Rakim speaks on Current Hip Hop Trends, "The Seventh Seal," and New Album

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Two years ago, Rakim released The Seventh Seal, his first album in ten years. In a year in which hip hop music was heavily criticized, his music catered to the older crowd. Rakim is hailed as the best rapper of all-time due to his lyrical ability and his ability to mix social issues with the party.

Recently, Rakim addressed the negative reaction of the album and current hip hop trends. Many rappers have managed to stay on top by following trends. It worked for Fat Joe for years. But, Rakim said he refuses to follow trends. Rakim knew the risk he was taking with The Seventh Seal.

Despite the change in times, Rakim will never change his style just to fit in. Instead, he wants to deliver to the people what he always has. Rakim said regardless of what music is made, some people will like it, while others will not. There are many hip hop fans who only listen to radio-friendly music, but Rakim hardly makes radio-friendly songs. Rakim also acknowledged those who like all types of music. Because of who he is, his personality, and his longevity, Rakim said he cannot drop his style to be like Lil Wayne or Wiz Khalifa.

Rakim said it is hard to maintain your own identity and still make music for the masses. That is the reason why he recorded The Seventh Seal. The album was a commercial flop, but Rakim said he had to do it because there is no consciousness in the hood. After getting those issues off his chest, Rakim said he is now back to making the music that made him famous. Rakim promised his next album would have more of a party focus, while still bringing the typical Rakim.

Read more...

Rakim talks Longevity in the Hip Hop Game

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Currently, Rakim is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of his Paid In Full album. A concert took place celebrating two decades and a half since the release of the album. In an interview with MTV, Rakim talked about his career and the lifespan of newer emcees.

Rakim said it is a blessing to have been in the rap game as long as he has been in the game. He said it was an honor to have a celebration for his album, twenty-five years after its initial release. Two years ago, Rakim released his long-awaited album, The Seventh Seal.

During that time, Rakim discussed things, such as when a rapper should end his career. Rakim also talked about the difference between R&B singers and rappers. He spoke on how Al Green still does performances and still gets the crowd moving. But, during his recent talk with MTV, he explained how the average lifespan for most rappers is around seven years to twelve years.

Because of that, he felt honored he has lasted as long as he has in the game.

Read more...

Jay-Z feels Rap should be considered Poetry

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Since the release of his Decoded book, Jay-Z has risen to new heights as a businessman. In the book, Jay-Z writes about rap and how it should be considered poetry. Much like poetry, rap is spoken words, one person's emotion at one given time. Plus, like poetry, raps usually rhyme, or have rhythm.

Jay-Z said he hopes readers take one thing away from his book, rap should be considered poetry. Throughout the years, rap music has been known as a violent genre of music. But, Jay-Z points out how many different rappers are in the game. While some rappers are thugs, others are lovers.

The rapper compared his "Big Pimpin'" hit to "Meet the Parents," saying they were both party songs. While both songs are party songs, they have two entirely different meanings. Jay-Z went on to talk about some of the things written by rappers, The Notorious B.I.G. and Rakim. Aside from being raps, they were great pieces of literature.

Read more...

Rakim, The Forgotten Legend

By The Voice
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

When discussing the best rappers of all-time, most hip hop fans mention The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, and sometimes Jay-Z. In recent years, the fans of Lil Wayne have been pushing to add him to the discussion. For many reasons, many rappers could be considered one of the best, but Rakim is usually left out of the equation.

Rakim has been in the game since 1986, but most fans do not remember him until 2002. The rapper's most famous rhymes of the 21st century came on Truth Hurts' 2002 song, "Addictive." A number of fans of the song assumed he was a new rapper. But, for those who know their history, they know Rakim has been around for years.

In 1987, Rakim released his debut album with Eric B, as a part of the duo Eric B & Rakim. Eric B was the producer and Rakim was the lyricist. While LL Cool J was riding the top of the charts and winning the hearts of girls all over the world, Rakim was putting together some of the wittiest lyrics of all-time. His first album, Paid in Full, was a critical success, but it was not very popular with fans. Even with the strong lyrical content, the album did not sell like records from Run-DMC and the superstar, LL Cool J.

During the 1990s, gangsta rap took over the air-waves. Hip hop was more interested in hearing NWA and social rapper, Tupac Shakur, at this time. Rakim disappeared during the 1990s, as The Notorious B.I.G. emerged and brought New York hip hop back to its prominence. Also, Tupac Shakur signed with Death Row and emerged as the toughest gangsta rapper of them all. Not only was Tupac the most-popular rapper in the game, he was also critically-acclaimed. Each of his albums were met with positive reviews, despite his switch from social rap to gangsta rap.

Unlike Biggie, who often rapped Mafioso stories, Rakim was able to change his style up and still make people think if they actually took the time to listen. Rakim was not a gangsta rapper by any means, but he did rap what he felt at the time. There are not many rappers who are as versatile as Rakim. LL Cool J is credited for reinventing himself several times in order to still be appealing. Rakim has been able to switch his flow, but still be the same style of rapper. Despite most fans forgetting about Rakim, most rappers do credit him as their inspiration.

When 50 Cent signed to Interscope Records, in 2002, he was immediately compared to Tupac Shakur, but he denied the similarities. Even in some of his lyrics, he quoted the late legend, but when he was asked who his favorite rapper was, 50 Cent said Rakim was who really made him love rap music. Many other rappers, who are considered legends by today's standards have hailed Rakim as one of their favorite rappers. But, fans do not know much about him because he never had much mainstream success. In 2009, he was in the news after he finally released The Seventh Seal.

Read more...

Dr. Dre announces Release Date for "Detox"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Fans of Dr. Dre have been waiting for a very long time for Detox to come. Following the release of 1999's 2001, Dr. Dre announced he would soon release another album. When he gave more details, Dre announced the album would be his final release.

Despite announcing the album in late 1999, Dr. Dre did not work towards releasing it. Instead, Dr. Dre produced Eminem's albums and releases from Shady Records. Later, he pushed his and Rakim's albums back for 50 Cent's emergence.

In 2004, Dr. Dre began talking about putting Detox together. He was featured, alongside 50 Cent, on Eminem's "Encore." At the end of the song, Eminem said the album would be released in 2006. But, his work Game and Snoop Dogg's albums pushed Detox back again.

In 2008, Dr. Dre announced he was working with Lil Wayne, T.I., Eminem, and others on Detox. He said the album would be coming in 2009. Later, Dr. Dre backpeddled and said the album would be released before the end of 2010. At the beginning of spring 2010, Dr. Dre released the Jay-Z-assisted "Under Pressure" and it was a minor hit.

Before the end of 2010, Dr. Dre released the first official single, "Kush," with Akon and Snoop Dogg and filmed a video for the song. The song has received heavy radio rotation and Dr. Dre recently announced the release date for Detox. Dr. Dre announced the release date for the album to be on April 20, 2011, which also happens to be the holiday for smokers.

Read more...

Lakers' star, Ron Artest, launches Record Label

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Ron Artest has always felt music was his calling after basketball. A few years ago, Artest attempted to release a hip hop album. But, at the time, he was in the middle of his league suspension. Artest took time off and focused on basketball.

It took Artest a few years, but he repaired his image and signed with the defending champions, the Los Angeles Lakers. Ron Artest would win his first NBA championship with the Lakers this past summer. His image is fully repaired and now he is looking to expand.

With everything going his way, Ron Artest landed a deal with SMC Recordings to create Artest Media Group. Next year, Artest will begin adding artists to this label and making announcements. In the meantime, he will be promoting the new company.

SMC Recordings is home to the legendary Rakim and other rappers. They are thrilled to have this partnership with Ron Artest and he is thrilled to be working with them, too.

Read the original article on JR.

Read more...