The backdrop merely gives Rakim a great opportunity to show off his stellar lyrical dexterity and trademark baritone voice. A lesser known producer drops a banging beat that is complimented with a soaring female vocal sample and slick DJ scratches. The title track sets the bar for the album extremely high right from the get-go. The purpose of this review is to evaluate only the material that was brand new at the time.
Sort of a 15 track greatest hits, which made this a necessary purchase for those that did not already own those classics. In order to deliver to the masses the great talent of Rakim enlisted the help of some of New York's finest producers to drudge up some uncanny beats for "The 18th Letter." Finally, after aįive year hiatus, we got a fantastic release that was nearly everything we could hope for.Ī quick note about the release of "The 18th Letter" is that it was a double disc the first of which being a blue CD with Rakim's profile that is the new material, whereas the second red CD was a retrospective look at some of his early celebrated work.
In late 1997, when Rakim released his debut solo outing the expectations were high, but also it seemed built for failure as the chemistry with Eric B. "Don't Sweat the Technique," his last work with his producer protégé', left us waiting for more from the microphone fiend. Of course the root of this high regard is result of a few key elements: Superior quality control, distinctively important lyrical content ("In the Ghetto," "Casualties of War") and the ushering in (and grand influence) on the "golden age" of the genre (mid 90's). As a fan of the music, it is impossible to disregard any one of his masterworks with Eric B. There is a special aura around Rakim that makes him one of hip-hop music's elite artists of all-time.
** RapReviews "Back to the Lab" series **Īs reviewed by Justin 'Tha Shiznute' Chandler Rakim :: The 18th Letter :: MCA/Universal Records