This article is about the 1997 hip hop album by Rakim. For the 18th letter of the English alphabet, see
R .
1997 studio album by Rakim
The 18th Letter is the debut solo album of American emcee Rakim , released November 4, 1997, on Universal Records in the United States. The album features production by DJ Clark Kent , Pete Rock , Father Shaheed, Nick Wiz and DJ Premier .[ 1] It contains lyrical themes that concern hip hop's golden age , Rakim's rapping prowess, and the state of hip hop.[ 2]
It is his first release of new material, following a five-year hiatus after Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) as duo Eric B. & Rakim .[ 3] [ 4] The album's title refers to the letter "R" being the eighteenth letter of the English alphabet .
A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with the compilation disc The Book of Life (UD2-53111),[ 5] an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.[ 6] The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP.
The 18th Letter debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart[ 7] and was certified Gold in the United States.[ 8]
The New York Times wrote that the album "features gripping, richly textured backing tracks and kinetic wordplay filled with references to the Koran; his masterly command of rhyming has only deepened with time."[ 18]
Title Writer(s) Producer(s) 1. "Intro" 0 :13 2. "The 18th Letter (Always and Forever)" 3 :01 3. "Skit" 0 :24 4. "It's Been a Long Time" 3 :58 5. "Remember That" 4 :40 6. "The Saga Begins" 4 :22 7. "Skit" 0 :19 8. "Guess Who's Back" 4 :11 9. "Stay a While" 4 :25 10. "New York (Ya Out There)" 4 :04 11. "Show Me Love" Griffin Nick Loizides Jack Knight 4 :19 12. "Skit" 0 :19 13. "The Mystery (Who Is God?)" Naughty Shorts Bill Blass[a] 5 :21 14. "When I'm Flowin' " 5 :04 15. "It's Been a Long Time (Suave House Mix)" 3 :59 16. "Guess Who's Back (Alternative Mix)" Griffin Franklin Shocklee Ridenhour Sadler Barrier 4 :11 17. "Outro" 1 :20 Total length: 54 :10
The 18th Letter & The Book of Life [ edit ]
^ Gaillard, Mazi (December 1, 1997). "CD Review 36 - Juice Magazine" . Juice Magazine .
^ Diers, James (December 24, 1997). "Rakim: The 18th Letter, page 1 - Music - City Pages" . City Pages . Archived from the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Coleman, Brian (January 1998). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " . CMJ New Music Monthly .
^ Wilson, Ken (December 11, 1997). "RAKIM, "THE 18TH LETTER/THE BOOK OF LIFE, UNIVERSAL" " . The Cincinnati Post . Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2020 .
^ Jacobs, Qa'id. "The 18th Letter/The Book of Life - Rakim" . AllMusic . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Chandler, Justin (April 1, 2008). "Rakim :: The 18th Letter :: MCA/Universal Records" . RapReviews. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ "Rappers Mase, Jay-Z, Rakim Lead Pack" . Los Angeles Times . November 13, 1997. Retrieved January 22, 2010 .
^ "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database" . Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 22, 2010 .
^ Stanley, Leo. "The 18th Letter - Rakim" . AllMusic . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Baker, Soren (November 14, 1997). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved August 21, 2009 . Alt URL
^ Christgau, Robert (April 21, 1998). "Consumer Guide: The 18th Letter " . The Village Voice . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Schreiber, Ryan. "Rakim: The 18th Letter/The Book of Life: Pitchfork Review" . Pitchfork Media . Archived from the original on June 19, 2002. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Morales, Ed (November 10, 1997). "Rakim: The 18th Letter/The Book of Life : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone" . Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Chow, Dao-Yi "Durwin Chow" (December 1997). "Record Report: Rakim – The 18th Letter". The Source . No. 99. pp. 179–180.
^ Gonzales, Michael A. (January 1998). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " . Spin .
^ Jones, Steve (November 4, 1997). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " . USA Today . Archived from the original on January 31, 2013.
^ Reynolds, J.R. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " . Yahoo! Music . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Ehrlich, Dimitri (December 7, 1997). "Recordings View; A Rap Pioneer Defies the Odds" . The New York Times . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ "Rakim Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Rakim Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997" . Billboard . Retrieved May 6, 2021 .
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998" . Billboard . Retrieved May 6, 2021 .
^ "American album certifications – Rakim – The 18th Letter" . Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 2, 2020 .
^ "American album certifications – Rakim – The 18th Letter & The Book of Life" . Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 2, 2020 .