Rakim NPR Tiny Desk Concert

[Deltron]

Video:


Audio:
Rakim

It had been nearly a decade since Rakim released new music, but that drought ended Friday when the godfather of rap lyricism and one half of the revered duo Eric B & Rakim released a new song, "King's Paradise." The track was written for Season 2 of Marvel's Luke Cage, which premiered on Netflix the same day, but it wasn't entirely new to select NPR staff; they heard it days earlier when the God MC performed at the Tiny Desk.

The New York rap icon wasn't the only legend in the building that day. Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest — who produced and co-wrote "King's Paradise" with keyboardist Adrian Younge under their new project The Midnight Hour — played bass, and rising blues torchbearer Christone "Kingfish" Ingram sat in on guitar.

"King's Paradise" pays homage to the heroes of the Harlem Renaissance as well as its fictional superhero, the bulletproof Luke Cage. Rakim tipped his hat to Philip Payton Jr., Joe Lewis, Lena Horne, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou and Louis Armstrong, before concluding with a few bars about the comic book-inspired series.

Younge then led the nine-member backing band through two of Rakim's undeniable classics: "Paid in Full" and "Know the Ledge." For the former, drummer David Henderson rolled right in with the unmistakable breakbeat, — originally sampled from The Soul Searchers "Ashley's Roachclip." Muhammad, who's been playing bass since age 19 despite being known for his production and DJ work, provided the low end for "Know The Ledge."

Rakim released his first single 32 years ago, yet the timbre of his voice and Dali Llama aura remain strong. Let's hope this is the beginning of another renaissance.

Set List

• "King's Paradise"
• "Paid In Full"
• "Know The Ledge"

 

[OfTheCross]

Can't wait to peep this one!


lowkey NPR must be getting a lot of views on the Hip Hop and R&B artists because they feature them pretty often

 

[Deltron]

that luke cage song is dope

 

[T.he I.nformant]

Can’t wait.

But will it be better than Kane’s?

 

[Apollo Kid]

Tiny Desk had O.C., Preemo, and Kane recently. Can't wait to hear The R do his thing.

 

[blizzard man]

Tiny Desk had O.C., Preemo, and Kane recently. Can't wait to hear The R do his thing.

im i missed those

im trying to get to the tech n9ne one later this week

my gfs sister hit me about the rakim one the day before, and i couldnt finesse my way out of work for it that fast

 

[Apollo Kid]

im i missed those

im trying to get to the tech n9ne one later this week

my gfs sister hit me about the rakim one the day before, and i couldnt finesse my way out of work for it that fast

These are open to the public? I thought only NPR employees were allowed.

 

[blizzard man]

These are open to the public? I thought only NPR employees were allowed.

gotta have a plug, they're invite only if you aint an employee

 

[TEKBEATZ]

Need a dl link

 

[Deltron]

Need a dl link

HERE

 

[TEKBEATZ]

Whats the first song?

 

[Deltron]

king's paradise from luke cage

 

[TEKBEATZ]

Damn i wanted MORE

 

[Malcy86]

Waiting for this to hit YouTube so I can rip it at top quality like I've done with loads of others.

Been some outstanding NPR gigs recently. Roots/Bill & the August Greene ones have been superb.

 

[djkumbaya]

i was there in person

they got a lot of heat comin for the summer