The discourse presented centers around the illustrious figure of Rakim, an iconic pioneer in the realm of rap music, whose emergence marked a transformative epoch in hip-hop history. I elaborated on his genesis in an era where the DJ reigned supreme, yet Rakim swiftly eclipsed this convention, asserting his dominance as a formidable lyricist. His seminal work, 'Paid in Full,' stands as a testament to his mastery, with Eric B. serving as the instrumental backbone. The conversation delves into the astrological insights of Rakim, emphasizing the profound influence of his Virgo placements and the transformative power of Pluto, which underscores his capacity for innovation within the genre. I articulated how Rakim's unique approach to rhythm and rhyme, characterized by an unusual vocal cadence, rendered him unparalleled among his contemporaries. His lyrical prowess compelled an evolution in rap, challenging artists to transcend simplistic narratives and embrace a more nuanced artistry. The impact of Rakim's artistry reverberates through the annals of hip-hop, establishing him as a paragon of lyrical integrity and depth.
Takeaways:
The discussion highlights Rakim as a transformative figure in the history of rap music, defining a new lyrical approach that emphasized substance over mere bravado.
Rakim's unique vocal delivery and cadence distinguish him from his contemporaries, presenting a smooth and understated style that was revolutionary.
The speakers reflect on Rakim's ability to convey a sense of strength and authenticity without resorting to violent or aggressive lyrics, demonstrating a profound impact on hip-hop culture.
The podcast emphasizes the significance of Rakim's collaboration with Eric B, noting how their partnership produced some of the most iconic hip-hop tracks in history.
Rakim's influence on subsequent generations of artists is underscored, as the speakers discuss how his mastery of rhythm and wordplay set a new standard for emcees.
The conversation culminates in a hypothetical battle between Rakim and Big Daddy Kane, suggesting the enduring relevance and respect both artists command within the hip-hop community.
Now the next person I have on my list could be some people's goat, depending on your age.
Speaker A:
This guy is definitely one of the pioneers in rap.
Speaker A:
I started off in an era.
Speaker A:
He started off in an era when the DJ was the main attraction.
Speaker A:
But this guy quickly outshined the dj.
Speaker A:
The first album and the song everyone knows is Paid in Full by Eric B, the dj.
Speaker A:
But Rakim was the man with the microphone in his hand.
Speaker A:
Even though microphone.
Speaker A:
Even though Rakim is a an Aquarius.
Speaker A:
He has three planets in Virgo, Pluto, Jupiter and Uranus.
Speaker A:
Three or more planets in a house or sign is what is called a stallion.
Speaker A:
It's a large concentration of energy which has.
Speaker A:
Which he has his Mercury root which he has in a mercury ruled sign.
Speaker A:
Pluto is the planet of transformation.
Speaker A:
Uranus is strange and unusual.
Speaker A:
Jupiter is expansion.
Speaker A:
When Rakim hit the scene, he changed the game.
Speaker A:
His strange and unusual way of rhyming and how he would even say them, no one was like him.
Speaker A:
He also transformed the game Pluto.
Speaker A:
Because you couldn't be coming with some nursery soda pop ass rhymes anymore.
Speaker A:
Last thing about Rakim, he was a Capricorn moon.
Speaker A:
One of the things about Capricorn, Capricorn represents military.
Speaker A:
If you listen to Rakim, although he was flawing and saying some dope ass shit, at times he could sound like a military drill sergeant with his delivery and his cadence.
Speaker A:
What's your thoughts about Rakim?
Speaker B:
For the longest time, Rakim was my number one rapper ever.
Speaker B:
And honestly, I didn't think, and I still feel guilty that he's not my number one anymore because he was just.
Speaker B:
He was just so.
Speaker B:
He's the quintessential mc.
Speaker B:
Like when I think of an emcee, it's him, you know what I mean?
Speaker B:
The way he carried himself, his voice, like, remember how we talked about Busta Rhymes and how he was rah?
Speaker B:
Like, Rakim was the exact opposite.
Speaker B:
And here's the thing that a lot of.
Speaker B:
I think a lot of these young cats could take from Rakim is that you never heard Rakim say he'll shoot somebody or he'll sell dope or he was hard or he was a thug or he was a gangster.
Speaker B:
But you just felt it, you know what I mean?
Speaker B:
Like, if you were in a room with Rakim, you know, he ain't no punk, he ain't no joke, as he was saying.
Speaker B:
And a lot of these cats today, they brag about this and they brag about that.
Speaker B:
Oh, I'm a G, I'm a pimp, I'm this I'm that he didn't never say none of that.
Speaker B:
But you knew that he wasn't no punk just by the way that he carried himself, you know what I mean?
Speaker B:
He wasn't no joke.
Speaker B:
And that's the thing about Rakim.
Speaker B:
He's one of my top MCs ever.
Speaker B:
Like I say, I still feel guilty that he's not.
Speaker B:
And it goes back to the biggie thing of at a certain point you just run out of songs.
Speaker B:
Like if you going song for song with some of these cats in my top five, then you just run out of songs.
Speaker B:
He's just as talented as anybody in my top five.
Speaker B:
He is my number three, right behind Pac and Nas.
Speaker B:
But like I say, for the longest time he was my number one.
Speaker B:
And I didn't think anybody would ever take his place.
Speaker A:
I would just say this, you know that comment that I just made about New York and Puffy bringing New York back, you know?
Speaker A:
Well, Rakim.
Speaker A:
One thing about Rakim is when he was with Eric B, he always had some dope ass beats.
Speaker A:
I don't know what happened to him.
Speaker B:
It was the.
Speaker B:
Huh, right?
Speaker B:
They fell out.
Speaker A:
Yeah.
Speaker B:
Oh, Rakim and Eric B, they fell out, you know.
Speaker B:
But that's definitely when he was at his best, was he had the rhymes and Eric B had the beats.
Speaker B:
The jazzy, funky beats, you know what I mean?
Speaker B:
And the samples and the cutting and the scratching all together, it was like hip hop, Nirvana, especially that first album, Bruh Paid in Full.
Speaker B:
I mean, that's like the classic of all classes.
Speaker A:
Would you say he changed the game?
Speaker B:
Absolutely, he did.
Speaker B:
See, the thing about Rakim was like, if you listen to rhymes about that time, Rakim came out with a whole different approach.
Speaker B:
Like around that time, the people that was popular was Run dmc, you know, all of the ll, all of these guys who rhyme loud and fast and you know what I mean, it was all about energy.
Speaker B:
Well, Rakim, it was all about his words and his vocal tone.
Speaker B:
Like, I heard a. I heard a interview with him one time and he said that he tried to use his voice as an instrument, you know what I mean?
Speaker B:
Almost like a saxophone.
Speaker B:
And if you listen to him rhyme, it's like a saxophone.
Speaker B:
Like it's not loud, like a trumpet or the drums or something like that.
Speaker B:
It's smooth and it's jazzy and it's not all loud and overbearing, you know what I mean?
Speaker B:
It's just smooth and then his flow, like the words that he put together.
Speaker B:
Nobody ever did it like that.
Speaker B:
The only person at that time that I could compare him to is Big Daddy Kane.
Speaker B:
Cause Big Daddy Kane had that same understated flow.
Speaker B:
Like he wasn't yelling and doing all of this stuff.
Speaker B:
He let his words.
Speaker B:
Operator.
Speaker B:
What did you say?
Speaker B:
Broke up.
Speaker A:
I say Big Daddy King, Smooth Operator, the song Smooth Operator.
Speaker B:
And both of them, you know.
Speaker B:
Yeah, that.
Speaker A:
That.
Speaker B:
That.
Speaker B:
That song could describe both of them.
Speaker B:
They were smooth operators.
Speaker B:
That's why I say I would love to see.
Speaker B:
I would.
Speaker B:
I would pay pay per view to see Big Daddy Kane battle Rakim.
Speaker B:
That would be a hell of a battle.
Speaker B:
I think it'll go on all night.
Speaker A:
Well, well, well.
Speaker A:
Maybe MTC gonna have to put that together.
Speaker B:
You know, hopefully down the road, I'll be able to put together some shit like that.
