10 Perfect Albums From The Golden Age Of Hip Hop

Another seminal debut record to come out of New York; this album is considered the pioneering example of the MC/DJ combo. Eric B's unique blend of scratching, minimalist use of samples, and live turntable mixing, garnered him esteem as a DJ. Coupled with Rakim's unusually stoic and laid back approach to rapping, it made the duo a force to be reckoned with.

Previous rappers, had relied on the rhythm of a beat for pacing, but Rakim ignored the typical conventions. He was one of the first to approach rap in a far less staccato fashion, relying on internal rhythms, and his own natural flow. Groups like Run-D.M.C., delivered their verses on the beat, whereas Rakim floated over it. Although his delivery method wont seem out of the ordinary today, at the time it was revolutionary.

Although we could spend hours exploring the finite details that make this such a groundbreaking album, we will instead focus on the the title track. Eric B - notable for his minimalist approach - knew when to beef a mix up when it was called for. He supplemented his breakbeats with a rich driving bass line, and a peppering of jazz flute. Although his lyrics last for less than a minute, Rakim concisely detailed the economic hardship of his youth; the money incentive behind creating music; and his own proficiency as lyricist. He didn't miss a beat, there was absolutely no fat to be trimmed, and his delivery was about as smooth as you could hope for.