The 18th Letter has performed this joint live several times, but it will officially debut on the upcoming LP The Archive: Live, Lost & Found Less

A Conversation with the God-Rakim by Davey D The other night after he simply killed it at San Francisco’s Mezzanine Night club, we sat down and spoke with the man who many consider to be the greatest emcee of all-times. We’re talking about Rakim aka the 18th Letter. No we didn’t get into the over-played conversation about why he and Dr. Dre never completed that highly anticipated album. Instead we got his take on the current state of Hip Hop and how he feels about today’s crop of emcees. He talked about the love he has for artist like Lupe Fiasco. Contrary to what many Hip Hop purists would like to hear him say, ‘the R’ talked about how it was important to hear people embrace and reflect their unique regional backgrounds. In other words its not productive to hear everyone trying to sound like a cat from New York and he wasn’t about to start classifying people as rap vs Hip Hop etc. He agreed with the assessment that much of this labeling comes from journalists who like to act like papparazzi. He talked about the ways in which Hip Hop has evolved overseas. We talked to Rakim about his upcoming album which will be released on his own independent label. He noted that he put on his CEO cap and brought forth some great surprises that Hip Hop is in dire need for. He wouldn’t offer up too many details, but he promised that folks will be absolutely pleased. he also touched upon the mindset he has when it comes to writing rhymes. He’s an avid jazz fan and for those who don’t know, Rakim is a trained saxaphone player. He said that he composes songs much like jazz musician and that each word uttered has to fit nicely within the notes of a song. His smoothness is attributed to him rapping the way he feels sax player would blow notes. He also talked about the importance of taking time to write songs and bring forth inspiring and meaningful lyrics. We also touched upon the topic of gangsterism and gangsta rap. For those who aren’t familiar, when Rakim came up he was around some of New York’s most notorious gangstas. The back cover of his Paid in Full album, show folks like the Original 50 Cent. He explained that he never felt a need to talk about other people’s gang tales because he didn’t want to exploit their situations. Nor did he want to bring unnecessary heat on folks. He said he was well aware of the madness that went on around him but it was important to keep street stuff on the streets and not broadcast it on wax. In other words real bad boys don’t tell no tales. We concluded with Rakim talking about politics and conscious raising music. he said he wasn’t the type of cat to look at an event and write about it. he said his consciousness was more organic and heartfelt his day to day living. We felt blessed and enlightened and so should you after you peep this incredible interview that was done by myself and collegue Sam Chennault of SF Weekly and Rhapsody Music. Less

KANYE WEST: Flash Lights ft. Dwele | MEDIAN: Branda’s Baby | LITTLE BROTHER: Flash and Flare | BUSTA RHYMES: So Hardcore | PHAT KAT: Cold Steel ft. Elzhi | RAH DIGGA: Tight | TALIB KWELI: In the Mood ft. Kanye West | THE ARE: Oh ft. Oh No & Kay | KAMAAL A.K.A. Q-TIP: Abstractionisms | A TRIBE CALLED QUEST: God Lives Through | DE LA SOUL: Big Brother Beat ft. Mos Def | NAS: Get Down | DJ MITSU: Feelin’ Alright ft. Little Brother | THE ROOTS: The Next Movement | BDP: South Bronx | DJ JAZZY JEFF: Brand New Funk 2K7 | A TRIBE CALLED QUEST: Check the Rhyme | SLUM VILLAGE: Dirty ft. ODB | HI-TEK: Keep it Movin’ ft. Q-Tip & Kurupt | Q-TIP: Move | KANYE WEST, KRS-1, NAS, & RAKIM: Classic (Primo mix) | BUSTA RHYMES: New York Shit ft. Swizz | PETE ROCK & CL SMOOTH: They Reminisce Over You | A TRIBE CALLED QUEST: Scenario Remix Less

Na terceira edição do programa Aliados do Ritmo, TyDoZ tocou, direto dos toca-discos, electro funk, rap nacional e funk. Estiveram participando das gravações os repeiros Dino Black e Thel, que, junto com TyDoZ, fizeram parte do defunto grupo Morte Cerebral. Este podcast tem o apoio de Só Balanço, Marola Discos, Odeo e do sítio www.culturahiphop.com.br Lista de músicas: 1) G.L.O.B.E. & Whiz Kid – “Play that beat Mr. Dj (dub)” (1983) 2) Awesome Foursome – “Funky Breakdown” (1984) 3) Project Future – “Ray-Gun-Omics” (1983) 4) Comando DMC – “Marginais Fardados” (1992) 5) DMN – “Já não me espanto” (1993) 6) MRN – “Eles não sabem de nada” (1996) 7) Eric B & Rakim – “I know you got soul” (1987) 8) Funkadelic – “You’ll like it too” (1981) 9) Bobby Byrd – “I know you got soul” (1973) Todos os sons deste programa provêm de discos de vinil. O vinil vive! Não deixem de visitar: http://djtydoz.multiply.com http://www.culturahiphop.com.br Less

This is a man that truly needs no introduction. He stepped on the scene in the mid eighties and proceeded to change the game based on his laid back flow and lyrics steeped in lessons. He’s your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper and you’d be hard pressed to find an emcee that Rakim ‘ain’t influenced.’ In the second half of a two-part, two-hour super exclusive interview Halftime caught up with the God MC himself to talk about his career from day 1 to now and all points in between including coming up as a fledgling emcee in Long Island to his new deal and up coming album. In the second hour we talk to Ra about a bit more about his time at Aftermath, why he isn’t all on mixtapes, the concept behind his new record, another writing style and get even more personal as we talk about his family life, finances, and more. It’s probably one of the most personal and revealing Rakim interviews to date – Part 2. Check it out. Less

This is a man that truly needs no introduction. He stepped on the scene in the mid eighties and proceeded to change the game based on his laid back flow and lyrics steeped in lessons. He’s your favorite rapper’s favorite rapper and you’d be hard pressed to find an emcee that Rakim ‘ain’t influenced.’ In the first of a two-part, two-hour super exclusive interview Halftime caught up with the God MC himself to talk about his career from day 1 to now and all points in between including coming up as a fledgling emcee in Long Island to his new deal and up coming album. In the first hour we get at Ra about a rumored battle between him and Freddie Foxxx, take an in depth look into his writing style including him explaining how he writes verses backwards as well as his production and family. It’s probably one of the most personal and revealing Rakim interviews to date. Check it out. Less