8 essential Rakim raps every hip hop fan should know

Long before deep rhyme styles ruled hip-hop, Rakim changed the game. In the early days of hip-hop, he didn't just raise the bar for lyrics; he reinvented it. His clear and thoughtful delivery brought a cool, commanding presence during a time dominated by loud, energetic styles.

His collaboration with DJ Eric B. became a defining force in late '80s hip-hop, making songs that mixed street smarts with perfect skill. The rapper's big mark wasn't just in his packed words, but in how effortlessly he delivered complex rhymes. IRather than focusing solely on his early work, this piece explores a range of songs that highlight Rakim's evolving skill, each one is a picture of how he changed the game for MCs that came after.

With these songs, we see the new ideas, power, and poet's touch that made him more than a legend. He is a maker of new paths whose impact still rings in today's rap world. One of the key songs from Rakim's list is Eric B. Is President. His simple but strong style showed people a new way to rap, putting focus on inner rhymes and beat control more than just showy words.

This song set a high bar, not just for the words used but for how rappers timed their words with the music. In Follow the Leader, Rakim took it up a notch by mixing deep images, special nods, and big word rhymes into a well-built verse that made you listen hard. Microphone Fiend threw light on his deep love for the craft, treating addiction as a way to show his hunger for words.

It did this in a style that was both wild and fine-tuned. These tracks were not just popular, they were deep looks into how to break down and build up words in a music style that was still setting its own rules.

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Here are the top 8 Rakim's songs of all time

Picking only eight songs from Rakim's work is hard, but these choices show the best of his impact and new ideas. Each track is a guide, not just for his top word skills, but for how hip-hop grew, too. From key songs that changed the game to ones that show his great tech skill, these picks show how wide and solid his work is.

He never just filled space. Whether it's his smooth style or the sharp way he puts words together, these eight tracks prove why Rakim is still a top model for rappers of all time.

1) I Ain't No Joke

Came out in 1987, I Ain't No Joke is a key part in Rakim's story. It shows off the strong, raw skill that would help make what hip-hop is now. The song starts strong with a hard, tough beat that fits great with Rakim's cool, firm way of singing. More than just big talk, the rapper uses the song to show his love for rap and to set a high bar for word skills.

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In the song, his sharp use of words and great rhythm make an air that grabs and holds your eye and ear. The big hook not only makes the song's bold point clear but also keeps it in your head and deep in hip-hop life.

As time goes by, I Ain't No Joke has gone past its time, turning into a song that keeps pushing new groups of artists and fans. It acts as proof of Rakim's lasting hold and his part in lifting rap from just fun to a true, valued art form.

2) Eric B. Is President

One top hit from Rakim and Eric B.'s first big album in 1987 is Eric B. Is President. This song shows off their cool team-up and the new way hip-hop was going at that time. The beat has a fun vibe and new sound, making it pop from the start and match well with Rakim's clear and strong words.

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The song not just shows how good Eric B. is with the decks, but also lifts the DJ's part in hip-hop's art scene, showing how key the DJ is to the whole feel of the style. Rakim's strong style and smart word use made him a leading "The God MC" who changed how rap lyrics work.

Not just a cool song, Eric B. Is President shaped East Coast hip-hop's unique sound in the late 1980s. It left a deep mark that still reaches fans and other artists today.

3) The R

In early '90s hip-hop, few songs demonstrate the lyrical skill and depth of thought found in Rakim’s 'The R.' Out in 1990, the song goes past just showing off to dig deep into Rakim's true self. He does more than just show his good rap skills. He looks at what it means to be an MC when culture is shifting, linking his own story to the changing face of hip-hop.

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The music has a cool, simple beat that bumps up the deep feel, while Rakim's calm, planned beat makes every word hit hard with meaning. His words do more than tell a tale; they dig deep, turning The R into something more than a show. It's more than just skill; it's a lesson in sway, a low-key nod to why he is still key in how rap lyrics grew.

4) Don't Sweat the Technique

In the wide world of hip-hop, not many songs mix fine words with new sound like Rakim's Don't Sweat the Technique. It came out in 1992 as the main song of his last work with Eric B. The song is more than just one on their list, it's a strong show of art. Set to a slow, jazz-like tune, the sound moves with a beat style that shows Rakim's clean-cut wordplay.

Yet, unlike the hard front seen in a lot of early '90s rap, Rakim's way here is cool, almost with ease. He throws out hard rhymes, deep images, and keen looks with the air of someone who knows he has nothing to prove.

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Rather than going after what's hot or showing off wins, Rakim gives a low-key take on why skill matters more than show, meaning more than loudness. The song turns into a teachable moment, where true ability is shown by holding back, not by wild moves. More than thirty years on, Don't Sweat the Technique still hits hard because it doesn't just look for eyes, it gets them.

The hook is smooth but not too bold, the lines are full yet not too much, and the point shines clear: true skill needs no nod from others. In times where big shows often beat true grit, this song stays as a guide for those who look long past the now.

It's not only a look back at the golden days, but it's a note that strong rap stands on the hard work put into each word. Rakim didn't just throw words; he crafted lines. And in Don't Sweat the Technique, he made an art piece to show that skill.

5) Gimme Your Rhyme

Coming out in a big shift for hip-hop, Rakim's 1997 song Gimme Your Rhyme stands as both a test and a bold claim. Instead of just showing off his word skills, Rakim sets rhyming as something holy, a craft that needs true words and sharp skill. The music behind him is easy-going but neat, making his voice the main thing as he moves through the rhyme game with care and ease.

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What makes this song stand out in his work isn't just the smart word play, but the conversational confidence in his delivery, as if he's teaching the new kids and still wowing those who know their stuff. The hook stays with you, but what really sticks are the lines: Rakim isn't just after your rhyme; he's throwing down a challenge to meet his level.

This song shows us how a true master thinks, treating each line as a mark of his greatness, showing us why he's been seen as a key figure in setting the style of the genre for so long.

6) The Saga Begins

Long before the term 'lyrical legend' was common, Rakim embodied it, and 'The Saga Begins' stands as a subtle yet powerful statement. Out in 1999, this song doesn't just start an album; it brings back a story. Rakim's not just bragging.

He comes back like a wise leader checking out the map of hip-hop, showing his spot with care and pride. The music sets a dark, movie-like feel, making his words land like big news, not just lines. With each part, he mixes thoughts on his path with a clear aim, showing power without having to shout it out.

The hook stays, but the verses build his power, ageless, clear, and sharp. The Saga Begins isn't just a top part of his work; it's a top show in smooth control, showing a new group who shaped the art they got.

7) N.Y. State of Mind

People often say that N.Y. State of Mind is one of the top songs to come from East Coast rap in the '90s. It doesn't just show you what New York is like, it pulls you into its dark spots and busy roads. It came out in 1994 on Nas' album Illmatic. The song has DJ Premier's deep jazz music with words from Nas that cut deep.

Some think he made it because of the style, but it was Nas who led this song. He used what greats like Rakim did to make something even bigger and real.

His words flow like a camera, sweeping through the noise and beat of city streets, cutting into the mind of a young Black man dealing with being poor, scared, and finding his way.

The song doesn't just talk about a feeling; it puts you right there, making you feel the stress, the art, and the hurt. Instead of looking back with rose-colored glasses, N.Y. State of Mind lasts because it's so real and raw, traits that changed the way stories are told in hip-hop.

8) Know the Ledge

Not many hip-hop songs touch on the deep need to know the streets like his Know the Ledge. It came out in 1992 as part of the Juice movie's music list. The song is a strong show of how well he can tell a real, gripping tale. He does not just use big, unclear images.

Instead, the rapper puts you right where he is, giving a very personal story that is both deep and full of feeling. The music behind him is tight but also has a tune, it complements the blend of danger and insight. While some songs make street life sound cool, Know the Ledge is more like a strong warning with a beat.

He does not just share a story; he looks deep into a way of thinking, and he does this with a sharp aim and a steady beat. It's a way to recall that hip-hop, at its true core, is more than just fun. It's a real-life record. Even more than 30 years on, the song still hits home. Not just for its smart words, but for how it shows living through tough times as a smart act.

Rakim’s impact on rap is immense. He changed how we think about lyrics by adding depth, complexity, and a fresh rhythmic style that pushed rappers to new heights. Before him, hip-hop focused more on vibe and crowd control, but he brought a smart, almost poetic approach to the mic. He filled his songs with smooth rhymes, deep ideas, and a cool yet strong air.

He showed that rap can be smart and hit deep without losing its sharpness. His mark isn't just in his big songs but in all the artists who look up to him as a model. In a lot of ways, Rakim didn't just switch things up, he made new rules.