The 18th Letter
The 18th Letter | ||||
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Studio album by Rakim | ||||
Released | November 4, 1997 (1997-11-04) | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 54:10 | |||
Label | Universal | |||
Producer |
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Rakim chronology | ||||
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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]
Background
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.
Deluxe version
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.
Commercial performance
The 18th Letter debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart[7] and was certified Gold in the United States.[8]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Chicago Tribune | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Robert Christgau | ![]() ![]() |
Pitchfork Media | 8.0/10[12] |
Rolling Stone | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Source | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Spin | 7/10[15] |
USA Today | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Yahoo! Music | (favorable)[17] |
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]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
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" |
|
| 4:19 |
12. | "Skit" | 0:19 | ||
13. | "The Mystery (Who Is God?)" |
|
| 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)" |
|
| 4:11 |
17. | "Outro" | 1:20 | ||
Total length: | 54:10 |
Notes
The Book of Life
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "I Know You Got Soul" (from Paid In Full) |
| 4:43 | |
2. | "Follow the Leader" (from Follow the Leader) |
|
| 5:32 |
3. | "Eric B. Is President" (from Paid In Full) |
|
| 6:15 |
4. | "Microphone Fiend" (from Follow the Leader) |
|
| 5:13 |
5. | "I Ain't No Joke" (from Paid In Full) |
|
| 3:52 |
6. | "Lyrics of Fury" (from Follow the Leader) |
|
| 4:11 |
7. | "My Melody" (from Paid In Full) |
|
| 6:47 |
8. | "Know the Ledge" (from Don't Sweat the Technique) |
|
| 3:58 |
9. | "Move the Crowd" (from Paid In Full) |
|
| 3:36 |
10. | "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em) |
|
| 5:24 |
11. | "Mahogany" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em) |
|
| 4:27 |
12. | "In the Ghetto" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em) |
|
| 5:26 |
13. | "Casualties of War" (from Don't Sweat the Technique) |
|
| 4:02 |
14. | "The Punisher" (from Don't Sweat the Technique) |
|
| 4:06 |
15. | "Paid in Full" (from Paid In Full) |
|
| 3:49 |
Total length: | 1:11:21 |
Charts
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[23] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
The 18th Letter & The Book of Life
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[24] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
See also
- List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 (U.S.)
References
- ^ 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.
External links
- The 18th Letter at Discogs
- Farber, Jim. "Rapper Keeps His Cool". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
- The Microphone God — By Vibe
- v
- t
- e
- The 18th Letter (1997)
- The Master (1999)
- The Archive: Live, Lost & Found (2008)
- The Seventh Seal (2009)
- Paid in Full (1987)
- Follow the Leader (1988)
- Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em (1990)
- Don't Sweat the Technique (1992)