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After getting paid in full on their near-perfect 1987 debut, success didn't spoil the legendary Eric B and Rakim on their 1988 follow-up. A more complete "album" than their previous singles-dominated release, Follow the Leader still stands as one of the definitive documents of hip-hop's fabled golden age. Though Eric B contributes strong production and two early turntablist blueprints ("Eric B Never Scared" and "Just a Beat"), this was clearly Rakim's time to shine. His smooth baritone flow never tires, even when the album's energy wanes in the second half. Rakim's verses on the album's first three tracks ("Follow the Leader," "Microphone Fiend," and "Lyrics of Fury") are the stuff of hip-hop legend, and the subject matter rarely strays from the swaggering, chest-thumping template of these three classics. On "Follow the Leader," he confidently boasts "I can take a phrase that's rarely heard / Flip it / Now it's a daily word." He ain't no joke. --Hua Hsu
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Aaaaaahhhhhh........this brings back memories of when hip hop was all about the beats & the rhymes - none of this bling wearin',money flashin',gun blazin',gangsta braggin' stuff. Rakim is the original lyrical god of the m.i.c. The first 3 tracks on this album are an absolute knockout - the 'holy trinity' if you like. Listening to the title track still sends shivers down my spine.......it's that good.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
In wake of many faker's with fat gold-rings and huge bugaloo glasses Eric B & Rakim stormed the hip-hop world with this epic of pure bass proportions. Masterpieces like microphone fiend have been dissected and studied by many of todays artists, (rage against the machine, fatboy slim, fun lovin criminals etc), and only now can this album be truly appreciated!! Voted no.2 in the greatest rap albums of all time by Source magazine...THIS IS ESSENTIAL HIP-HOP!!!
Format:Audio CD
I'm not the kinda guy to mindlessly give about definitive statements about albums, but here we go: best opening three tracks of any album.
Seriously, what's touching it? Opening with 20 or so seconds of speaker-shattering bass rumble, 'Follow the Leader' immediately shatters the notion of the duo falling off from their debut. Far from it; it's their best moment. I'm everlastin'; I can go on for days and days with rhyme displays that engrave deep as X-rays. I can take a phrase that's rarely heard, FLIP IT... now it's a daily word. Those lines play in my mind for days every time I hear it. Adding to the fact that this is followed by two more classic cuts ('Microphone Fiend' and 'Lyrics of Fury' - both as annihilating and endlessly quotable as the opener), you could be forgiven for thinking this is hip hop's greatest achievement. However, as with their debut, a couple of throwaway instrumentals slow the album's pace down considerably. Nonetheless, 'Musical Massacre' is worth waiting for, proving that this second half isn't entirely worthless. I can't believe I'm actually ripping into this album even slightly! It does deserve it, and it definitely isn't perfect, but the 15-minute two man assault that greets you following you pressing 'play' is worth the entrance fee alone! Flawed but no less classic.
Seriously, what's touching it? Opening with 20 or so seconds of speaker-shattering bass rumble, 'Follow the Leader' immediately shatters the notion of the duo falling off from their debut. Far from it; it's their best moment. I'm everlastin'; I can go on for days and days with rhyme displays that engrave deep as X-rays. I can take a phrase that's rarely heard, FLIP IT... now it's a daily word. Those lines play in my mind for days every time I hear it. Adding to the fact that this is followed by two more classic cuts ('Microphone Fiend' and 'Lyrics of Fury' - both as annihilating and endlessly quotable as the opener), you could be forgiven for thinking this is hip hop's greatest achievement. However, as with their debut, a couple of throwaway instrumentals slow the album's pace down considerably. Nonetheless, 'Musical Massacre' is worth waiting for, proving that this second half isn't entirely worthless. I can't believe I'm actually ripping into this album even slightly! It does deserve it, and it definitely isn't perfect, but the 15-minute two man assault that greets you following you pressing 'play' is worth the entrance fee alone! Flawed but no less classic.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A CLASSIC UNDOUTABLY
The duo changed the face of the game in 1987 , with the all time classic paid in full. But a year after rakim aka the god mc , along with eric b put out the sophomore release... Read more
Published on 19 Jan 2005 by "stellakaur3"
Hip hop was great in '88?
1988. Rap's golden year. LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, Ultramagnetic Mc's and of course, Eric B. and Rakim ruled the roost. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2003 by J. Smith
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