Booking Rakim

Rakim Biography

The American rapper known as Rakim was born William Michael Griffin in 1968. Before Rakim rose to fame as half of the hip hop duo known as Eric B. & Rakim, he grew up influenced by New York’s burgeoning hip hop scene in the 1980’s. After a chance meeting brought Eric B. and Rakim together, the duo went on to become one of the most influential artists of the genre for the era. Although Eric B. & Rakim dissolved in 1992, today they are recognized as one of the Greatest Hip Hop Duos of all time.

During their time together, Eric B. & Rakim gave audiences the albums: Paid in Full (1987), Follow the Leader (1988), Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em (1990), and Don’t Sweat the Technique (1992.) After the duo dissolved, Rakim went on to record as a solo artist, releasing the albums: The 18^th Letter (1997), The Master (1999), and The Archive: Live, Lost & Found (2008.) Notable singles from Rakim include: “Guess who’s Back,” “When I Be on the Mic,” and “Walk These Streets.”

Throughout the years, Rakim has also appeared as a guest artist on a number of singles, including: “Friends” and “Off the Hook” (with Jody Watley); “Game of Death” (Shaquille O’Neal); “Hoodlum” (Mobb Deep & Big Noyd); “Buffalo Gals (Back to Skool),” (Malcolm Mclaren); “Metaforce” (The Art of Noise); “I’ll Buss Em U Punish ‘Em” ( Canibus); “I Am” (G-Dep & Kool G. Rap); “Streets of New York” (Alicia Keys); “Classic” (Kanye West); “Cold Feeling” (Ayatollah); and “Guerilla” (Azad.)

Rakim continues to perform and record, both as a solo artist and in collaboration with other artists. Most recently, Rakim released The Celler EP, featuring the single “Don’t Call Me.” He also appeared as a guest artist on the Linkin Park album The Hunting Party; his vocals can be heard on the song “Guilty All the Same.”