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.
Just days after landing her fourth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Drop Dead,” Olivia Rodrigo is now getting major recognition from Niall Horan.
In a recent conversation with Rolling Stone published April 30, the former One Direction member shared insight into how he approaches songwriting, highlighting the comeback of bridges in pop and pointing to Rodrigo as a key influence behind it.
“It’s great to hear [bridges]. I feel like Olivia Rodrigo has been a big influence on that for pop writers,” the Irish artist said, before singing part of the “Drivers License” bridge. “What I like about Olivia’s music is [that] you feel like you’re getting one song and then you get a completely different song. It completely flips on its head musically, goes somewhere different, brings you to a bridge, brings you to some weird musical breakdown thing. Whatever [she] and Dan Nigro are up to is a good little team they’ve got going there. It’s definitely influencing people, including myself.”
Horan also spoke at length about his upcoming project Dinner Party, set to arrive June 5 through Capitol Records. He has already released two tracks from the record, including the title cut and “Little More Time,” both produced alongside Afterhrs, John Ryan and Julian Bunetta. The album rollout will be paired with an extensive 22-date tour across Europe, Ireland and the U.K. The Irish singer’s new release follows 2023’s The Show, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. During the interview, Horan also mentioned that his next era leans more into rock elements, something he connects back to his long-standing love for bands like Blink-182.
“That drum sound is something that we were trying to chase, and that comes from that late-’90s, early-2000s punk-rock era,” he said. “Rock’s been a big influence in my life since I was a child. I write pop songs, but dressing them up in a different way sometimes is quite cool. And now, the way my career is going, I’m completely thinking about live shows all the time. I learned so much from being on the road and being out there every night. There’s only so much sitting on Spotify you can do and reading comments before you actually get an idea of what people actually think. You can see it in the room. The rockier stuff really goes off at the shows.”
The “Slow Hands” hitmaker also has two U.S. stadium dates lined up for this year. Joining longtime friend and Grammy-nominated country artist Thomas Rhett, Horan is set to perform at GEODIS Park in Nashville on July 9 and Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania on July 19, with Live Nation handling promotion for both shows. Kashus Culpepper and Emily Ann Roberts will open the concerts. With such a packed touring schedule, all four remaining members of One Direction are expected to be on the road with new music this year. When asked about attending his former bandmates’ shows, Horan gave praise to Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.
“I went to Harry’s show a couple of years ago, and that was just wild. Madness going on there,” he said. “It reminded me of the 1D stadium shows where it was just seas of people jumping up and down. Watching the things going on on the floor, all the fans dancing around, I love that. You feel a sense of pride watching the boys doing what they love to do, and the communities that they’re able to create. I’m going to try and get to a Louis show of some capacity in the next few weeks.”
Horan is now the fourth One Direction member to drop a new album this year. Tomlinson released How Did I Get Here? in January, Styles hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally in March, and ZAYN followed with Konnakol earlier this month on April 17.
