Lemme give you some insight
This is a hip-hop message board
Here, in The Booth, we talk about rap music and the rappers who make it
Okay thats not really insight, but thanks anyway, the "rappers who make it" is comedy gold fam....
This thread is about Rakim, one of rap's shining sons
Be mad about it if you want but the reality is some people still get excited over rapper's releasing music--we got a several 100-page thread about Nas and the past two years are full of posts about when Nas is dropping his next project; I just don't see much excitement over Rakim and I wonder why not
I do get excited if an artist I support is releasing music. Which is why you seem confused, Rakim isnt releasing any new music. The FACT you used Nas as the barometer hints at an irony that I suspect is beyond you.
"You calling the OP "subjective ramblings" is like Jay-Z stans calling Ether all lies or Nas stans saying Takeover was wack--sure, you can say those things but you know the truth is otherwise:
You disagree with me calling your opinion subjective..............by defining subjectivity. "
Subjectivity refers to how someone's judgment is shaped by personal opinions and feelings instead of outside influences"
Fact 1: age-wise, he's actually in the same age bracket as other GOATs
this age bracket thing is a fallacy, but you cling to it nonetheless. Paid in Full dropped in '87, who else dropped an album in 87 that you are eagerly anticipating, MC Shan, Too Short? (RIP Heavy D, hold ya head Steady B) the only two hip hop acts that dropped in 87' that still release music are P.E and Krs-One, the FACT you are discussing Ra's greatness is in itself testimony.
Fact 2: other than the 18th Letter, he did his best work in the late in 80s and early 90s
some people say Jay and Nas best work is behind them, some Wu-Tang heads only fukk wth the first generation of clan releases, some people only talk about Doggystyle Snoop, you think Cube is where he's at cos of War and Peace, Laugh Now or Raw footage??
Grown folks usually accept this, you're obviously/obliviously struggling with the concept of change and "things aint what they used to be". Reality is, most artists have to live with this.
I don't think you could come up with one hip hop artist who dropped a debut in 1987/97/07 and isnt spoken of in that way. So to qualify your FACT you have to, at least, use another emcee/group as a barometer, I'll wait........................
Fact 3: for some people, the only image of Rakim is being some old head throwing shade at Nas
and this means what exactly? do things "some people" think have a major bearing on your opinion-forming cos there are way more people who see Ra as god emcee than "old head throwing shade" sounds like some
to me, you picking and choosing consensus opinion to suit fam, nice.
Fact 4: Rakim is still alive
A lot of people who dropped an album in 87 are still alive, and what? we know "dead rappers get better promotion", but still, and what.
Fact 5: he's still making music
he is, news to me, speak on it?
Fact 6: he's not that popular anymore
popular to whom, young thug,lil wayne or drake fans? more subjectivity dressed up on some emperors new clothes shyt.......
Fact 7: I do think Ra is dope; I just wonder why he wasn't bigger longer...pause
the passive aggression is strong with this one, so he's not popular, he is still alive but he's dope
So, in a nutshell, I'm not confused
fam you killing it right now "You throw the ball to first base"
Maybe, though, as I've already acknowledged, I'll have to get used to the idea of rappers growing old and not being as good as they once were or as popular as days past
or dont get used to it and fast forward to 2026 and wonder why popular rapper from 2016 isn't still as popular
Fanfare wasn't the best word choice as Ra has a lot of fans and he gets his due when anyone talks about the GOATs. He's deserving of the praise he gets. The attention he gets, however, is based off what he did over 20 years ago. Nobody's been checking for him since as far as the music he's been releasing. In fact, I would expect there to be more buzz for his projects because he drops so infrequently. Just wondering when/how one of our GOATs fell off. 
.
...SOng wise and emcee wise Rakim just aint one of my all time favorites in either regard.
