ROX-TV got invited to cover Rap Legend Rakim’s private show in Michigan last night. After the music, Rakim met with ROX-TV for an exclusive interview.
For all the returning readers, we welcome you back, and to all the first time readers…we are glad that you are here. At ROX-TV we are always looking for interesting and exciting material to share and tonight is no different. ROX-TV had the honor of being guests at the private Rakim show last night in Michigan and it was a time to remember. As most of you may know, Rakim is a legendary figure in the world of hip hop and is considered one of the greatest MC’s of all time.
He was born in New York on January 28th, 1968 and given the name William Michael Griffen Jr. although the world knows him by his stage name Rakim. For those of you that are familiar with the “golden age” of rap, which is often times cited between the mid 1980’s and the early 1990’s, then you will already know that Rakim was one half of the “Eric B and Rakim” duo.
It is said that Rakim wrote his first rap at the age of seven, about Mickey Mouse. Fast forward a bit and in 1985, he met up with Eric B. At the time Rakim was going by the name “Kid Wizard” and made some of his first recordings at his high school in Wyandanch, Long Island. When the duo teamed up, it is reported that they used Eric B’s friend’s (Marley Marl) home studio in Queensbridge to record the debut single “Eric B. is President”, which was later issued by Zakia Records.
When Russell Simmons (Def Jam Recordings founder) heard the single, the duo was signed to to Island Records and began recording in Power Play Studios in Manhattan in early 1987 (Ogg, Alex 2002, The Men Behind Def Jam: The Radical Rise of Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, Page 105). Later that summer, Eric B and Rakim released their debut album “Paid In Full” and literally changed the face of hip hop, raising the bar on the entire industry in regards to lyricism and sampling. The album produced five singles including “Eric B is President”, “I ain’t no joke”, “I know you got soul”, “Paid in Full”, and “Move the crowd”. The album sold over a million copies and was certified Platinum in 1995 by RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). The album was featured by Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the top five hundred greatest albums of all time (2003 and also in 2020).
The album was also recognized by MTV as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time (MTV.com Greatest Hip Hop albums of all time MTV 2005) and stated that “Paid in Full” raised the standards of hip hop “sonically and poetically”. Time Magazine also listed the album in their “All Time 100” albums. MTV also recognized Rakim by naming his #4 on the “The greatest MC’s of all time”. The Source (Hip Hop Magazine and longest running rap periodical in the world, founded in 1988) named Rakim #1 on their “Top fifty lyricists of all time” in 2013.
Rakim was introduced to The Nation of Islam in 1986 and later joined “The Nation of Gods and Earths” (Five Percenters), taking the name Rakim Allah, and then later shortening it up to Rakim. The duo of Eric B and Rakim would release four studio albums between 1987 and 1992, which included 1987’s “Paid in Full, 1988’s “Follow the leader”, “1990’s “Let the rhythm hit em”, and 1992’s “Don’t sweat the technique”.
“Follow the Leader” was certified gold in 1988 after selling in excess of 500,000 copies. The album peaked at spot number #22 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums. The album was cited by The Source as a member of the their 100 best rap albums in 1998 and was ranked #12 by Comedian/Actor Chris Rock’s “Top 25 Hip Hop Albums”. The album produced four singles respectively.
“Let the rhythm hit em” dropped on June 19th, 1990 and although it didn’t make quite as much noise as the first two releases, it was certified Gold by the RIAA. The fourth and final studio album by the duo came out June 23rd, 1992 and was called “Don’t sweat the technique”. The most well known single to come off the album was featured in the Tupac Shakur film “Juice” (Know the ledge) also in 1992.
Eventually Rakim would leave “Eric B and Rakim” to strike out on his own. This would bring about the creation of the “18th Letter” which dropped on November 4th, 1997 and would bring critical acclaim and another Gold certification from the RIAA. The album also had appearances by hip hop legends Pete Rock, DJ Premier, and Father Shaheed. In 1999, Rakim would drop “The Master”, his second solo album. Although reviews of the album were good, the sales of this album were slower than anticipated.
Rakim was signed to Dr. Dre’s famous “Aftermath” label in 2000. Work began on an album titled “Oh, my god” but creative differences and numerous delays stalled out the project. During his time at Aftermath, Rakim was featured on the Jay Z track “The Watcher Part 2” and the “Eight Mile” soundtrack (song 13: “R.A.K.I.M.”) which has sold eleven million copies or more since 2016. Rakim left Aftermath in 2003 and “Oh, my god” was put on hold indefinitely. After some red tape, Rakim eventually secured the music he made at Aftermath, and moved forward with plans to release the music on an album titled “The Seventh Seal”, which was finally released in November of 2009.
In 2011, Rakim performed at the Blue Note Jazz Club, to support the anniversary of the “Paid in Full” album, which celebrated its 25th anniversary. The Roots (Amazing hip hop band which came together in 1987) backed Rakim up for the show. Rakim worked with DMX on a collab called “Don’t call me” later in 2013, and even recorded with rock group Linkin Park, with a song called “Guilty All the Same” in 2014. Rakim announced a reunion with Eric B in 2016, and the two performers speculated on a tour at some point in the future.
Wednesday ROX-TV Headquarters in Downriver
I met up with Rude Boy, DJ Carlito, Frank “The voice” Stanley, and Bob at headquarters and we discussed upcoming events and promotions. Rude Boy informed me that we had been invited to attend a very special event being put together by The Nation of Islam and Minister Troy Muhammad. I asked him what was going down and the Rude Boy said that “Rakim” was coming to do put on a private concert and it was “invite only”. I jumped at the chance to help with the coverage. Rakim is a legendary figure in hip hop and being able to see him perform was something that I was not going to let pass me by. We all agreed to meet up several days later for the show that was scheduled for Sunday in Wayne.
Sunday at Hype
After meeting up at the ROX-TV headquarters, we headed out into the quickly fading day. As we ripped down I-75 to Telegraph, I was happy and excited for the show. If there is one thing that is for certain, the last tenth months have been extremely good to me as far as live music is concerned. Over the course of that time I have attended Insane Clown Posse’s Big Ballas Christmas show in Southwest Detroit (El Club), which included Project Born, Ouija Macc, Awesome Dre, Big Hoodoo, and DJ Clay. I attended the Death by Denver show at the famous Roxy Theatre (Denver), put on by SCUM and the LSP Family, which included Cody Manson, HB the Grizzly, Smokey Da Bear, Insane Poetry, and Ouija Macc with DJ Chunk. I hit the Insane Clown Posse’s 25th anniversary “Prom Night Massacre” show in Indiana which featured Wiked Wood, Project Born, Ouija, and the ICP. I caught the first annual DJ Dankish “Vibe Life” festival at Simon’s After Dark in early July. A few weeks ago DJ Carlito, the Rude Boy, and myself hit the R.A. The Rugged Man show in Pontiac (The Crofoot). To say that the music gods have been good to me is an understatement and I hope it keeps on coming (3,6,9)
We arrived at the Hype Center (4635 Howe Rd, Wayne, Michigan) and formed up in the parking lot. We were excited to be there and Bob ran through the equipment to make sure we would have our weapons of choice to cover the event. Before heading in, Rudy introduced the ROX-TV crew to the legendary Awesome Dre (Detroit Hip Hop royalty for the 1989 release “You can’t hold me back” by Awesome Dre and the Hardcore Committee as well as “A.D.’s Revenge” in 1993. Awesome Dre was reportedly the first Detroit artist to be a guest on Yo! MTV Raps and also BET’s Rap City. He also landed a deal with Priority Records. In 2016 Awesome Dre dropped the E.P. called A.D.E.P. on Awesome World Entertainment). Awesome Dre was rolling with his homie X-Man and we all walked in to the event together.
After going threw a security check and meeting with the very kind and gracious host Minister Troy Muhammad, a table and seats were set up for us in the otherwise packed event. Before the show got started, ROX-TV interviewed Awesome Dre and the X-Man, mostly chopping it up about the music and industry. We took our seats and waited for The God MC to take the stage. The atmosphere was amazing and combined many aspects into a perfect circle. There was an extensive meal being served for anyone who was hungry and the wonderful aroma filled the room. You know the food is good when there is a line and they most certainly had it going on. There were various community leaders, organizers, and officials from Detroit City on hand, as well as many African American business owners and professionals. Good things were in the air and the place was filled with smiles and friendship….and some serious hip hop scholars. After the formalities of the evening and various civic awards handed out by the Nation of Islam and Minister Troy Muhammad, with help from Rick Ross, the stage was set for a night no one would forget.
Rakim takes the stage
The legend took the stage and the people rose to their feet. It was a surreal moment and one that everyone reacted to with excitement. Rakim took command of the stage and began dropping his amazing lyrical delivery like water going over the falls. The crowd did their part, rapping in perfect unison with Rakim for almost the entire show. Phones were lit up everywhere, recording keepsakes for fans to watch later or post on social media. Rakim had a massive presence on the stage, but did so with a laid back style that he is known for. His rhymes were smooth and engulfing, with a dynamite DJ adding the flavor. I was overcome with happiness when Rakim broke into “I ain’t no joke” off the “Paid in Full” album. I suddenly had flashbacks to the early 1990’s, watching Rap City with the aid of a black box (device for stealing cable back in the day).
Those songs took me back to another part of my life that I don’t visit as frequently as I once had. Part of it is probably because of the time and distance between those years and my life now, but also having a family, and so much other shit going on, that I often forget to remember the old days, back in the day on West Hill in “The Creek”.
Probably one of the more interesting and unique aspects of the show, was that Rakim engaged the crowd with real conversation. This wasn’t a cat that had blown in for an hour, was there to play a few hits, and then tear off to the next event. This was a real and meaningful connection that Rakim shared with the room and I for one was grateful to bear witness. Rakim sent a guy into the crowd and offered to answer questions about anything the fans wanted to know. It was an amazing moment for the artist to open up so much for the fans and the questions were fascinating and wide reaching.
Rakim talks with the people
Question about the Aftermath Experience and Dr. Dre from the crowd:
“Ya we did a couple of joints, a couple joints, I Hear people been kinda leaking them out periodically… ( asked if it was politics?) Naw man, Dre got a formula, I got a formula, I think we realized how night and day we was, when I got there” said Rakim, thanking the man for his question.
Rude Boy asks Rakim Michael Jackson or Prince?
“That’s a funny question too, I grew up on the Mike Jackson, ya know what I mean, but my sister was a big Prince fan. You walk in my sister room, and it was like the whole room was purple. I was like “Ma, she can do this?” Purple, Purple rain, not that I hated prince, but I didn’t like the fact that she could paint her whole room purple, with a big purple rain poster in the middle of the room, you know what I mean…Mike Jackson for me though”.
(Author’s Note: Rakim answered quite a few questions but I don’t want to give all the content away, at least not just yet. Please keep checking back with ROX-TV for the footage and additional question and answer session during the show. The information was fascinating and I’ve never really experienced anything like that before. He opened up and really allowed the crowd to ask any and everything)
The End
After the show Rakim was kind enough to meet with the ROX-TV and Cruisin The Barrio team in a private area of the Hype Center. I was excited to shake the man’s hand and he did not disappoint. He was a class act and really took the time to listen and make personal connections with fans and others in the room. I was in the room with Hip Hop Royalty and it was an amazing moment for me. Growing up with the sounds and the evolution of the rap game, it’s been an interesting ride. Speaking with someone like Rakim really highlights why hip hop history is important and that we need to get as much of it down on paper, digital, whatever the fuck it takes to capture the stories and the times. We are running out of time, as the older statesmen and women of hip hop age, and it seems now like everyday we lose another brother or sister of the art form. We can not wait, preserve the stories, preserve the photographs, remember the times, or we run the risk of losing it forever. Thank you for reading with us tonight and I look forward to the next time…..
Signing Off,
Mike Shepard
ROX-TV Head Writer
shepard2909@hotmail.com
kidvicious810 on IG
