Mar 7, 2016

If Rakim stayed in Aftermath and listen to Dr. Dre directions - Would he hit his second prime?
There are rumours that beats from 50 Cent's "Get Rich Or Die Tryin" were supposed to be on Rakim's LP under Aftermath.
He was also supposed to be featured on Eminem's "Till I Collapse".

Unfortunately... He left, but before he left, his song "R.A.K.I.M." ended up on 8 Mile Soundtrack.



If he stick to that sound, would he hit his second prime back then?

 

Mar 7, 2016

no because that song sounds f---ing terrible

 

Mar 7, 2016

It was 14 years ago.

 

Mar 7, 2016

it being old has nothing to do with it the beat just genuinely sounds f---ing awful

 

Mar 7, 2016

What about beats from Get Rich Or Die Tryin? If Rakim used these beats?

 

Mar 7, 2016

Last thing Rakim made worth listening to was in 1999.

His (lack of) music since has been forgettable. Plus the stuff he did with Dre was poop

 

Mar 7, 2016

There wasn't too much released stuff with Dre... What's your opinion on his 09 album?

 

Mar 7, 2016

if he had the grodt beats i know for sure it wouldnt be the classic it is today

 

Mar 7, 2016

Absolutely awful. Wouldn't even expect something that bland from Troy Ave or Spliff Star.

 

Mar 7, 2016

you mean this?

 

Mar 7, 2016

Nah, I mean years 2000-2003

 

Mar 7, 2016

and what makes 1999 different from 2000? his first "prime" was 87 to 91

 

Mar 7, 2016

Did you read the OP?
Yes, his first prime was 87-91, but I'm asking if Rakim stayed with Dre - would this help Rakim to hit his second prime?

 

Mar 7, 2016

no it wouldnt because he already hit it w the 18th letter and the master and thats my point

 

Mar 7, 2016

I feel you, but I feel like these 2 albums weren't so huge, comparing to his albums with Eric B

 

Mar 7, 2016

well you feel wrong

hip hop was wayyyyy bigger in 97-99 than it was a decade earlier and those albums put a new generation on to him as well as bring back his fanbase full of old ppl

 

Mar 7, 2016

its not like an aftermath or dre contract is some magic "turn any old rapper into gold again" spell, and Rakim hasn't had the hunger to prove himself again this millennium

dre's output in that time period was very scarce as well, with only the occational hit

 

Mar 7, 2016

Hip-Hop was getting bigger with every year, right, but his albums from the 90's weren't so huge and impactful like these from the 80's... Rakim's prime ended after his last LP with Eric.

Bruh, what you're talking about... He got his hands on Eminem, 50, Game etc albums more than he ever had

 

Mar 7, 2016

those albums spawned some of the biggest NY hits of the decade, and was wayyy bigger than any albums he wouldve released on aftermath.

its pointless to compare any of his other albums to paid in full, because it's one of the most influential albums of all time and it's not like he would be able to have that impact again on aftermath either

finding new rappers with a niche and knowing how to market them isnt the same as carrying an outdated rapper w production

dre barely did any production past 2001, he was basically just a official hip hop stamp of approval at that point and has been like that ever since (and abused it by selling his s-----y headphones)

 

Mar 7, 2016

Kinda right, but NY had Nas, Biggie, Jay, Big L, Big Pun back then... so Rakim faded a little bit

Yea, but two big names working together is always huge, especially when these 2 are legends, if you know what I mean.
+ that unrealized Eminem feature
Times could be great for Rakim