Analyze and compare Eric B. & Rakim’s first album release,Paid In Full, 1997,with their last album release as a duo,Don’t Sweat the Technique, 1992 – or atleast a song from each. What remained consistent about the duo’s work and inwhat ways did they change and evolve?Paid in Full is a debut album of American hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim released in 1987. Itwas produced by Marley Marl, following Rakim’s response to Eric B’s search for a rapperwho would complement his disc jockey work in 1985. Paid in Full is credited as a benchmarkalbum of golden age hip hop(Shapiro,2005,p.126). Rakim’s rapping innovated in internalrhymes and had set a higher standard for lyricism in hip hop. It also served as a valid1template for future artists. Heavy sampling by Eric B. became an important and influentialpart of the history of hip-hop production. The album was ranked 228 on Rolling Stone’smagazine list of 500 greatest albums of all time (Rolling Stone,2003).In 1992 duo released the final album by the name of Don’s Sweat the Technique. It wasrecorded and produced by Eric B. & Rakim. It builds on the sounds from their previousalbum Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em with Rakim rapping having a more aggressive manner on EricB’s soulful production.In Paid in Full, Rakim’s rhyming deviated from the standard rhyme patterns. His free-rhythmstyle disregarded bar lines and was often compared to Thelonious Monk(Freedom duLac,2006). Rakim relayed on the relax and stoic delivery of vocals, unlike the previousrappers.” He had a slow flow and every line was blunt, mesmeric”(Ogg,2002). This resultedfrom Rakim’s jazz influences. Rakim’s subject usually covered his own rapping skills andlyrical ascendancy over other rap artists. On the other hand, Paid in Full contained heavyand dark beats(Rose,1994). Of ten tracks, three are instrumentals. Eric B. restored the art of
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