Tag Archives: rakim

I get a craving like I fiend for nicotine.
But I don’t need a cigarette, know what I mean?

Rakim, “Microphone Fiend,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988. More Rakim quotes

Mark you for death, won’t even talk that East or West crap.
From Watts to Lefrak, it ain’t where ya from, it’s where’s your gat.

Big Pun, “You Ain’t a Killer,” Capital Punishment, 1998

It’s been a long time…I shouldn’t have left you
Without a strong rhyme to step to.

Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987

I go to Queens for queens to get the crew from Brooklyn,
Make money in Manhattan and never been tooken.
Go Uptown and the Bronx to boogie down,
Get strong on the Island, recoup, and lay around.

Rakim, “Juice (Know the Ledge),” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Don’t Sweat the Technique, 1992

It ain’t where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.

Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987

Some of you been trying to write rhymes for years,
But weak ideas irritate my ears.
Is this the best that you can make?
Cause if not, and you got more…I’ll wait.

Rakim, “Move the Crowd,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987

It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you
Without a strong rhyme to step to.
Think of how many weak shows you slept through…
Time’s up, I’m sorry I kept you.

Rakim, “I Know You Got Soul,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987

I wake you up and as I stare in your face, you seem stunned.
Remember me? The one you got your idea from?

Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987

I seen her in the subway, on my way to Brooklyn.
“Hello, good lookin, is this seat tooken?”

On the A Train, pickin at her brain,
I couldn’t get her number, I couldn’t get her name.

I said, “I still like your style and fashion,
But I hate your hot sadiddy attitude wit a passion.
Is it because brothers like to hawk a lot?
Is it because your sign don’t talk a lot?”

She turned away, no play, I said, “OK,
You don’t really look good, I hope you have a bad day.”

Rakim, “What’s On Your Mind,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Don’t Sweat the Technique, 1992

Just say the word, I’ll leave your DNA on the curb,
And stick my dick in your ear and fuck what you heard.

Rakim, “I’ll Buss Em, You Punish Em,” from Canibus’ 2000 B.C., 2000

I ain’t no joke, I used to let the mic smoke,
Now I slam it when I’m done and make sure it’s broke.

Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987. Congratulations to Eric B. and Rakim for their nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I’m just an addict, addicted to music
Maybe it’s a habit…I gotta use it.

Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987

I used to roll up: this is a hold up, ain’t nuthin funny.
Stop smiling, be still, don’t nuthin move but the money.

Rakim, “Paid in Full,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987

You can hear the seven sins
Blowin’ through the ghetto wind…

Rakim, “In the Ghetto (Wake Up!)” from J. Period’s Wake Up Radio, 2011

Let’s travel at magnificent speeds around the universe
What could you say as the Earth gets further and further away
Planets are small as balls of clay
Astray into the Milky Way, world’s outasight
Far as the eye can see, not even a satellite
Now stop and turn around and look
As you stare in the darkness, your knowledge is took!
So keep starin’ soon you suddenly see a star
You better follow it, cause it’s the R.

Rakim, “Follow the Leader,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988

Parrish Smith aka PMD • “So Wat Cha Sayin?” • 1989

People round town talkin’ this and that,
Of how we sound like The R, and our music was wack.
Dropped the album Strictly Business, and you thought we was bold.
Thirty days later…the LP went gold.
So what you sayin?

Parrish Smith aka PMD, “So Wat Cha Sayin?,” from EPMD’s Unfinished Business, 1989

Rakim • “I Know I Got Soul” • 1987

I start to think, and then I sink
Into the paper…like I was ink.
When I’m writing I’m trapped in between the lines,
I escape when I finish the rhyme…
I got soul.

Rakim, “I Know I Got Soul”, Paid in Full, 1987

I guess nobody told you a little knowledge is dangerous,
It can’t be mixed, diluted, it can’t be changed or switched.
Here’s a lesson if you’re guessing and borrowing:
Hurry, hurry step right up and keep following the leader.

Rakim, “Follow the Leader,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988. More from Rakim…

I wouldn’ta came and said my name and run some weak shit,
Puttin’ blurbs and slurs and words that don’t fit
In a rhyme, why waste time on the microphone?
I take this more serious than just a poem.
Rockin’ party to party, backyard to yard,
I tear it up y’all…and bless the mic for the Gods.

Rakim, “My Melody,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987. More from Rakim Allah…

Whoever underestimated, still waited,
Pumping the radio, finally they played it.
You wondered how come the album was late?
I was giving you time to get the last one straight.

Rakim, “The R,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988. More from Rakim Allah >

Cool…cause I don’t get upset,
I kick a hole in the speaker, pull the plug, then I jet.

Rakim, “Microphone Fiend,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988. More from The R…

Attention! Follow directions real close:
Keep out of reach of children, beware of overdose.
Too many milligram, but what made a iller jam?
My rhyme is the rhythm of thoughts that kill a man.
Ideas for the ear to fear, might split ‘em;
He’ll never forget ’em…he’ll rest in peace wit ’em.
At least when he left he’ll know what hit ’em:
The last breath of the words of death was ‘The Rhythm.’

Rakim, “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em, 1990. More classic lines from the greatest of all time…

The scene of a crime every night at the show,
The fiend of a rhyme on the mic that you know.
It’s only one capable; breaks, the unbreakable.
Melodies, unmakable; pattern, unescapable.

Rakim, “Lyrics of Fury,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988. More from Rakim Allah…

Tried to put shame in my game to make a name,
I’mma put it on a bullet…put it in your brain.

Rakim, “Know the Ledge,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Don’t Sweat the Technique, 1992. Read more lyrics from Rakim Allah…

I came in the door, I said it before
I never let the mic magnetize me no more.
But it’s biting me, fighting me, inviting me to rhyme,
I can’t hold it back…I’m looking for the line.
Taking off my coat, clearing my throat,
My rhyme will be kicking until I hit my last note.

Rakim, “Eric B. Is President,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987. More Rakim quotes…