When the Marley Marl-produced “Eric B. For President” dropped in the summertime of 1986, heads had been immediately captivated by the calm but commanding circulation of a younger Lengthy Island MC named Rakim Allah. The excitement caught the eye of Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, who introduced Eric B. and Rakim into the fold — setting the stage for what would turn out to be Paid in Full.

Launched on Zakia/4th and Broadway Information, Paid in Full wasn’t simply one other rap album — it was a blueprint for what would outline hip-hop’s Golden Period. From its observe sequencing to the minimalist cowl artwork and even the Dapper Dan-styled wardrobe, all the pieces in regards to the mission carried a way of elevation and cultural influence. The album’s reception was so highly effective that it led to a major-label cope with Uni Information forward of their sophomore effort.

The ten-track masterpiece contains timeless cuts like “I Ain’t No Joke,” “I Know You Acquired Soul,” “Transfer the Crowd,” and the hauntingly minimalist title observe “Paid in Full.” Every tune showcased Rakim’s lyrical precision and Eric B.’s heavy-handed manufacturing, a mixture that might affect generations of MCs and DJs to return.

Though the duo formally reunited in 2018, the legacy of Paid in Full stays untouched. It’s greater than an album, it’s a cornerstone of hip-hop tradition and one of the crucial revered our bodies of labor within the style’s historical past.

Salute to Eric B. and Rakim for giving the world this immortal traditional. Peace!