Eric B. & Rakim

Released: July 7, 1987

Songwriter: Eric B. Rakim

Producer: Eric B. Rakim

[Verse 1]
Standing by the speaker, suddenly I had this
Fever, was it me or either summer madness
'Cause I just can't stand around
So I get closer and the closer I get, the better it sound
My mind starts to activate, rhymes collaborate
'Cause when I heard the beat I just had to make
Something from the top of my head
So I fell into the groove of the wax and I said
How could I move the crowd
First of all, ain't no mistakes allowed
Here's the instruction, put it together
It's simple ain't it, but quite clever
Some of you've been trying to write rhymes for years
But weak ideas irritating my ears
Is this the best that you can make?
'Cause, if not, and you got more, I'll wait
But don't make me wait too long 'cause I'ma move on
The dancefloor when they put something smooth on
So turn up the bass, it's better when it's loud
'Cause I like to move the crowd

[Verse 2]
Imagine me with the heat that's made by solar
It gets stronger every time I hold a
Microphone, check the tone to get started
The line for the microphone is departed
So leave it up to me, my DJ is mixing
Everyone is moving but eager to listen
Your hands in the air, your mouth is shut
'Cause I'm on the mic and Eric B is on the cut
For those that know me, indeed I like to flow
Especially when the music's going slow
It gives me a chance to let everybody know
It's time to bust out the Rakim show
I'm the intelligent, wise on the mic I will rise
Right in front of your eyes 'cause I am a surprise
So I'mma let my knowledge be born to a perfection
All praises due to Allah and that's a blessing
With knowledge of self, there's nothing I can't solve
At 360 degrees I revolve
This is actual fact, it's not an act, it's been proven
Indeed and I proceed to make the crowd keep moving

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

From the albums

Eric B. & Rakim popular songs

Move the CrowdEric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim

Paid in Full