I love Rakim, but I think he gets to  much credit . Don't get me wrong , he changed the game, but his body of work is not enough for me to give him ledgendary status. And now we're going to crown his son. I'm not feeling it. I 'm hating , I'm just debting and putting it out there. Let the debt begin.

I meant to say I'm not hating , I'm debting.

Rakim's body of work is appreciated as a significant monumental event in Hip Hop by those who follow artists and trends closely.  In his words, "The Listeners". For example, one day I was just browsing some old school audio clips and artists on the web and really got caught up in the early 80's moment.  If you are of the age to remember when artists first came out in the 70's thru 80's, they basically borrowed lyrics and styles from other artists currently on the scene whether they knew it or not.  Rakim, came out (late 80's) with a lyrical style, flow, content, and sound that matched very few artists at the time.  I'm sure people in his camp, hometown, or himself would admit today that he very well was inspired by his rap forefathers and rivals already in the game at that time. (ie. B.D.Kane?) But for someone to come in the game at that time and cause artists to literally change their cadence, voice, and lyrical content...simply amazing.  Overall body of work is legendary.

Mr. Saturday.
You have understand the era when Rakim first came out. When he came out his sound was way different, he was the avante garde then. His body of work is reflective of him not willing to comprimise his integrity, in order to keep up with current trends i.e poka dots, shiny suit rap, gansta - kill, rob, shoot etc.

MR. Saturday,
Rakim is a legend in this game if you listen to RAP today 90% of the Rappers bit his lyrics like  Little wayne and so many more.  His style will never be match and his flow is crazy the way he can put words together there isn't a Rapper today that could do what he did  he was  truly ahead of his time he is in a short group of MC's and that list of MC's is short.  and he has put in his work in the Paid in full album a classic there is no other album that you can listen to every track and its a hit not even the carter by little wayne which is overrated i heard it and i wasn't crazy about it.  if Rakim had the Media outlets that we have today he would have been  much bigger that anyone today.  he truly cahnged the game back in the day.

The simply point is,"Mr.Saturday!!!!!",isn't listenning close enough to understand rakim's point of view/though's,"Mr.Saturday!!!!!",is to cought up in today's form of weak rapping to even mentally grasp what rakim is putting down,"Yes,without any question's asked rakim is definitly the man as a lyricist,mc period,and the the greatest of all-time..no hold bar.!!!!!!".....Da_Super_Raw......there is no debating on rakim's legacy/ledgendary status...go and read the vide mag with young jeezy's face on the front cover,and read what it state's about the mic god rakim....

Ok heres the deal. Whoever doubting Rakim need to go check his archives, from beginning to no ending. He said in the song "Omega" he was the beginning without no ending. From Paid in Full to his new material you cant say Rakim ever said a wack rhyme !!! But dont say nothing if you're not a true fan of real HIP HOP & a true fan of what it means to actually do your studying of who is the real GREATEST OF ALL TIME.......With that said, go check his record & let his records reflect on your ears & brain. Go to you tube & giv'em a listen & then give your opinion. But dont rush to judgement !!! Do your studying first......PEACE TO ALL ALWAYS & FOREVER....