@AllPro777 Im 14 and listen to old school shit everyday nas, tupac, biggie, krs one , ll cool j, ice cube and eminem. but i agree 99 percent of kids my age listen to shit like lil wayne and mac miller
@ThumbsUpMike: What's this talk about Nas. Damn, man - would you cats back the fuck off. This is Rakim, he's called "God MC" by Nas for Christ sake! Not to mentionl those who are In the game. The 18th Letter is one album that proves why this brother is the most lyrically limber MC to bless a mic. In fact, just the title song The 18th Letter is example of Ra's exeplary use of flow and internal rhyme schemes. Nas is dope, but Rakim is a deep, erudite brother with mad skillz. Legendary!
Amazing, with this man in the history books, with his contributions to history on a few key punches away, Lil Wayne is somehow considered good. I can't understand it.
I often state in my oppinion Big L & Pun were the most lyrical to ever have done it, Rakim is known for his mellow slow flow, this track is a nice example of how lyrical he is.
@ThumbsUpMike To be entirely honest with you initially i wasnt too fond of Nas, but as the years passed and i had heard tonnes of different mcs i have started to truely appreciate Nas, i do agree he isnt often underrated, and throughout the years has come out hard and real. But in my oppinion Rakim and both Big Pun & L rate higher then Nas to me.
@AllPro777 Not true lol Im 14 and i know this is real hip hop. So either im a young grown man or that kid's just plain stupid lol. Mainstream changed a polluted many minds into thinkin that they were the best of the best. seriously im amazed the power of the radio. At school i keep hearin shit like Weezy and kill B.I.G. And more shit like Big L is shit. And they say NaS has no lyrics. Trust me it's a pain in the ass how people think that 20 second pauses a bar is Real Hip Hop
That's great to hear. It's only your generation that can change this problem now. I can only hope that many more come along who are like you, because if not this thing is doomed.
I have to agree with this guy. Rakim is my favorite rapper. Most favorite rapper of all time. But aside from "Guess who's back," his beats haven't been all that good. And if they were he would have received much more views, a larger fan base, and more noteriety. His lyrics are crazy and unparalleled by any artist, but if the beat isn't good, people won't listen.
@DarkReapersGrim most of ra's beats are made by eric b, pete rock, or dj premo, with a brief stint of dr dre making his beats... all 4 are legendary producers, so its not like he has shit beats, he just doesn't have pussy ass sellout club beats he stays true and goes with true hip hop beats... he could probably acapella with the same results anyways he has too ill flow its not even fair
The greatest, most inspiring artist...that's Rakim Allah, from Long Island. Mostly only thorough niggas from the streets, especially streets of NY, can understand this...exercise the mind.
Classic hiphop. I copped this 12inch in philly when it first came out. That was back in the day when crate diggin was as addictive as crack. Shout out to funko mart in philly the illest record store in philly back in the day
Soon or later all the hip hop fans will hear about Rakim, then they will realize many MC's got their idea from Rakim. The most influential rapper ever. All praises due Rakim A.L.L.A.H
that's not true, he even had to learn what flow was from earlier mc's like run dmc, sugarhill gang, furious five, etc., so he's not the first to rhyme, nor did he "give" mc's "ideas", he just gave inspiration to get in the rap game to other rappers. btw, he just started to expand his range of song topics after pac and big died.. coincidence? nope, at first it was all about his rhyme skills bt he decided to try and diversify. peace
God Ra's flow is identical to non. He father a style without any influences from the played out old school rappers. He influenced rappers like Nas, Raeakwon and myriad of rappers pay homage to Rakim. It is a fact that Rakim is the most influential rapper of all time. Even commercial rappers like Pac and Biggie could not raise black awareness and Asiatic state of mind like Rakim. What kind of positive contribution have rappers like Run Dmc, Suger Hill Gang gave to the hip hop community?
there is no God of hip hop, and if there is it'd easily be pac shakur and millions of people would agree with me. but also, you're not even listening, rakim wasn't the first to flow, as I said and those rap groups that you mentioned were the first to start what "flow" is to him and all the other rappers in existence. eric b got his style of dj'ing from dmc, and flow wise rakim had to learn from somewhere he didn't originate hip hop. pac only got commerical with all eyez on me. cont..
but even with all eyez on me, the music was anything but "commercial" if u listen to it, it was just "considered" commerical because it was soo popular. now melle mel, the furious five, they were the true originators of anyone's rap style point blank. and it's also the fact that as far as black awareness, rakim didn't even have as much popularity as biggie, and big had huge influence. as far as black awareness, he did not have the most influence when it comes to that topic at all. peace
but it's mostly opinion anyway, more rappers payed homage to pac and big then any other rapper even him, altho yes your right, nas raekwon and a bunch of rappers gave rakim props for his unique style, to me he's just not the greatest, but one of the greatest.
Tupac and Biggie are violent rappers. They did not contribute nothing positive to the hip hop community. They were early adopters those furious five. Just Imagine that all the rapper sound like them nowadays. That would be crazy wack. But Rakim was the first rapper to influence rappers with his dope raps. I think when it comes to lyrical content Tupac and Biggie can not touch god Rakim. God Rakim's music is not accessible for the avarage rap fan. Rakim makes music for the true hip hop heads.
well as you can see pac and big grew up in violent enviornments and had to sell drugs and carry guns, etc. just to get by day to day so that's why they spoke about the hardships of the most violent black communities, but if you listen to pac's music, he had so many uplifting, deep songs that rakim never made. rakim talks mostly about his own skill level and is self centered in his style, rarely ever spoke about true societal issues that affected his community like pac did.. cont.
as far as lyrical content, I suggest you look more into tupac, and biggies music, they both had lyrics that did indeed surpass rakim, flow wise and lyrically. all eyez on me, life after death, ready to die etc.. rakim may have done his thing in the rap game but he has definitely been surpassed. rakim makes music for the true hip hop fans, but worldwide alot of people wouldn't have known about rakim if other artists hadn't got hip hop popular in other countries. a bridge to the lesser known ones
"can't c me" "all eyez on me" "got my mind made up" "scared straight" "everything they owe" "let knowledge drop" "thugs mansion", jus a few songs that might change someone's mind.
I agree with Pac quotes like 'Darker the skin deeper the roots' and 'Marvin had me thinking black is the thing to be'. I think it is a quite an art to flip the negative sides of the community and save the kids from all the violence that was the main purpose of hip hip when it started in the Bronx. God Rakim is born in Queens that is the largest projects on earth. What do you think about that environment? also drugs and violence, but rakim flipped to a positive picture. He is still a gangster.
I had to discover Rakim. I was listing to Ice-T and all the west coast gangster rap. I soon found out that god Rakim influenced Ice-T. I call him god because he is part of the Nation of gods and earths. In that culture people call each other A.L.L.A.H. That stands for arm, leg, leg, arm, head. That is why Rakim is called god. Tupac is no part of Nation of Gods and the Earths that is why hip hop fans do not call him god. I think you need to recognize not Rakim is flowing, but every rapper flows.
RUN DMC have given plenty into the hip hop community.their music showed inner-cith youths that what they had achieved was possible for anyone.they may have never literally said it but thats what i always thought they were spreading.
As for the Sugarhill Gang, their music is something to dance to and bump at clubs.well it was back in their era.maybe not so much now
yes it is a coincidence.thats why Eric B and Rakim split.Rakim wanted to follow a solo career to do his own stuff and this was been decided before either artists had passed on.Eric B didn't want to do this though cause he thought Rakim was going to leave him for good.
Still Slammin after all these years....so many new punk ass artists need to put out material like this. Tribe, Eric B & Rakim, Pete Rock & CL, Gangstarr.....those were the days!
Rap like this just gives me hope
Martianology 1 week ago
rakim is the greatest to ever do it. show me a track by you favorite MC this deep.
Darwyn7 1 month ago 3
@AllPro777
:D !
imtheFreshest 1 month ago
Comment removed
imtheFreshest 1 month ago
One of Saigon's favourite things
jonasty42 1 month ago 2
@jonasty42 thats where i heard it too, word up to saigon!
tiearmy7 1 month ago
@AllPro777 Im 14 and listen to old school shit everyday nas, tupac, biggie, krs one , ll cool j, ice cube and eminem. but i agree 99 percent of kids my age listen to shit like lil wayne and mac miller
TheeTeacha3000 1 month ago
YOU KNOW GODS RYMIN ON THIS JOINT..RAKIM IS NUMERO UNO...HANDS DOWN...TELL THE BITCH ASS TO GO CHECK "FOLLOW THE LEADER"...YOUNGSTERS..
TOMMYBOSTON508 2 months ago
why does this brother not get mention with the greatest lyricists of all time?
blacprezz 2 months ago
@blacprezz Oh, his name stays in the conversation, in most cases begin the conversation...when REAL heads are talkin'.
oskamadison 1 month ago
"i guess it aint where ya from its where ya at"
brennanthebrown 2 months ago 3
007 is back and relaxin
bigchad007 2 months ago
sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/In-the-Ghetto-lyrics-Rakim/E221A5892137884A482568A5001918CF
BrotherSkillz 2 months ago
Genius man
BrotherSkillz 2 months ago
this song is tha bomb. i say i heard this wen i wuz 17 yrs old.
omegawicked1 2 months ago
@ThumbsUpMike: What's this talk about Nas. Damn, man - would you cats back the fuck off. This is Rakim, he's called "God MC" by Nas for Christ sake! Not to mentionl those who are In the game. The 18th Letter is one album that proves why this brother is the most lyrically limber MC to bless a mic. In fact, just the title song The 18th Letter is example of Ra's exeplary use of flow and internal rhyme schemes. Nas is dope, but Rakim is a deep, erudite brother with mad skillz. Legendary!
MrJazzHOP 3 months ago 2
@MrJazzHOP @ Everyone really If it wasnt for people like Rakim there might not be a Nas Big L Name another MC that lyrical like Rakim
ShaqFU1974 2 months ago
Comment removed
MrJazzHOP 3 months ago
nobody's smiling.
TheBboyVTwist 3 months ago in playlist Old School Hip Hop
i hate rakim but dis song is WAViiiiiiii LOL
igetfresh99 3 months ago
@igetfresh99
how/why the fuck do you hate rakim? =o...
JAMMCGIG 3 months ago
God Allah.....
Amazing, with this man in the history books, with his contributions to history on a few key punches away, Lil Wayne is somehow considered good. I can't understand it.
OlSkoolFanatic 4 months ago
Зачетный трек!
MrDamirius 6 months ago
one of if not the best of all time
Dza0413 6 months ago
I listen to this song everyday. It puts me in a certain state of mind.
tazman91 7 months ago
YAH shinin' through one of the children of YSRAYL!!!YAH bless "The R"...Read PSALMS 68:4...
vickeyah12 7 months ago
i love his dope shit :)
djkrik 8 months ago
I often state in my oppinion Big L & Pun were the most lyrical to ever have done it, Rakim is known for his mellow slow flow, this track is a nice example of how lyrical he is.
dutchdude1985 10 months ago
@dutchdude1985 L's the punchline master, he would kill anyone in a battle. Pun had incredible flow and breath control. Both were sick lyricists.
ss2lakhan 4 months ago
@dutchdude1985 Nas is better than big l and pun lyrically
nas is a deep mixture of everything and can't be generalized
like big l is the master of punchlines
pun's flow was so elegant that it gets better with the ages, like luxurious wine
rakim is the master of lyrical originality
but nas is like langston hughes of rap and the streets shakespeare
no one has lyrical depth like nas
thats my opinion and i believe that strongly
ThumbsUpMike 4 months ago
@ThumbsUpMike To be entirely honest with you initially i wasnt too fond of Nas, but as the years passed and i had heard tonnes of different mcs i have started to truely appreciate Nas, i do agree he isnt often underrated, and throughout the years has come out hard and real. But in my oppinion Rakim and both Big Pun & L rate higher then Nas to me.
dutchdude1985 4 months ago
@dutchdude1985 is often underrated*
dutchdude1985 4 months ago
@ThumbsUpMike The only one, if not deeper is Killah Priest. Other one to considerate is GZA. But Nas would be who I would see.
1LETHALMC 4 months ago
One can only hope that like fasion, good music is cyclical and that great lyricist are reincarnated
ciddyboy718 11 months ago
I wonder why this track doesnt have at least a million hits :(. I know why, its just a shame how corporate watered down hip hop.
punannyluvr 11 months ago 8
The 2 creeps who disliked this should set off bear traps on they nutz
TheANGLERPHISH 1 year ago 3
WHO ARE THE TWO FUKKEN IDIOTS TO CLICK 'DISLIKE' ON THIS????
BAHHHHHHHHH GO BACK TO YOUR WEEZY JEEZY / LAME GAMES / KANYE JESTERS AND LEAVE HIP HOP ALONE. =)
Natural8Mystic 1 year ago 2
@Natural8Mystic probably 2 lil kids who've only heard Souljaboy and Weezy
Fonteyne058 1 year ago 5
This is not from 18th letter....Its from LET the RHYTHM HIT'em ALBUM like early 90's. Way before his time bro ....
XRRfan 1 year ago
@AllPro777 Not true lol Im 14 and i know this is real hip hop. So either im a young grown man or that kid's just plain stupid lol. Mainstream changed a polluted many minds into thinkin that they were the best of the best. seriously im amazed the power of the radio. At school i keep hearin shit like Weezy and kill B.I.G. And more shit like Big L is shit. And they say NaS has no lyrics. Trust me it's a pain in the ass how people think that 20 second pauses a bar is Real Hip Hop
BeastileOni 1 year ago
@BeastileOni,
That's great to hear. It's only your generation that can change this problem now. I can only hope that many more come along who are like you, because if not this thing is doomed.
AllPro777 1 year ago
yall hear the shit this brother is spittin?
Darwyn7 1 year ago
"Any stage I'm seen on...
A mike I feen on....
I stand alone and need nuffin to lean on"
Pure Lyrical Genious
FunkadelicHigh 1 year ago 2
is god rapping on this track?
nevadaas 1 year ago 49
@nevadaas nah its rakim man i think it says in the title
TasteMyDBolts 1 year ago
@TasteMyDBolts dude, i was joking, of course i know that is rakim
nevadaas 1 year ago
@nevadaas so was i :D:D:D:D:D
TasteMyDBolts 1 year ago
@nevadaas the god MC lol
iceill3425 3 months ago
@nevadaas
yes. Pretty sure Rakim is a Hip Hop god...
imtheFreshest 1 month ago
@nevadaas yes
pablo8174 2 weeks ago
classic nobody's smiling
ThatIncredibleJordan 1 year ago
GOD EMCEE.....The God!
sheemsheem 2 years ago
I have to agree with this guy. Rakim is my favorite rapper. Most favorite rapper of all time. But aside from "Guess who's back," his beats haven't been all that good. And if they were he would have received much more views, a larger fan base, and more noteriety. His lyrics are crazy and unparalleled by any artist, but if the beat isn't good, people won't listen.
DarkReapersGrim 2 years ago
Uhmm erik b is a fantastic baet maker. People who matter listen ha, hes crazy influential.
astreocclu 2 years ago
@astreocclu eric b didnt make any of the beats...rakim, marley marl and large professor did
Brokewax 1 year ago
@Brokewax what did eric b do? and how come he says the beat i put together in paid in full?
ThatIncredibleJordan 1 year ago
@ThatIncredibleJordan Well, I hear he mainly had connections to get studio time and such...notice he hardly did anything once they split
Brokewax 1 year ago
@Brokewax didnt he cut and pick out the samples?
ThatIncredibleJordan 1 year ago
@DarkReapersGrim most of ra's beats are made by eric b, pete rock, or dj premo, with a brief stint of dr dre making his beats... all 4 are legendary producers, so its not like he has shit beats, he just doesn't have pussy ass sellout club beats he stays true and goes with true hip hop beats... he could probably acapella with the same results anyways he has too ill flow its not even fair
zsilvah 1 year ago 2
@DarkReapersGrim rakim had alot of help rom marley marl for the remixes or aka hits
punannyluvr 11 months ago
@ThaMusicVault it is dummie
damyne77 2 years ago
worst taste in beats ? this beat is soooo smooth and hard
westside159 2 years ago 3
Do you hear yaself? u just lookin to hate pay ya Respect or dont say nothing at all..
"cus It aint where u from its where you AT"
Even The Ghetto NOBODY Smiling..
Long Island N.Y All day Peace God.
young891 2 years ago
The greatest, most inspiring artist...that's Rakim Allah, from Long Island. Mostly only thorough niggas from the streets, especially streets of NY, can understand this...exercise the mind.
nativemath 2 years ago
Classic hiphop. I copped this 12inch in philly when it first came out. That was back in the day when crate diggin was as addictive as crack. Shout out to funko mart in philly the illest record store in philly back in the day
TheJfamous 2 years ago
Soon or later all the hip hop fans will hear about Rakim, then they will realize many MC's got their idea from Rakim. The most influential rapper ever. All praises due Rakim A.L.L.A.H
prasanga7 2 years ago
that's not true, he even had to learn what flow was from earlier mc's like run dmc, sugarhill gang, furious five, etc., so he's not the first to rhyme, nor did he "give" mc's "ideas", he just gave inspiration to get in the rap game to other rappers. btw, he just started to expand his range of song topics after pac and big died.. coincidence? nope, at first it was all about his rhyme skills bt he decided to try and diversify. peace
buddhistichindu 2 years ago
God Ra's flow is identical to non. He father a style without any influences from the played out old school rappers. He influenced rappers like Nas, Raeakwon and myriad of rappers pay homage to Rakim. It is a fact that Rakim is the most influential rapper of all time. Even commercial rappers like Pac and Biggie could not raise black awareness and Asiatic state of mind like Rakim. What kind of positive contribution have rappers like Run Dmc, Suger Hill Gang gave to the hip hop community?
prasanga7 2 years ago
there is no God of hip hop, and if there is it'd easily be pac shakur and millions of people would agree with me. but also, you're not even listening, rakim wasn't the first to flow, as I said and those rap groups that you mentioned were the first to start what "flow" is to him and all the other rappers in existence. eric b got his style of dj'ing from dmc, and flow wise rakim had to learn from somewhere he didn't originate hip hop. pac only got commerical with all eyez on me. cont..
buddhistichindu 2 years ago
but even with all eyez on me, the music was anything but "commercial" if u listen to it, it was just "considered" commerical because it was soo popular. now melle mel, the furious five, they were the true originators of anyone's rap style point blank. and it's also the fact that as far as black awareness, rakim didn't even have as much popularity as biggie, and big had huge influence. as far as black awareness, he did not have the most influence when it comes to that topic at all. peace
buddhistichindu 2 years ago
but it's mostly opinion anyway, more rappers payed homage to pac and big then any other rapper even him, altho yes your right, nas raekwon and a bunch of rappers gave rakim props for his unique style, to me he's just not the greatest, but one of the greatest.
buddhistichindu 2 years ago
Tupac and Biggie are violent rappers. They did not contribute nothing positive to the hip hop community. They were early adopters those furious five. Just Imagine that all the rapper sound like them nowadays. That would be crazy wack. But Rakim was the first rapper to influence rappers with his dope raps. I think when it comes to lyrical content Tupac and Biggie can not touch god Rakim. God Rakim's music is not accessible for the avarage rap fan. Rakim makes music for the true hip hop heads.
prasanga7 2 years ago
well as you can see pac and big grew up in violent enviornments and had to sell drugs and carry guns, etc. just to get by day to day so that's why they spoke about the hardships of the most violent black communities, but if you listen to pac's music, he had so many uplifting, deep songs that rakim never made. rakim talks mostly about his own skill level and is self centered in his style, rarely ever spoke about true societal issues that affected his community like pac did.. cont.
buddhistichindu 2 years ago
as far as lyrical content, I suggest you look more into tupac, and biggies music, they both had lyrics that did indeed surpass rakim, flow wise and lyrically. all eyez on me, life after death, ready to die etc.. rakim may have done his thing in the rap game but he has definitely been surpassed. rakim makes music for the true hip hop fans, but worldwide alot of people wouldn't have known about rakim if other artists hadn't got hip hop popular in other countries. a bridge to the lesser known ones
buddhistichindu 2 years ago
"can't c me" "all eyez on me" "got my mind made up" "scared straight" "everything they owe" "let knowledge drop" "thugs mansion", jus a few songs that might change someone's mind.
buddhistichindu 2 years ago
I agree with Pac quotes like 'Darker the skin deeper the roots' and 'Marvin had me thinking black is the thing to be'. I think it is a quite an art to flip the negative sides of the community and save the kids from all the violence that was the main purpose of hip hip when it started in the Bronx. God Rakim is born in Queens that is the largest projects on earth. What do you think about that environment? also drugs and violence, but rakim flipped to a positive picture. He is still a gangster.
prasanga7 2 years ago
thats not true 2pac is not a violent rapper. he has dear mama, uncondtional love, baby dont cry, thugz mansion, keep ya head up, life goes on,
Viper246810 2 years ago 3
I had to discover Rakim. I was listing to Ice-T and all the west coast gangster rap. I soon found out that god Rakim influenced Ice-T. I call him god because he is part of the Nation of gods and earths. In that culture people call each other A.L.L.A.H. That stands for arm, leg, leg, arm, head. That is why Rakim is called god. Tupac is no part of Nation of Gods and the Earths that is why hip hop fans do not call him god. I think you need to recognize not Rakim is flowing, but every rapper flows.
prasanga7 2 years ago
RUN DMC have given plenty into the hip hop community.their music showed inner-cith youths that what they had achieved was possible for anyone.they may have never literally said it but thats what i always thought they were spreading.
As for the Sugarhill Gang, their music is something to dance to and bump at clubs.well it was back in their era.maybe not so much now
Jacksla92 2 years ago
yes it is a coincidence.thats why Eric B and Rakim split.Rakim wanted to follow a solo career to do his own stuff and this was been decided before either artists had passed on.Eric B didn't want to do this though cause he thought Rakim was going to leave him for good.
Jacksla92 2 years ago
Large Pro on boards
iancurtis86 2 years ago
one of the illest joints of all time...
tuurroo 2 years ago
Rakim nice voices
ateekoonz 2 years ago
RAKIM, THE GOD EMCEE.
insanemacbeth 2 years ago 6
these are the days son!
MOSDEFINATEONE 2 years ago
Still Slammin after all these years....so many new punk ass artists need to put out material like this. Tribe, Eric B & Rakim, Pete Rock & CL, Gangstarr.....those were the days!
FALmaker 2 years ago 3
Dropping Bombs! This was rap at its best!
tummyt 2 years ago 3
..before im called to go back to the essence..
theres a lot to learn so i study my lessons
bonefayce 2 years ago 3
This is better than the video version
lolwut121 2 years ago 21
I agree, video version chopped some of the lyrics
Dannymik 2 years ago
@lolwut121 hell yeah. atleast it starts from beginning haha
king420420420420 1 year ago
top 5 dopest voices ever...
papiruso34 2 years ago 2
the god ...rakim allah 4eva
mistahas1 2 years ago
What a tune, what a classic album!
aphex187 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
1st comment wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
jackthemachine177 3 years ago
1snt and worst comment, Raw ass song!
two210 2 years ago 2
yh nice one dont even know what my comment was bit late
jackthemachine177 2 years ago
what?
two210 2 years ago
he meant yeesh nice one,;''';`*/- I don't even know what my ανόητος comment. Was late!!!!!!
patrick81790 2 years ago