GOD's Network (Reb7rth)

The accepted narrative of Rakim's solo career—the demanding writer who couldn't get out of his own way—makes him an easy scapegoat for his catalog's weaknesses. Dr. Dre offered it Get rich or Die Trying' knocks, but Rakim album-video/” class=”external-link” data-event-click=”{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2018/04/rakim-dr-dre-aftermath-gangsta-rap-album-video/"}” href=”https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2018/04/rakim-dr-dre-aftermath-gangsta-rap-album-video/” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>he wasn't interested; Rakim ran away After with his teachers, choosing to make wet, silly odes to his own resume. In hindsight, Don't sweat the technique, his latest full-length session with Queens DJ and producer Eric B., serves as a library in more ways than one. The duo disbanded months after its 1992 release, at a time when hip-hop was transforming from an underground movement into a global, commercial force. Rakim laid the groundwork and never collected enough money.

GOD NETWORK (REB7RTH) it doesn't overturn that version of the story, but it does suggest some complicating factors. Rakim's solo streak (three albums in 32 years, for those keeping score) is marred by heavy-handed snubs attributed to no-name producers. GOD'S NETWORK it compensates for the latter pitfall, at least in theory. Rakim produces everything himself, a quixotic effort that reveals shortsightedness and structural flaws – the metronomic drums are too strong to match. It may have been a torch-passing exercise, but most of the featured guests have spent 20 years theirs first ones. Rakim aims for moguldom, but lands closer to mixtape DJ.

Rakim holds his own, but only raps three verses over seven tracks, meaning he's MIA for large chunks of his own album. The posse cuts are pretty good though. “Now Is the Time” marks a distinct flavor: The intercontinental line-up of BG, Hus KingPin and Compton Menace features Rakim and The A&R assembly line they are connected with local scenes and harmonize with stylistic contrasts. What 'Love Is the Message' lacks in innovation, it makes up for in the magnetism of its cast. The plaintive appeal of Fresno veteran Planet Asia gives way to a double showcase from Los Angeles rapper Louis King. Rakim digs up an old Nipsey Hussle verse for good measure.

This tape should prompt some research into Rakim's lost decades — he is, after all, an architect of the modern rap album. If he wanted to move into an executive-producer role, guiding protégés in his own image, what's to stop him? Somewhat, GOD'S NETWORK it's at his doorstep. The beats are stormy and the samples familiar: It's a literate rap punchline for and by middle-aged men, with all that entails. La the Darkman fully resists “Pendulum Swing”, seemingly unaware that Fred the Godson, dead of COVID at 35, appears a track before. “Sign of Se7en” features Sacramento rapper X-Raided, a real-life convicted murderer. The editing is prone to iconography – DMX and Prodigy appear from beyond the grave, along with a vocal note from Snoop Dogg that may as well have been bought via Cameo – no gestures to any future.

Projects like this, aimed at a built-in audience of true-school crusaders, tend to be met with hushed, appreciative tones: Rakim's reputation is hardly at stake. What's strange is that Rakim can't find anyone to produce or release his music. It's no secret that hip-hop, as a genre, fails to take care of its elders, and the other side of the equation is that legends have bills to pay. I just got an audience album/1wA3gsTb8pgnKuAyJbAsu0?si=XbZTLn7oT0K7piKNkTGSeQ” class=”external-link” data-event-click=”{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://open.spotify.com/album/1wA3gsTb8pgnKuAyJbAsu0?si=XbZTLn7oT0K7piKNkTGSeQ"}” href=”https://open.spotify.com/album/1wA3gsTb8pgnKuAyJbAsu0?si=XbZTLn7oT0K7piKNkTGSeQ” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank”>it deserves an album with live Pete Rock beats; Buckwild and DJ Muggs are Rakim's age and more prolific than ever. GOD'S NETWORK it positions Rakim as a passable producer instead of an elite MC, but he did it his way.