Review #61: Paid In Full, Eric B. & Rakim
#61: Paid In Full, Eric B. & Rakim
The first album I listened to after my road trip.
Okay, first of all, I LOVE that they don’t have a group name and just bill themselves as their own names. That seems so … dignified, somehow? And yet they have this absolutely memey album cover. I was in love with this before it even started.
On the left, you have Eric B., who is a DJ. On the right, you have Rakim, who is a rapper. The RS blurb absolutely sh*ts itself over Rakim, calling him “the Eighties’ greatest rapper,” and calling Paid In Full “the record that cemented his legend.” Um, are there not TWO people on this record? Is Eric B. chopped liver?! Even his Wikipedia page is sorely lacking. Justice for Eric B.!
Not to detract from Mr. Rakim, who I’ve decided is my new favorite rapper ever.
FAVORITE SONGS:
“I Ain’t No Joke” — I’m full-on addicted to this song. My boyfriend has seen this music video probably fifteen times. Rakim just doesn’t stop!
“Eric B. Is On The Cut” — You CUT IT, Eric B.!!! It sounds like he went to an abandoned building and made random noises.
“My Melody” — Featuring Marley Marl, who also produced LL Cool J’s Mama Said Knock You Out. Bring back the record scratch!
“I Know You Got Soul” — Pump up the volume.
“Move the Crowd” — This bass sounds like the Seinfeld intro in the best way.
“Paid In Full” — Thinkin’ of a master plan. Also with Marley Marl.
“As The Rhyme Goes On” — Not to out myself as an Eminem fan (I guess I already have), but I immediately recognized the line “I’m the R-to-the-A-to-the-K-I-M/ If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?” because Eminem riffs on it in his song “The Way I Am.”
“Eric B. For President” — JUSTICE FOR ERIC B. Rakim gets it.
“Extended Beat” — Nothing better than a good, honest title.
LEAST FAVORITE SONGS:
“Chinese Arithmetic” — Just a trippy beat — least favorite by default, because I love all these songs.
IS RS FULL OF IT?
Yes. It’s clear to me that RS forgot that Eric B. was even on this record. If they remembered, it would jump 20 spots.
