Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full
The Island Def Jam Music Group
July 7th, 1987.
Eric B. & Rakim's stone cold classic 'Paid In Full' sits at the precipice of Hip-Hop's dive into more rap-centric territory. Complex rhyme schemes and a focus on lyrical miracles pushed the possibilities of Hip-Hop reach into an experimental stage in relation to the skill of verbal warfare. Packing the blank canvas with as many syllables as possible, Rakim, and his companion Eric B., created a precursor for what was to come - the new normal.
Some albums quite literally require the whole genre in which they affiliate with to up their game. Rakim and his wordsmith wizardry single-handedly called a sea change in the world of Hip-Hop - no longer were ABC123 rhymes valid; standards had changed, and the game with it. Rhyme schemes played out like Russian dolls - rhymes within rhymes, often times rhymes within those rhymes. A calculated approach would become a requirement. Mapping out words ahead well in advance creates room for interesting patterns and in due time moves things forward - quite a lot of your favourite MC's would find themselves in debt to this record, they would realize this for themselves also. Multi-syllabic sprees would become a common ground for MC's willing to take their game to the next level.
By the time the listener has caught onto the rhyme scheme at hand, two more have been implemented - continue process. A game of backlogged figuring out ensues. Grabbing onto meaning from two bars before, you find yourself lagging behind - repeated listens are required to fully piece the puzzle together. The word 'classic' was invented for works like this - influence being the thing that pushes the future forward into more forward thinking, creative and interesting pastures.
Eric B. & Rakim set the standard for raps more lyrical focused output in the ensuing decade. Along with a few others - namely Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap - they solidified Hip-Hop's potential for wordsmith ways. Hanging on to each and every line, the bar had been set.
