It seems like once a week I am listening to my iTunes library and I hear a song that makes me go, this artist really needs a comeback. So I thought I would start a new feature here on the 9th Green highlighting an artist that really needs to reenter the public consciousness. The only criterion is that the artist hasn’t had a legitimate hit in over a decade.
Due for a Comeback: Eric B. & Rakim
Biggest Hit: Paid In Full
Last Hit: Juice (Know the Ledge) (1992)
Where Are They Now: DJ Eric B. released a solo album shortly after the duo split but has been relatively quite ever since. Rakim has released three solo albums, none of which were released by Aftermath even though he was signed to the Dr. Dre record label for a couple years, the songs of which stay sealed in a vault somewhere. He has also been featured on tracks from Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and, um, Shaquille O'Neal. Rakim (without Eric B.) was honored by VH1’s Hip Hop Honors in 2006 and the duo was a finalist for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year but was ultimately not selected.
Why the World Needs am Eric B & Rakim Comeback: Rakim is widely viewed as the greatest lyricist of all time and even to this day can rap miles around hacks of today like Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. Their debut Paid in Full had its twenty-fifth anniversary last month and according to Rakim he is hoping to rerelease the album later this year which would include new tracks with Eric B by the end of the year. Hopefully that leads to a full album.
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