The Best Of Eric B. & Rakim: 20th Century Masters Of The Millennium Collection

Performer: Eric B. & Rakim
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Eric B. & Rakim: Eric "Eric B." Barrier (turntables); William "Rakim" Griffin (rap vocals). Producers: Eric B. & Rakim. Compilation producers: Michael Rosenberg, Dana Smart. Digitally remastered by Erick Labson (Universal Mastering Studios West, North Hollywood, California). Composers: Rakim; Eric B. Eric B. & Rakim really didn't have crossover hits, but anybody that paid any attention to hip-hop in the late '80s didn't just know of them, they considered them one of the greatest outfits working. Even in the '90s, Rakim was considered one of the greatest MCs ever to hit the mic, and it's easy to see why -- great voice, unbelievable flow, cutting lyrics. Both Paid in Full and Follow the Leader are widely considered to be pinnacles of hip-hop's golden age, but they never had a full-fledged hits collection until 2001's 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection. Actually, that's not entirely true, since Rakim's solo debut, The 18th Letter, was initially released with a bonus disc containing the group's greatest hits. That collection is more comprehensive than this 11-track overview, but this still gets the job done effectively. Some might complain that "Paid in Full" is included in the British hit Coldcut remix instead of the original, but the basic lay of the land remains the same -- all the major songs (minus "My Melody") are here, and the results are pretty stunning. Both Eric B. and Rakim were visionaries, and while some of the productions may now sound a little dated, years after their initial release the urgency of the performances and freshness of the ideas have not been diluted. This record, as much as any other they released, vividly captures their brilliance. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

With a smoother, more hypnotically listenable version of Run-DMC's streetwise forthrightness, Eric B. & Rakim added another layer of depth to 1980s rap music. Among the first acts to articulate a hip-hop worldview, the duo represented the first flowering of rap into a full-blown subculture. Rakim's skill as one of hip-hop's premier wordsmiths carried him over four records of mindblowing rhymes, exemplified by classic singles like "Microphone Fiend" and "Juice (Know the Ledge)." The duo even sparked the long-running trend of hip-hop acts guesting on R&B hits in 1989, with Jody Watley's top ten hit "Friends." The pair parted ways in 1992 with Rakim embarking on a hit-or-miss solo career.

Click Here for Shipping Options and Policies

Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25