Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em
Studio album by Eric B & Rakim
Released	May 22, 1990
Recorded	1989-1990
Genre	Hip hop
Length	54:16
Label	MCA Records MCAD-6416
Producer	Eric B. Paul C (uncredited) Large Professor (uncredited) DJ Mark the 45 King
Eric B & Rakim chronology
Follow The Leader (1988) Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990) Don't Sweat the Technique (1992)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Robert Christgau	A−
Entertainment Weekly	B−
Los Angeles Times
Rolling Stone
The Source

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em is the third album by Eric B. & Rakim, released in 1990. The group's sound develops further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, and more mature and serious subject matter. Musically, the production ranges from smoother soulful tracks such as "In the Ghetto" to the hard-edge assault of the title track "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em." Despite the fact that it doesn't boast singles as popular as the duo's previous albums ("Paid in Full" and "Follow the Leader") it is considered by many to be the duo’s most coherent album. The album is one of a few that have received a 5-mic rating when it was reviewed in The Source Magazine. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.

The back cover features a dedication to the memories of Rakim's father William and producer Paul C.[2], who had worked on many of the album's tracks before his murder in July 1989. Paul's protégé Large Professor completed his work. Neither receive credit in the album's notes.

Track listing

1. "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em"
2. "No Omega"
3. "In the Ghetto"
4. "Step Back"
5. "Eric B. Made My Day"
6. "Run for Cover"
7. "Untouchables"
8. "Mahogany"
9. "Keep 'Em Eager to Listen"
10. "Set 'Em Straight"
11. "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em" (12" vocal version remix) [CD bonus track]

Later samples

• "Mahogany" is sampled in "N.Y. State of Mind" from the album Illmatic and "N.Y. State of Mind Pt. II" by Nas from the album I Am… It was later covered by Robin Thicke in 2009 under the title "Mrs. Sexy." It is also sampled in Five Man Army from the album Blue Lines by Massive Attack.
• "Untouchables" samples "Here Am I" by Donald Byrd (Byrd in Hand, 1959)"
• "Set 'Em Straight" is sampled in "Seldom Seen" from the album "Falcon by Design" by Joe Beats & Maker