Many don't know, beyond MCing, Rakim is also a scratch DJ and a beat maker, and this project is a reflection of that. What makes this album so good is it celebrates the art of MCing with a collection of different styles from coast to coast. If you about the art, this is a must have. Rest In Peace to Chino. Left us with a jewel...
There's another Rakim solo album in the pipeline, he mentioned it in some interview. Should be ready by the end of this year or early next year. This one here is supposedly to show some of his producer skills.
Solid, solid album as long as you didn’t go into this expecting a proper solo project. Definitely Ra flexing his producer/curator skills on this one. I’ve had Pendulum Swing on repeat since it dropped, but the other joints are good too; not amazing, but still good-to-great
Rakim.. he produced, scratched and arranged the whole album and gave a lot of dudes shine. The Gods message in this day and time is important. A lot of y’all Missing the point of the album. It’s not meant to be a solo Rakim album. He flexing his producer skills and networking a lot of spitters from different regions. Hence the name of the album. It’s to wet your pallet for when he drops his solo album. His message in his verses are enough to decode more than some people’s full length albums. The God is back to remind us and steer the culture into a different direction. Notice in his video for “Love is the message” he used AI technology tastefully. That’s the marriage of the past and the future.
This album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Everybody has there only opinion. But my opinion RAKIM is brilliant because he got rapper's on this album that killing the game. REAL HIP HOP IS BACK 🔥
First of all, it's a compilation EP and not a Rakim album, if that's what he wanted ok! After 15 years I expected more, one thing I do not agree with you, the soundscape fits well with the project. But otherwise you brought it across well!!!!📾 Rest in Power Chino XL
R.I.P Chino XL it's sad man we just heard him on this new Rakim album on the joint "Pendulum Swing" ft Kxng Crooked,Canibus,La The Darkman and the man himself Chino XL you will be missed
listened to this on Friday and I really enjoyed it. I don't normally listen to most rappers featured here but have an appreciation of their lyrical prowess. Rakim's rhyme schemes on Be Ill left me stunned. Just nice to hear Rakim doing stuff to be honest and I enjoyed it.
Solid album. Basically Ra and friends. I've been playing it constantly since it dropped. I've never been a fan of Canibus or Chino XL, but at least, I stopped skipping the track. The first three joints are pure fire.
nice review, Rakim the GOAT does not need these other rappers with him, he nerver did it takes away from his greatness , his new album should only be with Eric B and Rakim
Did not do the research ahead of time to realize it was an album showing off Rakims production.Was expecting a full blown album of his.Like some of the songs just wish it was a full Rakim album.Hopefully he will drop one
@@hip-hophistorybuff Not his best work. Best "Boom Bap" album I've heard this year is that Daniel Son "Bushman Bodega". I appreciate your channel. It's hella dope and positive for the real hip Hop heads out there. 👍🏾
This was a pretty dope project. I wished Rakim could've done some more rapping on it. I was led to believe he was going to appear on all of the tracks, but instead, he rapped on a couple of tracks with some hooks here and there in between although i do understand this project was to showcase his production skills and having other artist rap on it. I liked the production overall, although it seems like some tracks needed a better mix, and some vocals from the guest features sounded a little bit off but not enough to distract you from listening. After listening to the whole project, i would also give it 3 1/2 mics. Salute to Rakim. I look forward to hearing his album with DJ Jazzy Jeff in the works.
This was my take pretty much right on the nose. There were some light mixing issues but nothing too egregious beats were all decent to dope and some of the features were crazy. Just wish it were a little longer with more Rakim verses throughout. I give it 3.5 mics as well maybe a light 4
I think it's more of a EP to showcase his production skills. His previous 2 solo albums didn't have many features, so I would expect there to be a proper solo album to follow.
@@TheMicklachey I completely understand lol. Going to get to that raz fresco and other projects next week. In Houston on a vacation but I’ll get on those when I get back home Bro
@@hip-hophistorybuff Looking forward to the Raz Fresco review bro. It lived up to the hype for me, but my AOTY is still Pro Dillinger "Reasonable Dirt"
He has nothing else to prove . His legacy is set in stone. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of hip hop. The project is dope 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤. The culture has gotten so use to this trash on the radio. That they have forgotten what real hip hop is. Rakim literally changed hip hop forever.
It’s finally released . I had it dl 4 a min. I didn’t like the preview single tho but damn I’m glad he dropped. LL is supposed to be dropping this year 2
This was a producers album (Rakim produced all 7 tracks). This was basically to show off the skills. That’s why he didn’t rap on a few of the tracks and did hooks on them.
Glad (but not surprised)you reviewed this one. i wish we got more from rakim and while the beats were dope enough, there was nothing that really stood out aside from maybe the first cut production wise. I thought the choice of features for each track and the project as a whole were all top notch woth the craziest wordplay easily being on pendulum swing (which i agree was probably one of the weakest beats unfortunately) i dont mind canibus voice or La the darkman (who i have seen on a few features lately making me wonder of hes getting ready to drop something himself) I think the BG and the chino XL were probably my two favorite features but everyone did their thing here for the most part. Im looking forward to whatever Rakims dropping next and i give this one a strong 3.5 mics
I think this is a fair review. It not great but it’s good. It’s solid. The features were good. I would love to hear a solo. His voice still sounds the same. The lyrics are still sharp
IDK do you think these were the only feats that Rakim had access to or did he go out of his way to get the names involved? It has some moments, but reminds me of something Babygrande would've put out on some cash grab shit. BTW that new Lord Flee crazy!
Really solid review and it wasn’t a bad project, but like you said some of the production from Rakim definitely took it down to a 3 1/2. Also it did sound more like a producer compilation rather than an actual solo. Which is why I am definitely looking forward to when he decides to actually drop his next solo album. I know M-Eighty who is the A&R behind this had mentioned the possibility of a Rakim and Jazzy Jeff album, if I remember correctly. I thought 38’s verse on the joint he was on was definitely a highlight and has me interested on when he will drop something rapping himself again. I know Grafh & him just dropped another album together too that is mainly just 38 producing that I was going to check out after I check this new Vic Spencer. Do you know if you will review either of those new album’s?
@@nelly4482 A jazzy Jeff and Rakim project sounds interesting. I listened to those other ones. They sounded straight. Won’t have a review for them until like Wednesday or Thursday because I’m out of Town in Houston. But I’ll try to have those out next week when I get back bro.
After seeing what the production on Paid In Full did... Why choose boom bap beats that k1ll3d NYC rap reign? This doesn't sound like 15 years of a God MC/beat maker, Artistically.. js... these iconic mcs need to find older producers like Air Teeth
I give it a 4/10. The mixing doesn't sound right to me. Most the vocals are hallow. Planet Asia sounded like he was on a jail phone. Canibus didn't sound like himself. Some of the features don't fit. Glad he's doing another solo. I hope his team does a better job with it.
Rakim doesn't need any features. Features aren't always a good thing. The guy is literally the best MC that has ever lived. Having features on his album, is the equivalent of putting bumper stickers on the back of a Lamborghini. As soon as I saw that this album was chalk full of features, I knew it was going to be served lukewarm. When if it was just Ra himself, this would've been a piping hot plate! On some CAUTION: HOT. But it comes down to sales, and having the big names, and the fact that people who are younger, wouldn't necessarily buy a Rakim album just for him, again the greatest rapper whoever lived, they need a bunch of current relevant names on it . There's gotta be other people out there that agree, when you're the god MC you don't need support like that. People want to hear Rakim, bcuz nobody else compares tf... 😤
@@jamesg8175 most definitely on the misleading. Reminds me of the Snoop feature on the NxWorries & October London single that he was on from their album and that Mulholland Drive single Snoop was also on from October London’s project.
@@jamesg8175 I understood the DMX one because he died. The only way to send it off was with a prayer from the late emcee which in my eyes was very classy. No need for old bars.
it's sad to see such a legend, not putting something out on his own for the culture to only further his legacy and icon status, instead, payout his ass for features nobody cares about. It's not like Pink Floyd is putting out an album after a long time, and cramming it full of current names, why are hip-hop heads, so fn fickle w/ the respect N attention span these days. Not the same for other genres. imagine a Rakim album with zero features. Just him giving everything that he has left on wax... I sound like an old head, but money really ruined hip-hop for real
All this time I've always said I never liked Eric B's production actually I never liked rakim production except on a few songs my skyzoo is my favorite rapper of today's generation
The album sounded dated. It feels like he took some old songs he made back in 1998 and 2003. Beat production and lyrics was very subpar. Just my opinion, he's still the GOAT
I have to hear it but reviews on the site I always go to and people I trust on their opinions said it's pretty average at best.... I need to listen though myself but I don't expect much.
@@Tris_4U2C your comment tells me 3 things about you: 1) you can’t be objective which is something you should work on if you want to be taken seriously.. because you project yourself as an immature fanboy..very lame stuff 2) your comprehension is very poor because this was not a negative review at all. 3) you clearly haven’t been tapped in to albums over the past few years if you thought this was better than anything we have heard. Step it up in life Sir
Many don't know, beyond MCing, Rakim is also a scratch DJ and a beat maker, and this project is a reflection of that. What makes this album so good is it celebrates the art of MCing with a collection of different styles from coast to coast. If you about the art, this is a must have. Rest In Peace to Chino. Left us with a jewel...
@@seanthornton726 💯
There's another Rakim solo album in the pipeline, he mentioned it in some interview. Should be ready by the end of this year or early next year.
This one here is supposedly to show some of his producer skills.
@@PakRT84 right. Thats what I’m hearing also bro. 🫡
@@hip-hophistorybuffa 5 mics
He better get better producers than him lol
@@vernonjohnson1198 I can respect it
@@LITMOVIESCENES 😂love Rakim but I feel you
Ra KILLED it CLASSIC
Solid, solid album as long as you didn’t go into this expecting a proper solo project. Definitely Ra flexing his producer/curator skills on this one.
I’ve had Pendulum Swing on repeat since it dropped, but the other joints are good too; not amazing, but still good-to-great
@@loganleatherman7647 I feel you. Having that understanding before going into it definitely helps.
I loved this album, and the production. Also, Ra bringing back some of the greats that passed on was just nostalgic gold.
@@zanes9898 I feel you
Rakim.. he produced, scratched and arranged the whole album and gave a lot of dudes shine. The Gods message in this day and time is important. A lot of y’all
Missing the point of the album. It’s not meant to be a solo Rakim album. He flexing his producer skills and networking a lot of spitters from different regions. Hence the name of the album. It’s to wet your pallet for when he drops his solo album. His message in his verses are enough to decode more than some people’s full length albums. The God is back to remind us and steer the culture into a different direction. Notice in his video for “Love is the message” he used AI technology tastefully. That’s the marriage of the past and the future.
Thanks
💗
@@DeeDub18 I understood what he did here. I was also pointing out that some folks were confused thinking it would be a solo.
Facts ✊🏾
This album is 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Everybody has there only opinion. But my opinion RAKIM is brilliant because he got rapper's on this album that killing the game. REAL HIP HOP IS BACK 🔥
@@shannongoodman4273 looking forward to his solo project
Thanks 4 reviewing this. I was wondering how it sounded. I'm most definitely gonna have to check it out
@@Vincent-um9pi for sure my dude. Let me know what you thought of it
First of all, it's a compilation EP and not a Rakim album, if that's what he wanted ok! After 15 years I expected more, one thing I do not agree with you, the soundscape fits well with the project. But otherwise you brought it across well!!!!📾 Rest in Power Chino XL
@@Album-RAP-HIPHOP-RnB-Review RIP to chino Xl 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
R.I.P Chino XL it's sad man we just heard him on this new Rakim album on the joint "Pendulum Swing" ft Kxng Crooked,Canibus,La The Darkman and the man himself Chino XL you will be missed
@@jordanolafson80 RIP to the Jersey legend
listened to this on Friday and I really enjoyed it. I don't normally listen to most rappers featured here but have an appreciation of their lyrical prowess. Rakim's rhyme schemes on Be Ill left me stunned. Just nice to hear Rakim doing stuff to be honest and I enjoyed it.
@@msimelelo1290 yup. Be ILL was 🔥
Pendulum Swing is the strongest joint on this project! I also like Be ill! The whole project is nice though
@@Tinku912 The lyrics on pendulum swing were crazy
Def dope but damn near 7 mins. Should've been broken up to pt 1 and 2 or somethin.
R.I.P Chino XL
@@jordanolafson80 just posted a tribute bro
Solid album. Basically Ra and friends. I've been playing it constantly since it dropped. I've never been a fan of Canibus or Chino XL, but at least, I stopped skipping the track. The first three joints are pure fire.
@@Powerule23 those were fire indeed
nice review, Rakim the GOAT does not need these other rappers with him, he nerver did it takes away from his greatness , his new album should only be with Eric B and Rakim
@@jesurunblends thanks bro. I wouldn’t mind seeing that at all 💯
Did not do the research ahead of time to realize it was an album showing off Rakims production.Was expecting a full blown album of his.Like some of the songs just wish it was a full Rakim album.Hopefully he will drop one
@@mikelucas3272 I think he did catch people off guard. I feel you 🫡
Didn't know Rakim dropped an album. I will have to check it out
@@anthonywilliams9415 right. Let me know what you think of it
@@hip-hophistorybuff Not his best work. Best "Boom Bap" album I've heard this year is that Daniel Son "Bushman Bodega".
I appreciate your channel. It's hella dope and positive for the real hip Hop heads out there. 👍🏾
@@anthonywilliams9415 Really appreciate that support bro. 👍🏼💯I listened to that and it’s dope. Just haven’t had the time to get to a review of it
The G.O.A.T of all G.O.A.T’s indeed
@@smokezilla13. Right
This was a pretty dope project. I wished Rakim could've done some more rapping on it. I was led to believe he was going to appear on all of the tracks, but instead, he rapped on a couple of tracks with some hooks here and there in between although i do understand this project was to showcase his production skills and having other artist rap on it.
I liked the production overall, although it seems like some tracks needed a better mix, and some vocals from the guest features sounded a little bit off but not enough to distract you from listening. After listening to the whole project, i would also give it 3 1/2 mics. Salute to Rakim. I look forward to hearing his album with DJ Jazzy Jeff in the works.
This was my take pretty much right on the nose. There were some light mixing issues but nothing too egregious beats were all decent to dope and some of the features were crazy. Just wish it were a little longer with more Rakim verses throughout. I give it 3.5 mics as well maybe a light 4
@@AmariMarvelous well said G 💯
@@ski6410 that makes sense
@@ski6410the album is a pure 5 mics
Where did you hear about a Rakim album with DJ Jazzy Jeff coming out?
I think it's more of a EP to showcase his production skills. His previous 2 solo albums didn't have many features, so I would expect there to be a proper solo album to follow.
@@thelastboyscout72 right
I liked it, didn’t love it. Thought it was solid, but the beats were just decent and it was more a compilation than an album. Light 3.5 mics for me.
@@TheMicklachey 📠
@@TheMicklachey I completely understand lol. Going to get to that raz fresco and other projects next week. In Houston on a vacation but I’ll get on those when I get back home Bro
This is how I feel about the album too.
@@hip-hophistorybuffthe album is fire 🔥
@@hip-hophistorybuff Looking forward to the Raz Fresco review bro. It lived up to the hype for me, but my AOTY is still Pro Dillinger "Reasonable Dirt"
Ra showing off his production skills....well done.
@@tonybandanna4895 I feel you
He has nothing else to prove . His legacy is set in stone. He’s on the Mount Rushmore of hip hop. The project is dope 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤. The culture has gotten so use to this trash on the radio. That they have forgotten what real hip hop is. Rakim literally changed hip hop forever.
Fire!
@@lifedapoet6696 no doubt
The production was A1
@@reggiemunch Word
This was a solid project. Didn't know Ra was into producing. I knew he did some scratching.
@@leonardgreen9015 no doubt. Yeah he has been producing from the jump but it’s not talked about a lot
Dope album
@@kevintaylor9590 I feel you
It’s finally released . I had it dl 4 a min. I didn’t like the preview single tho but damn I’m glad he dropped. LL is supposed to be dropping this year 2
@@obeii1805 really looking forward to that LL bro 💯🫡
This was a producers album (Rakim produced all 7 tracks). This was basically to show off the skills. That’s why he didn’t rap on a few of the tracks and did hooks on them.
@@curtis75black Right 💯
I can't believe i forgot to listen to this last night when i was checking new albums out.
@@shanetaylor761 Right, it’s pretty solid
Glad (but not surprised)you reviewed this one. i wish we got more from rakim and while the beats were dope enough, there was nothing that really stood out aside from maybe the first cut production wise. I thought the choice of features for each track and the project as a whole were all top notch woth the craziest wordplay easily being on pendulum swing (which i agree was probably one of the weakest beats unfortunately) i dont mind canibus voice or La the darkman (who i have seen on a few features lately making me wonder of hes getting ready to drop something himself) I think the BG and the chino XL were probably my two favorite features but everyone did their thing here for the most part. Im looking forward to whatever Rakims dropping next and i give this one a strong 3.5 mics
@@ski6410 I understand a strong 3.5 bro. Yeah BG did his thing and Chino killed that.
I think this is a fair review. It not great but it’s good. It’s solid. The features were good. I would love to hear a solo. His voice still sounds the same. The lyrics are still sharp
@@BandsMaysTVCEO respect
Good review can you do the new Grafh x 38 Spesh album titled "God's Timing" or the new Flee Lord album titled "Raised In The Sand"
@@jordanolafson80 thanks bro. next week. I’m in Houston on a vacation until early next week but when I get back I’m on it.
@@hip-hophistorybuff 💯
IDK do you think these were the only feats that Rakim had access to or did he go out of his way to get the names involved? It has some moments, but reminds me of something Babygrande would've put out on some cash grab shit. BTW that new Lord Flee crazy!
@@freedomilla good question. I don’t know lol. Yeah the Flee Lord is dope. I’m behind on some reviews but going to try to do that by tmrw or Saturday
I agree!
@@josallins1 salute bro 💯
Really solid review and it wasn’t a bad project, but like you said some of the production from Rakim definitely took it down to a 3 1/2. Also it did sound more like a producer compilation rather than an actual solo. Which is why I am definitely looking forward to when he decides to actually drop his next solo album. I know M-Eighty who is the A&R behind this had mentioned the possibility of a Rakim and Jazzy Jeff album, if I remember correctly.
I thought 38’s verse on the joint he was on was definitely a highlight and has me interested on when he will drop something rapping himself again. I know Grafh & him just dropped another album together too that is mainly just 38 producing that I was going to check out after I check this new Vic Spencer. Do you know if you will review either of those new album’s?
@@nelly4482 A jazzy Jeff and Rakim project sounds interesting. I listened to those other ones. They sounded straight. Won’t have a review for them until like Wednesday or Thursday because I’m out of Town in Houston. But I’ll try to have those out next week when I get back bro.
@@hip-hophistorybuff word G. Enjoy your vacation time, you definitely deserve it with all the work you put in 🫡
@@nelly4482 Thanks G 🫡💯🙌🏼
Proper rating. Dope project.
@@wc6081 Forsure G. 🫡
After seeing what the production on Paid In Full did... Why choose boom bap beats that k1ll3d NYC rap reign? This doesn't sound like 15 years of a God MC/beat maker, Artistically.. js... these iconic mcs need to find older producers like Air Teeth
@@GreenMile2Stepper lol I completely get it
I give it a 4/10. The mixing doesn't sound right to me. Most the vocals are hallow. Planet Asia sounded like he was on a jail phone. Canibus didn't sound like himself. Some of the features don't fit.
Glad he's doing another solo. I hope his team does a better job with it.
@@emceeunderdogrising yeah looking forward to that as well
Rakim doesn't need any features. Features aren't always a good thing. The guy is literally the best MC that has ever lived. Having features on his album, is the equivalent of putting bumper stickers on the back of a Lamborghini. As soon as I saw that this album was chalk full of features, I knew it was going to be served lukewarm. When if it was just Ra himself, this would've been a piping hot plate! On some CAUTION: HOT. But it comes down to sales, and having the big names, and the fact that people who are younger, wouldn't necessarily buy a Rakim album just for him, again the greatest rapper whoever lived, they need a bunch of current relevant names on it . There's gotta be other people out there that agree, when you're the god MC you don't need support like that. People want to hear Rakim, bcuz nobody else compares tf... 😤
@@kylev938 I hear what you talking
Barely a Rakim album. Still decent tho. The snoop and dmx features are misleading too
@@jamesg8175 📠
@@jamesg8175 very misleading lol
@@jamesg8175 most definitely on the misleading. Reminds me of the Snoop feature on the NxWorries & October London single that he was on from their album and that Mulholland Drive single Snoop was also on from October London’s project.
@@jamesg8175 I understood the DMX one because he died. The only way to send it off was with a prayer from the late emcee which in my eyes was very classy. No need for old bars.
it's sad to see such a legend, not putting something out on his own for the culture to only further his legacy and icon status, instead, payout his ass for features nobody cares about. It's not like Pink Floyd is putting out an album after a long time, and cramming it full of current names, why are hip-hop heads, so fn fickle w/ the respect N attention span these days. Not the same for other genres. imagine a Rakim album with zero features. Just him giving everything that he has left on wax... I sound like an old head, but money really ruined hip-hop for real
All this time I've always said I never liked Eric B's production actually I never liked rakim production except on a few songs my skyzoo is my favorite rapper of today's generation
@@junestevens5123 lol. Aw man I recommend you revisit the first couple Eric b and Rakim projects…but I feel you. Skyzoo is that dude no doubt
@@hip-hophistorybuff I have paid in full and follow the leader
DMX didn't sound out of place if ur attentive to the times we living in.
The album sounded dated. It feels like he took some old songs he made back in 1998 and 2003. Beat production and lyrics was very subpar. Just my opinion, he's still the GOAT
hot album,just canibus verse wasnt feeling it
@@SEBAS31077 I understand
this album was disappointing i didn't hear him only on 2 tracks and 1 chorus hmmmmmm
@@classickalmovement 📠
@@classickalmovement I can dig it. I understand what he was trying to do but I do get some disappointment
This album 🔥.
That album cover is horrible 🐐
@@darylzero2255 I mean lol it’s not great
One word for this album forgettable!!!!!
I heard the same thing by several people I trust, will check it out on youtube first and decide.
@@nkosigore8836 Yeah it wasn’t crazy and Rakim is one of the greatest ever
3/10
@@wordupcornflake aw man. That low? 😱
I have to hear it but reviews on the site I always go to and people I trust on their opinions said it's pretty average at best.... I need to listen though myself but I don't expect much.
@@BillCagney rakims the goat to me but this is utter shite
Dude U A 🤡 Da Whole Ep Iz 🔥 7 Songz 🤷🏻♂️ Better Den Any Full Album In The Past Few Years U Needf A Different Career Dude🤦🏻
@@Tris_4U2C your comment tells me 3 things about you: 1) you can’t be objective which is something you should work on if you want to be taken seriously.. because you project yourself as an immature fanboy..very lame stuff 2) your comprehension is very poor because this was not a negative review at all. 3) you clearly haven’t been tapped in to albums over the past few years if you thought this was better than anything we have heard. Step it up in life Sir
@@hip-hophistorybuff u a 🤡😂🤦🏻