ERIC B. & RAKIM

5  YO! MTV RAPS CARDS

1991 USA 1^st Edition

35 YEARS OLD

(Card Size: 3.5x2.5 in / 9x6.5 cm)

Eric B. & Rakim are an American hip-hop duo with DJ Eric B. (Eric Barrier) & MC Rakim (William Griffin). AllMusic wrote that "during rap's so-called golden age in the late '80s, Eric B. & Rakim were almost universally recognized as the premier DJ/MC team in all of hip-hop", while About.com ranked them #5 of the 10 Greatest Hip-Hop Duos of All-Time. Debut album Paid in Full ('87) reached the Top 10 on the USA Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. LP Follow the Leader ('88) saw their production move away from the blunt minimalism of their debut. The title track & Lyrics of Fury were 2 of Rakim's most acclaimed lyrical performances. In '89, they teamed up with Jody Watley on her single Friends, which hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart & was 1 of the 1st notable collaborations between hip-hop & dance pop. Their song What's On Your Mind appeared on the soundtrack for the '91 film House Party 2 & they recorded the theme for the film Juice ('92). Both were included on their last album together, Don't Sweat the Technique ('92). With their record contract due to expire, Eric B. refused to sign the label's release contract, fearful that Rakim would abandon him. This led to a court case involving them, their former label & the duo subsequently parted. Eric B. has clarified that the problems stemmed from the label claiming ownership of the masters - not from any financial disputes between him & Rakim. In 2016, Eric B. announced he & Rakim had reunited after 23 years & in 2018, they announced an American tour.

Studio Albums

Paid in Full (1987)

Follow the Leader (1988)

Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990)

Don't Sweat the Technique (1992)