# Eric B & Rakim: Hip-Hop Pioneers and Their Unsettling Journey

Eric B (Eric Barrier) and Rakim (William Griffin) are hip-hop’s golden era icons, a DJ/MC duo whose synergy redefined the genre. Hailing from Queens and Long Island, New York, their paths crossed through a promoter’s connection in the mid-1980s.

Eric B, a turntable wizard who transitioned from high school jazz to spinning at WBLS, sought an MC to match his beats.

Rakim, already crafting razor-sharp rhymes and influenced by the Nation of Gods and Earths, was the perfect fit. Their basement collaboration, using borrowed records, birthed their first single, “Eric B. Is President,” a street anthem that set the stage for greatness.

Their debut album, *Paid in Full* (1987), recorded in just one week at Power Play Studios, became a cornerstone of hip-hop, hitting the Billboard R&B Top 10 and going platinum by 1995. It made history with a million-dollar deal, proving rap’s commercial power. MTV later crowned it the greatest hip-hop album ever.

Follow-ups like *Follow the Leader* (1988) peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200, earning gold, while *Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em* (1990) also went gold despite mixed reviews. Their final joint project, *Don’t Sweat the Technique* (1992), blended jazz and introspection, showcasing Rakim’s eloquent yet menacing bars and Eric B’s layered beats, pushing the genre forward.

Behind the success, tensions brewed. As their MCA contract neared its end, Eric B refused to sign release papers, fearing Rakim would go solo. This sparked a bitter court battle, derailing both careers.

The split wasn’t personal—Rakim likened it to a family rift—but business disputes and crossed signals led to a devastating fallout. Rakim vanished, briefly resurfacing in 1993, before MCA dropped him in 1994. Eric B’s solo debut in 1995 lacked impact, their momentum lost to legal woes.

Life after the split brought personal struggles. In 2019, Eric B was jailed briefly over a 2001 case involving a police chase and assault, stemming from a missed sentencing he blamed on bad legal advice.

He received probation, calling it a “teachable moment.” Rakim faced arrests in 2004 over unpaid child support, cuffed backstage before a show, despite claims of ongoing payments. These incidents highlighted the human flaws behind their legendary status.

Yet, they evolved. Rakim launched a solo career with albums like *The 18th Letter* and founded Notes Technology, an AI fintech platform for artists. Eric B built a business empire with over 100 restaurants, real estate, and a role on *Blue Bloods*.

Their 2016 reunion at a benefit concert led to a 2016-2018 tour and a planned 2025 performance at Rock the Bells Festival. With net worths of $2 million (Rakim) and $1.5 million (Eric B), and philanthropy in education and community work, they’ve proven legends don’t fade—they adapt and inspire.