Does anyone remember this duo? I can only remember their work on Jody Watley's hit song "Friends". Are they still around?

See if this helps answer some questions for you:

This Queens, New York rap duo consisted of Eric Barrier (b. Elmhurst, New York, USA) and William "Rakim" Griffin (b. William Griffin Jnr., Long Island, New York, USA), using additional musicians such as Sefton the Terminator and Chad Jackson as required. Rakim was the lyricist, Eric B the DJ, or, as Rakim himself put it in "I Ain't No Joke": "I hold the microphone like a grudge, Eric B hold the record so the needle don't budge". They met in 1985 when Eric was working for the New York radio station WBLS and was looking for the city's top MC. They started working together before emerging with the demo, "Eric B. Is President". Released as a single on an obscure Harlem independent, Zakia Records, in the summer of 1986, it eventually led to a deal with 4th & Broadway. Their long-playing debut was preceded by a stand-out single of the same name, "Paid In Full", which inspired over 30 remixes. When the album arrived it caused immediate waves. Representatives of James Brown and Bobby Byrd took legal action over the sampling of those artists' works. Conversely, they helped to galvanize Brown's career as a legion of rap imitators drew on his back catalogue in search of samples. They also originated the similarly coveted "Pump Up The Volume" sample.

As well as Eric B putting the funk back into rap music, Rakim was responsible for introducing a more relaxed, intuitive delivery that was distinctly separate from the machismo of Run DMC and LL Cool J, and was probably the biggest single influence on 90s hip-hop artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and Dr. Dre. The duo hit the UK charts in 1987 with "Paid In Full (The Coldcut Remix)", though they themselves hated the version. Later hits included "Move The Crowd", "I Know You Got Soul", "Follow The Leader", "The Microphone", and 1989's US Top 10 collaboration with Jody Watley, "Friends". Label moves may have diminished their probable impact, though the duo themselves never went out of their way to cross over into the mainstream. Instead, each of their albums offered a significant musical development on the last, Rakim's raps growing in maturity without sacrificing impact. The split came in the early 90s, with Rakim staying with MCA to deliver solo material like "Heat It Up", produced by new co-conspirator Madness 4 Real, and included on the soundtrack to the Mario van Peebles movie, Gunmen.

:)

That looks familiar....should note that that whole description is off of the inside cover of 'The Best of Eric B and Rakim-The Millenium Collection' CD.

Which btw, if you're looking to hear some of their best work, that's the one to grab :)

Originally posted by Roemello
That looks familiar....should note that that whole description is off of the inside cover of 'The Best of Eric B and Rakim-The Millenium Collection' CD.


I didn't even know it was on that CD cover, Roem. I just nabbed this from by old standby at sonicnet.com. Funny coincidence!:D

Nevermind, it's actually not...I just checked :lol: That's more of a paraphrase of the inside cover...close, but not the same :)

Thanks Stacy for posting the little biography. :thumb:

Thanks to Roem for informing me of the 20th Century Masters cd. :thumb:

Anyone here can tell you these guys are one of my all time favorite rap acts along with (everyone say it together) Public Enemy (who also have a Millenium collection). Rakim is still recording without Eric B.