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
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
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
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
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
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
There are certain things that I wish people knew - certain things that I feel I started and certain things that I'm… — Rakim Copy Share Image
I had a lot of respect for Prodigy. He brought the hood to the booth. When we were trying to shape this… — Rakim Copy Share Image
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
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
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
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
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
I can't look at TV without seeing something that's been influenced by rap. Even commercials for cereal. When I was small, I… — 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
Elements burst, gave birth the the verse, get the pen from the nurse, but hook the mic up first. — Rakim Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
So I start my mission- leave my residence Thinkin how could I get some dead presidents — Rakim Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 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. 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/quotes/img-quotes/44b/rakim-1390_down-and_a-lot-of-times-when-people-listen-to-mus_2496852.jpg)
