Photo: Instagram/Rakim
Legendary New York emcee Rakim has returned with his first LP in 15 years. Titled “G.O.D.’s Network – Reb7rth”, the marquee East Coast record features guest verses by various rap pioneers including the late Nipsey Hussle and DMX, “ILL Street Blues” emcee Kool G Rap, Wu-Tang Clan‘s Method Man, Masta Killa, KXNG Crooked, Snoop Dogg, Chino XL, Mobb Deep‘s Prodigy and Planet Asia.
“G.O.D.’s Network – Reb7rth” traverses 7 flagrant tracks – “BE ILL”, “NOW IS THE TIME, “LOVE IS THE MESSAGE”, “GOD’S PLAYGROUND”, “PENDULUM SWING”, “INTERNATIONAL” and “SIGN OF SE7EN”.
For the East Coast legend, who released his cult rap record “Paid In Full” with Eric B. in 1987, the album serves as the follow-up to his third LP “The Seventh Seal”. Across the hard-hitting album, Rakim and his peers drop incendiary bars about African-American ties, black entrepreneurship & entertainment and politics.
“Can you see what I’m seeing
Or are you distracted by the poverty-stricken streets of deep depression that we in?
I see survivors of the worst conditions to be in
You see deceit and the demons, the the death and the grieving
No place to raise a seed in
But the rose still grow through the crack left in the cement,” Rakim raps on the self-produced record.
Check out the exclusive “G.O.D.’s Network – Reb7rth” artwork and “LOVE IS THE MESSAGE” music video below.
Hussle’s verse on “LOVE IS THE MESSAGE” stands out as a confident motif reminiscent of his timeless tracks “Succa Proof”, “Foundation of A Man”, “No Favors” and “Perfect Timing”.
“Black on black, pockets fat, hoppin’ out the 7 strapped
Walk up to the club, don’t pat me down, they just pat my back (Uh)
All my n—– got chains on and we thick as f—
Had a dress code, but rushed the door ’cause we don’t give a f— (Uh-huh)
Standing on the couches, popping bottles, smoking weed
When you see them hoes flocking, then that’s how you know it’s me
I got power in these streets, big balls, boxer briefs
A gang of dead P-R-E-Zs in these expensive-ass jeans
Yeah, and I’m a beast off in them sheets
So if I pull, then I’m gon’ squeeze, as soon as I come, then I’m gon’ leave
Soon as I’m done, then I’m gon’ be back on my grind, back on these beats
‘Cause I could never be a nigga that had it, lost it, and end up back in these streets
Nah-uh, so it’s All Money until I’m R.I.P.,” Hussle raps on the Planet Asia, Snoop Dogg, Louis King, Sally Green and Kobe Honeycutt assisted track on the album.
Last winter, 200 rap pioneers including Kurtis Blow, Ice-T, Melle Mel, Raekwon, Run DMC and Daddy Kane honored New York City disc jockey and Hip-Hop pioneer DJ Kay Slay on an hour-long record “200 Rolling Deep”.
Read More: “Planet Rock: The Album” by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force
Stream “G.O.D.’s Network – Reb7rth” album by Rakim via Spotify.
