Rakim Salutes Kendrick Lamar-Drake Rap Battle, Producing For Snoop Dogg, DMX on New Album | TMZ

[@ChiraqMaybach-ii9wm]

These young kids nowadays don't know how great Rakim was, the goat

[@notmrpronot3179]

I'm 16 and I gotta respect any 16 from the God mc

[@shaamlowery2632]

I’m 35 my dad is 53 he’s a huge Big Daddy Kane fan but as I get older I’ve been doing my homework and I place Rakim above Kane , Krs -1 an G Rap his raps on that Paid in Full album still hit hard an that came out in 1986 in sane

[@notmrpronot3179]

@@shaamlowery2632 facts personality my favorite projects by rakim are don't sweat the technique and the master, and the 18th letter, they're prefect displays of lyricism

[@bronxkies]

For real. That's why when people talk about their Top 5 I'm like I can't take a Top 5 seriously if Rakim ain't in it.

[@malcomshabazz2809]

​@@bronxkies Rakim can't be in a top 5 because he's in a class of his own. The God MC

[@mujicgreeningram5071]

This might be the first time in my 43 years of living that I seen Rakim laugh.. And it happened on.... TMZ?? Crazy crazy ish crazy!

[@deed8915]

RIGHT! 😮😂😂😂😂

[@LadybugLuv]

Lol right? Because even right now his resting face is like 'Dont play with me, I will f you up right here and now!' 🤨 Lol😂

[@Becauseimme]

Kan!😂

[@alklaka5372]

he smiled.. he really smiled!

[@AnyRight-jm4rd]

💯💯💯💯

[@Grandmaster_Vic]

His influence is so god damn strong even in today’s hip hop. What a legendary MC

[@DeViLiShGoD72]

Legendary....🤔....🤏🏽 Don't be Mad I'm 🤥 like a MFCKr....be good tho

[@BestBecky78]

*got

[@esdeozzy]

Rakim never got rich like Jay, Dre, Snoop or Nas and them but he’s the original.

[@22625223]

Well like 50 cent said some people know how to life been wealthy or not he stuck to himself and maybe he didn’t needed that

[@queenearth7808]

​@@22625223Agree! Not everyone wanted that kind of life. It's not always sweet.

[@TrueSankofa7]

@@22625223 the first mc to get a million dollar contract never got rich? Even though it doesn't matter, I think Rakim been Paid N Full for a min

[@mrbigyooo]

Maybe not Rich like those guys,but he’s definitely rich. He tours all over the world. He probably grossed A couple of million a year for touring and licensing his music. Slow money is better than no money

[@b9479]

He's definitely a millionaire, not on their level but he's rich

[@derrickrankinjr2798]

Having a Triple OG like Rakim give our top generation rappers respect is real humbling.. Hip Hop is a beautiful thing 💯

[@jeffreybuffkin9108]

Rakim the first famous rapper to actually recognize the pocket of the beat. Literally gave the genre decades of progress single-handedly

[@Don_nell]

Rakim is the hardest lyricist ever that define Rhythm. And. Poetry.

[@Chelle7104]

REAL HIP HOP LEGEND!!!!!

[@OVOGerald]

Only drake is I’m afraid

[@DeViLiShGoD72]

​@@OVOGeraldOnly🤔....😮....U been hanging out with AkAdEmikS....👀

[@yolanda9504]

Absolutely!

[@highcee11]

We had K.R.S. 1, Big Daddy Kane, even a very slept on Heavy D, but when Rakim, came out, rhyming on records with a skill set like we had never heard before, unmistakable voice, most versatile flows of the time as well, an innovator, brought style and fashion to the game as well. One of Hip Hops GAME CHANGERS. Salute The GOD MC.

[@TheTSSTC]

I was putting my boy up on that Heavy album (1999) just the other day. RIP. Incredible talent

[@RevengeOfThaNerd]

Bro I love Heavy.

[@michaelharris680]

Heavy D. Severely underrated 🎤

[@RazorReg]

Rakim came out first in 86, KRS was second 87 and Kane in 88 Kool G Rap 89. They all had their own style. IMO KRS is the best.

[@highcee11]

@@RazorReg Criminal Minded came out in 87 along with Paid in Full. But from 87-90 we got some classics.

[@TizzTv]

the real goat. I will never get back my first listen to a rakim tape; it was the same feeling I got when watching kendrick at the concert. what a legend

[@thatgirl4633]

“I hold a microphone like a grudge” 😊

[@DJ_MARIANO]

one of my favorite lines ever

[@TunmidaO]

I don’t think you can have a top 10 without including this guy. He’s the sole reason most of the greatest rappers rap the way that they do.

[@MIXPRO68]

im so proud of rakim-i was so apreciative i came up in that golden era to see artists like Rakim and others help shape that era.

[@kalyanachamplain-spears6266]

We love you Rakim!!! So excited for the new album!

[@Nomorequestionz62]

The East Coast and Midwest love Kendrick Lamar. Salute King Kendrick

[@guelmis]

I was on my cellphone on a NYC street. I saw a hand reach in front of me and it was Ra. This man gave me his hand without knowing me. Ra is a real one 👁 love

[@kcidd12]

👁️ 👄 👁️???

[@diverseuniverse7701]

I’m usually r

[@tigerlilyblooming]

You’re better than me. I’d still be holding his hand squeezing Super Glue despite the restraining order. 😂 😂 😂

[@Cjordanstudios]

What an honor bro!! Nice!!

[@DarkSunRider1]

A brother before his time. I'm 52 and my kids who are young adults now know Rakim is a true Lyricist.... This brother truly was way before his time, highly disciplined in his writing style but he showed up at the right time!!! MUCH LOVE!!! "MOVE THE CROWD"....

[@crystalriley9671]

Put some Respect on his name! Rakim is one of the founders and innovators.

[@emmanueldurr7645]

GOAT!!! No One Come Close To Rakim

[@OVOGerald]

Drizzy way better🔥

[@DeViLiShGoD72]

​@@OVOGerald☹️....😮

[@123Foreverblessedone]

@@OVOGeraldOVHOE is this you ???! 😂😂😂

[@blackmcbain3145]

​@@OVOGeraldstop glazing this Canadian bozo

[@Ironmanpwnz]

Big Daddy Kane > Rakim

[@LtheDetective]

I was 9 years old when my uncle popped in 'Paid in Full". At the time I was a big Run DMC fan... and u know every full bar then was a word in the middle of the bar, and the ending was the rhyme. Rakim was the first MC that put multiple rhyme schemes in one bar. Even as a 9 year old, it was the most amazing thing I've ever heard. That's why he will always be the greatest in my book. God MC!

[@urbanguerrilla3022]

Peace to the Original Asiatic Blackman for performing his duty, and NEVER ABANDONING HIS POST!!!

[@jamesSt.PatrickII]

Rakim just in conversation sound like he ready to take off on a 🎤

[@Godtrilla]

I'm 31. The pop out and the Lox and Dipset versus is without question some of the rawest purest hip hop I've seen 20 years

[@LoveMusic-px6yw]

I love listening to RAKIM. His voice is incredible, and I'm in my 40s STILL loving RAKIM. He's phenomenal, and I can't wait to hear more of him... RESPECT. PERIODT.

[@TheLovely990]

Rakim the legend! His swag is unmatched.❤❤❤❤

[@Theenrichmentlab]

UNMATCHED!

[@OVOGerald]

Y’all ain’t heard of the boy drizzy?

[@burgermind802]

@OVOGerald you mean bbl?

[@osiawideman4851]

@@OVOGeraldhow is a dude who needs a ghost writer a great rapper 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂that shit is hilarious 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@charlestoncharles7235]

This is the greatest mc of all time right here and I am from the south

[@OVOGerald]

Drake bodies him I’m afraid

[@mctud817]

Same here. Texas

[@aya9af]

​@OVOGerald 😂 🤫 "Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt"

[@PR-WAY]

Not to me

[@Dredd-od2xs]

​@@PR-WAYu don't know shit

[@Kingofkings1055]

Much love and respect to Rakim 💫

[@bxchef829]

18th letter! The R baby!

[@ChiraqMaybach-ii9wm]

The master, both classic albums, it's a shame they didn't get the proper promotion people don't know how good those albums were

[@Theenrichmentlab]

ALL DAY "R"

[@DisneylandZombies]

First time I ever seen RAKIM smile..😮

[@rockhills]

You should watch the BizMarkie documentary…it’s wild cause Rakim cried on it. That was something I could’ve never predicted.

[@TheTSSTC]

TMZ is included in that too 🌚

[@darrenbradly2702]

2024 feels like home again. The greats are coming back. Stetsasonic too. Thank you!

[@Becauseimme]

The microphone solo Wiz. Uncle Rakim, NUFF RESPECT. 🎤

[@deewoo2776]

Rakim is a REAL RAP LEGEND. He looks the part and is the part.

[@binnybrand2563]

Hip hop . Drake is rapper. R is a hip hop MC. It's a difference

[@DeViLiShGoD72]

​@@binnybrand2563u nailed that Ish....😎

[@DeViLiShGoD72]

7:11 we happy as a MFCKr that he decided to go towards the 🎤....he got that Raw voice perfect for HiP-HoP....😮

[@deewoo2776]

If you know the history of Rap music which became Hip Hop you would know that Rap is spittin out the lyrics and Hip Hop is the beat. Somewhere in the mid to late 90s / early 2000s the category of Rap music became Hip Hop. Hip Hop comes from Jazz Music from the "BeBop" era in Jazz. I'm from the Old School and I still call it "Rap Music" because that's what it is.

[@binnybrand2563]

@@deewoo2776 And that makes you not invited to the COOKOUT ! IM A HIP HOP BABY ! RAP IS SOMETHING YOU DO HIP HOP IS SOMETHING. YOU LIVE! YOUR WHITE! I CAN TELL ! AND THAT THOUGHT PROCESS RUINED HIP HOP! AND THATS WHY A ACTOR LIKE DRAKE IS PLAYING IN YOUR CAR AND NOT MINE ! YOUR DISMISSED. Ps it was called A B BOY. MC AND DJ GRAFFITI ! HIP HOP! CULTURE VULTURE YOU SOUND LIKE

[@caseycameron5370]

Rakims old stuff still sounds new its crazy once in multiple generations talent

[@mathematicalfacts1439]

Fact's 💯...He was ALWAYS ahead of his time and this new track is still showing and proving how ahead his time he was and still is. That's why you gotta want to/try and reach for something to be great and ahead of your time. That's why Rakim music and lyrics is timeless and classic.

[@ryleerichter804]

I’m 26 now I paid to see rakim and meet and greet when I was 24 the 🐐 fr

[@skizzyskitzo]

I love Rakim

[@XBOXBIGMAC1]

After 12, I'm worse that a Gremlin Feed me Hip-hop and I start trembling

[@drerush9065]

Microphone fiend was banging and still bang!💯

[@latymz]

Man that still hit different even today.

[@markjones3402]

CLASSIC LINE ! ! !

[@chucklemakka1588]

Rakim is an OG for reel. He was special!!!!

[@rebeccaboyd1704]

Rakim was one of my crushes in high school

[@BillieJean327]

FACTS 👏🏾👏🏾

[@maritzacaruth9283]

💯

[@Kytt-ko8bf]

For real,and What's On Your Mind made it official official

[@deenice5444]

Same

[@dbanks17]

I’m 63 and been a HipHop fan from the beginning. Ra is still fine as sh*t 😂❤

[@edwardbrabson2645]

I USED TO LET THE MIC SMOKE NOW I GRAB IT SMASH IT MAKE SURE IT'S BROKE!!!!

[@tennaj1367]

Probably the coolest cat off the mic to ever spit a bar!

[@maritzacaruth9283]

Saw him recently, he didn't tell us til afterwards, his son opened for him. He's 🔥 too!

[@theressak]

That's dope!What's his son's name? I would love to check him out.

[@maritzacaruth9283]

@@theressak Tahmell

[@theressak]

@@maritzacaruth9283 thx!!!

[@Espectro1680]

every modern style rapping is based on his original flow and cadence . wether they know it or not

[@oc4515]

💯

[@goodfella1401]

Every lyricist since 1987 has been heavily influenced by Rakim. No other person you can say that about after half a century

[@romeusdracul9531]

For Ra to give credit to KDot and say he wishes he was there too … 🫡 MAJOR Salute. Super Dope!

[@williemakeit2346]

Rakim is quintessential hip hop. The brotha oozes hip hop thru his veins.

[@MrLjg510]

Timeless, so age don't count in the booth when your flow stay submerged in the fountain of youth

[@msa6844]

RAP LEGEND

[@Deadpixel88]

The God MC

[@dbanks17]

Rakim… the GOAT 👏🏾👏🏾❤️

[@CedricVon007]

Best man in the game, wonderful flow with the music! 🙏🏽🏆

[@MrsBoyd4500]

REAL LEGEND 💯💯💯

[@thatgirl4633]

Wow…he actually smiled 😊Nice to see.

[@kenyakimbrough7152]

Y'all might not understand... I'm not a Stan!! But I love & respect this dude.. To a point..I feel some kinda of way whenever I see him.. Might be nostalgia.. or just the appreciation of HIP HOP!! 1!!

[@ra-neter6662]

u deff a stan but its cool. he a legend from an era where dudes were true supporters of everything. music ,sports , shows etc. true loyalty . my generation the adhd amnesia generation

[@kenyakimbrough7152]

@@ra-neter6662 Was that an insult?.. Mixed with a compliment?... 😀 Either way..Ok!!

[@latymz]

Dre and Rakim getting another shot? Man I hope it comes together this time.

[@garymclean1679]

Kings don't need to be outspoken...but when they do speak out...followers know what to do.

[@RumGod]

Back in 07 when I was 15 I bought "Paid In Full" on CD hopped on the train to my job in the city & was so happy even in 07 I totally see why kats never tested The 👑R💖💛💚

[@michaelpleasant1802]

Ain't no competition !!! Rakim is a hip hop legend . And didn't play industry games.. just pure talent with amazing rhyme metephors.

[@arianadams5598]

The Goat for real!!!!😮😮

[@merrekeste3385]

LEGEND RAPPER MC GOAT TOP 5🐐🎤💯 GOT LOVE FOR K DOT🐐💯 ❤

[@--REGULAR--REGULAR]

The goat for real

[@thisdrinksonme4319]

Respect to him love❤❤❤❤

[@OWU0101]

As a matter of fact. Rakims The 18th Letter art cover had an Artificial Intelligence face on it behind his face. Rakim was the first presenting AI way back then.

[@LEYTHLEGACY]

That's not really a good thing though

[@theafricachild5773]

@@LEYTHLEGACYit not lol

[@blackmcbain3145]

RAKIM and del the funkee homosapien

[@KeithSharp-u2i]

Rakim 18 Letter's before Leaving 🌎 💪🏾

[@ElPrezidenteKeno]

I like that he didnt get into his feelings like the rest of the critics about Drake using ai. I felt the same thing. It was "Entertaining and creative" more than it was "disrespectful " to Tupac... we should be able to be creative in all forms of hiphop.

[@CJonesBey]

Rakim.. living legion..

[@andremcpherson6395]

This man right here is the best lyricst in the history of hip hop

[@JosephOkori]

I’m so glad he mentioned the 18th Letter joint. One of my favorite joints of all time. Incredible writing.

[@MECHEFKEE]

Yeah he did he was one of the first insane lyricist 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@LaFree-sz8cd]

💯.... The *18th LETTER*💯

[@sergebaron9086]

Rakim doesn’t have no rival he’s in a space by himself ..

[@torrancenorwood1349]

Wuhooo!! From the God's own mouth! ( i.e Rakim hasn't Done many interviews!) For him to say," I hear the technique "I started" and where they took it!!!" Is Profound, glad he voiced it before leaving this planet... All the Greats!! Any emcee you can ever consider Nice!! They All play with that word phrasing, syntactical structure, Flowin type shit. Because of Him! The Real Question IS, " what would hip hop " SOUND" like if Rakim never was !

[@zolelakubadidi4973]

The realist of them all. Hip hop LEGEND. ♥️💐

[@tigerlilyblooming]

I’m still in love with Rakim! Lawd!!!!!!

[@Yahpah]

Ikr! This man is fine!

[@123Foreverblessedone]

Facts ❤

[@busymike]

Who cares? There’s always some 👩🏿‍🦰 posting some nonsense about whatever artist being attractive while everyone else talks about the music. It’s really weird and annoying.

[@tigerlilyblooming]

🎼 nothing but the 🎤 inside my hand 🎶

[@misterjahi]

Higher level consciousness personified. Peace to the God.

[@onwon81]

Legend!!

[@shereserobinson6535]

Hip Hop 1.0 here. I looooove this man. I saw him at B. B. king’s doing the Paid In Full album. With a backing BAND. It was so magical. I cried. This will always be my guy.

[@propaneoaklane8781]

The 18th letter 🔥🔥🔥💪🏽🐺

[@loxho217]

Rakim is the greatest

[@chiwalker7325]

Legendary Man right there Boys. CPT ✌🏾

[@blackjay3771]

Anytime I hear Drake, Kendrick, Eminem, or Jay Z call themselves the GOAT, I legit feel like they disrespect this dude. Rakim is clearly the GOAT and it’s not even close.

[@blackmcbain3145]

Kendrick ONLY says he's the greatest rapper in our time. Griot. Not all time. He shows respect to the legends.

[@blackjay3771]

@@blackmcbain3145in “Family Ties” Kendrick literally says “Don’t you address me unless it’s with four letters”. He means G.O.A.T. And before you come back with some nonsense about “he could mean king”, let me say that’s cap. His choice of the word “letters” clearly means an abbreviation. There is only one G.O.A.T. in which all modern hip hop artists have modeled their styles. His name is Rakim.

[@ButchBrown7]

The Rah gets Respect so they not trying to test him👑🏆🏆the 18th Letter is still dope🔥🔥

[@onwon81]

Heard a new track by rakim kurupt and masts ace, sick!!

[@ronaldwilliams9635]

Rakim is the Truth🔥🎯

[@wolfpack8275]

The king has passed the crown to the new king

[@keashadaily6765]

He is still fine ❤

[@tonjastandley375]

Facts

[@knuckleblood]

The reason I got knowledge of self and started Emceeing. The 18th letter and Check out my melody are forever in my top 5.

[@roachfatthenostalgist7535]

The Goat 🐐

[@MegaMjjordan]

That’s how you know it’s extra real. The God MC gives his approval

[@jj7126]

Rakim was the goat 🐐 of his generation. #1 of my top 5. He influenced a lot of rappers.

[@lilerniegroove1]

Rakim(Da R)!!! Da Prophecy Professor!!! Da GOAT!!! rspx 🙌🏻👏🏻

[@lolitaharley8701]

Legend

[@david_king_music]

Rakim is on the vast majority of your favorite rapper's top 5 or top 10 lists. He's the foundation for most of the greats and their rap styles in one way or another. The multisyllabic, internal rhyme schemes were fundamental to modern rap, akin to the discovery of relativity or quantum physics in the early 20th century spawning modern technology. Nas was the "heir" to his style, and then spawned even more complex lyricism than that. Wisdom, technical prowess, stoic, teacher, presence, style, etc. etc. Plus I'm hearing more about how good a producer he is

[@dudettevlogs4257]

10years from now there will be another Kendrick and he will be answering questions like this.. life moves fast!

[@lolo2real]

Legendary brother right here!!! 🔥🔥🔥 Such wisdom too

[@aronchilds8174]

King in his DAY

[@Knowledge-411-x4q]

2:15 .... Fish, which is my favorite dish....But without no money it's still a wish! Hands down most memorable!

[@jotroupe4470]

One of my top five of all time

[@renegadebrad7448]

The 18th letter is perfection in a hip hop album the saga begins produced by Pete rock check that out young or old generation the whole album is just perfection not 1 slacking track it’s a masterpiece

[@Randy-os2zz]

Gotta say really just started watching tmz content never disappoints...

[@TheMMFamily9]

Its the Aura ❤😊