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

Rakim -- the man, the myth, The 18th Letter -- is back on the hip hop scene after a 15-year break from releasing albums!!!
FOLLOW ALL TMZ PODCASTS: www.audio.tmz.com/
About TMZ:
TMZ has consistently been credited for breaking the biggest stories dominating the entertainment news landscape and changed the way the public gets their news. Regularly referenced by the media, TMZ is one of the most cited entertainment news sources in the world.
Subscribe to TMZ on KZbin for breaking celebrity news/ gossip and insight from the newsroom staff, the best clips from TMZ on TV, Raw & Uncut TMZ video (from TMZ.com) and the latest video from TMZ Sports and TMZ Live!
We love Hollywood, we just have a funny way of showing it.
Need More TMZ?
TMZ Website: tmz.me/fPrTwZt
LIKE TMZ on Facebook! tmz.me/9sGB00a
FOLLOW TMZ on Twitter! tmz.me/9LeeNWQ
FOLLOW TMZ on Instagram! tmz.me/ep7d8Bn
TMZ on TV & TMZ Sports on FS1 Tune In Info: tmz.me/ccuirUZ
TMZ is on iOS! tmz.me/ecOjgiH
TMZ is on Android! tmz.me/pkwieRA
Got a Tip?
Contact TMZ: tmz.me/UsxYCvE
Check out TMZ Live, TMZ Sports and toofab!
TMZ Live: tmz.me/GxCXCfl
Subscribe! TMZ Live: tmz.me/cLxA82p
TMZ Sports: tmz.me/jMBERbb
Subscribe! TMZ Sports: tmz.me/jMBERbb
Toofab: tmz.me/dsXztns
Subscribe! toofab: tmz.me/VeVLMmi
/ 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

[@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

[@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

[@Chelle7104]

REAL HIP HOP LEGEND!!!!!

[@OVOGerald]

Only drake is I’m afraid

[@DeViLiShGoD72]

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

[@yolanda9504]

Absolutely!

[@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]

💯💯💯💯

[@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.

[@derrickrankinjr2798]

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

[@thatgirl4633]

“I hold a microphone like a grudge” 😊

[@DJ_MARIANO]

one of my favorite lines ever

[@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

[@tigerlily3045]

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!!

[@urbanguerrilla3022]

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

[@emmanueldurr7645]

GOAT!!! No One Come Close To Rakim

[@OVOGerald]

Drizzy way better🔥

[@DeViLiShGoD72]

​@@OVOGerald☹️....😮

[@user-oy1jg7td2g]

@@OVOGeraldOVHOE is this you ???! 😂😂😂

[@blackmcbain3145]

​@@OVOGeraldstop glazing this Canadian bozo

[@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

[@crystalriley9671]

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

[@Don_nell]

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

[@blackrebelz]

His Militia Remix (Gangstarr) verse is one of the best features of all time IMO.

[@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.

[@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 🌚

[@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

[@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"

[@Nomorequestionz62]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@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 ! ! !

[@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

[@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"....

[@kalyanachamplain-spears6266]

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

[@darrenbradly2702]

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

[@goodfella1401]

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

[@MrLjg510]

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

[@jamesSt.PatrickII]

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

[@Kingofkings1055]

Much love and respect to Rakim 💫

[@Espectro1680]

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

[@oc4515]

💯

[@rebeccaboyd1704]

Rakim was one of my crushes in high school

[@BillyJean327]

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 😂❤

[@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.

[@Becauseimme]

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

[@edwardbrabson2645]

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

[@maritzacaruth9283]

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

[@theressakimbrough2867]

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

[@maritzacaruth9283]

@@theressakimbrough2867 Tahmell

[@theressakimbrough2867]

@@maritzacaruth9283 thx!!!

[@ryleerichter804]

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

[@keashadaily6765]

He is still fine ❤

[@tonjastandley375]

Facts

[@jibjr88]

The God MC

[@lala_in_tx]

"Suddenly you feel like you're in a horror flick. You grab your heart, then wish for tomorrow quick" Grew up on Lyrics of Fury🔥🔥

[@user-li2vo5zn1k]

Rakim 18 Letter's before Leaving 🌎 💪🏾

[@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

[@anniceportland]

Tupac AI wasnt entertaining it was disrespectful

[@CinnamonSmith]

So when Drake uses it, it's disrespectful but tik tok creators use it and it's creative and liked. Make it make sense.

[@tonjastandley375]

Facts

[@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.

[@ButchBrown7]

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

[@wolfpack8275]

The king has passed the crown to the new king

[@thatgirl4633]

Wow…he actually smiled 😊Nice to see.

[@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.

[@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💖💛💚

[@skizzyskitzo]

I love Rakim

[@merrekeste3385]

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

[@LaFree-sz8cd]

💯.... The *18th LETTER*💯

[@lilerniegroove1]

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

[@CJonesBey]

Rakim.. living legion..

[@msa6844]

RAP LEGEND

[@CedricVon007]

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

[@propaneoaklane8781]

The 18th letter 🔥🔥🔥💪🏽🐺

[@loxho217]

Rakim is the greatest

[@andremcpherson6395]

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

[@roachfatthenostalgist7535]

The Goat 🐐

[@tennaj1367]

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

[@MrsBoyd4500]

REAL LEGEND 💯💯💯

[@arianadams5598]

The Goat for real!!!!😮😮

[@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!!

[@onwon81]

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

[@JosephSciegns-tn1kw]

“You should’ve just listened to what he told you.” I am the HE.😁

[@chulababy2120]

He’s still fine as wine 🍷 ❤

[@chaptervixo]

Whatever rakim says about battle rap is the gospel

[@natefrmbklyn]

TMZ got a whole hip-hop department now🎉

[@TheTSSTC]

2 years strong now 🎉 check it out … some legendary hits already!

[@keshondrew5267]

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

[@romeusdracul9531]

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

[@MegaMjjordan]

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

[@tigerlily3045]

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

[@Yahpah]

Ikr! This man is fine!

[@user-oy1jg7td2g]

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.

[@tigerlily3045]

🎼 nothing but the 🎤 inside my hand 🎶

[@jotroupe4470]

One of my top five of all time

[@michaelpleasant1802]

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

[@thisdrinksonme4319]

Respect to him love❤❤❤❤

[@--REGULAR--REGULAR]

The goat for real

[@ronaldwilliams9635]

Rakim is the Truth🔥🎯

[@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.

[@zolelakubadidi4973]

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

[@chiwalker7325]

Legendary Man right there Boys. CPT ✌🏾

[@jeffreybuffkin9108]

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

[@shaamlowery2632]

My Top 5 ever

[@dbanks17]

Rakim… the GOAT 👏🏾👏🏾❤️

[@jj7126]

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

[@Mstomtom80]

Rakim...u are one of my favorites...please put out new music!! 🔥🎵🎵❤❤😊...u were one of the artist thay got even listening to hip hop!!!

[@MrYoel77]

Much respect 🙏 father of hip hop.

[@misterjahi]

Higher level consciousness personified. Peace to the God.

[@lolitaharley8701]

Legend

[@onwon81]

Legend!!

[@TO-fc3dt]

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.

[@Randy-os2zz]

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

[@TheMMFamily9]

Its the Aura ❤😊

[@spicetbedhead]

The Real King 👑 Of Rap!!!❤

[@dametalounge]

Great interview questions! And salute to the GOAT!🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

[@jameswilson1522]

Incredible... ....Legend ! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 !

[@mrgrimble9017]

Check the record him and Big Daddy Kane went at it. Kane didn't back down neither did Rakim

[@tunaricemetters3387]

Soul brotha #1❤ This is a HUGE honor for Kendrick