Let's be clear, Ra's place in hip-hop ain't on trial. So, I mean no disrespect. His legacy is certified. He's released classics and created a style for a lot of nikkas' favorite rappers to run with. He's quite simply one of the greatest and most influential rappers ever.
BUT...
And there's a big one
As much love and respect as Rakim gets, there is this glaring reality...
No one has cared about his music for a very, very long time. Ain't nobody patiently, anxiously waiting for Ra to spit 16s on the mic anymore.
He allegedly dropped an album that came and went in 2009. In fact, the most notable thing he did in the past 15 years is catch feelings about Nas's UBR.
Of course, Ra did most of his heavy lifting with Eric B. in the late 80s and early 90s: Paid in Full ('87), Follow the Leader ('88), Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em ('90), and Don't Sweat the Technique ('92). Not to mention '97's "solo effort," The 18th Letter.
But what the fukk has he done lately. I know, I know, there's a lot of old heads that ain't dropping music or ain't releasing shyt that a lot of nikkas want to hear. And you're right--this thread could have easily been about Kane. Or even rappers who are in the GOAT convo, as well, but still not releasing music that is actually reaching the masses--e.g. KRS, LL.
When you break it down purely by age, he is no more an "old head" than anyone else from the so-called golden age. Rakim's more like a peer to a lot of the nikkas we think are in contention for GOAT status. Son is just 47 years old.
That's a year older than Jay-Z.
Only five years older than Nas.
Yet he's seen like this grandfather. He's revered as this elder statesmen of hip-hop because he came first and pioneered some shyt. But, for some reason, he's not seen as someone who could and should be pushing the culture forward even more in today's climate.
Here's the thing, though. People still look forward to a Jay-Z or Nas project. In fact, they criticize when there's a delay or hold it against them if it's wack.
Rakim's career was 10 years (not a flash in the pan by any means
) but certainly not the 20 years and counting of a Nas. Think about it, he ain't been hot or relevant this century.
Why is Ra held to a different standard? Why the apparently different expectations?
I do wonder how his relationship/connection to Nas impacted his career, if at all? Had to be strange for Ra to see this lil nikka who was around the studio all of a sudden come and take his spot. And then to hear nikkas say the lil nikka was better than him. Had to hurt his soul a little.
Dude, "Grip It on that other Level" is one of the greatest albums of all-time and that was like '88/'89
Dude, there is not ONE MC who gets called GOAT more than Rakim. Not Biggie, Not Pac, Not Jay, Not Nas. Stop it.
