Rakim is revered as one of the most influential lyricists in hip-hop history. He has a reported net worth of $1.5 million as of 2024, according to Wealthy Gorilla. Understood for his complex lyricism and innovative rhyming techniques, Rakim's contributions to the genre have set a new standard for rappers. He helped change the way hip-hop music is written and performed. His partnership with Eric B. in the groundbreaking duo Eric B. & Rakim propelled him to fame. Their album Paid in Full is often cited as one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever.
Born William Michael Griffin Jr., Rakim grew up in Wyandanch, New York, where the late 1970s and early 1980s burgeoning hip-hop scene influenced him. His style, characterized by a calm delivery and intricate wordplay, contrasted the more simplistic rhymes popular at the time. This distinctive approach has earned him critical acclaim and a devout following among hip-hop aficionados.
Rakim's impact on hip-hop is profound. His debut with Eric B., Paid in Full (1987), is heralded for its complex rhyme schemes and philosophical content. It was something Rakim introduced to hip-hop. This album and subsequent releases such as Follow the Leader have influenced countless artists and helped to elevate hip-hop into a form of art that can convey complex messages and host intricate lyrical craftsmanship.
Moreover, the duo's sampling and Rakim's assertive yet smooth lyrical delivery created a blueprint to shape the genre's future. His approach to rhyming often uses internal rhymes and a deeper use of metaphor than had previously been seen in hip-hop. It revolutionized the rapper's approaches to songwriting.
After the dissolution of Eric B. & Rakim in the early 1990s, Rakim pursued a solo career. It was less commercially successful and continued to garner respect from within the industry for its lyrical prowess. Albums like The 18th Letter and The Master are noted for maintaining high lyrical standards and integrity. This was even as the musical trends within hip-hop continued to evolve.
Further, Rakim's legacy includes his influence on successive generations of rappers. Many top artists cite him as a major influence in their development as musicians. The lyricist's ability to weave complex stories and ideas into his verses has set a high bar for what is possible in hip-hop music.
Even beyond his music, Rakim's presence in hip-hop remains significant. He is a sought-after speaker and panelist on the history and culture of hip-hop. The emcee provides insights that are invaluable to understanding the genre's development. His contributions to music discussions, documentaries, and educational forums position him as an elder statesman of hip-hop, respected for his past achievements and his ongoing commitment to the culture.
Rakim's engagements in these areas also underscore the breadth of his impact, extending from music to cultural commentary. Overall, his continued relevance in the music industry is a testament to his artistry and understanding of hip-hop's role in broader societal contexts.
NEWS
Harry Styles paid tribute to the late David Hockney and reflected on his time in One Direction last night (June 12), as he kicked off his record-breaking residency at Wembley Stadium.
Hockney – whose painting of Styles was displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in 2023 – died on June 11, aged 88, and the musician honoured him during his set by sharing a quote from the painter on the big screens.
“What an artist is trying to do for people is bring them closer to something, because of course art is about sharing,” the quote read. “You wouldn’t be an artist unless you wanted to share an experience, a thought.”
Styles’ gig last night marked the first of 12 gigs at Wembley, which will see the star break the record for the most shows at the venue in a single tour. Coldplay previously held the record, delivering 10 gigs at the stadium last year as part of their Music Of The Spheres tour.
The London residency follows the Together, Together tour beginning in Amsterdam in May, and will be followed by stops in São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne and Sydney. He will be supported by a different artist in each city, joined by Shania Twain in London, who delivered a set of hits and new tracks from her upcoming album, ‘Little Miss Twain’.
As the sounds of Simon And Garfunkel’s ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ played over the stadium PA, Styles made his way to the stage, kicking off his set with ‘Are You Listening Yet?’, from his latest album, ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally’. Between renditions of ‘Golden’ and ‘Adore You’, he addressed the crowd for the first time, saying: “Our job tonight is to entertain you. Your job is to have as much fun as you possibly can.
“If you want to sing, if you want to dance, please feel free. Please feel free to be whoever it is you’ve always wanted to be tonight. We’ve got each other’s backs.”
Throughout the night, Styles subtly reworked some of the songs on the setlist. He dedicated ‘Taste Back’ “to all the ravers in the house”, as a snippet of Underworld’s ‘Born Slippy’ was interpolated into the song, while a brief burst of Talking Heads’ ‘This Must Be The Place’ was introduced to ‘Treat People With Kindness’. During ‘Dance No More’, the pop star’s band played part of the groove from Happy Mondays’ ‘Step On’, while Styles sang a snatch of Gorillaz’s ‘Clint Eastwood’.
There were also nods to Styles’ days in One Direction early in the set. As the musician left the stage after ‘Fine Line’, the string section on stage played a medley featuring clips of the group’s hits ‘Night Changes’ and ‘History’, plus Styles’ own track ‘Falling’. After ‘Keep Driving’, he took the time to reflect on Wembley’s connections to his and the boyband’s journeys.
“Just outside of this building, just next door, is Wembley Arena, and 16 years ago, my sister brought me to London for the very first time for my X Factor audition,” he said. “So driving here today, and any time I come through Wembley, means so much to me, ‘cause right in that building next door, I was put into a band. We were called One Direction.
The Together, Together setlist features a different surprise song each night at the start of the encore. Last night, Styles treated the Wembley audience to ‘Little Freak’, taken from ‘Harry’s House’, for the first time since 2023. After the song, he spoke to the audience for the final time, saying: “I don’t know if you’ve been listening to me for a week, or a month, or a year, or five years, or 10 years, or 16 years, or whatever it is, but you have changed my life over and over again. Thank you so much for being here and allowing us to do these shows. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
“Finally, 16 years ago, my mother signed me up for the X Factor without my knowledge. I wouldn’t be here today if she hadn’t done that. She’s here today – thank you so much. You’ve changed my life, all of you.” Referencing a lyric in ‘Dance No More’, he added: “Remember – respect your mother.”
‘Are You Listening Yet?’
‘Golden’
‘Adore You’
‘Watermelon Sugar’
‘Music From A Sushi Restaurant’
‘Taste Back’
‘Coming Up Roses’
‘Fine Line’
‘Italian Girls’
‘American Girls’
‘Keep Driving’
‘Ready, Steady, Go!’
‘Dance No More’
‘Treat People With Kindness’
‘Pop’
‘Season 2 Weight Loss’
‘Carla’s Song’
‘Aperture’
‘Little Freak’
‘Sign Of The Times’
‘As It Was’
The Together, Together, London residency continues at Wembley Stadium tonight, with further dates on June 17, 19, 20, 23, 26, 27, 29 and July 1, 3, and 4. Visit here for any remaining UK tickets and check out doors and stage times here.
The gigs will see Styles donate £1 from every ticket sold to LIVE’s levy to help protect UK grassroots music venues and support emerging talent, and before Styles’ headline performance, the big screens at the venue encouraged fans to support Music Venues Trust.
The tour is in support of the star’s latest album, ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally’, which was released in March. In a four-star review, NME described it as “an album that you’ll really want to spend a lot of time with, letting all its layers envelope you”. It added: “It’s the most exploratory album of his career so far, trying out new things and steering his ship in new directions.”
Meanwhile, Styles has also curated this year’s Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre. The line-up chosen by the star includes Stephen Fretwell, Nilüfer Yanya, Orlando Weeks, Bar Italia, Dev Hynes, Jon Hopkins, Getdown Services, LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, Soulwax and more, as well as an intimate gig from Styles himself.
The festival kicked off earlier this week (June 11) with a performance from Los Angeles’ Warpaint, whose show was their first in nearly two years. During the gig, they shared fan favourites like ‘Love Is To Die, ‘Billie Holiday’ and ‘Disco//Very’, plus a cover of Kate Bush’s ‘Running Up That Hill’.
