Eric B & Rakim Elevated The Game On "Paid In Full"

BYAron A.Updated on September 26, 20223.1K Views

Bringing it back to a classic anthem that changed the rap game.

When you're talking about most influential groups of all time in hip-hop, Eric B and Rakim are essential for the conversation. You see, one of the most beautiful things about hip-hop since its inception on Aug. 11, 1993 in the Bronx is the evolution of the genre since. Of course, technology played a huge role in it but the DIY mentality hasn't really gone anywhere. Now, each week, we bring back some classic records for our TBT but today, it felt important to bring it back to 1987 when Eric B & Rakim changed the game with their debut album, Paid In Full.

Eric B and Rakim's debut album shifted the genre of hip-hop in numerous ways. Rakim's internal rhyme schemes were way ahead of its time and helped influence the styles of hip-hop's GOATs (i.e. Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem etc.). As for Eric B, his style of using heavy samples was as influential to producing as Rakim's rhymes schemes was to MCing. One song that truly highlighted this was the titular track on their debut album. As Rakim delivers complex rhyme schemes, detailing his hustler mentality, Eric B. laid down a classic beat with groundbreaking multi-layered samples in his production.

Quotable Lyrics
I need money, I used to be a stick-up kid
So I think about all of all the devious things I did
I used to roll up, this is a hold up, ain't nothing funny
Stop smilin', be still, don't nothing move but the money

About The Author

Aron A.

Aron A. is a features editor for HotNewHipHop. Beginning his tenure at HotNewHipHop in July 2017, he has comprehensively documented the biggest stories in the culture over the past few years. Throughout his time, Aron’s helped introduce a number of buzzing up-and-coming artists to our audience, identifying regional trends and highlighting hip-hop from across the globe. As a Canadian-based music journalist, he has also made a concerted effort to put spotlights on artists hailing from North of the border as part of Rise & Grind, the weekly interview series that he created and launched in 2021. Aron also broke a number of stories through his extensive interviews with beloved figures in the culture. These include industry vets (Quality Control co-founder Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wayno Clark), definitive producers (DJ Paul, Hit-Boy, Zaytoven), cultural disruptors (Soulja Boy), lyrical heavyweights (Pusha T, Styles P, Danny Brown), cultural pioneers (Dapper Dan, Big Daddy Kane), and the next generation of stars (Lil Durk, Latto, Fivio Foreign, Denzel Curry). Aron also penned cover stories with the likes of Rick Ross, Central Cee, Moneybagg Yo, Vince Staples, and Bobby Shmurda.