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Track Listings
| 1. I Ain't No Joke |
| 2. Eric B. Is On The Cut |
| 3. My Melody |
| 4. I Know You Got Soul |
| 5. Move The Crowd |
| 6. Paid In Full |
| 7. As The Rhyme Goes On |
| 8. Chinese Arithmetic |
| 9. Eric B. Is President |
| 10. Extended Beat |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Paid in Full is a debut album that is basically a collection of early singles ("Eric B. Is President", "I Know You Got Soul", the title track), is the motherlode of late-1980s New York rap--assured, serious, and hugely influential. Rakim, a rapper's rapper, is the Chow Yun-Fat of hip-hop: cool as steel, absolutely calm, absolutely deadly. His verbal wit and rhythmic gift go hand-in-hand. He flows like a waterfall, playing around the beat, leaping from one ingenious phrase to another, letting the words do all the work. And Eric B.? He comes up with some straightforward but effective backing tracks (he favours James Brown grooves), scratches on a couple of block-rocking instrumentals, and makes room for the master to do his thing. --Douglas Wolk
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have madly followed hip hop since my early teens in the early 80s, meaning I got to enjoy the best of the best by the LL Cool Js, Kool Moe Dees, Grandmaster Flashs, Big Daddy Kanes and Kurtis Blows. Tell you what though, and this is real hard for me to admit considering I loved all of the above-named, no one could touch the lyrical master himself, Rakim. All of the guys named have their unique appeal, but for me, lyrically, Rakim Allah is simply the best.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
Eric B and Rakims most famous album. And from this one of the most reconigsed and distinctive styles through Eric B's skills and Rakims tight lyrics. The result of this was on of the greatist songs in hip-hop today and has stood the test of time... that is the title track paid in full.
A must by albom.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Oli
Format:Audio CD
This album is, undeniably, a classic. It is my favourite hip-hop album ever. If you're expecting something that sounds up to date, then you'll be disappointed, but who cares - this album was made in 1987 and sounds EXACTLY like it was made in that year. Rakim's lyrics and flow are second to none in my opinion, and from his opening line of "I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic smoke, now I slam it when it's done and make sure it's broke" he rhymes effortlessly through this entire album. In comparison he makes most other MCs sound like they are struggling (the only other MCs who have achieved considerable mainstream success who are up there with him in terms of effortless flow, in my opinion, are Nas and Gza). Eric B's beats - pretty minimal and tidy, are fully reminiscent of the 80's (especially "Move The Crowd"). The production is slick and classy. Together they make an unstoppable team. It's like a missing link between the synth-heavy electro of the early 80's and the sample-laden, jazz-funk beats of the late 80's/early 90's, plus with one of the greatest vocal performances in hip-hop laid on top. The album contains a number of classic cuts to name but a few - "I Ain't no Joke", "My Melody", "I Know You Got Soul", plus A Tribe Called Quest's favourite jam back in the day, "Eric B Is President". But every track is great, and the album works well as a whole. It is compulsory listening for anyone wanting to find out what hip-hop sounded like in the late 80's. Actually, it's compulsory listening for anyone who loves hip-hop.
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By Jason Parkes
#1 HALL OF FAME
Format:Audio CD
Sad that people probably associate Rakim more with that awful Missy Elliott rip-off single produced by Dr Dre than the music he made with Eric B in the late 80s, early 90s. This deluxe reissue of debut album Paid in Full is a reminder of how signifianct they were- operating on a similar sonic template to acts like Mantronix, & Public Enemy, a sound that would be advanced on most notably by The Wu-Tang Clan and can still be found in the mininal sonic backdrop to tracks like Aaliyah's Try Again (Timbaland) & Kelis' Milkshake (The Neptunes). This and albums such as It Takes a Nation of Millions..., Paul's Boutique & Three Feet High & Rising showcased the greatest side of rap. One that would be diluted by the gangsta-directions of NWA's Straight Outta Compton- though albums by people like EL-P, Cannibal Ox, and even Genius/GZA are counter to the reduction that gave us things like Eminem and 50 Cent (neither of which have said anything I can relate to...yet).
Paid in Full sits well with music of the era, and made sense when listened to alongside such records as Voodoo Ray (A Guy Called Gerald), Code (Cabaret Voltaire), I (AR Kane), Isn't Anything (My Bloody Valentine) & Headhunter/Welcome to Paradise (Front 242). This was a great era, taking the 80s out of the slump it sank into around 1983...
The ten tracks of the original album form the first disc and listening to things like Extended Beats, it feels like a history lesson. Eric B is President still sounds amazing, metallic sounds that sound like the missing link between Depeche Mode's Something to Do & Missy's Get Ur Freak On occur just before Rakim begins to rap. The repetition is perfect ("make 'em clap to this") and ties in with records like Bassline (Mantronix) & Sensoria (Cabaret Voltaire).
... Read more ›13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By "m_funkster"
Format:Audio CD
Ok this album is outstanding. Rakims lyrics are still 100 times more relevant, even now, than 99% of todays popstars, sorry, 'rappers'. oh, and 'vic from Watford' id like to know what you were thinking when writing that when compared to todays music, gangstarr and rakim dont stand up. Just think about what you've said. Thats like saying Nelly is better than Rakim, or Ja Rule is better than Guru. NO! Your so wrong.
Any real hip hop fans know the score. This album is top notch. An absolute classic, even by 'todays standards'.
By tango
Format:Audio CD
i remember very early days of hip hop u dont stop. these were great tunes. all newcomers get old skool stuff 80,s
By Mukki
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
So old school it's untrue. Really took me back to the early days of hip hop. Every tack is worth listening to.
By C. Spearing
Format:Audio CD
If you have fond memories of this album from your youth and you don't have it. Buy it!
If you are young and have heard a track or two that you like. Buy it!
Absolute hip hop classic album. A must to own.
If you are young and have heard a track or two that you like. Buy it!
Absolute hip hop classic album. A must to own.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
This album is a classic. In my opinion, the content isn't amazing, and I actually prefer Rakim in his later days, but this old skool, pioneering CD is ledgendary. Read more
Published on 26 Feb 2005
4.0 out of 5 stars
The real blueprint
Few can doubt that Rakim was one of hip-hop's finest MCs, not only in terms of delivery, but also in the lyrics themselves. Read more
Published on 7 May 2004 by Keefaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Classic
This album makes it onto so many "best of" lists and after listening to it it's not hard to tell why. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2004 by "oowhat"
3.0 out of 5 stars
can't feel this album anymore...too dated
When lists of the best rap albums ever made are complied, Paid In Full regularly...no, consistently comes in the top 20. Read more
Published on 1 Sep 2002 by Mr V Wong
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