Rakim - The Seventh Seal

[Chocoholic]

I know we have some hip hop fans here.

Old school rapper Rakim is set to release his newest album November 17th. Best known for his work with Eric B., The Seventh Seal will be Rakim's 3rd solo album.

As a longtime fan of Rakim, I was initially excited when I heard about this. After listening to the 2 singles released (Holy Are You (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_h0rS6LP1c)and I Walk These Streets (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx1HQSZnxro)) I can't help but be a little disappointed. Lyrically he's still got it but I can't get over the overproduced beats that sound like they're more suited for club hits.

The album may end up having some surprise hits but I'm not counting on it.

[VerminScum]

Rakim is a badass. Hard for me to be excited about a newer album of his though.

[Raxo]

Rap is very unforgiving to its aging artists and very few can keep up and make good music. Artists like that are like KRS-One, Blackalicious or Dr. Dre.

After listening to those singles I don't think Rakim can actually keep high level of quality in his music anymore. He's still good but his time has passed in making stuff that really hits hard.

Despite that I am still looking forward to this. I'm expecting a decent album but nothing that will blow me away. He's still better than a ton of rappers out there.

Edit: Busta Rhymes seems like the only good guest he's going to have

[Chocoholic]

Despite that I am still looking forward to this. I'm expecting a decent album but nothing that will blow me away. He's still better than a ton of rappers out there.

That's pretty much how I feel about this. I think the album could've been a lot better with simpler beats. Rakim has one of the smoothest flows of every rapper and his lines are so clean. You can hear pretty much every single word he's saying. These beats are just adding too much complexity to his songs. When I hear Rakim I want to listen to what he's saying. I don't want to feel like I should be at a club.

But yeah, this is still a hell of a lot better than what most rappers are putting out. I'd much rather hear some Rakim on the radio than Soulja Boy.

[Sieda]

Damn. I was hoping this thread was going to be about the kickass Dead Can Dance song.


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[Chocoholic]

Well the album came out this Tuesday and I still have mixed feelings about it. In the time it took for the CD to came out I listened to Holy Are You a bit more and actually found myself liking it. Once you get past all the beats you realize that Rakim really is a good rapper. Is it as good as his old stuff? No. But it certainly beats this new shit.

One of the first things I noticed was the lack of Busta Rhymes. Something didn't work out or something and they never did a track together. In fact, there are no big names on this album minus, maybe, Maino who still isn't all that big.

My favorite tracks would have to be Put it All to the Music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLEaXRmCZfo) for it's funky old-school sound and Documetary of a Gangsta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNLcwn5vswc) for having one of the most minimal beats. It really lets Rakim's flow be heard the way it's meant to be. Rakim raps so clean.

The shocker track, that was actually one of the better tracks on the album, would have to be Dedicated. It samples No Doubt's "Don't Speak" heavily but I think it actually works. Quite well.

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