Rakim
Rakim ( born January 28, 1968 in Long Iceland, New York; actually William Michael Griffin ), also known as Rakim Allah and The Fiend of the Microphone, is an American rapper in the style of East Coast hip- hop.
Biography
Rakim founded the Formation Love Brothers and was named Kid Wizzard, as he rapped very quickly. He was influenced by Cold Crush Brothers, The Furious Five, his aunt Ruth Brown, as well as its active as a jazz musician mother.
At age 16, he was introduced to the Nation of Islam, but later joined the Nation of Gods and Earths The (also known as Five Percent Nation) at.
In a radio show in 1985, he learned to know musician and DJ Eric B and published by him under the name " Eric B. feat. Rakim " two demos. In the meantime, they changed the name to " Eric B. & Rakim " and published from 1987 to 1992 four albums. 1994 separated the duo. Rakim was unable to start his solo career because of years of litigation with his ex-partner, as well as problems with his label, MCA.
Rakim is considered as a living rap legend and inventor of lyricism, which he coined with intelligent lyrics, flow and razor-sharp rhymes. In his rhymes and his thoughts on religion and science are processed.
After completion of the proceedings, he signed a contract with Universal and 1997, his solo debut, "The 18th Letter" published, reached the number four on the Billboard charts. Another Edition ( "Book of Life" ) of the same album includes an additional CD with pieces of Eric B. & Rakim. Two years later, in 1999, he released his second solo album "The Master".
In 2000, Rakim signed a contract with the label Aftermath Entertainment, by Dr. Dre, which he left in mid-2003 but without the publication again due to creative differences. About the Label should the album " Oh My God" appear initially in November 2002.
With "The Archive: Live, Lost & Found", he published in 2008 a live album with four new songs, which were originally intended to be advertised solo album.
In November 2009 the album "The Seventh Seal " was released.
Discography
→ Main article: Eric B. & Rakim