Search - Eric B & Rakim :: Paid in Full (Eco) (Rpkg)

Rakim is still nice

Jerry Parsons | BALTIMORE | 11/14/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well what can I say about Rakim that most of the people have not already written about. I first saw him in concert in 1986 at the Capital Center in DC and was amazed at how his flow was. No one had ever heard anything like it the place ws going crazy. Paid In Full is considered a Classic Hip Hop album by many Hip Hop fans including me. It is my favorite album of all time for a lot of reasons. For one it still sounds good today how many albums that come out now will sound good in 20 years none. Rakim can still rock a Mic as people saw at the Hip Hop Honors this year. I just hope Rakim's new album that is coming out sounds good as people are ready for this to drop."

Another rap classic - this is just awesome stuff!

C. Cross | 01/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Eric B. and Rakim's "Paid In Full" is one of their two rap classics that, although it's a little dated sounding, most rap fans will love! Every song here is good or great, and Rakim is definitely just a great MC. He's not one of my favorites, but I'm pretty sure everyone will like him. He flows very well and his delivery is interesting and well done for the time period that this came out (considering it came out a year after Run-D.M.C.'s first album, it was pretty revolutionary) - you can tell why it was very influential when it came out in 1987. The lyrics aren't necessarily deep, but they're always fun, catchy and interesting to listen to. Rakim was known for his delivery, not his lyrics. Eric B delivers some great minimalistic production here that unfortunately sounds a bit dated, but if you can get past it's oldschool sound then you're set. There are even several rap classic here including the greats "My Melody" and "Eric B. Is President". It's all just really good stuff, and its historical importance definitely adds to its rating and value. Mainstream rap fans might not like it, but true rap enthusiasts will love this! Highly recommended!



Highlights include:

the entire album!"

Say Goodbye To The Days Of Yes Y'allin' {5 Stars}

Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 07/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I grabbed a few copies of this when I was 11 and it's still as dope now as it was then. Wow, I can't believe that joint dropped 19 years ago.



A lot of people don't seem to understand what made Rakim such a special emcee. Think about most rap records and singles that came out before this album (before '87). Most of the joints being released were either basic party raps, showcase joints where emcees were biggin' up their DJ, or break beats for b-boys to get busy to. Many refer to this as the days of "yes y'allin". Well, after Paid In Full dropped, all that changed and the days of yes y'allin' were all but over and done with. Rakim made a lot of rappers go back to the lab and rethink their approach to the game. Want some examples? Just to name a few, check out Kool Moe Dee's first album and his Funke Funke Wisdom album. There's a distinct difference in his flow. Check out Run DMC.....the rhymes on their self titled debut are way different than the rhymes on the Down With The King LP. Kurtis Blow all but vanished because his flow wasn't up to par anymore. Even KRS One (who also debuted in '87 with his group Boogie Down Productions) became more lyrical on BDP's 2nd LP. There are a lot of things that changed when Rakim "came in the door...." (pun intended). He was one of the first to raise the bar and for that he will ALWAYS get love from and be respected by the true heads. If Rakim doesn't step on the scene, who knows, we might still be kickin' party raps to basic drum loops and guitar riffs. You may have never heard from cats like Nas, Canibus, Chino XL, Eminem, or any other seriously lyrical cats. He brought the LYRICS to the forefront when it was all about beats and partying. Now do you see why Rakim is so important? Sure, a lot of people do it now, so it may not seem like such a groundbreaking step nowadays, but being one of the first is something that you simply cannot take away from Rakim Allah. There's a reason why he's one of the most frequently quoted (or bitten depending on your view) rappers ever.



Flaws on the album are nil. Good luck finding any. The sound is a bit dated, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Anyone giving this 1 star doesn't know hip hop music when they hear it.



Paid In Full is one of those rare landmark hip hop albums. There aren't very many landmark albums in rap, so that's actually saying a whole lot. Some will tell you this isn't the best they've ever heard, but it's important to rap/hip hop culture for so many other immeasurable and intangible reasons outside of being the "best you've ever heard". If this album isn't in your collection, then I question how solid your foundation in this genre is. Go get it and quit kidding yourself. This is more than a collector's piece, this album should be a, if not THE, cornerstone in your hip hop collection. I have three copies in each format (LP, Cassette, and CD) just to ensure that this album stays with me until I'm gone. This is one of the albums I'm going to play for my grandkids when they start to get into rap music. It's THAT good. I highly recommend this one.



Standout Tracks: My Melody, Paid In Full, I Ain't No Joke, Move The Crowd, I Know You Got Soul, Extended Beat, and Eric B. Is President (My Favorite)"