting paid
So I dig into the books of the rhymes that I made
So now to test to see if I got pull
Hit the studio, ‘cause I'm paid in full

(One…two…three…Uhh
One…two…three…Uhh)

(By George... Even London grooves)
(Pump up the volume
Pump up the volume)
(Pump that bass)

(Im nin'alu daltei n'divim
Daltei marom lo nin'alu
El Chai mareimawm)

(Back in the club, how you kids used to laugh at that song)

[Outro: Eric B. & Rakim]
Check this out
Yo, you go to your girl house and I’ll go to mine
‘Cause my girl is definitely mad cause it took us to long to do this album
Yo, I hear what you saying so let’s just pump the music up…
And count our money
Yo well check this out, Yo Eli
Turn the bass down and just let the beat keep on rocking
And we outta here

(Pump up the volume
Pump up the volume)
(Wait a minute; you better talk to my mother)

(Im nin'alu daltei n'divim) (Ok… alright)
(Daltei marom lo nin'alu
El Chai mareimawm) (Ok… alright)

[Ending: Eric B. & Rakim]
Yo, what happened to peace?
Peace

(One…two…three…four)

(Def with the record
Def with the record
Def with the record)
(It’s so fresh)
(Goodnight kids)

(Was it good enough for you?)

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

Paid In Full (Deluxe Edition)

From the albums

Eric B. & Rakim popular songs

Paid in Full (Seven Minutes of Madness – The Coldcut Remix)Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim

Paid In Full (Deluxe Edition)