#61 of 500
· Rolling Stone
Paid in Full
Eric B. and Rakim
Year
1987
Genre
Hip-Hop/RapLabel
4th & B'way
Format
Vinyl LP
“#61 feels right for this one. Paid in Full is from the decade that turned production into an art form, and Eric B. and Rakim delivered something that still resonates. The 4th & B'way pressing is worth tracking down — the production comes through in ways digital can't replicate.”
Eric B. and Rakim were pioneers of hip-hop who emerged from Elmhurst, Queens in the mid-1980s. DJ Eric B. and rapper Rakim Allah formed one of the most influential duos in rap history, debuting with their landmark album Paid in Full (1987). Their subsequent albums Paid in Full, Follow the Leader (1988), and Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990) established new standards for lyrical complexity and production sophistication. Rakim's intricate rhyme schemes, internal rhymes, and philosophical content revolutionized rap vocal performance, while Eric B.'s jazz-sampled production provided an elegant sonic backdrop. The duo's influence on rap producers and MCs proved foundational to hip-hop's artistic development throughout the 1990s.
Style
Eric B. and Rakim pioneered a sophisticated East Coast hip-hop sound featuring jazz-funk sampled beats, crisp drums, and Rakim's technically advanced, multilayered flow. Their production emphasized musicality and restraint, moving beyond the heavier samples of contemporaries to create an elegant, timeless aesthetic.
Significance
Widely regarded as one of hip-hop's greatest duos, Eric B. and Rakim's vinyl releases are essential for collectors studying rap's artistic evolution. Their albums, particularly Paid in Full and Follow the Leader, remain highly sought-after for both sonic quality and historical importance in establishing hip-hop as a lyrically sophisticated art form.
Released in 1987, 'Paid in Full' was Eric B. & Rakim's debut album and established them as innovators in hip-hop production and lyricism. Eric B., the producer and DJ, crafted intricate jazz-sampled beats that became the sonic foundation, while Rakim's revolutionary flow—featuring internal rhymes, complex multisyllabic patterns, and a deeper vocal tone than his contemporaries—redefined rap delivery. Recorded primarily at Power Play Studios in New York, the album featured key production contributions from Eric B. alongside engineer supervision. The chemistry between the two was immediate; Rakim's technical prowess elevated Eric B.'s already sophisticated production, while Eric B.'s expansive, jazz-influenced beats gave Rakim the space to showcase his lyrical dexterity. The album's success was driven by hit singles like 'Paid in Full,' 'I Know You Got Soul,' and 'Move the Crowd,' which received substantial radio and MTV play despite hip-hop's still-limited mainstream visibility.
Historical Context
In 1987, hip-hop was transitioning from its party-music origins toward more lyrical sophistication and sampling-based production. 'Paid in Full' arrived alongside releases from Rakim's contemporaries like Run-DMC and Public Enemy, but distinguished itself through its jazzy, boom-bap aesthetic and Rakim's intellectual lyricism. The album resonated during a period when hip-hop was gaining commercial legitimacy; it reached #50 on the Billboard 200 and helped establish the East Coast as a center of hip-hop innovation. Critics praised Rakim as potentially the greatest MC alive, fundamentally influencing how rappers approached wordplay and flow for decades to come.
Pressing Notes
The original 1987 vinyl pressing on 4th & B'way Records (distributed by Island) is the most collectible edition. Early pressings featured the original jacket artwork and liner notes. The album has been reissued multiple times on vinyl, including remastered editions from UME in the 2000s and 2010s. Collectors should note that original pressings are sought-after but relatively available in the used market. The 1987 pressing typically commands $15-40 depending on condition. As a landmark hip-hop album, various audiophile and deluxe reissues have emerged; check matrix codes and label details to confirm pressing origin, as quality can vary between early and later vinyl versions.
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Released the same year with similarly dense, sample-heavy production and socially conscious lyrics that defined golden age hip-hop.
Illmatic
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Shares the same era's New York hip-hop sophistication with guest production by Pete Rock and DJ Premier, and lyrical depth similar to Rakim's delivery.
The Low End Theory
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Exemplifies the same jazz-fusion production and lyrical complexity of late-80s/early-90s New York hip-hop that influenced and paralleled Paid in Full.
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