"Madiba" by Rakim (Nelson Mandela Tribute)

"Then soon a man emerged, in tune with the planet Earth/
He made a move to Johannesburg/
Under the dark sky/
He realized being free would cost him his life due to the apartheid/"

 

Rakim turns historical facts about Nelson Mandela into a hip-hop masterpiece. This song's sick just for it's storytelling and informative nature. For people like me, who know very little about Mr. Mandela, this is education in the form of music. Check it.

"Don't Call Me" by Rakim & DMX

"I idolize my father, he taught me to survive the horror/

cuz times is harder, the skies is darker/

look through the eyes of a snake, see inside the monster, to rise need to divide and conquer/

if it's all about money I don't respect your power, that's weak/

they deprive and devour, they cowards you ask me/"

 

Awww yeaa. I thought this was such a sick conglomeration of a lot of elements. You got Rakim bringing his legendary lyrical skills and wisdom, DMX bringing his raw energy, and a woman with a hot voice bringing in the hook. I wish it said her name so I wouldn't have to call her "woman." Anyways, the beat was crazy too bringing in that guitar solo. DMX looked a little goofy screaming and grabbing his head during it but it was still epic. I really liked the all around feel of the video too, with close ups on the guitar and just showin em in the studio. Some real hip-hop shit. Check it out.

"What's Wrong" by Rakim [Prod. by Marco Polo]

"The greedy keep draining the Earth for jewels and fuel/
Keep searching till you crack the Earth in two/
Never personal, it's always business/
The same reason they knocked down the World Trade Centres/"

I found this track from HotNewHipHop.com, and apparently this song was supposed to be on Rakim's album "The Seventh Seal". But due to sample clearing issues, it's gonna be on an upcoming Marco Polo mixtape. I think the album is fine as it is without this track, but I still like this song. Over a sick sampled production by Marco Polo, Rakim spits some insight on how money is viewed in the world we now live in. I can definitely dig this joint. Check it.

"This Thing Called Life" by King Myers ft. Rakim

"A lot of beautiful women to whom beauty is given/

If I see them and I like them then I'm usually with em/

It be the, baddest ones with the mean demeanour/

The bad things in life always seem to please us/"

Once again, I've never heard of the guy who holds ownership to the song. I just seen Rakim's name as a feature, and I had to check it out. Turns out King Myers is fucking sick, and was able to ride a track with The God without being outshined too bad lol. I like the idea of the song, both guys KILL it, and the beat has a sick feel to it. Unfortunately, I could only find a clean version of the track. But this shit still makes ya feel good!!

"Won't Be Long" by Rakim

"Try to keep a tight lip not to complain/ Ramblin', mind scramblin' cuz patience ain't blockin' the pain/

Mic sick, lyrics is still locked in the brain/ Like Mike Vick, sittin' in jail watchin' the game/

I wait until the day I can play my position/ Or should I say the day I obey my addiction/

Then complete my legacy/ Without compromising my artistic integrity/"

This is one of my favourite songs of all time. Rakim is a hip-hop legend, and this is one of the songs by him that make me remember why. "Won't Be Long" is a song from his 2009 album, The Seventh Seal. He elaborates on the struggle of being successful as a musician and the determination you must have to reach the goals you set. Personally, the lyrics of this song inspire me to keep working on my music and make me realize that it isn't time wasted when I'm doing what I enjoy. Even the most successful of people face struggles along the way. Anyways, give this one a listen!