Rakim

Rakim were among those significant predecessors whose originality, style, and content helped create this global phenomenon.

Legendary rapper Rakim short-changed his Milwaukee fans at 'Paid in Full' concert

Though it might not have been apparent at first as to why this Premier classic was dropped Kid Capri casually walked onto the stage just in time to cut up Greg Nice's "peace to Red Alert and Kid Capri portion with flare.

Rakim performs at 9:30 Club on Dec. 10, 2022.

They redid their entry because the audience weren’t turning up as they should for two men who helped usher in rap’s golden age.

It is impossible to imagine the Golden Age of hip hop without including Eric B. and Rakim. The duo — whose real names are Eric Barrier and William Michael Griffin Jr.

For example, while it has grown familiar as decades passed, becoming just a part of the genre’s DNA, it’s difficult to overstate how much of a gamechanger Eric B.