BY BANDINI • JUNE 24, 2019

This November marks 10 years since Rakim released an album. The Seventh Seal involved Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, and Styles P, alongside production from Nottz, Jake One, and Ty Fyffe. At the time, that SMC Recordings LP followed a 10-year-break since The Master.

Unlike his first dozen or so years on wax, Rakim is reserved when it comes to releasing music post-Y2K. During the last decade, the Long Island legend appeared on a Top 3-charting Linkin Park album (The Hunting Party), he collaborated with DMX (“Don’t Call Me”), and most recently, he released an all-new song (“Kings Paradise”) on the Luke Cage soundtrack.

Eric B. & Rakim Name Their 5 Most Important Hip-Hop Songs Of All-Time (Video)

Rakim recently appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter where host Scott Van Pelt described his deep admiration for the MC’s talent. Van Pelt asked Rakim how he manages to stay sharp in a genre and culture that often seems focused on youth. “You remember what you did, or you remember what you do that attracted people to you. I think if you do what you do best and continue to do that, I think later on even the younger artists will look up and respect that,” he responds.

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