Hip-Hop Icon & Pioneer, Rakim Releases New Video/Single, BE ILL feat. Kurupt & Masta Killa, Prepares First New Project In 15 Year’s

When it comes to Hip-Hop pioneers and some of the best emcees and lyricist’s of all-time, not many can do it quite better than the “The God Emcee,” Rakim. But what many didn’t really know till recent year’s cause of him starting to be more open about that he has done it already over the course of his storied, iconic and legendary career. Is that his hardbody ”G.O.D.” status doesn’t just extend to the mic as a lyricist’s, but the boards and turntables as well. As a producer.

Rakim really letting it be known with his highly-anticipated first new project in 15 year’s, G.O.D.’s Network (Reb7rth). Which he is getting set to release in a little over a month on July 26th and features all production from Rakim himself.

Releasing the album’s lead single and opening track, BE ILL, yesterday. Which features two more of the greatest emcees and lyricist’s to ever touch a mic. In Tha Dogg Pound’s Kurupt and the Wu-Tang Clan’s Masta Killa. A track that sees Rakim on the mic, production and scratches. With each emcee delivering some memorable verses in their own unique ways. Whether it be Rakim rapping, ”Atom splitter, complex, it’s quantum physics. Since they put my melody on a cleverly poem. My celebrities still legacy, and jeopardy long. Design flows in binary codes, no matrix. Light-speeds, time could be froze, no spaceships. “ To Kurupt’s standout verse of, ”My abilities, to create mass delusion. Headaches, heartaches and mass confusion. Contusions, I give out for free. Five at a time. One for two and two for three (For three). Confucius, verbally abusive. Intuitive, a gift I give (I give). Look what I’m givin’, the voice of the unforgivin’. In time, I might get forgiven for my crimes (Crimes). Lay the body down and lace ’em with lime. You throw the beat on and I’ma lace ’em with rhymes.” While Masta Killa closes out with his masterful verses of, ”I’m always armed and equipped with what I bomb with. A sweet flowin’ river of mad facts, the actual. Calculated pressure applied, hits are tactical. Masterful mind. Catapult self beyond the measure of time. The resilience and brilliance of Kurupt Young Gotti. Rakim the Godbody with the wise Chief Jamel Irief when I speak. Raisin’ Universal Flags up high, say peace (Peace).”

All three emcee’s lyrical prowess highlighted even more in the accompanying Westlyfe-directed video. That was also debuted yesterday and is a really simple visual that harkens back to the golden era of Hip-Hop when all you needed was a mic and two turntables. So that when you watch the video you can focus on the lyrics and scratches from the production without any distraction’s. The production from Rakim on the track also a further reminder to those who didn’t know that it wasn’t just his partner Eric B., but Rakim’s production as well. That played a huge part in bringing to life such Golden Era Hip-Hop classics as, Juice (Know the Ledge), Paid In Full, I Know You Got Soul and My Melody.