Music1986–present
Rakim
Long Island MC widely credited with revolutionizing rap lyricism by introducing complex internal rhyme schemes and introspective themes that raised the entire genre's technical standard.
Origin
Wyandanch, New York
Genre
Hip-HopRap
Pantheon Standing
| List Name | Rank | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| Top 50 Hip Hop Artists of All Time | — | — |
The Cultural Record
Discography
U
Unreleased Rakim Studio Set1996
The RE-UP2025
Beat 4 Beat the Instrumentals2024
T
The Cellar EP2008
EP & MixtapeT
The Seventh Seal2009
Rank History
Voting Active
Ranking history for Rakim will appear here as votes are cast and positions shift over time.
Often Compared To
Redman
#2Hip-Hop / Rap — Newark, New Jersey · 1990–present
Newark rapper whose wild, comedic energy and razor-sharp lyricism made him one of the most beloved cult figures in hip-hop and one-half of the Method Man & Redman duo.
Remy Ma
#3Hip-Hop / Rap — South Bronx, New York · 2000–present
South Bronx rapper who maintained her reputation as one of the most formidable lyricists in hip-hop even after serving six years in prison and returning to a reformed industry.