rakim the 18th letter appreciation
- Thread starter ronnie46
- Start date
IAmListenin'
Rookie
Pinyapplesuckas
He's A Good Man
In a place where war be, based on a true story.
Poetical Poltergeist
Precise and cold hearted
Was never a fan of Guess who's back, but the album is a classic.
Pinyapplesuckas
He's A Good Man
Hopin he opens Rakim Allah seminars 
Dope album. Still have in my collection....might go back and listen to this album
18th Letter and The Dynasty:
Malcolm X is imagery used in both:
Date back I go beyond, check the holy Qu'ran
To speeches at the Audobon, now we get our party on- Rakim
The Audobon Ballroom is a reference to Malcolm X. It is where he gave his last speech and where he was assassinated.
Jay Z evokes Malcolm imagery by referencing the iconic image of Malcolm near the window with his gun:
Through any means, with that thing that Malcolm palmed in the picture
Never read the Qur'an or Islamic scriptures
Only Psalms I read was on the arms of my nikkas
^^^ Not only do we get a Malcolm reference, but both are tied to references to the Qu'ran. Rakim is speaking from a spiritual perspective and connects it to Hip Hop to where Jay speaks from a street perspective.
There's more. I will come back with some more references.
Playaz Eyez
Veteran
Somebody hip me to how this album was looked at when it was dropped. Back in 97 I was firmly into Pac, Biggie, Scarface, Bone Thugs, and No Limit, and honestly don’t really remember anything about this album other than seeing it advertised in The Source.
Tommy Gibbs
Superstar
didn't like it. Production wasn't great. Outside of the Pete rock, Father Shaheed, and Primo gems, it's an album I anticipated and was disappointed for the beats. Lyrically it was top notch, but a majority of the beats weren't hitting.
BulletProof
Just a B@stard Living in a Suit
Own it.
Was disappointed.
Was disappointed.
