Comments on: Rakim – The Seventh Seal Album Review http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:26:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: B-Magnetic Allah http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-59093 B-Magnetic Allah Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:44:41 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-59093 It was the summer of 1986 when I FIRST heard the emcee that would change the way I viewed emceeing & ACTUALLY make me pick up a pen & pad & start rhyming. I was 16 at the time & my favorite emcee back then was between Kool Mo Dee & MC Shan. Then this "guy" with a name representing a culture that I would come to embrace myself (5% NOI), changed my life forever. I had to paint that mini background to let you know how DEEP of a fan I am (STILL), & how it PAINS me that this sub-par effort is like a knife in my stomach. Two songs...JUST TWO gave me "that old feeling" from 1986: "Holy Are You" & "I'm Back". As for the rest of the album, I'm not even gonna make any excuse for it, its just garbage. I read above somebody said "well he's 41..." Bull$hit! KRS-One is about the same age and is BETTER than he was back in the days!!! Listen to "Run It" on EPMD's most recent album or "5%" by him & DJ Premiere. BANGERS!!! Rakim gives glimpses of his old self in those 2 songs, but for the rest of the album, it ain't there. He shined on "Better than I Ever Been" & "Subway Surfin" by Talib Kweli so I thought maybe he'll bring it this time. Alas, it wasn't to be. Ra still has skills (he wouldn't have shined with Talib or the "Better than..." joint), but he needs someone to SERIOUSLY sit with him & be honest when listening to his music. He's an icon, but even icons stumble. A true fan NEVER looses hope in his hero, but a true fan will tell you what you NEED to hear & not what you WANT to hear. And I am STILL & FOREVER a fan!!! Peace to the God, Rakim Allah!! I know I'm late to this party (reviewing this album), but I just discovered this site TODAY! LOL It was the summer of 1986 when I FIRST heard the emcee that would change the way I viewed emceeing & ACTUALLY make me pick up a pen & pad & start rhyming. I was 16 at the time & my favorite emcee back then was between Kool Mo Dee & MC Shan. Then this “guy” with a name representing a culture that I would come to embrace myself (5% NOI), changed my life forever.

I had to paint that mini background to let you know how DEEP of a fan I am (STILL), & how it PAINS me that this sub-par effort is like a knife in my stomach. Two songs…JUST TWO gave me “that old feeling” from 1986: “Holy Are You” & “I’m Back”. As for the rest of the album, I’m not even gonna make any excuse for it, its just garbage. I read above somebody said “well he’s 41…” Bull$hit! KRS-One is about the same age and is BETTER than he was back in the days!!! Listen to “Run It” on EPMD’s most recent album or “5%” by him & DJ Premiere. BANGERS!!! Rakim gives glimpses of his old self in those 2 songs, but for the rest of the album, it ain’t there. He shined on “Better than I Ever Been” & “Subway Surfin” by Talib Kweli so I thought maybe he’ll bring it this time. Alas, it wasn’t to be.

Ra still has skills (he wouldn’t have shined with Talib or the “Better than…” joint), but he needs someone to SERIOUSLY sit with him & be honest when listening to his music. He’s an icon, but even icons stumble. A true fan NEVER looses hope in his hero, but a true fan will tell you what you NEED to hear & not what you WANT to hear. And I am STILL & FOREVER a fan!!! Peace to the God, Rakim Allah!!

I know I’m late to this party (reviewing this album), but I just discovered this site TODAY! LOL

]]> By: Soul the Interrogator http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-56148 Soul the Interrogator Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:04:57 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-56148 Yo I have every album from Eric B & Rakim, including The 18th Letter and the Master. I'm a Huge Rakim Fan! I was so Stoked when I heard the 7th Seal Dropped, especially after "Oh My God" was scrapped. I copped this joint blindly. I bumped this front to back and listened very hard. I can't lie. I was very disapointed in this project. A few Joints, How to Emcee, Still in Love and Eupohoria was dope. But all them joints with the singing on it had me shaking my head. It is very apparent that this is his weakest project to date. But before yall get pissed at me just hear me out..... Rakim's Worst album is STILL better than most of these "Rappers" best efforts. I would bump the snot out of this album before I bump Gay ass Drake or lil Wayne. Even Em's new album Sucks ass compared to the Seventh Seal. Rakim Allah STILL the G.O.A.T. Yo I have every album from Eric B & Rakim, including The 18th Letter and the Master. I’m a Huge Rakim Fan! I was so Stoked when I heard the 7th Seal Dropped, especially after “Oh My God” was scrapped. I copped this joint blindly. I bumped this front to back and listened very hard. I can’t lie. I was very disapointed in this project. A few Joints, How to Emcee, Still in Love and Eupohoria was dope. But all them joints with the singing on it had me shaking my head. It is very apparent that this is his weakest project to date. But before yall get pissed at me just hear me out…..

Rakim’s Worst album is STILL better than most of these “Rappers” best efforts. I would bump the snot out of this album before I bump Gay ass Drake or lil Wayne. Even Em’s new album Sucks ass compared to the Seventh Seal. Rakim Allah STILL the G.O.A.T.

]]> By: Lyric http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-49240 Lyric Tue, 15 Dec 2009 01:21:44 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-49240 Yall are tough, too tough. This man is 41 years old and he put it down. No, it's not what I wanted from Ra. I wanted a 10 but I got a 7. However Hip Hop needed from Ra. If Hip Hop was full of Mcs who actually were trying to give give us music we could play beyoond three months, I would say patience to the borderline disrespectful things being said. But it's not and this man gave us something that we actually have to listen to a few times to understand. When is the last time that happened? That in and of itself is a breath of fresh air. Am I disappointed yeah. I'm disappointed that the best MC didn't get a chance to really shine in his career and his second real opportunity came when he should really be living off his past work. However, I like this album. I like to hear rappin about rappin and lyrical dexterity and love of the music and love of a good female. Who talks about a good female these days? Truth is, most of us have been listening to crap so long it's hard to appreciate something good cause we're brain washed. I didn't realize how brain washed I was until I bought Wu-Tang Chamber Music and this. The beats, yeah I would enjoy some primo and pete. Truth is, if they gave a damn and saw the importance of this album they would have given him the beats and got paid later. To me, that's how you treat someone of Ra's status. There is some truth in some of the cons stated but damn, can you critique the man with a little more constructive criticism and less flat out disrespect. Someone said they never want to hear from him again. If G. Rap, Kane or KRS dropped another one, I'm there. You know why? Because their worst effort is going to have more creativity than the most celebrated Mc of this time. That's me. I'm old school and really don't mind sounding like it. But what I bought yesterday was a good comeback attempt from a man who has traveled an uphill road and has never reaped the monetary reward for something he does so well. My only advice is if you want the boom bap go all in, get people who will get creative with it. Don't skirt the issue. A lot of us still appreciate that old boom bap. However, your crew is keepin me noddin. I'm on my fifth listen and its getting better. Ra. Thanks for giving me Hip Hop music. (Exhale) Yall are tough, too tough. This man is 41 years old and he put it down. No, it’s not what I wanted from Ra. I wanted a 10 but I got a 7. However Hip Hop needed from Ra. If Hip Hop was full of Mcs who actually were trying to give give us music we could play beyoond three months, I would say patience to the borderline disrespectful things being said. But it’s not and this man gave us something that we actually have to listen to a few times to understand. When is the last time that happened? That in and of itself is a breath of fresh air. Am I disappointed yeah. I’m disappointed that the best MC didn’t get a chance to really shine in his career and his second real opportunity came when he should really be living off his past work. However, I like this album. I like to hear rappin about rappin and lyrical dexterity and love of the music and love of a good female. Who talks about a good female these days? Truth is, most of us have been listening to crap so long it’s hard to appreciate something good cause we’re brain washed. I didn’t realize how brain washed I was until I bought Wu-Tang Chamber Music and this. The beats, yeah I would enjoy some primo and pete. Truth is, if they gave a damn and saw the importance of this album they would have given him the beats and got paid later. To me, that’s how you treat someone of Ra’s status. There is some truth in some of the cons stated but damn, can you critique the man with a little more constructive criticism and less flat out disrespect. Someone said they never want to hear from him again. If G. Rap, Kane or KRS dropped another one, I’m there. You know why? Because their worst effort is going to have more creativity than the most celebrated Mc of this time. That’s me. I’m old school and really don’t mind sounding like it. But what I bought yesterday was a good comeback attempt from a man who has traveled an uphill road and has never reaped the monetary reward for something he does so well. My only advice is if you want the boom bap go all in, get people who will get creative with it. Don’t skirt the issue. A lot of us still appreciate that old boom bap. However, your crew is keepin me noddin. I’m on my fifth listen and its getting better.
Ra. Thanks for giving me Hip Hop music. (Exhale)

]]> By: Misseda Flow http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-49201 Misseda Flow Fri, 11 Dec 2009 22:24:51 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-49201 I've seen people refer to the 7th seal as "trash", to me that's disgraceful..This body of work is far better than 98% of what NY radio plays..Being a lyricist myself & a fan of his ingenius wordplay, I do believe he slacked a bit with regard to the lyricism..and sonically it isn't consistent from begining to end..I also think Maino's appearance was very "average" at best, I'm surprised Rakim was satisfied with his cameo. Overall, this project is reasonable, but most of us have heard such an abundance of trash, that we've become extremely critical of legends like Rakim, who return with a contribution.. I bought a copy on wax, the brotha's gotta eat like the rest of us. I’ve seen people refer to the 7th seal as “trash”, to me that’s disgraceful..This body of work is far better than 98% of what NY radio plays..Being a lyricist myself & a fan of his ingenius wordplay, I do believe he slacked a bit with regard to the lyricism..and sonically it isn’t consistent from begining to end..I also think Maino’s appearance was very “average” at best, I’m surprised Rakim was satisfied with his cameo. Overall, this project is reasonable, but most of us have heard such an abundance of trash, that we’ve become extremely critical of legends like Rakim, who return with a contribution.. I bought a copy on wax, the brotha’s gotta eat like the rest of us.

]]> By: CRAZYHORSE5150 http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-49180 CRAZYHORSE5150 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 23:00:18 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-49180 I liked the album...so in comparison to today's GARBAGE on the airwaves...it was absolutely REFRESHING, so if you want to my advice would be to go back and start from his beginning albums and work your way through to The Seventh Seal. You will be thankful the Beast of the Microphone has RETURNED...I'm glad he left Dre not to say it would have been amazing to hear what they could have done together but like Ra said HE HAD TO DO HIM . REMEMBER THE DAYZ OF RAPCITY WHEN ILL MC'S WERE RESPECTED...KNUCKLEHEADS TODAY THINK LIL WAYNE is worth the airplay he receives....PEACE LONG LIVE THE GOD MC I liked the album…so in comparison to today’s GARBAGE on the airwaves…it was absolutely REFRESHING, so if you want to my advice would be to go back and start from his beginning albums and work your way through to The Seventh Seal. You will be thankful the Beast of the Microphone has RETURNED…I’m glad he left Dre not to say it would have been amazing to hear what they could have done together but like Ra said HE HAD TO DO HIM . REMEMBER THE DAYZ OF RAPCITY WHEN ILL MC’S WERE RESPECTED…KNUCKLEHEADS TODAY THINK LIL WAYNE is worth the airplay he receives….PEACE LONG LIVE THE GOD MC

]]> By: CRAZYHORSE5150 http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-49178 CRAZYHORSE5150 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:41:54 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-49178 LONG LIVE THE GOD MC...DEATH TO THE HATERS LONG LIVE THE GOD MC…DEATH TO THE HATERS

]]> By: blue http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48940 blue Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:50:58 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48940 wow i respect evryone's opinion on any subject but i can disagree. first Rakim has always been ahead of his time or ours, this album is a breath of fresh air. the iran-contra of rap is over for the people who want his old style buy the albums and listen or dig them up. Nas was correct hip-hop is dead & Ra new album is hopefully the blueprint for everyone. all i ask is listen his delivery,flow,& experience was on full display. on the beats i think he also shows his greatness mostly every track he ryhmes on not 2 many other emcees could ever touch. Even Jay mentions Rakim as the GOD listen to the song wit J Riahana, & Kayne. He is the greatest EVER TO BLESS THE MIC all Rappers notice that if he not NO# 1 he's in the top 3 wow wow i respect evryone’s opinion on any subject but i can disagree. first Rakim has always been ahead of his time or ours, this album is a breath of fresh air. the iran-contra of rap is over for the people who want his old style buy the albums and listen or dig them up. Nas was correct hip-hop is dead & Ra new album is hopefully the blueprint for everyone. all i ask is listen his delivery,flow,& experience was on full display. on the beats i think he also shows his greatness mostly every track he ryhmes on not 2 many other emcees could ever touch. Even Jay mentions Rakim as the GOD listen to the song wit J Riahana, & Kayne. He is the greatest EVER TO BLESS THE MIC all Rappers notice that if he not NO# 1 he’s in the top 3 wow

]]> By: your boy murks http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48924 your boy murks Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:24:06 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48924 This album is garbage, yes, but you all ride Premier's dick too hard. Dude has sounded repetitive as hell for the better part of this decade, get over it... This album is garbage, yes, but you all ride Premier’s dick too hard. Dude has sounded repetitive as hell for the better part of this decade, get over it…

]]> By: Rachelle 'ChelliDynamite' Gaines http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48884 Rachelle 'ChelliDynamite' Gaines Fri, 04 Dec 2009 02:58:53 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48884 Although not a masterpiece, I enjoyed this album. I think that Rakim hasn't lost his form, style or delivery. I think that time has lost him. He's trying too hard to sound relevant. I didn't like the singing on damn near every track. But for what its worth, he did his thing.....and that's all we could ever ask. Still lovin' the R..... Although not a masterpiece, I enjoyed this album. I think that Rakim hasn’t lost his form, style or delivery. I think that time has lost him. He’s trying too hard to sound relevant. I didn’t like the singing on damn near every track. But for what its worth, he did his thing…..and that’s all we could ever ask. Still lovin’ the R…..

]]> By: Skullman http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48791 Skullman Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:33:52 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48791 I don't understand the negativity, in 2009 how could any listener expect what occured in "86? I enjoyed this album, cause it relates to now! Imagine if Rah really came out talking some battle rap shit, then headz would have been like "pops pleezzz"! Rah has moved his game from the Hard Courts to the Golf Course! Come on kidz "pull yuh pants up", we're headin uptown now. Peace. I don’t understand the negativity, in 2009 how could any listener expect what occured in “86? I enjoyed this album, cause it relates to now! Imagine if Rah really came out talking some battle rap shit, then headz would have been like “pops pleezzz”! Rah has moved his game from the Hard Courts to the Golf Course! Come on kidz “pull yuh pants up”, we’re headin uptown now. Peace.

]]> By: STONEY XL http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48767 STONEY XL Sat, 28 Nov 2009 09:04:54 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48767 The album is CRACK, I don't know what y'all listening to. The GOD did him and it works. The album is CRACK, I don’t know what y’all listening to. The GOD did him and it works.

]]> By: derrick http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48765 derrick Sat, 28 Nov 2009 03:36:15 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48765 Look I'll take this quote from Omn999 to break it down. Older niggas fell off young Niggas are trash. With that statement Rakim NEEDS PRODUCTION BEHIND HIM, NOT RANDOM OR BIG NAME PRODUCERS JUST THROWING TRACKS AT HIM. SIT IN THE STUDIO AND BUILD TRACK AFTER TRACK WITH HIM TOGETHER WITH ONLY 1 OR 2 PRODUCERS WORKING ON THE ALBUM SO IT DOSE'NT SOUND LIKE RANDOM TRACKS WERE THROWN TOGETHER. SOMETHING THAT IS ALL TO COMMON WITH HIPHOP PRODUCTION THESE DAYS. HE NEEDS TO PICK UP THE PACE WITH HIS RHYMES ALSO TO MANY SLOW TRACKS SEEM TO MAKE HIS FLOW GET BORING TO LISTENTO AFTER A WHILE. A GOOD EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE PACE OF HIS 3RD LP LET THE RHYTHEM HIT EM SOME TRACKS WERE FAST OTHERS WERE SLOW. ALSO LET GO OF BEATS THAT WERE MADE FROM KEYBOARDS THAT SHIT IS WACK. HE NEEDS HEAVY LOOPS WITH HARD DRUMS TO BACK HIS LYRICAL ABLITY. SAMPLE BASED PRODUCTION ONLY BY EQUIPMENT THAT HAS A SAMPLE BIT RATE OF ONLY 12. AND A GOOD DJ TO BACK HIM UP NOT ONLY ON STAGE,BUT WITH HYPE CUTS ON HIS TRACKS AS WELL ONLY THEN WILL HE RETURN TO HI ONCE GREATNESS. Look I’ll take this quote from Omn999 to break it down. Older niggas fell off young Niggas are trash. With that statement Rakim NEEDS PRODUCTION BEHIND HIM, NOT RANDOM OR BIG NAME PRODUCERS JUST THROWING TRACKS AT HIM. SIT IN THE STUDIO AND BUILD TRACK AFTER TRACK WITH HIM TOGETHER WITH ONLY 1 OR 2 PRODUCERS WORKING ON THE ALBUM SO IT DOSE’NT SOUND LIKE RANDOM TRACKS WERE THROWN TOGETHER. SOMETHING THAT IS ALL TO COMMON WITH HIPHOP PRODUCTION THESE DAYS. HE NEEDS TO PICK UP THE PACE WITH HIS RHYMES ALSO TO MANY SLOW TRACKS SEEM TO MAKE HIS FLOW GET BORING TO LISTENTO AFTER A WHILE. A GOOD EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE PACE OF HIS 3RD LP LET THE RHYTHEM HIT EM SOME TRACKS WERE FAST OTHERS WERE SLOW. ALSO LET GO OF BEATS THAT WERE MADE FROM KEYBOARDS THAT SHIT IS WACK. HE NEEDS HEAVY LOOPS WITH HARD DRUMS TO BACK HIS LYRICAL ABLITY. SAMPLE BASED PRODUCTION ONLY BY EQUIPMENT THAT HAS A SAMPLE BIT RATE OF ONLY 12. AND A GOOD DJ TO BACK HIM UP NOT ONLY ON STAGE,BUT WITH HYPE CUTS ON HIS TRACKS AS WELL ONLY THEN WILL HE RETURN TO HI ONCE GREATNESS.

]]> By: DJ DAVITO http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48593 DJ DAVITO Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:30:42 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48593 RAKIM IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!!!! How many artists first of all can come near any of his first 4 LPs??????Plus I liked the 18th letter lp. Yeah Rakim's new material is not so to be classic material but so what! I thank RAKIM for all he has done in Hip-Hop and The only artist whose actually stayed dope since the 80s is Master Ace.But RAKIM is the greatest mc ever!!!! AND HIP-HOP Hasn't been kind in return to Him. And I don't get why everyone bashes ERIC B????? Eric B was not a wack DJ and he was part of 4 lps So classic that nobody has a right to dis him. I love Rakim and even on his worse rhyme he's better than Jay Z,2-Pac,Eminem or any of those southern rappers. SO BIG UP RAKIM!!!!!Trust me you'll never hear another in your life time! RAKIM IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!!!!! How many artists first of all can come near any of his first 4 LPs??????Plus I liked the 18th letter lp.
Yeah Rakim’s new material is not so to be classic material but so what!
I thank RAKIM for all he has done in Hip-Hop and The only artist whose actually stayed dope since the 80s is Master Ace.But RAKIM is the greatest mc ever!!!!
AND HIP-HOP Hasn’t been kind in return to Him.
And I don’t get why everyone bashes ERIC B?????
Eric B was not a wack DJ and he was part of 4 lps So classic that nobody has a right to dis him.
I love Rakim and even on his worse rhyme he’s better than Jay Z,2-Pac,Eminem or any of those southern rappers.
SO BIG UP RAKIM!!!!!Trust me you’ll never hear another in your life time!

]]> By: MJ http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48557 MJ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:01:30 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48557 Besides,the world is cursed! allot of you guys aren't ready for a real Rakim Album yet. Wait til next year when Jay-z fall from all the shady business dealing. Besides,the world is cursed! allot of you guys aren’t ready for a real Rakim Album yet. Wait til next year when Jay-z fall from all the shady business dealing.

]]> By: MJ http://www.unkut.com/2009/11/rakim-the-seventh-seal-album-review/comment-page-2/#comment-48554 MJ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:45:27 +0000 http://www.unkut.com/?p=2773#comment-48554 Due to the Production he was working with,I don't think there's another rapper out their that could have made a better Album that good without any cursing!!! Even the Art Form of the album cover made sense and was Great! Due to the Production he was working with,I don’t think there’s another rapper out their that could have made a better Album that good without any cursing!!! Even the Art Form of the album cover made sense and was Great!

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