The 18th Letter

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The 18th Letter
Studio album by Rakim
Released	November 4, 1997
Recorded	1996-1997
Genre	Hip hop
Label	Universal/MCA Records UD-53113
Producer	Rakim, DJ Premier, Father Shaheed, DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Nick Wiz, Naughty Shorts, Bill Blass
Professional reviews
Allmusic [1] Chicago Tribune [2] Robert Christgau [3] Cincinnati Post (A-)[4] New York Times (favorable)[5] Pitchfork Media (8.0/10)[6] Rolling Stone [7] The Source [8] USA Today [9] Yahoo! Music (favorable)[10]
Rakim chronology
The 18th Letter (1997) The Master (1999)

The 18th Letter is the debut solo album of American hip hop rapper Rakim, released November 4, 1997 on Universal Records.^[11] It is the first release of new material since Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) as Eric B. & Rakim.^[12] The album features production by DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Nick Wiz, and DJ Premier.^[13] The 18th Letter contains lyrical themes that discuss the golden age of hip hop and rapping prowess.^[14] The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching the number 1 spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with an album named The Book of Life (UD2-53111), an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.^[15] The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP in 1997.^[16]

Contents 1 Track listing 1.1 The Book of Life 2 References 3 External links

[edit] Track listing

1. "Intro"
2. "The 18th Letter (Always And Forever)"
   • Produced by Father Shaheed
3. "Skit"
4. "It's Been a Long Time"
   • Produced by DJ Premier
   • Contains samples from "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim and "Call Me (Come Back Home)" by Cecil Holmes
5. "Remember That"
   • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
   • Contains samples from "Thoughts of Old Flames" by Pleasure
6. "The Saga Begins"
   • Produced by Pete Rock
   • Contains samples from "Love Has a Way" by Monty Alexander and "Hell on Earth (Front Lines)" by Mobb Deep
7. "Skit"
8. "Guess Who's Back"
   • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
   • Contains samples from "Shamboozie" by Bob James, "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy and "My Melody" by Eric B. & Rakim
9. "Stay a While"
   • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
10. "New York (Ya Out There)"
    • Produced by DJ Premier
    • Contains samples from "Down and Out in New York City" by James Brown, "Long Red" by Mountain and "MC Battle" by DJ Grand Wizard Theodore
11. "Show Me Love"
    • Produced by Nic Wiz
12. "Skit"
13. "The Mystery (Who Is God?)"
    • Produced by Naughty Shorts; Co-Produced by Bill Blass
    • Scratches by DJ Sond
14. "When I'm Flowin'"
    • Produced by Pete Rock
    • Contains samples from "A Time for Love" by Monty Alexander and "The Distant Galaxy" by Don Sebesky
15. "It's Been a Long Time" (Suave House Mix)
    • Produced by Mo-Suave-A
16. "Guess Who's Back" (Alternative Mix)
    • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
17. "Outro"

[edit] The Book of Life

1. "I Know You Got Soul"
2. "Follow the Leader"
3. "Eric B. is President"
4. "Microphone Fiend"
5. "I Ain't No Joke"
6. "Lyrics of Fury"
7. "My Melody"
8. "Know the Ledge "
9. "Move the Crowd"
10. "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em"
11. "Mahogany"
12. "In the Ghetto"
13. "Casualties of War"
14. "The Punisher"
15. "Paid in Full"

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The 18th Letter at Discogs
• Rapper Keeps His Cool at New York Daily News
• The Microphone God — By Vibe

v • d • e Rakim Solo albums The 18th Letter (1997) · The Master (1999) · The Archive: Live, Lost & Found (2008) · The Seventh Seal (2009) Eric B. & Rakim Paid in Full (1987) · Follow the Leader (1988) · Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990) · Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) Related articles Discography · Songs