Eric B. & Rakim at Sony Hall

In 1986, Rakim started to work with New York-based producer-DJ Eric B. The duo-known as Eric B & Rakim-is widely regarded as among the most influential and groundbreaking of hip-hop groups. The duo's first single, "Eric B. Is President" was a success and got the duo a contract with the fledgling Island Records sub-label 4th & B'way. The duo's next single, the smash "I Know You Got Soul," sparked early debate on the legality of unauthorized, uncredited sampling when James Brown sued to prevent the duo's use of a fragment of his music. It also established Brown's back catalog as a hip musical mining ground for a new generation of hip-hop programmers...

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In 1986, Rakim started to work with New York-based producer-DJ Eric B. The duo-known as Eric B & Rakim-is widely regarded as among the most influential and groundbreaking of hip-hop groups. The duo's first single, "Eric B. Is President" was a success and got the duo a contract with the fledgling Island Records sub-label 4th & B'way. The duo's next single, the smash "I Know You Got Soul," sparked early debate on the legality of unauthorized, uncredited sampling when James Brown sued to prevent the duo's use of a fragment of his music. It also established Brown's back catalog as a hip musical mining ground for a new generation of hip-hop programmers. Their first full album, Paid In Full, was released in 1987, causing a stir in the hip-hop music world due to its novel sound, approach, and subject matter.

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