Rakim returned on Friday (July 26) with G.O.D’s Network – REB7RTH, his first album since 2009’s The Seventh Seal — but his primary role on it may shock even devoted listeners.
While the God MC provides vocals (verses and/or hooks) on six of the project’s seven songs, his main job on the project was not as a rapper, but as a producer. He also provided scratches.
“I always was attached to making beats,” Ra told Grammy.com. “But I got to the point where I’m confident with my production now. I got the chance to produce the album and jumped at the opportunity.”
G.O.D’s Network — REB7rth features a boatload of guest artists, including Kurupt, Masta Killa, Method Man and B.G. In addition, there are contributions from four deceased rappers, courtesy of executive producer Matt “M80” Markoff.
Nipsey Hussle, Fred the Godson and Prodigy all have rhymes, and DMX shows up by way of a prayer. All of the vocals, Markoff explained, were “in my stash or under my ownership.”
Check out the album below.
In other Rakim news, he recently responded to Will Smith‘s admission that Will “was trying to sound like” the Paid In Full icon on the hit song “Summertime” by asking for a collab.
Smith made the admission last year during CBS’ A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip Hop TV special while he was chatting to the legendary rapper backstage.
“I was absolutely trying to sound like you on ‘Summertime,’” he told Rakim. “‘Cause I had been screaming all night, and I couldn’t get my ‘happy-go-lucky’ high voice. And [the producer] just said, ‘Yo, just gimme that Rakim shit.’”
After Smith reposted the clip on Instagram on Tuesday (July 23) to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of his and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s album Homebase, Rakim slid into the comments section with an exciting request.
He wrote: “Peace Will !! Keep rockin bro, it’s time for SUMMERTIME PT 2 wit me on it !!!! lol.”
While Smith has yet to respond, many of his followers were on board with the idea, with one writing: “yesssss @willsmith & @djjazzyjeff please make this happen!!!”
Nothing short of classic, old heads ressurecting the true essence again, sit back youngin’s and truly learn what it means to be hip hop…
Lil Nas X clears
Lollll at classic. Stop throwing the word “classic” around like it’s the word “the”. You sound dumb af doing that. This is by no means a “classic” not even close. It’s not even an average EP, it’s a 7 track EP that is absolute dog water. Ain’t nobody wanna hear Rakim with Nipsey Hussle, B.G. or any of these other below average “rappers”
@kennyken agreed that it’s solid, but I was unaware that peolle over age 30 were on this site. Yall are weird, it’s basically the tmz of hip POP music lol. Figured we were all teens here.
Its not an EP bc its longer than 29 minutes.
I’ve been coming here since you guys were probably babies if you’re teens then, and notice i only comment on my age/era.
Well, as an “old” man, i want an opportunity to share something with you youngins….so you won’t understand the timlessness of music until you age…i was just like you guys with my parents’ music and now i love their music…..same shit just in a new bathroom stall
@kennyken it’s all good, sorry if I came off as rude. Hiphop was undoubtedly at its peak from 1990-2001 or so. After that came the cheesy era. Then the auto tune radio era. Then the drill rap junk… now the GAY and ratchet era. Rakim is dope, it’s too bad him and Dr Dre never actually finished/released the album they had planned.
Unlistenable bs. Rakim’s beats are boring and uninspired. With the massive guest list it’s like a compilation or a DJ mix. Having verses from passed MCs is still ridiculous. Yes, he did a lot for the culture, but he just shouldn’t have dropped this.
Go jump off a cliff. You probably a drake fan boy..
You are right. Anybody who dislikes tired boom bap beats and long guest lists is a Drake fanboy.
I’m with Mac on this 1. Everything he said is on the money. This EP ain’t it sorry not sorry
Disappointing effort. Beats are ok but he even samples his old hooks instead of writing new stuff.
Man…I‘m rooting for LL who seems so hungry and almost in his prime lyrically and Q-Tips work fits perfectly
No skippers down with this
Rakim’s new album is dope as hell. He has some of the best spitters in the game on this album. Congratulations Rakim and thanks for sharing this great piece of art.
As a ole head I was there on 125th Street when he did parts of the Paid In Fill video also when he rocked the 145th St. and Lenox Ave Park, yeah I’m that old. This isn’t the Rakim I was dreaming for. There are way to many features for a man who needs none. I respect the effort but personally disappointed. Carry on!!!
I was really disappointed with him night rapping a verse on that joint with G Rap. Alot of the features didn’t bring they A game to the Rakim album either.
This album pretty dope! Straight lyricist on this album.. u like hip-hop this is it.. wished it was longet tho
Wtf is this shit. Absolute dog shit. Resampling his own old shit. A very sad attempt at relevancy. Love Rakim, and this is just straight up sad.
I like it and I do not like it at the same time. I love Rakim’s voice and flows but this compilation is not it. I’ll wait for the “proper” album.
This is a good album to me. 5/5. Not for those who are looking for sing-a-longs and catchy beats 🤣🤣
I’m also disappointed. The features don’t fit. The mixing on the album is pretty poor. Some verses sound like they are rapping in a phone booth. Only two Rakim verses. And the executive producer won’t accept any criticism. At this point, you have to be a dick rider to like this album.
I liestened to the album now and I absolutely loved it. Pure hip hop. Incredible.
Shit is mid at best. I’m from the Golden era. Two good songs, rest need to be mixed better.
Been listening non stop since release. This project is very solid.
God bless the God Rakim and all the OG’s like LL, Nas, Ghostface breathing new life into the game. It’s feeling like a hip-hop renaissance is happening with all these new releases. LUV IT!!!
This album is boring as hell. You can tell most of these features weren’t done for Rakim, most of them sound off beat and no matter who made them, the beats are sleepy as hell.