An Evening with Rakim

Rakim
Rakim is often named as the greatest rapper of all time due to his lasting impact on lyrical techniques. Before The God MC hit the scene, rappers delivered their rhymes with a sing-song, elementary cadence. The Long Island-born MC revolutionized the culture by introducing a multi-syllabic rhyming structure that was more complex and poetic.

Rakim transformed the “flow” of rapping with more intricate rhyme schemes, which have been compared to jazz saxophone improvisation.

William Michael Griffin Jr., known professionally as Rakim, is an American rapper and one half of the golden age hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. Born on January 28, 1968, in Wyandanch, New York, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential and skilled MCs in the history of hip-hop.

Rakim’s career took off in the mid-1980s when he teamed up with DJ Eric B. to form the duo Eric B. & Rakim. Their debut album, “Paid in Full,” released in 1987, was a game-changer in the hip-hop scene, known for its innovative production and Rakim’s complex, introspective lyrics. The duo released several more albums, including “Follow the Leader” and “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em,” further solidifying their place in hip-hop history. Rakim’s solo career also flourished with albums like “The 18th Letter,” showcasing his enduring talent and influence.

Rakim’s legacy in the hip-hop genre is profound. He transformed the way rap lyrics were crafted, moving them towards more intricate and sophisticated narratives. His influence can be seen in the work of numerous artists who followed, including Nas, Eminem, and Jay-Z. Rakim’s contributions helped pave the way for hip-hop to evolve into a respected and powerful cultural force worldwide.

• Inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007, recognizing his musical contributions.
• Ranked #4 on MTV’s list of the “Greatest MCs of All Time,” highlighting his lyrical prowess.
• Eric B. & Rakim’s album “Paid in Full” frequently cited as one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever.

Influenced countless artists with his complex rhyme schemes and laid-back delivery

DO OR DIE
Do or Die is a American rap group from the east Garfield Park Neighborhood of the west side of Chicago consisting of the artist Nard, Belo and AK-47. The group gain main stream success with the platinum selling single Po Pimp in 1996 peaking at #22 on the Billboard Charts.  Released on an up and coming independent Chicago label, Creator’s Way Records, the track became a local hit and sparked the group’s signing by Houston’s Rap A Lot Records. Given a wide release in the summer of 1996, the single hit number 22, increasing the buzz for a full-length album from the group. In September of that Picture This  was released on Rap-A-Lot. The album was certified Gold and has since reached certified Platinum, and launched the group, as well as fellow Chicago rapper Twista.

JT Money
Jeffrey Jermaine Thompkins (born September 14, 1972), better known by his stage name JT Money, is an American rapper from Miami Florida, He is the lead member of hip hop group Poison Clan, and was a protégé of fellow Miami native Luther Luke Cambell and sign to Luke Records in 1990. His debut studio album, Pimpin on Wax (1999), spawned the single Who Dat featuring Sole  which peaked at number five on the Billboard Charts. Thompkins was discovered by Luke Skywalker of the 2 Live Crew in a Miami talent show. Skyywalker signed JT Money and Debonaire as the group Poison Clan to his Luke RecordsIn 1990 JT Money and Debonaire released their first album as a group, 2 Low Life Muthas. After this Debonaire left Poison Clan to join another group, Home Team, with his brother, Drugzie also from the Poison Clan. This left JT Money as the main lyrical driving force of the group, which also featured members Madball, Uzi, Big Ram, and associates Shorty-T and Trigga.

The second Poison Clan album, 1992’s Poisonous Mentality, featured the hit “Shake What Ya Mama Gave Ya”, which was listed by XXL Magazine as one of the top 250 hip-hop songs of the 1990s. JT Money released two more albums under the Poison Clan name: Ruff Town Behavior in 1993 and Straight Zooism in 1995. Some other well known Poison Clan songs include “Action”, “Bad Influence”, “Dance All Night”, “Fire Up This Funk”, “The Girl That I Hate”, and “Don’t Sleep On A Hizzo”.

In 1999 JT Money dropped the Poison Clan name for the album Pimpin On Wax  now just recording under his own stage name. This album achieved mainstream commercial success with the major hit single Who Dat. The song reached number 5 on the Hot Billboard Charts   and won Top Rap Single at the 1999 Billboard Awards. After this JT Money continued his solo career, releasing three more albums to date, none of which matched the commercial success of his solo debut.

Mr. Serv On
Corey Smith (born September 18, 1969), better known by his stage name Mr. Serv-On, is an American rapper from New Orleans Louisiana. Mr. Serv-On is best known for his time spent with No Limit Records from 1990 to 2000.

A high school friend of Master P Mr. Serv-On was one of the first rapper to sign to No Limit Records irst appearing on albums by Master P TRU. On August 12, 1997, Mr Serv-On’s debut studio album Life Insurance was released. Life Insurance met with commercial and critical success, peaking at number 23 on the US charts and number 5 on the R&B charts; in 2013, it was ranked 20th on a list of the top 25 No Limit releases.

On February 16, 1999, Mr. Serv-On would release his second studio album Da Next Level it would be released to a bigger commercial success, making it to number 1 on the R&B charts selling 297,000 copies in its first week. Part of the reason he gained more mainstream attention is because of his featuring of the rapper Big Pun on his album. The guest verse from Pun on the first single from the album titled “From N.Y. To N.O.” was ranked on a list of his best guest verses. On December 29, 1999, the album had sold 973,000 copies in the U.S. being certified platinum by the RIAA. n 2000, Mr. Serv-On left No Limit and launched his own independent label, Lifetime Entertainment.

Tela
Winston Rogers III, professionally known by his stage name Tela, is a American rapper from Memphis Ten, best known for the single Sho Nuff Early in his career, he was associated with 8 Ball & MJG and sign to the label Suve House where he release his album Piece of Mind he later went on to sign wit Rap A lot Record