The 18th Letter

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The 18th Letter
Studio album by Rakim
Released	November 4, 1997
Genre	Hip-Hop
Label	Universal Records
Producer(s)	Rakim, DJ Premier, Father Shaheed, Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Nick Wiz, Naughty Shorts, Bill Blass
Professional reviews
All Music Guide link
Rakim chronology
	The 18th Letter (1997)	The Master (1999)

The 18th Letter is the first solo album from rapper Rakim, coming five years after 1992's "Don't Sweat The Technique". The album sees the veteran rapper working with a range of top '90s producers, including Pete Rock and DJ Premier, who provide him with jazzy backing tracks that complement his flow. The album was a success reaching a #1 spot on the US Rap charts.

A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with an album named The Book Of Life. The Book Of Life is an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.

[edit] Track listing

1. "Intro"
2. "The 18th Letter (Always And Forever)"
   • Produced by Father Shah
3. "Skit"
4. "It's Been a Long Time"
   • Produced by DJ Premier
   • Contains samples from "I Know You Got Soul" by Eric B. & Rakim and "Call Me (Come Back Home)" by Cecil Holmes
5. "Remember That"
   • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
   • Contains samples from "Thoughts of Old Flames" by Pleasure
6. "The Saga Begins"
   • Produced by Pete Rock
   • Contains samples from "Love Has a Way" by Monty Alexander and "Hell on Earth (Front Lines)" by Mobb Deep
7. "Skit"
8. "Guess Who's Back"
   • Produced by Clark Kent
   • Contains samples from "Shamboozie" by Bob James and "Bring the Noise" by Public Enemy
9. "Stay a While"
   • Produced by Clark Kent
10. "New York (Ya Out There)"
    • Produced by DJ Premier
    • Contains samples from "Down and Out in New York City" by James Brown, "Long Red" by Mountain and "MC Battle" by DJ Grand Wizard Theodore
11. "Show Me Love"
    • Produced by Nic Wiz
12. "Skit"
13. "The Mystery (Who Is God?)"
    • Produced by Naughty Shorts; Co-Produced by Bill Blass
    • Scratches by DJ Sond
14. "When I'm Flowin'"
    • Produced by Pete Rock
    • Contains samples from "A Time for Love" by Monty Alexander and "The Distant Galaxy" by Don Sebesky
15. "It's Been a Long Time" (Suave House Mix)
    • Produced by Mo-Suave-A
16. "Guess Who's Back" (Alternative Mix)
    • Produced by Clark Kent
17. "Outro"

[edit] The Book Of Life Track List

1. "I Know You Got Soul"
   • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
2. "Follow The Leader"
   • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
3. "Eric B. Is President"
   • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
4. "Microphone Fiend"
   • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
5. "I Ain't No Joke"
   • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
6. "Lyrics Of Fury"
   • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
7. "My Melody (Remix)"
   • Produced by Marley Marl
8. "Know The Ledge (Remix)"
   • Produced by Gary G-Wiz & Hank Shocklee
9. "Move The Crowd"
   • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
10. "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em"
    • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
11. "Mahogany"
    • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
12. "In The Ghetto"
    • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
13. "Casualties Of War"
    • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
14. "The Punisher"
    • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim
15. "Paid In Full"
    • Produced by Eric B. & Rakim

[edit] Album singles

Single cover	Single information
	"Guess Who's Back" Released: 1997 B-side: "It's Been A Long Time (Suave House Mix)"