Rakim

Rakim is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest rappers of all time. In terms of how he delivers his lyrics -- most of which assert his skills, wisdom, and Islamic faith -- the Long Island native is virtually unparalleled. His flow is smooth and liquid, imposing yet conversational, inflected with jazz rhythms and an air of effortless cool. As one-half of Eric B. & Rakim in the '80s and early '90s, Rakim raised the bar for MC technique and helped to pioneer the use of internal rhyme schemes. Where many contemporaries developed their approach through improvisational battles,...