Hear isolated vocals of Eric B & Rakim on ‘Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em’
If you are looking for the foundational stones of hip hop as we know it today then look no further than Eric B and Rakim, two of the rap genre’s undoubted legends. One song which helped to launch the duo into the atmosphere of a generation of rappers was ‘Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em’.
Eric B & Rakim’s ‘Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em’ is a masterclass in raw, unfiltered hip-hop that captures the essence of the genre’s golden age. Dropped in 1990, the track is a bold statement of intent, with Rakim delivering razor-sharp bars over a menacing beat that hits like a freight train. This isn’t just a song; it’s a sonic assault, where Rakim’s flow dances effortlessly over Eric B’s production, co-crafted by the legendary Large Professor.
The track’s backbone is its heavyweight production, blending deep bass lines with expertly chopped samples from James Brown and The Fatback Band, creating a soundscape that’s as gritty as it is hypnotic.
Rakim’s lyrical dexterity is on full display, as he navigates complex rhymes with the precision of a surgeon, laying down verses that resonate with authority and style. ‘Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em’ stands as a timeless anthem, reinforcing the duo’s legacy as hip-hop royalty.
The titular song from the duo’s third album, the track has gone on to typify the duo’s output. While the track is a flurry of complex beats and bars, when we strip away the music, we get a more potent sense of Eric B and Rakim’s lyricism. Below, we are listening to the isolated vocals of Eric B & Rakim on ‘Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em’.
By the time the duo’s third album came around, Eric B. and Rakim had a tried-and-tested formula. They were considered not only pioneers of the hip-hop genre but had also breached the mainstream and become undoubted legends in their field. Rugged and rough production would lay the foundations for the mid-90s boom of rap.
The somewhat dangerous single, the titular track and album opener, is a reminder of what made them true greats. Rakim spits five verses that are capable of melting your face off like Indiana Jones and the song is also notable for being one of only a handful of times that Rakim ever dropped the F-bomb.
The single would make up a large part of the album’s success as the enviable The Source magazine dropped a huge five out of five microphones on the release and confirmed Eric B and Rakim as heavyweight hip hop heroes.