Eric & Rakim had brought out some wonderful rap stuff for the music lovers, and quite evidently Rakim is one inevitable part of this duo. Eric & Rakim released their first album ‘Paid in Full’ in 1987 which gave Rakim an immense opportunity to grow as one of the most promising pop stars of his times. Some of his singles of the album made a huge promise to the music lovers that a sure promise has arrived in the music industry.
The other albums of this duo also got huge popularity. Even his solo singles which he had released alone had also earned massive popularity in the rapping arena.
His professional rapping career has got the collaboration of many eminent personalities including Linkin Park, DMX, The Roots, Pharrell Williams and many more. In 2006 his first album ‘Paid in Full’ received the honor of greatest all-time hip-hop. Rakim has been given the top rank in the list of MCs by the About.com. It is easily understandable that this MC of high repute has earned quite handsomely throughout his rapping career.
The eminent celebrity of the music industry has gathered not less than 1 million dollars as his estimated net worth.
Early life
Rakim was born as William Michael Griffin Jr. on 28th January 1968 in Wyandanch, New York, United States of America. He was born to William Griffin Sr. Rakim held the American nationality and was born with Capricorn zodiac sign.
Rakim went to Wyandanch Memorial High School for his education. After his schooling, Rakim felt like joining a college but preferred to pursue a career in music. But he never regretted being not educated to a greater extent.
Career
Rakim had started his recording while he was studying in the Kid Wizard. The prominent personality DJ Eric Barrier came to know about the talent of Rakim when Rakim was 20 years old. Eric was working in the WBSL. Soon he engaged the MC aspirant as his assistant in the radio station. The duo of master and his assistant brought out one track ‘Is President’, in 1986 which inspired them with the praise for the track. The success of the track gave birth to Eric & Rakim which later gifted the music lovers with many compositions to enjoy music. With the 4th & Broadway Records, they signed a contract for the recordings. Just after the agreement with a recording company, the duo brought out two singles ‘Ain’t No Joke’ and ‘I Know You Got Soul.’ After completing the composition for the album, the duo released their first album titled ‘Paid in Full’ which created history. Only in the United States, the album sold 1,000,000 copies.
The success of their debut release was maintained in the succeeding albums. The next album ‘Follow the Leader’ was released after a year of their first release, and this was also highly appreciated by the music lovers all across the world of rap music. More than 500 thousand were sold in the United States, and the success gave a further boost in Rakim’s musical journey. In 1990 the inspired partner brought out yet another album titled ‘Let the Rhythm Hit’Em,’ in the late 80’s the duo got the status of the leading MC duo in hip-hop music. The joint effort has sold more than million records in the whole world.
Instead of having tremendous accomplishment under Eric & Rakim, Rakim tried some solo music which also gave him immense success. 1n 1993 after the split Rakim signed a contract with Universal Music Group and released the studio album ‘The 18th Letter in the fall of 1997’. The success of the album proved that the masters could perform even when they are alone. The popularity got another dimension. On the US Billboard Top 200 chart, the album got 4th rank. 500 thousand copies were sold and under RIAA got the Gold certification.
His second album ‘The Master’ was released in 1999, and the successful run maintained its old momentum. Again the release saw the sale figure going beyond 500,000 copies in the United States alone. The compositions are coming out like the free flow of any river stream or a magnificent waterfall. Unstoppable, Rakim came up with yet another album titled ‘The Seventh Seal’ which got a high rank on the American music chart as usual. It comes out that Rakim can deliver his best when he is collaborating and also when he has delivered in solo form. The world of music had welcomed both the roles. As the sale of the duo had gone beyond 1 million so is the record for his solo compositions.
Fame had always opened up the scope in the television world. The same thing happened with Rakim. His immense success as an MC had opened the gate for further enhancement of his popularity and money. He took up his television endeavor more seriously after 2000.
In 2002 Rakim had appeared in a documentary titled ‘Def Poetry.’ Then after a gap of some years, he appeared in some more TV programs in 2005. These include “The MC: Why We Do It,” “The Arts of 16 Bars: Get Ya’ Bars Up”. Next year in 2006 he appeared again in ‘Ali Rap’ and ‘The Drop.’ Along with this, he has been an automatic choice in several elite programs. He was seen in ‘BET Hip Hop Award Ceremony’ and ‘The Hip Hop Live Tour’ in 2008. He had also enriched the ceremony ‘BET Hip Hop Awards.’
Personal life
Karrine Steffans is the name which had evolved in the life of Rakim. Rakim is the father of two children. He got one daughter whom he named as Destiny Griffin who was born in 1994. A year earlier he became the father of a son, Jabar Griffin.
Rakim also had another son Tahmell Griffin who was born much earlier in 1988. His children have shown their inclination towards music.
Quick summary:
Full Name: William Michael Griffin Jr
Date of Birth: 28th January 1968
Birth Place: Wyandanch, New York, United States of America
Age: 50 Year Old
Profession: Rapper
Height: 6 Feet (approx)
Weight: 71 Kg
Net worth: $1 Million
