Eric B. & Rakim

Released: July 7, 1987

Songwriter: Eric B. Rakim

Producer: Eric B. Rakim

[Rakim]
Knowledge will begin until I finish this song
'Cause the rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme goes on
You sweat as you step, about to get hype
Or should you just listen to the man on the mic
You're physically in this with me but how could you tell
If it's meant to be hip-hop if you're not mentally as well
Ready to absorb the rhyme that I just poured
Into the mic, so unite and this won't be so bored
If you just keep kickin' listen - to the mix
And think you'll sink into the rhyme like quicksand
Holds and controls you 'til I leave
You fall deeper in the style - it's hard to breathe
The only time I stop is when somebody drop and then
Bring 'em to the front 'cause my rhyme's the oxygen
Then wave your hand - when you're ready I'll send you
Into your favorite dance but let the rhyme continue
And so on and I'mma go on simultaneously
And even if I stop - the rhyme remains to be
Rising to the top - and I came to drop it
Catch it and quiz it - is my topic
Universual 'cause I move everybody to come
By exercising your mind you'll coincide as one
Then look around and see how packed the party starts to get
I draw a crowd - like an architect
The five borroughs react and all the islands attract
And every state can't wait - so they attack
Off a spot on the floor - squeeze in 'cause it's packed
It'll be more room if MCs play the back
I'm the R the A to the K-I-M
If I wasn't, then why would I say I am
The microphone fiend if I was a fake
Whoever said it's just buggin' off the rhymes I make
I had you biting your tongue for what I brung and recite
Sung it on stage some said it don't sound like
The voice on the record - I see what you mean
Because the system was wack, so I had to scream
So just - give me a mic if it's loud I'll blow it
If not - into the crowd I'll throw it
Pull out my cordless mic then entertain you well
Before I let go I'mma spark your brain cells
I took time to write - tonight I will recite
So poetically inclined when the mic is held tight
Rhymes start flowin', kisses are blowin'
MCs are knowin' that's why they're goin'
Home to tell a friend when the party ends
"Yo, man you know Rakim? That brother struck again"
'Cause mic by mic and stage by stage
Tape by tape and page by page
When the crowd is moving I compete with the mix
The rougher the cuts - the rougher the rhyme gets
Deeper and deeper - I hope you understand it
I made it up myself and I planned it
For other MCs who waste time
Writing jokes, riddles, and maybe a rhyme
I cross my arms and I was waiting - but I was hating
The rappers on the microphone was fronting - just faking
They wasn't breakin', which means I was achin'
To get up on the microphone and then start takin'
Control of the mic - uptight when I grabbed it
So hug the speaker - your ear's a magnet
Attracted to a freestyle put in effect
You listen to the man while you're sippin' Moet
So Eric, pick up the needle (yeah) put it in the middle (ahhight)
Give me a scratch, turn my mic up a little
I want you to hear this perfectly clear
Catch what I'm sayin'? You get the idea?
I hope you knowledge the beginning 'cause I'm finished, this song
The rhyme gets rougher as the rhyme flows on...

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 (Expanded Edition)

From the albums

Eric B. & Rakim popular songs

As the Rhyme Goes OnEric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim

Paid in Full (Expanded Edition)