Sometimes people say yo do you think rap changed you. No doubt it changed me. If I wasn't making records I'd still… — Rakim Copy Share Image
I loved the hood and still love the hood but I had to realize like Ra you a rapper now you're in… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Hopefully the rappers can start to open the eyes in the neighborhoods and communities. — Rakim Copy Share Image
Hip-hop has taken a lot of different routes throughout the years, man. I've been around since 1986. — Rakim Copy Share Image
I love Jay-Z, I love Kanye, and I praise the way he's been able to bring more business out of the jungle. — Rakim Copy Share Image
I always say a rapper is like a halfback in the NFL. You got about seven years, then it's a wrap. — Rakim Copy Share Image
Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I've always been able to bring that. — Rakim Copy Share Image
I was heavily influenced by Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz, but I kind of wanted to take it somewhere else. — Rakim Copy Share Image
A lot of times when people listen to music it's because they feel down, and that's when serious hip-hop comes into play.… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Back in the day, rappers were 'bump bump bump ba bump ba bump.' They was rhyming like that, but I was like,… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Maino is an artist that I feel walks what he talks - you can tell what he raps about and what he's… — Rakim Copy Share Image
The golden age was when people were starting to understand what hip-hop was and how to use it. I was lucky to… — Rakim Copy Share Image
That's another thing yo rappers are scared to bring new styles out. There's so many different ways we can be flowing but… — Rakim Copy Share Image
When I was in high school, the energy in hip-hop at that point was the park energy... I was just trying to… — Rakim Copy Share Image
When you look at hip-hop, I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Now it seems like hip hop belongs to the people you see in the videos and radios. So I want to give… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Jada, Styles P, the LOX, period. You throw on one of their joints... I'm in the whip; I try to keep my… — Rakim Copy Share Image
There's so many different ways to write a rhyme its stupid man. I don't understand why the majority of the rap game… — Rakim Copy Share Image
We need a few more Kanyes, people that's really passionate about hip-hop and who keep it alive. — Rakim Copy Share Image
We gotta let hip-hop grow. We gotta let it go through its different phases throughout the different places that's accepting it. — Rakim Copy Share Image
I think things are gonna change. I'm gonna take the age limit off of hip hop. — Rakim Copy Share Image
I'm not in that state of mind that I was back in '86 - hip-hop is not in that state of mind… — Rakim Copy Share Image
I love Kanye for that. Being a producer, making beats, and being a rapper. He does it all. — Rakim Copy Share Image
I'm a fan of hip-hop as well. I like everybody who keeps the game on their toes and keep it pushing. — Rakim Copy Share Image
As a young artist, especially in rap and at that time that I came out, originality was big. — Rakim Copy Share Image
I've always been a fan of hip hop and there are cats out there that I admire. — Rakim Copy Share Image
What I want to do right now is give hip hop back to the hood. Before it was a neighborhood thing where… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Back in the day, music imitated life. Now it's the opposite way around: life is imitating music. It's like whatever the rappers… — Rakim Copy Share Image
Being a new artist, I was trying to make a good album and hope that people like Kool Moe Dee and Melle… — Rakim Copy Share Image
I love Jay-Z, I love Kanye, and I praise the way he's been able to bring more business out of the jungle. — Rakim Copy Share
Elements burst, gave birth the the verse, get the pen from the nurse, but hook the mic up first. — Rakim Copy Share
I think rap was a better move for me but football's been my love since I learned how to walk. I was gonna be… — Rakim Copy Share
There are certain things that I wish people knew - certain things that I feel I started and certain things that I'm responsible for.… — Rakim Copy Share
So I start my mission- leave my residence Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents — Rakim Copy Share
My approach to writing rhymes went hand in hand with the music. I'd try to make different rhythms with my rhymes on the track… — Rakim Copy Share
My whole thing is if it wasn't for people like ya'll and people like them I wouldn't be me. I love every minute of… — Rakim Copy Share
My son plays football so I coach a couple of his teams. My youngest son just started playing last year and I assistant coached… — Rakim Copy Share
I always had deep respect for my peoples 'cause of the love they gave me and the know how that they showed me through… — Rakim Copy Share
When I broke up with Eric B., I went on a little hiatus. Then all I was trying do is find producers. It's real… — Rakim Copy Share
![“A lot of times when people listen to music it's because they feel down, and that's when serious hip-hop comes into play. When times is hard, people can hear a rapper that inspires them to do what they [are] supposed to do.” quote by Rakim](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/44b/rakim-1390_down-and_a-lot-of-times-when-people-listen-to-mus_2496852.jpg)
