Rakim

USA, 1985–now

American rapper (b. 1968, William Griffin Jr.). Half of the duo Eric B. & Rakim. Credited with advancing hip-hop lyricism through internal and multisyllabic rhyme and a smooth, jazz-influenced flow that moved rap away from simple end-rhyme cadences.

Influenced by

• John Coltrane

Influenced

• Eminem
• 50 Cent