Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em
Studio album by Eric B & Rakim
Released May 22, 1990
Recorded 1989-1990
Genre Hip hop
Length 54:16
Label MCA Records
MCAD-6416
Producer Eric B. & Rakim
Paul C (uncredited)
Large Professor (uncredited)
DJ Mark the 45 King
Eric B & Rakim chronology
Follow The Leader
(1988)		 Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
(1990)		 Don't Sweat the Technique
(1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Robert ChristgauA−[2]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[3]
Los Angeles Times[4]
Rolling Stone[5]
The Source[6]

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em is the third album by rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, released on May 22, 1990.[7] The group's sound develops further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, and more mature and serious subject matter. Musically, the production ranges from smoother soulful tracks such as "In the Ghetto" to the hard-edged assault of the title track "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em."

Despite the fact that it didn't produce any hit singles as popular as the duo's previous albums, it is considered by many to be their most coherent album, and is one of only a few rap albums that have received a 5-mic rating when it was reviewed in The Source Magazine.

In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.

The back cover features a dedication to the memories of Rakim's father William and producer Paul C., who had worked on many of the album's tracks before his murder in July 1989. Paul's protégé Large Professor completed his work. Neither receive credit in the album's notes.[8][9]

Production credits

Much like past Eric B. & Rakim albums, production was credited to the duo. For this album however, production was supposed to be handled by Producer Paul C. Because of his murder in 1989, his protégé, Large Professor (still an unknown beatmaker from Queens who was still in high school) was called upon to complete the album's beats. Large Professor confirmed that Paul produced the songs "Run for Cover", "Untouchables" in full and co-produced the title track. Regarding his contributions, Large Professor confirmed that he did all of "In the Ghetto" based around a sample Paul had given him, the drum programming for "No Omega", and "Step Back". The rest of the production is assumed to have been handled by Rakim, his brother Stevie Blass Griffin and the album engineer, Patrick Adams. Rakim confirmed that Paul C. also produced "Keep 'Em Eager to Listen" and "Set 'Em Straight". Rakim produced "No Omega" based on a sample that Paul had given him.[10] The bonus track on the CD version, a remix of the title track, was produced by DJ Mark the 45 King, who had previously done some beats for Eric B. & Rakim's second album, Follow the Leader. Because of his involvement in the production, Large Professor was chosen by Eric B as a ghost producer for Kool G Rap & DJ Polo's second album, Wanted: Dead or Alive.

Singles

Three singles were released from the album. The first single "In the Ghetto" charted at #82 and #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs, making it the weakest single of the three. The second single "Let the Rhythm Hit Em'" charted at #23 and #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs, making it the most successful single of the three. The third and final single "Mahogany" did not chart on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, but it charted on the Hot Rap Songs at #28.

Track listing

  1. Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
  2. No Omega
  3. In the Ghetto
  4. Step Back
  5. Eric B. Made My Day
  6. Run for Cover
  7. Untouchables
  8. Mahogany
  9. Keep 'Em Eager to Listen
  10. Set 'Em Straight
  11. Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em (12" vocal version remix) [CD bonus track]

The second single and title track "Let the Rhythm Hit Em'" appeared in the 2007 football video game All-Pro Football 2K8.

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ Robert Christgau review
  3. ↑ Entertainment Weekly review
  4. ↑ Gold, Jonathan. Review: Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on 2010-01-17.
  5. ↑ Rolling Stone review
  6. ↑ Source rating
  7. ↑ "Today In Hip-Hop: Eric B. & Rakim Releases 'Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em'". XXL. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "CRUNKSTER: Traveling at the Speed of Thought". Crunkster.abstractdynamics.org. 2004-08-05. Retrieved 2012-02-27.
  9. ↑ Archived January 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. ↑ Memories of Paul C McKasty. Vimeo. 2013.

9. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1914/title.large-professor-on-90s-babies-nas-rakims-relationship-and-lupe-fiascos-rights-to-troy 10. http://www.complex.com/music/2012/05/large-professor-tells-all-the-stories-behind-his-classic-records-part-i/eric-b-rakim-in-the-ghetto-1990

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