1999 studio album by Rakim
The Master Released November 30, 1999 Recorded 1998–1999 Genre Length 1 :02 :07 Label Universal 542 082Producer
"When I B On Tha Mic" Released: December 14, 1999
The Master is the second solo album by American rapper Rakim , released November 30, 1999, on Universal Records . It serves as the follow-up to Rakim's debut solo album, The 18th Letter (1997), and would be Rakim's last studio album for nearly a decade, until 2009's The Seventh Seal .
The Master received generally positive to mixed reviews from music critics.
Title Writer(s) Producer(s) 1. "Intro (The Master)" 1 :22 2. "Flow Forever" 4 :11 3. "When I B on tha Mic" (feat. DJ Premier ) 3 :42 4. "Finest Ones" (feat. Clark Kent ) Griffin Franklin Yvette Davis 4 :24 5. "All Night Long" 4 :27 6. "State of Hip-Hop" (interlude) 0 :39 7. "Uplift" Griffin Ronald Lawrence Victor Padilla 3 :09 8. "I Know" Griffin Trevor Randolph Benjamin Latimore David Hinds 4 :07 9. "It's the R" 4 :15 10. "I'll Be There" (feat. Nneka Morton) 5 :10 11. "It's a Must" (feat. Rahzel ) 4 :24 12. "Real Shit" 4 :21 13. "How I Get Down" 4 :05 14. "L.I." (interlude) 0 :53 15. "Strong Island" 4 :34 16. "Waiting for the World to End" (feat. DJ Premier) 4 :05 17. "We'll Never Stop" (feat. Connie McKendrick) Griffin Nicholas Loizides Sylvia Robinson 4 :19 Total length: 1 :02 :07
Samples
"Flow Forever" samples "Since We Said Goodbye" by The Counts
"When I B on Tha Mic" samples "What the World Needs Now Is Love " by The Artistics , "The Saga Begins " by Rakim , "How About Some Hardcore " and "World Famous " by M.O.P. , "Peter Piper " by Run-DMC , "Blind Alley" by The Emotions and "Metal Thangz" by Street Smartz feat. O.C. and Pharoahe Monch
"Finest Ones" samples "We Belong Together " by The Spinners and "High Power Rap" by Crash Crew
"I Know" samples "Let's Straighten It Out " by Latimore and "Steppin' Out " by Steel Pulse
"It's the R" samples "Mother's Son " by Curtis Mayfield , "Tru Master " by Pete Rock feat. Inspectah Deck and Kurupt and "As the Rhyme Goes On ", "Follow the Leader ", "I Know You Got Soul " by Eric B. & Rakim
"I'll Be There" samples "I'll Be With You" by Grover Washington, Jr.
"Real Shit" samples "Survival of the Fittest " by Mobb Deep
"How I Get Down" samples "Funky Drummer " by James Brown
"Waiting for the World to End" samples "Brooks' 50c Tour (Main Title Collage) " by Quincy Jones , "Save Me" by Bloodstone , "All Night" by Xperadó and "Microphone Fiend " by Eric B. & Rakim
"We'll Never Stop" samples "The New Rap Language" by Spoonie Gee and The Treacherous Three
^ Bush, John. "The Master - Rakim" . AllMusic . Retrieved 21 August 2009 .
^ Perry, Tim (27 November 1999). "Pop: ALBUM REVIEWS" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 21 August 2009 .
^ "SOUND CHECK. - Free Online Library" . Los Angeles Daily News . 3 December 1999. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2020 .
^ Baker, Soren (25 December 1999). "DMX Delivers Harsh Reality on 'Then' - Los Angeles Times" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 21 August 2009 .
^ Columnist (12 September 2005). "The Master - NME" . NME . Retrieved 21 August 2009 .
^ Hoard, Christian (2 November 2004). "The New Rolling Stone Album Guide - Google Books" . Rolling Stone . ISBN 9780743201698 .
^ Parker, Erik "Mr Parker" (January 2000). "Record Report: Rakim – Rakim". The Source . No. 124. New York. p. 191.
^ Jones, Steve. "Review: The Master ". USA Today : 04.D. November 30, 1999. Archived from the original on 2009-08-21.
^ Mao, Chairman (February 2000). "Vibe - Google Books" . Vibe .
^ Lewis, Miles Marshall (18 January 2000). "The Passing of the Mic - Village Voice" . The Village Voice . Retrieved 21 August 2009 .
^ "Rakim Chart History (Billboard 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 1, 2020.
^ "Rakim Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 1, 2020.
^ "Rakim When I B On Tha Mic Chart History - Billboard" . Billboard . Retrieved 1 February 2020 .
^ "Rakim When I B On Tha Mic Chart History - Billboard" . Billboard . Retrieved 1 February 2020 .