Top Five Favorite Rakim Lyrics

by Sleep (Oldominion/The Chicharones)

RAKIM
By WW MUSIC STAFF
“Even if it’s jazz or the quiet storm/ I hook a beat up, convert it into hip-hop form.”
Paid in Full
“Thinkin’ of a master plan/ ’Cause ain’t nothin’ but sweat inside my hand.”
Paid in Full


“Pull out my weapon and start to squeeze/ A magnum as a microphone murderin’ MCs.”
—“Follow the Leader” (Follow the Leader, 1988)


“I’m the arsenal/ I got artillery, lyrics of ammo/ Rounds of rhythm/ Then I’m ’a give ’em piano.”
—“Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em” (Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em, 1990)


“I grew up on the sidewalk/ Where I learned street talk/ And then taught to hawk New York.”
—“Juice (Know the Ledge)” (Don’t Sweat the Technique, 1992)

SEE IT: Rakim plays Dante’sD, 350 W Burnside St., with Sleep, Cool Nutz, Serge Severe, Half Man Half, Destro and L-Pro, on Thursday, Feb. 28. 9 pm. $18. 21+. 

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.