The 18th Letter

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This article is about the album by Rakim. For the 18th letter of the English alphabet, see R.

The 18th Letter
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Studio album by
Rakim
ReleasedNovember 4, 1997 (1997-11-04)
GenreHip hop
Length54:10
LabelUniversal
Producer
Rakim chronology
The 18th Letter
(1997) 		The Master
(1999)

The 18th Letter is the debut solo album by American emcee Rakim. It was released on November 4, 1997, through Universal Records in the United States. The album features production by DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Father Shaheed, Nick Wiz and DJ Premier.[1] It contains lyrical themes that concern hip hop's golden age, Rakim's rapping prowess, and the state of hip hop.[2]

Background

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The album was Rakim's first release of new material following a five-year hiatus after Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) as duo Eric B. & Rakim.[3][4] The album's title refers to the letter "R" being the eighteenth letter of the English alphabet.

Deluxe version

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A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with the compilation disc The Book of Life (UD2-53111),[5] an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.[6] The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP.

Commercial performance

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The 18th Letter debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart[7] and was certified Gold in the United States.[8]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[9]
Chicago TribuneStarStarStarStar[10]
Robert Christgau(2-star Honorable Mention)(2-star Honorable Mention)[11]
Pitchfork Media8.0/10[12]
Rolling StoneStarStarStarHalf star[13]
The SourceStarStarStarHalf star[14]
Spin7/10[15]
USA TodayStarStarStarStar[16]
Yahoo! Music(favorable)[17]

The New York Times wrote that the album "features gripping, richly textured backing tracks and kinetic wordplay filled with references to the Koran; his masterly command of rhyming has only deepened with time."[18]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro"  0:13
2."The 18th Letter (Always and Forever)"
3:01
3."Skit"  0:24
4."It's Been a Long Time"
3:58
5."Remember That"
4:40
6."The Saga Begins"
4:22
7."Skit"  0:19
8."Guess Who's Back"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:11
9."Stay a While"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:25
10."New York (Ya Out There)"
4:04
11."Show Me Love"
  • Griffin
  • Nick Loizides
  • Jack Knight
  • Nick Wiz
4:19
12."Skit"  0:19
13."The Mystery (Who Is God?)"
  • Griffin
  • Joe Davis
  • Naughty Shorts
  • Bill Blass[a]
5:21
14."When I'm Flowin'"
  • Griffin
  • Phillips
  • Pete Rock
5:04
15."It's Been a Long Time (Suave House Mix)"
  • Griffin
  • Triston Jones
  • Mo-Suave-A
3:59
16."Guess Who's Back (Alternative Mix)"
  • Griffin
  • Franklin
  • Shocklee
  • Ridenhour
  • Sadler
  • Barrier
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:11
17."Outro"  1:20
Total length:54:10

Notes

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  • ^[a] signifies a co-producer.
  • "The Mystery (Who Is God?)" contains scratches by DJ Sond.

The Book of Life

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Know You Got Soul" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
4:43
2."Follow the Leader" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
5:32
3."Eric B. Is President" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
6:15
4."Microphone Fiend" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
5:13
5."I Ain't No Joke" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:52
6."Lyrics of Fury" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:11
7."My Melody" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
6:47
8."Know the Ledge" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:58
9."Move the Crowd" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:36
10."Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
5:24
11."Mahogany" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
  • Paul C
  • Large Professor
4:27
12."In the Ghetto" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
  • Paul C
  • Large Professor
5:26
13."Casualties of War" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
4:02
14."The Punisher" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
4:06
15."Paid in Full" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:49
Total length:71:21

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for The 18th Letter
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[23] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

The 18th Letter & The Book of Life

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Certifications for The 18th Letter & The Book of Life
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[24] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

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References

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  19. ^ "Rakim Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  20. ^ "Rakim Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
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