On this day July 26 1988, Follow the Leader by Eric B. & Rakim was released, becoming one of the most influential hip hop albums ever recorded. Building on the success of their debut album Paid in Full, the duo returned with a record that elevated rap music through sophisticated lyricism, innovative production, and a level of artistry that was years ahead of its time.
Eric B.'s production blended jazz, funk, and soul samples into rich, layered beats, while Rakim's smooth delivery and intricate rhyme schemes changed the way MCs approached lyric writing. Songs like Follow the Leader, Microphone Fiend, and Lyrics of Fury showcased a new level of creativity and helped establish Rakim as one of the greatest lyricists in hip hop history.
Although the album wasn't a massive pop crossover success, it earned widespread respect within the music industry and has since become a cornerstone of hip hop. Its influence can still be heard in the work of countless rappers and producers who followed.
80s insight: Follow the Leader helped redefine what hip hop could be, proving the genre could be as lyrically complex and artistically ambitious as any other form of music. More than three decades later, it remains one of rap's most respected and influential albums.
Eric B.'s production blended jazz, funk, and soul samples into rich, layered beats, while Rakim's smooth delivery and intricate rhyme schemes changed the way MCs approached lyric writing. Songs like Follow the Leader, Microphone Fiend, and Lyrics of Fury showcased a new level of creativity and helped establish Rakim as one of the greatest lyricists in hip hop history.
Although the album wasn't a massive pop crossover success, it earned widespread respect within the music industry and has since become a cornerstone of hip hop. Its influence can still be heard in the work of countless rappers and producers who followed.
80s insight: Follow the Leader helped redefine what hip hop could be, proving the genre could be as lyrically complex and artistically ambitious as any other form of music. More than three decades later, it remains one of rap's most respected and influential albums.
