Rap

RAKIM When I Be On The Mic (no timing listed)
PRODUCER: DJ Premier
WRITERS: W. Griffin, C. Martin
PUBLISHERS: EMI Blackwood Music/The Eighteenth Letter, BMI; Gifted Pearl Music/EMI April Music, ASCAP
Universal (CD promo)
Rakim returns with his classic rhyme style, along with hard bass kicks and a slammin' beat. But don't be misled: Classic doesn't translate to dated. Rakim, arguably one of the greatest lyricists of all time, was ahead of his time when he first appeared on the music scene with the single "Eric B. Is President," in 1986. Kicking off his sophomore solo project, "The Master," with "When I Be On The Mic," Rakim proves he's still got the master's touch. Only a few other rap artists have had the staying power Rakim has sustained-LL Cool J and Will Smith are two. Yet they've taken their musical presentation in a very different direction from that of Rakim. Keeping his style on the street has helped him to retain his edge there, where those others have not. But at the same time, he hasn't experienced the same crossover or mainstream success that other hip-hop artists are enjoying of late. That doesn't seem to matter to Rakim, as he explains in the single: "Getting respect in the hood . . . This is for the kids that be on the corner at night." Regardless of whether Rakim crosses over, there's one thing he can count on-R&B radio will be there for him on "When I Be On The Mic."