REVIEW: RAKIM - G.O.D.S NETWORK: REB7RTH

3/5

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Eminem. Common. Pete Rock. Childish Gambino. All rap greats, who have released new classics in the last fortnight, that in itself has been an incredible run for the H.E.R. we know as hip-hop, following its fiftieth anniversary on this planet, like Asia. But even they would pay it in full, that when it comes to the best of the best. You can't look no further, like Eric B., than the leader that is Rakim. That's why the 'REB7RTH' of his new album features the who's who of the genre. From the old-school, Kurupt, Masta Killa, B.G. (no, not WNBA great Brittney Griner), Planet Asia, Snoop Dogg, Canibus, Chino XL, Kool G Rap, Joell Ortiz and Method Man. To the modern day and new, Hus KingPin, Compton Menace, Kobe, Louis King, Sally Green, 38 Spesh, Fred The Godson, Skyzoo, KXNG Crooked, La The Darkman, Tristate, X-Raided and Big Twins.

I was once lucky to see Rakim rocking the bells in Manchester with the Black Star of Mos Def and Talib Kweli ('Subway Surfin'' is still so sick) and what would have been De La Soul before tragedy hit. One of the toughest rappers alive admitted that he was afraid of flying (ain't no shame in that, I'm afraid of aeroplane food, for one), and took the (mother expletive) Queen Mary to get there in the North West of the UK. You know, that's dedication. So it must have taken a whole lot of Greyhounds across these United States to get all these collaborators on wax. The God MC even reaches to the heavens on beautiful tribute tracks and features to the late, great luminaries of Nipsey Hussle, DMX and Prodigy on the respective playlist picks, 'LOVE IS THE MESSAGE', 'GOD'S PLAYGROUND' and 'SIGN OF SE7EN' (like the Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman movie) in all-caps. The Darkman X one particularly stirring, as the 'Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood', Def Jam icon offers up a preshow prayer to the most-high.

But what would all these amazing artists call the main feature presentation of this pack, who always stands out on his own album, never overshadowed? The G.O.A.T.? The G.O.D.? It's HIM, and on 'G.O.D.'S NETWORK: REB7RTH', this network hits you with the rhythm of some of the rawest Rakim rhymes since he sweated the technique. Sure, the album artwork, feeling as fresh as an early 2000s mixtape cover, is a little dated, like some of the production here. But like 'The 18th Letter' and 'The Master', this one holds you in his time capsule trance of tradition, knowing that 'Kim still rules like his 'Addictive' appearance, and the remix to such, on a Dr. Dre produced feature. And if you refuse to believe that, I'm sorry, but the Truth Hurts like the fact we never got that Aftermath album. Word to Bishop Lamont. Some may be sick that after 15 years, this 'BE ILL' introduced 'INTERNATIONAL' album only has seven tracks. Is it an EP? Please! Did you forget about signs and 'The Seventh Seal'?

The divine number of seven gives you so many bars, with as many hooks as J. Cole has guest features, that you will be well and truly hooked. 'NOW IS THE TIME' to get down with real rhymes again, as Rakim raps, "Life ain't a game, but I'm winning (Uh) knowing my opponent is death/Loving every minute 'til not a moment is left/Like I ain't got a moment to rest before they bury me/The goal is to be one of the best and hope the legacy/Is what enormous is." Here's hoping he knows it doesn't get much bigger than this. As the 'PENDULUM SWING' like a metronome, the G.O.A.T. keeps it going with legacy re-making lines like, "Here come Ra to swing the pendulum/Gun bars ring ears and put the fear of death in 'em/Once law, empires fall, shook like the Nephilim/Sun God with enough fire to cook the Devil in." Starting beef with Satan, as the God Emcee lets the chain swing with that big cock and balls energy. All on the same New Music Friday the Empire Of The Sun put their hands together to 'Ask That God' delivers them like Ghostface Killah's son. Decades in the game, Ra is as royally appointed as the half-century coronation alone when it comes to hip-hop. And this rebirth is only just the beginning. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Playlist Picks: 'LOVE IS THE MESSAGE (Feat. Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Kobe, Louis King, Sally Green & Snoop Dogg)', 'GOD'S PLAYGROUND (Feat. 38 Spesh, DMX, Fred The Godson & Skyzoo)', 'SIGN OF SE7EN' (Feat. Prodigy, X-Raided, Big Twins & Method Man)'.

Spin This: Rakim 'The Seventh Seal'.