Track Listing

1. Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em - Eric B. & Rakim, Eric B. & Rakim
2. No Omega - Eric B. & Rakim, Eric B. & Rakim
3. In the Ghetto - Eric B. & Rakim, Eric B. & Rakim
4. Step Back - Eric B. & Rakim, Eric B. & Rakim
5. Eric B. Made My Day - Eric B. & Rakim
6. Run for Cover - Eric B. & Rakim
7. Untouchables - Eric B. & Rakim
8. Mahogany - Eric B. & Rakim
9. Keep 'Em Eager to Listen - Eric B. & Rakim, Eric B. & Rakim
10. Set 'Em Straight - Eric B. & Rakim
11. Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em [12" Vocal Version Remix][*] - Eric B. & Rakim

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14905 in Music
• Brand: MCA
• Released on: 1990-05-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

The pinnacle of a genius
This often overlooked opus is actually the greatest work of Rakim's career. It was overlooked at the time, because artists like Ice Cube and Tribe Called Quest had started to polarize the two fan bases that would have normally listened to an artist like Rakim, leaving him stranded. Ironically, this was the best work of both Eric B and Rakim. The result of Eric's funkier-than-thou production and Rakim's holier-than-thou lyricism is an album that surpasses all of their other efforts. If you've liked anything they've ever done, then this is the album for you. And if you like artists like Nas, Pharoahe Monch, or Eminem buy this album to see where they got their styles.

Don't Sleep
While Paid In Full is a classic because of it's rawness, this album gives us a more refined Eric B. and Rakim. The production is thicker and more bass heavy, and the R's lyrics have gotten even more intricate. While the high points may not be as high as those on the previous two albums, this is their most consistant effort, with zero fast forward material. The stand outs here are the two cuts which feature Rakim exploring previously uncharted territory. "In The Ghetto" shows Ra making the transition from dropping the occasional philosophical jewell in between boasts, to making a whole record about knowledge of self and upliftment. The simple track and slow flow pack surprising power, and the lyrics are some of Rakim's best. "Mahagony", is a clever seduction rap that lightens the tone of the album and show's that even that rapper who ate up 21 MCs at the same time has a playful side.

A classic album that Eric B gets too much credit for
I'm not going to reiterate what has already been said, but it should be known that the Large Professor (Main Source, Nas) and Rakim did most of the beats on this album. Think about it, after Eric B and Rakim split, what did Eric produce after that? Well to my knowledge all he did was executive produce Craig Mack's sophomore album (Operation: Get Down) which BLEW CHUNKS. So there you have it.