The 18th Letter

The 18th Letter
Studio album by Rakim
Released November 4, 1997 (1997-11-04)
Recorded 1996-97
Genre Hip hop
Length 53:58
Label Universal/MCA Records
UD-53113
Producer Rakim, DJ Premier, Father Shaheed, DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Nick Wiz, Naughty Shorts, Bill Blass
Rakim chronology
The 18th Letter
(1997)		 The Master
(1999)
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [1]
Chicago Tribune [2]
Robert Christgau [3]
The New York Times (favorable)[4]
Pitchfork Media (8.0/10)[5]
Rolling Stone [6]
The Source [7]
Spin (7/10)[8]
USA Today [9]
Yahoo! Music (favorable)[10]

The 18th Letter is the debut solo album of American rapper Rakim, released November 4, 1997 on Universal Records in the United States. It is his first release of new material, following a five-year hiatus after Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) as duo Eric B. & Rakim.[11][12] The album features production by DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Nick Wiz, and DJ Premier.[13] It contains lyrical themes that concern the hip hop's golden age, Rakim's rapping prowess, and the state of hip hop.[14]

The album debuted at number 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and sold 500,000 copies in the United States.[15][16] A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with the compilation disc The Book of Life (UD2-53111),[17] an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.[18] The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP in 1997.[19]

Contents

Track listing

  1. "Intro"
  2. "The 18th Letter (Always And Forever)"
  3. "Skit"
  4. "It's Been a Long Time"
  5. "Remember That"
    • Produced by DJ Clark Kent
    • Contains samples from "Thoughts of Old Flames" by Pleasure
  6. "The Saga Begins"
  7. "Skit"
  8. "Guess Who's Back"
  9. "Stay a While"
  10. "New York (Ya Out There)"
  11. "Show Me Love"
    • Produced by Nic Wiz
    • Contains samples from "The Understanding" by Hubert Eaves III
  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'"
  15. "It's Been a Long Time" (Suave House Mix)
    • Produced by Mo-Suave-A
  16. "Guess Who's Back" (Alternative Mix)
  17. "Outro"

The Book of Life

  1. "I Know You Got Soul"
  2. "Follow the Leader"
  3. "Eric B. Is President"
  4. "Microphone Fiend"
  5. "I Ain't No Joke"
  6. "Lyrics of Fury"
  7. "My Melody"
  8. "Know the Ledge "
  9. "Move the Crowd"
  10. "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em"
  11. "Mahogany"
  12. "In the Ghetto"
  13. "Casualties of War"
  14. "The Punisher"
  15. "Paid in Full"

See also

References

  1. ^ Stanley, Leo. Review: The 18th Letter. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  2. ^ Baker, Soren. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". Chicago Tribune: 35. November 14, 1997. Archived from the original on 2009-08-21. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  3. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide: The 18th Letter". The Village Voice: April 21, 1998. Archived from the original on 2009-08-21.
  4. ^ Ehrlich, Dimitri. Review: The 18th Letter. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  5. ^ Schreiber, Ryan. Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life. Pitchfork Media. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  6. ^ Morales, Ed. Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  7. ^ Columnist. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". The Source: 45. December 1997.
  8. ^ Gonzales, Michael A. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". Spin: 114. January 1998.
  9. ^ Jones, Steve. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". USA Today: 06.D. November 4, 1997.
  10. ^ Reynolds, J.R. Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life. Yahoo! Music. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  11. ^ Coleman, Brian. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". CMJ: 57. January 1998.
  12. ^ Wilson, Ken. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". The Cincinnati Post: December 11, 1997. (Transcription of original review at talk page)
  13. ^ Gaillard, Mazi. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". Juice Magazine: #36. November 1997.
  14. ^ Diers, James. Review: The 18th Letter. City Pages. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  15. ^ Rappers Mase, Jay-Z, Rakim Lead Pack. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2010-01-22.
  16. ^ Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved on 2010-01-22.
  17. ^ Jacobs, Qa'id. Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  18. ^ Chandler, Justin. Review: The 18th Letter. RapReviews. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.
  19. ^ The Book of Life - Eric B. & Rakim's Greatest Hits (2xLP, Comp). Discogs. Retrieved on 2009-08-21.

External links

Rakim
Solo albums
The 18th Letter (1997) · The Master (1999) · The Archive: Live, Lost & Found (2008) · The Seventh Seal (2009)
Eric B. & Rakim
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