Rakim - It's Been A Long Time [DJ Premier - Original Version]

[BABYMAN287]

I didn't know there could be 12 gay people on one page.

[RUSSTRADAMUS]

on another NOTE (lmao) I think every TIGHT RAPPER that spent 6 MONTHS or MORE bullshitting @ AFTERMATH RECORDS cuz of DR. DRE ... should get to PUNCH DRE in the FACE once as HARD as they can on CAMERA ... RA wasted a couple years cuz of DR. (overrated procrastinator) DRE

[RUSSTRADAMUS]

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME - STAY A WHILE - GUESS WHOS BACK

I played the shit out of when I bought this album

but I think this was my FAVORITE off of the album

"YOU CAN SEE ME STOP & ASK ME WHEN THE ALBUM DROPPING"

dont no why RA doesnt put out more MATERIAL though ?? hes either a PERFECTIONIST - LAZY or doesnt wanna OVERSATURATE himself ... but I could deal with a NEW RAKIM song EVERY WEEK instead of all the GARBAGE ASS RAPPERS that drop one every week now

[MuzikJunkyAES]

To those who don't know, Rakim is the greatest emcee of all time. Read your books, and know your history! Peace.

[mnc3fly]

Happy Birthday RA

[gigolo25]

Damn who are the people commenting on this string? Everybody has a rapper that's better than Rakim, point blank simple and plain there will never be an MC as nice on the MIC as the R.

[jjclownyseed2008]

I am white, overweight, and have mild asthma. So I've come to say that this man has nothing on Pac!! And definitely has nothing on Jesus!! This guy just says he is the god of the mic in this and raps about how good he is. Tupac led a revolution, and Jesus brought salvation. I don't see this guy nearly at the same level.

[gigolo25]

@jjclownyseed2008 You're right, when he looks down he see's Tupac. This dude changed Hip Hop, Tupac just made music. The funny thing is this song was made when he fell off, but it's still fire. Listen to his shit from the late 80's. Then again all of the bandwagon rap fans always bring up Tupac, even though he died when they were like 5

[jjclownyseed2008]

@gigolo25 Tupac's lyrics have more meaning to me for the way I see the world, and Rakim's fire and history inspires you for reasons I won't understand. It's a matter of perspectives and different time periods. One thing tho, there is no MC God or greatest rapper in reality. It's all just one big continuum. These are the Rakim threads, and people hate when people hate on Rakim in his thread, same as when people hate Biggie haters on his thread, or Pac haters on his thread. I retract my hate.

[MrJazzHOP]

Rakim is the Black Frank Sinatra of New York, the God MC in the game of Hip-Hop. Such a title can never be eclipsed, particularly when brothers like Nas, GZA and KRS-ONE refer to him as such. Many may follow, but the leader leads. True legend!

[ogkeedah]

Riiiight



[vidaa82]

rakim is like the bruce lee of mc's.

[cosmmic1]

eminem is beter but rakn is dope af too

[abstractded]

@cosmmic1 lol no one comes close to ra. period point blank, you can't outdo god.

[danxsmoke]

best mc alive hands down

[risingpauler]

@larchy1313 this is the second time ive seen ur comment

[pangdogmichael]

so smooth that I can replace my butter with rakim's flow

[tcrizzle714]

XD that's my brother

[TheRealLPSC]

Posted this to Facebook to show everyone the Hip-Hop they are missing. Greatest Rapper of all time, and greatest Producer of all time. And that isn't even an opinion! Already repeated it 3 times now...

[HighQuality1992]

greatest album ever

[larsy1313]

YO CHECK OUT

Eli G - Keep On Going

[FusionC6]

Best. Shit. Ever. Been listening to this since I heard it. Can't get old. I didn't know this was a Premier beat, funny that is doesn't surprise me at all. ILL SHIT!

[80leftfield]

Be positive and stop making alliance with your parasites.....

[risingpauler]

@moneyxl100 waaaat tupac is the best of the worst. maybe the worst of the best idk

[imgod808]

Nas is better

[gsixzero]

@imgod808 Nas himself wouldn't even agree with that

[mwondu]

@gsixzero i know right

lol nas got mad respect for rakim

[wolverine668]

@imgod808 nope

[killerF]

@imgod808 i just created another account so i could dislike twice.

[MrsTravesty]

@killerF hahahahahahhaa

[Zachnewscoop420]

@killerF u have no taste in hiphop. rakim has one of the best flows it hiphop history. do your homework.

[killerF]

@Zachnewscoop420 lol you mad fool, i was DISLIKING the "nas is better comment" . learn to read before you bash on random people. fake ass bitch

[jason60152]

@killerF Cormega is better than Rakim if Nas isn't.

[SpoxPrzem]

@imgod808

The flow is incomparable. Nas, Rakim- The Legends

[Mylesmuchi]

Go to my page & Listen to my rendition of this song if u love the original as much as i do!

[hiphop4life24678]

@moneyxl100 hahaha kid dont make me laugh

[hiphop4life24678]

Rakim you say lyrical terrorist?

Rakim you say best rapper?

NO! he is simply a God of the mic...

[moneyxl00]

@hiphop4life24678  Tupac is the god of rap...

[abstractded]

ra is the GOAT, nobody comes close

[MrFuzzySlippas]

how can dislike on black Mr. Clean with a wicked flow and ill lyrics?

[NOSIDDa0043]

check out my channel for some raw lyricism!! peace

[Mylifedecoded]

This is lyricism man, he started it!

Rakim to Nas to Eminem.

[likabikalot]

Rakim.  One of the all time greatest. My Strong Island boy!

[iamLurkn]

The best MC to live I promise. Then its Tupac,Eminen,Biggie & such & such. He truly started that lyrical shit.

[sublimenese]

It's been a long time since people have been pumping some quality hip hop like this.

[iamLurkn]

@sublimenese true that.

[hotfudge64]

damn there is a diff between rakim and jb u know what ppl should kill jb fuck him

[breewka]

Premier my vinyl sensei

[nativefrmda405]

i dont usually listen to hip hop.....but this mothafucka RULES!!!

[larsy1313]

CHECK OUT...

Eli G

[mezalong]

sick producer, sick rapper, kinda aged bit not as good, just an opinion cuz

[MrJazzHOP]

I know this sounds a stretch to some cats, but I just listened again to The 18th Letter Album (my 100th time) and having listened to Nas' Ilmatic a million times (it seems), I still think Rakim's lyrical content, flow, use of metaphores and internal ryhme schemes eclipse Nas! Just the title song alone is disdarmingly dope. Rakim truly is the most lyrically untouchable brother - hence his unmatched title:"God MC".

[MrRoodenbug]

Premier + rakim = perfection

[saigondakar]

18TH LETTER ALBUM IS MUST-HAVE.

CLASSIC PRODUCERS, SICK FLOWS AND RAKIM POEMS...

[berna6900]

THIS SHIT IS FUCKING HIP HOP! FUCK YEA

[MrJazzHOP]

Yeah, Rakim is untouchable. His fluidity and poetic abilities give him an edge so sharp that to step to him would be instant extinction.

[kahorepohaka]

@MrJazzHOP fuk yea couldn't put it better than that bro!

[cornbred21215]

Pure HipHop!!!!!

[unknonvato]

true classic great work of both legends big ups to the ogs rakim n premier

[PatJD91]

Lyrical Braggadocio.

[diego61422]

MC=Master of Ceremony=Rakim ;)

[Mrprincejannisg]

Dope Beat by Premo, but Rakim destroyed this!

[fandenaito78]

i love song ...

[Oddity4040]

Rakim! DJ Premier is So sick.....

[TheMemoSZ]

nice its been a long time i searched something like that !

[STYLEDIPPEDINCANE]

yo he said qudafi was unstoppable

[migueleato]

@STYLEDIPPEDINCANE thats before he died

[risingpauler]

im still listenin to this ery day. fuck off both nas and rakim are ill

[migueleato]

@risingpauler yup

[MrJazzHOP]

Seriously, if you don't have Rakim's album The 18th Letter, I strongly urge you to get a copy. Not having this is like not having Illmatic. And quite honestly, Rakim's flow and erudition lyrically is superior to Nas. This brother has skillz like no other.

[thekillamc21]

@MrJazzHOP rakim made nas without no rakim there is no nas.. real shit

[EjofVybenation]

aye check out the remix ft. A-Maze on my page!!

[orondehi]

WORD UP the god rakim......make me rap still...

[timeline46]

born in the early 90's 1992! Got the opportunity to listen to amazing real lyricists for a change! Only a select few can come forth with a ounce of talent that they have! I appreciate the raw realness of hip hop! It will live forever!

[Elementblitz]

wish i could go back to the 80's and 90's to live in the real hip hop days, too bad i was born in 1995.all of these guys from back then are the true pioneers of hip hop.

[jimolympic]

11 people shine Rick Ross' badge

[risingpauler]

steping

[sh1uk]

WHAT...you can't be treating Rakim like a steping stone....he was a creator of a new STYLE of rap...sh1

[sh1uk]

@sh1uk *stepping

[QNFTy]

I love this so much.

[Addiky]

I feel this more than the new school. More meanings and more rhymes, cool shit.

[jason60152]

@Addiky This song is cool but Lil Wayne's stuff is better.

[NAVYWIFEONE]

DAM DID HE EVEN AGE?

HE LOOK LIKE HE DID IN THE 80'S WHEN I SAW HIM WOW!!!

YOU LOOK GOOD

RAKIM

STILL CAN RAP TOO.

[ryanbachrach]

And Pink is Black in england! |P•S: FREE MACAU byø

[djonri1]

loko... dj premier ...

[7wiiskate]

follow procedures....

[TackerJD]

This is classic. No matter when it came out. Its a song that stands up on its own and is gonna remain standing even after its been a long time.

[187mobwestisthebest]

im named after you rakim

[bboySpock]

what happened between him and eric b?

sorry if its a dumb question but just wondering

[james12786]

Rakim isnt a shit rapper but personally as a duo with Eric B is where he shines the most apart from Madvillain thats probably my favourite Hip Hop duo of all time.

[bubski420]

11 dislikes!!! WTF!! They must be deaf!!! Hip Hop dont get any realer than this!!!

[esp326]

....

[WarrenGifford]

whos lil wayne

[TheRealReQuisite]

@WarrenGifford never heard of him bro

[Graail7]

@WarrenGifford Who?

[dawg871]

@WarrenGifford I wish i didn't know man!

[flackyc]

i am th best rappr u b0000000

[X22theZ]

This is fucking real hip hop.. fuck yall

[MusicReviews802]

Too bad Premier and Rakim weren't on good terms

[MoneyTalks1132]

@MusicReviews802 i also heard nas and premier werent on good terms either, too bad.

[DeepSpaceIX]

@MoneyTalks1132 I'm not sure if that's true. Pete Rock and Nas weren't/aren't on good terms because they found they were messing with the same girl around the time Illmatic was out.

[MoneyTalks1132]

@DeepSpaceIX ouch, that i didnt know.

[DeepSpaceIX]

@MoneyTalks1132 Yeah it sicks though because they could've made some dope music.

[MusicReviews802]

@MoneyTalks1132 I'm not sure about that. Premier produces many of NaS's tracks

[101bensmith]

check this - HOW...TO..RAP

that is what the

book's title is, where all the

classic legends of

Emceeing write down their methods

to save emceeing in a book...

[MisterJimbo101]

@101bensmith stop sponsoring that shit everywhere you fucktard we wont be buying your book..

[goldenmonkey77]

I've been listening to hip hop for 25 years. Every day I hear fantastic producers, DJ's and riffs that stand out. But I'm yet to hear a better MC. It's been a long time.....

[CamoSniper87]

@goldenmonkey77 Tupac biggie smalls are the best.

[jmarrvin]

@CamoSniper87 Not completely true. Neither would have been so great if they hadn't learned from Rakim, and he also arguably has a better flow than Biggie.

[CamoSniper87]

@jmarrvin ye true, i think 2pac and rakim and nas are the best

[JL3GEND2]

@goldenmonkey77 well, im lookin for a dj and beats to spit on. Im a new mc. But taken my influences from Biggie, Pac, Big Pun, Big L, Nas, Rakim, Slick Rick, Eminem and Big Daddy Kane to form my style. I don't rap about havin "swagga" and fuckin bitches and money. I bring the 80's/90's back to the mic. But no one wants to hear it now....

[swizzle69]

@JL3GEND2 I do, I'm still livin in the 90's arent you?.....doesn't matter what anyone else tells you or what others are listening to, do your own thing

[Cenzanakona]

Since I came in the door

Said it before

No I ain't down with Eric B no more

[iCLaSSiiC]

i can't even comprehend how good this is.... top 20 hip hop songs

[MrPatrick6789]

ive noticed that he says alot of things here that he says in "Holy are you"

[WWEYankee]

Tupac>Rakim>Nas>Biggie>Dre>mai­nstream rappers

[omghahaxd]

how about half of Wu Tang?

[WWEYankee]

@omghahaxd there beast to

[McLovinMcNugget]

@omghahaxd more than half

[omghahaxd]

@McLovinMcNugget true

[negoitagabi]

@WWEYankee agreed



[xhoni123456]

@WWEYankee HMMM

maybe i agree with top 3

but i can tell you about 30 rappers better than dre

[WWEYankee]

@xhoni123456 y dont u lik dre

[xhoni123456]

@WWEYankee com on man???do you really think dre is a good rapper??he is a dope producer ,no doubt ,but he is far from being to top 5 rappers,(big l ,big pun ,gza ,killah priest ,k rino ,canibus ,cage , bizzy bone , mos def , common, ice cube ,nas ,chino xl, rass kass, pharoahe monch,guru ...etc are by far more lyrical)

peace

[WWEYankee]

@xhoni123456 tht wasnt in order of greatness those were just my favs bc i thnk dre is just dope

[xhoni123456]

@WWEYankee ok

[swagLilBallin11]

If Rakim,Jay Electronica & Nas Had A Song My Head Would Explode

[clockiminator]

on every bullshyat i watch on youtube.. i am so fckin sure that RAKIM's songs have the lowest LIKE/DISLIKE ratio.. LEGENDARY STATUS..

everytime i go thru his songs.. its just love !

[THEGAMERS61701]

I really dont understand how anybody who claims to like rap could dis-like any of Rakim's videos? It just doesnt make sense to me.

[xFightingIrish34]

Mom: Can you take out the garbage?

Me: Ok

Mom: Thanks

[Orlando2Vegas]

I remember exactly where i was @ when i heard this song, I was in toronto, canada ~ at a record store on yonge street called Play de Record!~! wow

[funkychild000]

Rakim is still one of the deepest on the mic since adidas!

[rjvernesto]

"Still Leave Authors & Writers with Arthritis ..." - Rakim .

[The808Prophet]

this track blows me away

[swagLilBallin11]

yall "Real" Hip Heads Are Dicks

[AllPro777]

@swagLilBallin11

Your username has "swag" and "lil" in it, so my guess is you were either a baby during the era of real hip-hop or not born yet since that word wasn't used back then, we just said "swagger". Here is the deal: there is still real hip-hop but very little and the balance is off. Too many guys that can't rhyme a lick are on top. This is bad. When Rakim was at his peak there were a lot of great emcees in the mainstream. Today we might only have like 1 or 2 and thats being generous.

[swagLilBallin11]

@AllPro777 i didn't even read what you said im at a rakim video cause i want to & i like rakim plain & simple.

[AllPro777]

@swagLilBallin11

Yeah okay. You read it. Quit tryna front. Smh.

[swagLilBallin11]

@AllPro777 i read "Your username has "swag" and "lil" in it" that is all

[The808Prophet]

his best song

[rjvernesto]

we actually feel Rakim's Voice & Premo's Beat competing each other throught out this Track .

Both Wins at Last & the Disk itself is Applauding with it's Scratches :)

[lcolby11]

hall of famer

[AakwardAardvark]

u can tell a song by its first line

Follow procedures, the crowd couldn't wait to see this

Nobody been this long awaited since Jesus

damn..

[CHARGERS7443]

true legend in the game

[Eazyroger]

@gerryg1982 I saw your comment a few weeks ago so I ordered the book, got it yesterday, its amazing man thanks for posting that comment haha.. I'd like to start writing lyrics and making beats etc. but its still hard for me, because I am Dutch so first I need to understand English 100 %.. but I love HipHop so I will try to keep HipHop alive.. many of us here should be doing that... don't let Hiphop die... Keep it alive!! Try to start rapping, writing lyrics, making beats etc.!! Peace out...

[McGinnsey]

I really dont get the comment for the video..........""This is one of those (rare) joints where the rapper actually outshines DJ Premier"" WTF does that mean? Cus this is one of the best beats in hip hop ive ever heard! The rhymes fit perfectly to the beat... as they are supposed to! There is no way that one outshined the other, cus the track would be wack otherwise!!

[blue1161]

@McGinnsey AGREED!

[stonekapolo]

@McGinnsey you got a point.. some people are just quick to post a comment and dont think.. the thing that makes a song good is the beat plus how the rapper approach the beat.. together it becomes nice and classic

[hakeemfizzy1]

10 people can't realize nor recognize true hip hop

[jellybalboa]

@HeadHipHop they should be joint to the hip so they can hop and never go pop

[yomadda67]

I just noticed Rakim never uttered a single curse word in this whole album, look at the cover no parental advisory sticker, and this is one of the greatest albums I've heard, Rakim is The G.O.A.T.

[Lilart1981]

@yomadda67 That's a true LYRICIST right there!

It just shows that his vocabulary is large & the profanity would block out the thoroughness of it... He's a pure genius in my opinion!

[zackin2001]

Im 15 and this is the type of shit that i listen to and always will, FUCK: Wiz Khalifa, Wocka Cocka Flame, Lil Wayne, CSD, New Boyz, Rick Ross, Birdman, Young Jeezy, Plies, DJ Khaled, Odd Future, Tyga, The new Eminem, B.o.B., and all the other bullshitters(except Lupe Fiasco) oh and Drake could be an amazing rapper if he got off Lil Wayne and Young Money's dick.

[SPKID597]

@zackin2001 the new eminem is sober, asshole

[zackin2001]

@SPKID597 yeah thats great, but he was still better in the 90's

[Gir77661]

Okay honestly I have been anti-rap until I heard this. Rap like this is pretty good but it's been dumbed down to the point that it takes no talent. And no, this isn't biased- I hate modern rap. I love all kinds of music except rap and hip hop but "old school" rap like this is awesome.

[rakimkoolgrapwutang]

@Gir77661 da underground scene is still good 2day. percee p dropped a real gud album in 2007. i cant rememba da name of da album but put it on the line was the main song on it

[swagLilBallin11]

For Everyone Who Doesn't Like Lil Wayne I DON'T CARE Nor Does Anyone Else.Why Would Wayne Be Even Thought Of 2 Different Times 2 Different People.Wiz Khalifa Isn't Known Has A Good Ass Lyricist He Like To Make Money & Smoke Weed.Rakim Is Probably The Best Lyricist Of All Time You Should Say How Good This Amazing Wordsmith Is Instead "Oh Fuck Lil Wayne He Should Die Fuck That Faggot" He Has A Daughter Who He Try To Keep Feeding & Keeping Clothes On Her Back.He Supports His Family.

[The808Prophet]

@swagLilBallin11 we hate lil wayne, u really think we care about his seeds?

[lk30428]

Before there was a Notorious B.I.G,2pac,Nas,Jay-z Eminem, Wu-Tang, Snoop, big L big pun there was the master the true GOD MC he went by the name of Rakim name a rapper that he didn't influence I don't think you can

[crisis7hyped]

@monstaslaya for real. people who dont recognize true talent need to stick with lil wayne and wiz though. all they do for true mcees' such a rakim is set a bad fan base because they dont recognize meaning behind lyrics. lil wayne fans enjoy an auto tune and beat. I just say fuck em while i mob to true HiP HoP!!

[jabny19]

THANK YOU!



[24rickdizzle]

Its been a long time.......and it will be even longer until we see the likes of The Master 

[iCLaSSiiC]

@24rickdizzle nope he's working on another album

[TheRhythmCollection]

I'm [double-digit numbers below 25] from [insert country, or American state]. My [friend, colleagues, family, classmates etc.] only listen to bad music like [insert mainstream artist like Justin Bieber or Soulja Boy]. When I mention Hip Hop they think about [mention mainstream or very bad rappers]. Why can't anyone listen to real old school rappers like [insert a bunch of pioneers of the top of the dome]. Todays music suck, and I'm special.