Okayplayer recently caught up with Rakim following his performance at The Roots Picnic 2012 this past June. During the interview, the God MC revealed that he is planning to release two albums this year – a 25th anniversary edition of Paid In Full and a brand new solo project. Although Ra kept tight-lipped about his new solo LP, he said that he feels he owes it to his fans to round out his legacy with a new album.
“I’m definitely working on another album,” he revealed. “We’ve [also] got the Paid In Full 25th Anniversary [edition]. I’m just trying to complete my legacy I think the way my fans want me to.”
Rakim also spoke about his love and respect for the World Famous Philly Roots Crew. He explained that when he hoped The Roots marked a new turn in Hip Hop when they debuted, as their live music approach offered an alternative to sampling.
“I’ve been a fan of The Roots since they first came out, and to come out here and get down with them is like to me, full circle,” he said. “[They are] to me the future of Hip Hop…to hear them come out [in 1993] was like, ‘Aight, I like where this is going,’ and I was hoping that I was going to see an explosion of that [kind of Hip Hop] because that would’ve kind of balanced out us having to use samples; we could’ve went to people like The Roots.”
Check out the full interview below.
RELATED: Rakim Remembers Adam Yauch, Credits Beastie Boys With Making Hip Hop Global
Awesome.
I got so much respect for Rakim. Easily one of the greatest and still keeping it real as hell
I been lucky enuf to see him a few times live and he is definitely one of tjhe greatesdt.
Most impressed by the love he showed the crowd after the gig, signing autographs, chatting to everyone, doing photos with peeps.
Salut!
5 copies dont need a review or preview
yeah ra the roots should be producing more artist let them do your entire album that would be fire
Rakim hasn’t made a good album since him and eric b departed.
bull shit
rubbish
rubish
No, he’s right. As the ultimate Rakim fan… he’s always had lyrics no question… but like Nas… his beat choices leave a lot to be desired.
Being a DJ… Eric B had a good ear for beats….
1997 4/5 The 18th Letter
1999 4.5/5 The Master
2008 3.5/5 The Archive: Live, Lost & Found
2009 2.5/5 The Seventh Seal
Dude’s Declined, Maybe He Should Write For Your Favourite Artist Let’s Face Most Rappers Need It.
Shut the fuck up and respect the legend
“I’m just trying to complete my legacy I think the way my fans want me to.”..what fans does this mofo have? is he even relevant ?..it seems age is taking a toll on his ability to think..he is senile.What a LOSER ..ur 15 minutes of fame were over in ’86.
THERE’S MANY PRODUCERS THAT DON’T ALWAYS SAMPLE AND THE ROOTS ALSO SAMPLE SOMETIMES…
fuck this fool. nas >>>>>>>>>> rakim.
eat a pile of shit and die in a fire. i hope your mother suffers through alhzimers and becomes a burden, making your resent her even though you hate yourself for thinking it. i hope your kids never learn to read. i hope you get painful cysts on your balls. i hope you lose your job. fuck you. fuck you, fuck you.
when rakim was rockin it nas had nothing to do with rap .i love nas but he ain’t toppin’rakim in any chart
Anonymous your comment was removed for violating our legend policies.
Now now now, Rakim was rapping in the 80’s, that automatically makes him better, it doesnt matter if he only made 3 enjoyable albums and then followed it with 20 years of sub par material
Age >>>>>>>>>> Talent
Age >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Talent
That’s A Whack Argument… Talent >>>>>>>>>>>> Everything, Come On Man!
Rakim one of the GOATs, gotta respect his craft and longevity
Can’t wait for the next one. Last record was cool.
who? who is dis old ass nigga? huh? niggas dont like dis old shit anymore… Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, Drake, Waka are da poets of our generation. dey are our role models… hip hop life, gangsta life, hard lyrics. dats dat shit. YMCMB MMG BRICK SQUAD! swag
you sound like a regular gay club goer…did you sniff your dad’s asscrack again?
hes your favourite rappers favourite rapper
Needs to work with DJ Premier, Pete Rock & Clark Kent
RAKIM IS A FUCKING LEGEND SOMETHING LIKE 2PAC SHIT
IF YOU DONT KNOW RAKIM YOU SHOULD DELETE YOUR WHOLE ENTIRE HIP HOP/ RAP COLLECTION. DONT EVEN ATTEMPT TO COMMENT ON THIS SITE
when are people going to realize this retard is just fiending for attention? troll harder chief
first week sales of 1k tops
ha ha your name is keke
the 18th letter is back
Can’t wait
exactly what we need
Rakim had his chance with Dre. He dropped the ball, so just retire to Florida and do free shows at a resort, or play golf with MC Serch.
* Rakim is the GOD MC, it seems like ou were not informed
* Rakim, Raekwon, Xzibit, Eve, TruthHurts, Busta, Sticky Fingaz, Hitman, Gage, Stat Quo, Last Emperor, Knoc-Turnal, Joell Ortiz and many other people (proven talent) had failed attempts at AfterMath…so who REALLY dropped the ball?
“so who REALLY dropped the ball?”
Rakim, Raekwon, Xzibit, Eve, TruthHurts, Busta, Sticky Fingaz, Hitman, Gage, Stat Quo, Last Emperor, Knoc-Turnal, Joell Ortiz
Interscope
Didn’t Ra say in an earlier interview that Re-release was bullshit?Damn Eric B must have him under pressure still…
Happy to hear he’s putting a new album out. I hope it will have good beats this time
As much as I highly respect Ra, I gotta say— every since he and Eric B departed, his beat selection has been terrible!
The rapper’s rapper needs music to back up his level of writing…
“Interscope”
They clearly weren’t impacted after “their” departure.