The one and only Rakim recently made his return, dropping a new track called “King’s Paradise” for Marvel’s Luke Cage Season 2 soundtrack. Now, the legendary MC has upped the ante by adding his name to the list of performers for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series.
With a band featuring Adrian Younge on the keys and A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad on the bass, Rakim performed his newest track along with few of his classics. The God MC shared live renditions of “Paid In Full” and “Know The Ledge,” putting a new spin on the iconic Hip Hop tracks.
Watch Rakim’s Tiny Desk Concert below.
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Legend!
Top 3 MC of all time. Way ahead of his time when he came out. Smooth, precise, ferocious, and educated. Brothas were serious back then. Peace to the legend.
This shit was dope
Rakim is the GOAT. Everyone else is a derivative of the original.
LL Cool J, and Ice Cube aren’t and both have proven themselves more versatile and skilled MCs than Rakim.
If Rakim was truly worthy of the title “God MC” he wouldn’t have ducked Tech N9ne when he dropped his diss track “Blown away” at him.
LL, and Ice Cube would’ve never ducked.
Man, Cube didn’t even write his own rhynes after his 2nd album. Check the credits. And LL? Cmon son…LL is a legend on the strength of his love songs and his longevity, but he was NEVER considered a lyrical Titan, even when they were both in their prime. Tech Nine is not even worthy of a response from Rakim. Tech Nine’s white suburban fanbase has never even heard of Rakim. FOH.
You don’t know Hip Hop I feel you think that. LL has always been known as a lyrical beast, his love songs held him back from getting props if anything.
He invented styles everyone uses, he proved himself in every aspect of the craft (Rakim hasn’t) he proved himself dope with over 2 dozen styles of delivery (Rakim hasnt) he proved himself a battler (Rakim hasn’t he ducked his only challenger who dissed him for being a fucking diva) He proved himself on collabs with Hip Hops elite in every era (Rakim didn’t)
As for Cube. Cube hasn’t always wrote his bars and his first 2 projects were more impactful than Rakims entire catalogue.
FOH lol he didnt respond because Gods dont worry themselves with the problems of mortals. Tech 9 really? LMFAO. there is a reason this man is still referred to as the God and them other two you mentioned are not. dude hasnt even been relevant on the scene in a decade or more and yet and still he still has that title. think about that.
LL really? mateys cheesy as fuck. I like Cube but he’s never been a lyricist and doesn’t have an advanced control of flow. You’re talking out your arse
You 100% don’t know Hip Hop if you think LL is cheesy. 100% guaranteed youve never listened to his album so like “Radio” “B.A.D” or “Mama said knock you out”.
There’s a reason he’s a cultural icon with a 4 decade career while Rakims career lasted 1.
Anyone know, is the dude on guitar the same dude who performed a blues song on stage at Harlem’s Paradise during the second season of Luke Cage? Not sure what song the dude played or what episode it was but the dude looks mad similar if it’s not him. Either way, anyone know his name?
idk if you’re referring to Adrian Younge but he and Ali from A Tribe Called Quest are part of the music score for the Luke Cage show. Adrian Younge plays a ton of instruments and produced for GhostFace, provided sounds for Prhyme album, and others. Check him out. Good eye!
It is the same dude, bro! Can’t remember his name, tho.
thats what you call excellence in hip hop. salute to the God Emcee.
Who the fuck is this nobody? This ain’t no legend this ain’t no Uzi no Yachty no 6ix9ine. This ain’t no Chance. Where’s the track with Migos? Damn I thought this was a hip hop site…