Hip-hop was birthed out of duos: the DJ and the emcee. This is how it all started, before record deals and the national recognition that would come to the genre throughout the 1990s. This combination hasn’t gone anywhere, and the 90s are home to some of the most iconic duos, including Eric B & Rakim. Of their four-album discography, you could argue that each is essential listening for anyone new to hip-hop. Their 1987 debut, Paid in Full, catapulted them to the top of the hip-hop mountain. They essentially defined instant success in hip-hop, landing at its highest peak and never falling off or even hinting at slowing down until their final album, 1992’s Don’t Sweat The Technique.
Disputes with their label would inevitably be the reason for the duo’s split, but their time together echoes through the halls of modern music. For this Golden Age Thursday, we look back at the beginning of one of hip-hop’s most treasured legacies. Showtime at the Apollo gave hip-hop acts an early platform to perform in front of cameras. Eric B. & Rakim’s performance aired in November of 1990. At the time, the duo was on top of the world. The wild success of Paid In Full was followed by equal if not more praise with releases like Follow The Leader (1988) and Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em (1990). This video has the duo performing “Eric B. Is President” and “I Know You Got Soul” from their classic debut. Check out Erick B. & Rakim’s performance in front of a packed and rowdy crowd at The Apollo below.
