Eric B. Is President Steve Huey Analysis

An article written by Steve Huey places Rakim’s best produced songs in chronological order, starting in 1986 with Eric B. & Rakim’s, “Eric B. Is President”, but we will only factor the first four songs and subsequently the first two on the list, due to having the most influence in “Machismo”:
1. “With the release of their debut single, "Eric B. Is President," in 1986, Eric B. & Rakim became a sensation in the hip-hop community, and their reputation kept growing as they issued classic tracks like "I Ain't No Joke" and "Paid in Full." Their first two full-length albums, 1987's Paid in Full and 1988's Follow the Leader.” (Steve Huey)

2. “The last two Eric B. & Rakim albums, 1990's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em and 1992's Don't Sweat the Technique.”(Steve
“Paid In Full”- Definitely the “Machismo”! This song is the primary source for a youth abridging the gap between fear and overcoming it. From the start of “Thinking of A Master Plan” to lyrics of being in the streets as a stick up kid and innuendo of a 9mm, great depth is given to any listener in need of a figure to respect in relation to their own predicament. A layered persona of being an outcast rebel to playing inside the rules, gives greater insight to anyone in need of wondering how to negotiate an obstacle in their way.
4. “Let The Rhythm Hit Em”- The “Rhythm” is the absolute, non-equivocal, unchallenged, undefeated champion of all time! Being a practitioner of different styles of fighting, the “Rhythm” is definitely the “Machismo” in tactical strategies! Not only is this another contagious form of intelligence, but the pace is so quick, your heart beat will quicken to maintain the pace. The biggest and most influential lyric, “I get hit back, it wont be none of that, I’m Untouchable!” Definitely a song to listen to while going into the belly of the
With that being said, high school is only four years in length, and most songs that are great are played for years beyond their release, not to mention the songs listed are “hits” on a record with other songs which resemble similar tones and messages. If one takes that into consideration, there is a plethora of songs to listen to repetitively, which conditions the mind, spirit, and soul, to grow, and change beyond the normalcy in which one presumably displayed prior to such exposure. Leaving the reality of an “Alter-Ego” such as “Rhakim” to be transferred to another’s perspective and ultimately give power to the powerless.
To conclude, I will leave you with a summary of excerpts from an article written by David Samuels, “The Atlantic”, giving a perspective into the eyes and soul of the man himself, Rakim and the power of his charisma. “Rakim's rhymes were so good that they created not one but two new generations of rappers, from Nas, the Wu Tang Clan, and Biggie Smalls, to Jay Z and Kanye West.” (Samuels, David) 1. “So I just start "Thinking of a master plan / Ain't nothing but sweat inside my hand." I figure that a lot of people can relate with that, for the crowd that I was reaching for, for the people that felt they wanted to do better.” (Samuels,