Rakim
Halftimeonline: What were the thoughts going through your head when you heard the song Nas made about you? A rapper making a song about another rapper.
Rakim: Yea a rapper making a song about another rapper that don’t happen right because they got too much pride and shit. That’s what I got off of it right off the top. Like wow dude really reached out and showed me some love. Like we said rappers got too much pride for some shit like that. Dude met me, took some time off and showed a lot of love. When I seen him and we spoke about it. It was a little sketchy for me in the beginning because I’ve always been a private person and a lot of that was shit that I didn’t tell the world so I felt if anybody was gonna tell the world I should have been the one to tell them that. At the same time the positive overweighed the negative.
Halftimeonline: One thing I noticed when you stepped onstage last week was that you look like you haven’t aged a day. What is it that you do to keep the same form that you have?
Rakim: I’ve always been a picky eater but I’m not the healthiest eater. When we were going on tour we were eating fast food every night. Before I started rapping and touring I weighed about 160. But by going on the road every night eating fast food, performing every night, partying and drinking I started gaining weight immediately. But I try not to eat too much beef. I try to eat healthy. Wifey stay steaming up some shit for me. I just try to eat as good as possible. I don’t work out too much. I just do some pushups when I feel the right hook is getting a lil weak.
Halftimeonline: Haha
Rakim: I don’t work out too much and it’s wild because it bugs me out. I don’t take vitamins or none of that shit but I do still look kinda young so I give that one up to moms and pops.
Halftimeonline: I remember you saying you felt hip hop needs order but where do you think hip hop went wrong?
Rakim: That’s a good question man and the answer is so crazy. We lost the connection between the entertainment world and the neighborhoods. Before we were talking about the neighborhoods and art was imitating life. Now life is imitating art. Brothers are running around saying they killers or they trying to sell a key and these young dudes are trying to live that. They fabricating different situations in rap and these young kids are bringing it to life. That’s why shit is so crazy now. It might take a while but I think the rap game is the people that can do it. We’re all role models more than athletes because athletes don’t wear clothes like the kid in the hood and they don’t walk and talk like the kids in the hood. We’re closer to them than anybody because they can look at us and see them. I think if the rappers can open our eyes and see how this is deteriorating the hood and not only the rap game there are subtle things that can be done and said that can make people say word is bond this is kinda stupid man. I don’t like knocking gang members but there is nothing in the hood for them. They got people in the hood that show them love which are their lil homies and they feel that’s what they got to do. I hope in the future they could be like this shit ain’t cool. Hopefully the rappers can start to open the eyes in the neighborhoods and communities. If anybody can make a change it’s the rappers. So I’m gonna stand up and take my responsibility and see what I can do with my next album.
Halftimeonline: What do you think of people who are saying hip hop is dead? Nas is supposedly titling his new album that.
Rakim: I’m glad they started saying that because what they’re really saying is rap is dead and rap is killing hip hop. It’s not hip hop no more it’s rap. I’m glad they are finally seeing it because that’s what it is. If we don’t take control of our art and start showing we are artists and it’s not just gunslingers, killers and crack dealers then they won. It’s a bold statement but I think people need to read between the lines. Hip hop will never die but rap is killing hip hop and if we keep that shit going the way its going it will be like pop. It won’t be hip hop no more just watered down rap. It’s a bold statement. A lot of times people put out a phrase and let you figure it out but hopefully with what Nas did he’ll have a song on there explaining what he meant and people will open up their eyes like you’re right it is more watered down and commercial shit. Hopefully we get back to the raw essence of hip hop again.
Halftimeonline: On a completely different topic what type of reaction do you get when you walk into the supermarket?
Rakim: I get the Martian look all the time even in the hood. I walk down to the shopping block and people just look at me with their mouth open man like what are you doing out here and I’m like I’m trying to get a pair of sneakers duke what’s good? What are you doing [and I’m like] I’m hungry I wanted some juice and I needed some bread. Me and my girl was buggin the other day because I go up in the supermarkets man. I do me. I got one of the illest crews in NY but when I travel it’s mostly me and my girl, me and my kids or me and one or two of my dudes but the majority of the time its just me. I go up in the supermarkets and people always go what are you doing here and I go I’m hungry in a sarcastic but nice way just to let them know yo I’m human too man. And after I leave here I gotta go to the drug store and get some toiletries. It is what it is but I do me and I think people respect that. They see me out in the hood by myself or with wifey and I don’t have no bodyguards. I got a crew but I don’t have them with me. They respect that because it’s crazy right now where everybody can’t leave the house without a bodyguard. It’s ridiculous man.
Halftimeonline: What do you think about your influence on the rap game when it’s so apparent and everyone constantly says it? You’re like everyone’s favorite rapper’s favorite rapper.
Rakim: Sometimes I feel I’m the luckiest rapper in the world. And you know I’m not a flamboyant artist. I never tried to crossover or be in the public’s eye everyday. I’m laid back with it and at times I wondered if I was doing the right thing promoting myself staying back a little bit and coming out when I felt that I had too. But when I get all the accolades and hear the things people say it just puts it all together for me man. It’s a blessing. Sometimes I can’t believe half of the love that I get.
Halftimeonline: As fans we can listen to artists and be like oh I can see that he’s influenced by this cat or that’s Rakim or that’s Kane right there you can hear it in their flow. But you obviously know your style better than anybody in the world. When you’re listening are there times when you listen to certain artists and be like oh I know I influenced this cat.
Rakim: Haha
Halftimeonline: Just being real who are some of the artists where you sit back and listen and be like I know he studied me?
Rakim: No doubt man. I don’t want to put nobody on blast but in the beginning it’s like somebody telling you somebody looks like you and you’ve been looking in the mirror your whole life and nobody looks like you. Same thing with me. People would be like yo he sound like you and the first thing I used to think was the voice but after a while I realized they wasn’t talking about the voice it was the influence. I could sit and listen to certain rappers and it could be their flow or the way they’re trying to say some shit and sometimes I’ll be like he took that whole thing and twisted it around. So you know it’s definitely times when I hear little shit here and there or somebody taking something that I did. I kinda feel like James Brown did when we was jacking him for his shit. I gotta look at it as a compliment. You like what I do or what I say and I have to appreciate that shit.
July 8th, 2006
good looks. definitely a quality interview.
July 11th, 2006
To theGOD RAKIM ALLAH.I am a 34 year old father of four.My oldest is my daughter Destinee
July 11th, 2006
THE GREATEST MC EVER BAR NONE
July 13th, 2006
Best interview I’ve read all year - got me HEAVILY anticipating pt. 2. Absolutely dope. Keep up the good work, star.
July 14th, 2006
Yo, this is one of the illest interview with The God, yet! Real dope man, real dope.. can’t wait for the second part. Props to Halftime and especially to Ra..
July 15th, 2006
Damn that’s an interesting interview. Props to Jbutters.
July 19th, 2006
This was flawless! Cannot wait for that pt. II. (Big shouts to my dude Jesse for putting me on to this) Keep up the great work. Peace
July 27th, 2006
Good man great interview, up front Rakim. Everything coming out the truth baby.
July 31st, 2006
This interview was WHASSUP! Rakim, man I love you and keep being real. P.S. You DO still look good!
August 1st, 2006
Thats a good interview, so where’s part 2?
August 2nd, 2006
damn 90% of the production?
August 4th, 2006
I went to school with this brother since the 1st grade “The Jackson 5″ smile!
and he knows he’s got the support of the ENTIRE neighborhood.
later pop
August 9th, 2006
Who’s number 1?, If not best, then better? Here’s a hint, the 18th Letter! Hands down the “Greatest Emcee” ever to touch a MIC.
August 28th, 2006
I feel blessed with the knowledge that Ra just dropped in this interview. Thanks a lot to Halftimeonline.com for bringing this incredible series.
September 25th, 2006
FREDDIE FOXXX VS RAKIM?
FROM MTVNEWS.COM
http://www.mtv.com/bands/m/mixtape_monday/092506/
Someone is getting ready to do the absolutely unthinkable: call Rakim out on a record by name. It’s not going to be anything like the subliminal sparring that was rumored to be going on between Rakim and Big Daddy Kane in the ’80s. This person is going to dis the God, one of the greatest MCs ever. Who has enough courage to do so? None other than Mr. Fearless himself, Freddie Foxxx a.k.a. Bumpy Knuckles. The song is called “The King Is Down” and appears on his new LP, Amerikkkan Black Man.
“I will eat Rakim’s ass alive on any record, any stage,” Bumpy Knuckles asserted recently. “When I finish with him, every bit of legendary status he had is gonna go out the window. I swear on everything I stand on, I will eat that n—a alive, bar by bar. I’ll tell him to his muthaf—in’ face.”
So now you’re gasping for air, and wondering why Freddie — a legendary hip-hop figure in his own right, who’s earned respect for street pedigree as well as rap skills — is going at Ra. Well according to Foxxx, it goes back to the ’80s in Wyandanch, New York, where Foxxx’s rap team Supreme Force used to be competitive with Ra’s team the Love Brothers. This was pre-Eric B. and Rakim.
“We got a history, you know. We got a real long history,” Foxxx explained. “We from the same part of town. Ra has always had an attitude towards me that he was better than me — on the mic and more successful. How dare he think he can out-rhyme me. He has one style, that’s all he’s ever had.”
What really got Foxxx upset, he said, was a Q&A with Rakim he read on hip-hop Web site Halftime Online. Rakim was asked about a battle that supposedly took place back in the day between the Love Brothers and Supreme Force squad.
“I never f—ing turned down a battle with that muthaf—er!” Rakim is quoted as saying. “Foxxx wasn’t ferocious like that. Foxxx had two other cats that used to rhyme with him. They were a good group, but Foxxx wasn’t ferocious like that baby pa.”
“I read the article and it set me off,” Foxxx said. “He said I’m ‘not ferocious.’ How dare he? His ego kicked in. I said I’m gonna let the world who he really is. People are only calling him a legend because of what he did with Eric B. Everything after that was wack. Nobody will say it to his face.”
Foxxx said he’s not sure when the dis record will be coming out, but his LP is slated for sometime in February. WWE champion John Cena and Talib Kweli rap on a record called “Give it to the A&R,” while the Alchemist, Pete Rock, DJ Scratch and DJ Premier produced a myriad of the records.
“I’m too old to be chasing publicity,” Foxxx said when asked if he really has a legitimate gripe with Rakim or if he’s just doing it for hype for his album. “I don’t need the publicity. I ain’t no hater. But when I see he’s so quick to always shoot me in the foot, enough is enough. Why would I want to get recognition on Rakim? He’s nothing to me. Y’all see him differently than I do. On the song, I never called his name. We used to call him ‘Pop’ back in the day. I don’t call him ‘Rakim’ on the record, I call him ‘Pop.’ ”
Bumpy Knuckles also said he dares Rakim to come back at him on wax. “Turn your mic on, B,” he said defiantly. “I want him to put me in my place.”
Rakim is on tour and could not be reached for comment.
September 26th, 2006
[…] “I read the article and it set me off, ” Foxx said. “He said I’m ‘not ferocious.’ How dare he? His ego kicked in. I said I’m gonna let the world know who he really is. People are only calling him a legend because of what he did with Eric B. Everything after that was wack. Nobody will say it to his face.” […]
September 29th, 2006
Freddie Foxx is straight garbage compared to Rakim. No that’s wrong, he’s non existent. His style has always seemed OLD AND OUT DATED. ALWAYS. Even on its the Militia, I love the song and I like Foxx but he has never impressed me lyrically, musically or topic wise. He said Rakim has one style if so then explain the different styles from Microphone fiend and follow the leader. Or Let the Rhythm hit him with Punisher. Foxx on the other hand has never displayed anything remotely different than his one dimensional delivery and flow. Foxx, I understand this is something that dates back to Pre-Eric B days…but honestly Rakim? Come on, FF, stay in your place…which is in the trash.
October 15th, 2006
PEACE GOD
I HEARD THAT FOXX TRACK .THAT SHIT WAS WACK . JUST EAT THAT ASS UP TO SHUT HIM UP .I WAS IN LORD ISLAND BACK IN THE DAYS GOD AND I NEVER SEEN HIM ON WYDANCE DAY CATHING RECK .FOXX STOP IT. ANY WAY GOD CIPHER DIVINE JUST CHEW THAT ASS UP WE CAN`T HAVE NOBODY DISSING.
POWER EQUALITY ALLAH SEE EQUALITY
FATHER DIVINE 7
October 19th, 2006
This guy is like the Marvin Gaye of Rap. His music never grows old.. He needs to comeback and show the world what hip hop is all about. Cats like Rakim, EPMD, AN UNDERGROUND Group call Donald J and ez with the zoom, zoom zoom. People don’t know any thing about that. ( kING sUN, K-sOLO, STETSASONIC, and the list goes on.
October 30th, 2006
Lawd have mercy. I live in, Trinidad in the Caribbean and I’ve been following the Leader, from the very first day I heard him. I’m just glad, that he’s taking the time now, to get in touch with his people (I ain’t no fan). What Ra, got to know though, is if he doesn’t do an album, I don’t have anything to listen to! And that’s Real! I’d like to hear a lil bit more about his Knowledge of Self transition, as I think it would be instrumental, in assisting some of these other rappers, in assessing, what material they put out there.
Karma is not a bitch, but the reflection of, ones thoughts, words and deeds!
Peace!
December 1st, 2006
Rakim..Could you please drop an album man? Please? I get tire of listenin to all this bullshit out here.
December 8th, 2006
I have to agree with “FATHER DIVINE 7″ I’m sick of the half ass rappers talking junk. I was at Wyandanch day for years every body was supposed to be there to catch wreck. If FF wanted it with Ra he had all the opportunity to do his thing. But no FF no Kane they didn’t want it then and now you 40 dog let it go. I know every pawn whats to be king but damn.
November 6th, 2007
Its funny to hear fox talk this shit. I actually like foxx,he had a couple verses i thought was tight. I grew around ra peoples,when rumors was going around saying it wasnt him rhyming on the first album. The GOD is the best even today in his content,period!
August 22nd, 2008
This I think is the greatesst interview I ever heard Rakim do because someone FINALLY asked him the question I always wondered about….did Ra & Kane ever battle. I heard that they actually did battle, but I’m glad Ra confirmed everything and set it straight once and for all….NICE!!