Remember me? The one you got your idea from?
- Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987
I seen her in the subway, on my way to Brooklyn.
“Hello, good lookin, is this seat tooken?”
On the A Train, pickin at her brain,
I couldn’t get her number, I couldn’t get her name.
I said, “I still like your style and fashion,
But I hate your hot sadiddy attitude wit a passion.
Is it because brothers like to hawk a lot?
Is it because your sign don’t talk a lot?”
She turned away, no play, I said, “OK,
You don’t really look good, I hope you have a bad day.”
- Rakim, “What’s On Your Mind,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Don’t Sweat the Technique, 1992
Now I slam it when I’m done and make sure it’s broke.
- Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid In Full, 1987. Congratulations to Eric B. and Rakim for their nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Maybe it’s a habit…I gotta use it.
- Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” from Eric B. & Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987
“I’m just an addict, addicted to music/Maybe it’s a habit…I gotta use it.”- Rakim, “I Ain’t No Joke,” Paid In Full, 1987. Via Ego Trip’s excellent Behind the Video piece.
Stop smiling, be still, don’t nuthin move but the money.
- Rakim, “Paid in Full,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Paid in Full, 1987
James Brown was old,
Til Eric B. and Rakim came out with ‘I Got Soul.’
- Daddy-O, “Talkin’ All That Jazz,” from Stetsasonic’s In Full Gear, 1988
What could you say as the Earth gets further and further away
Planets are small as balls of clay
Astray into the Milky Way, world’s outasight
Far as the eye can see, not even a satellite
Now stop and turn around and look
As you stare in the darkness, your knowledge is took!
So keep starin’ soon you suddenly see a star
You better follow it, cause it’s the R.
- Rakim, “Follow the Leader,” from Eric B. and Rakim’s Follow the Leader, 1988
- Rakim, “Microphone Fiend,” Follow the Leader, 1988
And add 7 more brothers who think they can rhyme
It’ll take 7 more before I go for mine
And that’s 21 emcees ate up at the same time.
- Rakim, “My Melody,” Paid in Full, 1987
