Eric B. & Rakim was an East Coast rap group that popularized the James Brown-sampled funky hip hop of the late 1980s. Eric Barrier (Eric B.) and William Griffin (Rakim) began recording together in the middle of the decade with "Eric B. Is President" (1986 in music) from Zakia records in Harlem. Paid in Full and Follow the Leader were their full-length debuts and were hits by hip hop's standards at the time. Their last album together was Don't Sweat the Technique (1992 in music). Eric B. has begun a solo career on his own 95th Street Records label.

In the late '90's, Rakim released two solo albums which were deemed mediocre by critics and nearly ignored commercially. He signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, and the two began work on an album that was to be titled Oh My God. However, in July, 2003, the Aftermath website announced that Rakim was dropped from the label.

Samples

• Download sample of "Follow the Leader" from Follow the Leader

Discography

Eric B. & Rakim:

• Paid in Full (1987)
• Follow the Leader (1988)
• Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990)
• Don't Sweat the Technique (1992)

Rakim (solo albums):

• The 18th Letter (1997)
• The Master (1999)