The G.O.D MC Rakim, has been touring and performing in celebration of the 25th anniversary of his and DJ Eric B’s debut album Paid In Full. Speaking to MTV News on Wednesday last, the lyricist said ;
“It’s a blessing to be in the game this long and to have your work recognized after 25 years”
He was speaking from his dressing room after performing the first of two shows at the famous New York Jazz club The Blue Note. The New York native was performing with the legendary Hip-Hop group The Roots. Together they performed a collection of hits from the iconic Paid In Full album including I Ain’t No Joke and Eric B Is President. Rakim Allah spoke on the typical lifespan of MC’s in the game and humbly acknowledged his own incredible durability ;
“It’s a big thing, the MC’s life span in the game is maybe seven years, 10 years, 12 years, so to be around and to get respect at this point is a blessing”
The Roots rapper Black Thought explained how Paid In Full was epic and how the album and the G.O.D. Rakim changed the way of Hip-Hop, citing the influence of The Nation of Islam in the lyrical content and how it was about self awareness and also the complexity of the rhyming skill. These were all changes that came about from one album and in particular, Rakim.
“Pre-Paid in Full, you didn’t hear too many records — there were MCs out there, I used to hear some types with MCs rapping about having knowledge of self and dealing with that type of spirituality — but before Rakim, like, pre-Paid in Full, it wasn’t out there like that. It was very much still a rarity”
Black Thought also added ;
“I’m not saying lyrics or rap was simple or simplistic before that, but the complexity of it, the musicality of it changed after Rakim came out.”
