Rakim Album: “The 18th Letter”

Rakim breaking up with Eric B might have been sad for some people to take but this album is far from weak. This album falls short of a classic but it's still a lot better than the tepid release that follows(The Master). How can you listen to tracks like The 18th Letter, It's Been A Long Time and Guess Who's Back and say that that's not vintage Rakim? So what Eric B is not producing a track. DJ Premier laces him with heat that he delivers on(It's Been A Long Time and New York). Pete Rock laces Rakim Allah with some dope beats on The Saga Begins and When I'm Flowin. Even the ever so underrated southern producer T-Mix hooks Rakim up with a tight beat on Its Been A Long Time(Suave House Mix). Rakim gets nostalgic on Remember That. New York(Ya Out There)is Rakim's anthem for NYC. Rakim still finds time to deliver a gem in the form of The Mystery(Who Is God?).

The only two songs that are skippable is Stay A While and Show Me Love. These two tracks are chick records that should have never been attempted. Bottom Line: The 18th Letter is the last great release that Rakim has given you. Even without Eric B, Rakim proved with this album that he can make a great album without him. The production was on point and so was Rakim's rhymes. So what's the fuss about? Exactly. Nostalgia strikes again! Standouts: THE 18TH LETTER, IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME(original and Suave House records version), THE SAGA BEGINS, GUESS WHO'S BACK, THE MYSTERY(WHO IS GOD?) and WHEN I'M FLOWIN.

Gangsta Rap has taken over the music scene since the early 90's, and Hip Hop faded since then. Rakim revolutionized the art of MCing, with puting raw and complex lyrics with more then one rhyming sylables. "Paid In Full" might be known as one of those records that set the bar way higher for emerging MC's. On this record, Rakim delivers what he is known for - skills. The production ranges from amazing to OK to boring. But Rakim's lyrics keeps the listener's attention. A problem with this album is that there are five skits, and all of them seem to be useless. I would recomened this album to the lovers of Hip Hop and for the people who can appreciate skills.

1. Intro - The intro is pretty cool, its 11 seconds and has a person asking Rakim: "What are you giving them?" and Rakim replies, "Skillz". 5/5

2. The 18th Letter - Rakim's lyrics are simply stunning, as he never looses his creativity and rhymes with multiple sylables. The production is tight, and this is definatly one of those joints that you can't resist listening to, once the Cd is in. 5/5

3. Skit - Another few seconds of an interview. I think that this was sort of useless. 1/5

4. Its Been A Long Time - Hot, hot, hot. Rakim murders the mic. The beat is mad tight. 4.5/5

5. Remember That - The beat is sort of messed up, there is no orginized melodic line, so production is OK. The lyrics is as usual, nice! 3/5

6. The Saga Begins - Hot scratches and moody-dark type of beat. The lyrics are amazing. Definatly a stand out track. 5/5

7. Skit - Another useless interview piece, but has a message. 2/5

8. Guess Who's Back - The absoulute best track on this album. The production is amazing, the lyrics is amazing, flow is like the Nile. 5/5

9. Stay A While - Has a fat bassline. A club song with no commercial appeal. Its refreshing for this type of album. The lyrics go down a knotch, I guess Rakim was getting a little lazy with this one. The Hook is hot though. 4/5

10. New York - The beat is horrible. The scratching is worthless, but Rakim helps to redeem the track. 3/5

11. Show Me Love - Echoing vocals of a female singer and a laid back type of beat. Rakim's lyrics are very intellegent and creative. 4.5/5

12. Skit - ANOTHER piece of interview, has a message, but quite usless. 2/5

13. The Mystery (Who Is God) - The best beat on this album. Very thoughtful and intelegent lyrics. This joint is like a fresh breath for Hip Hop. Creativity and originality on this one. 5/5

14. When I'm Flowin - The beat is on point, and Rakim MURDERS it NEW YORK style...crazy ish. 4/5

15. Its Been A Long Time (Remix) - The original is better, this has a west coast type of feel to it with a new york twist. 3/5

16. Guess Who's Back (Remix) - Not too different from the original. See original

17. Outro - A peice of an interview, but very powerful! 5/5

Overall: 4/5.

This creative hip-hop composition is a rapper's delight that blooms with fertile beats and spirited, creative lyrics.

Rakim, a veteran in the rhyme game, delivers a much-needed infusion of tracks on which the rap kingdom can chew. He raps by his wits, eschewing obscene lyrics while still maintaining a tungsten-tempered street edge. It's unusual for a rapper to be away from the game for so long (four years), then return with a credibility equal to or surpassing prior celebrated heights.

But that's what the Ra has achieved. By waxing beyond the gangsta propaganda that many hardcore rappers spew, Rakim's high-road, socially-conscious approach is endearing more than a few.

"Guess Who's Back" pounds with syncopated energy while "When I'm Flowing" reverbs with Monkish, off-center keymanship and near-psychedelic audio effects.

"New York (Ya Out There)" smolders with soul-struttin' East Coast machismo spawned by clever lyrics and a driving bass-driven groove.

I don't lie when I say that the "18th Letter" is one of the top ten albums in hip hop history. Ok, ok so maybe that's not true, but there is no denying the fact that Rakim's newest release (his first since '92) is an instant classic. He picks up right where he left off (minus Eric B of course) and provides us with the intelligent lyrics and boomin' beats that we all love. If you don't have this one pick it up NOW! Two tracks in particular, "Guess Who's Back" and "It's Been A Long Time" are great, but all of 'em are worth a listen. This is a CD which I play over, and over, and over again, without ever getting sick of it. Hey hey, and hear this! Look for Rakim's upcoming release "The Master", due out November 30! Also, if you're not familiar with Rakim's old stuff from back in the day, you better check that out too. When he teamed up with DJ Eric B it was magical, some of the greatest sounds ever to come out of the hip hop genre. Any of the old stuff of Eric B & Rakim is classic stuff and worth your money. If you consider yourself a true hip hop fan and you're lacking any Eric B & Rakim in your collection than you're just foolish!

He is known as a rap god, legendary MC, one of the greats...ect ect...The 18th Letter proves this with a vengence...while he got powerful songs like The Mystery , there are romantic songs like Stay Awhile...whomever enjoys rap/hip-hop....put down the ham sandwich and get this album NOW! and for all you new hiphop heads... Think the Ying Yang Twins are great or Ludacris is the top of the game now...or ugh Jay-Z....then you folks need a good dose of Rakim to cure that bad taste in flow disease...