The 18th Letter

Last updated

The 18th Letter
The 18th Letter.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 4, 1997 (1997-11-04)
Genre Hip hop
Length54:10
Label Universal
Producer DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Father Shaheed, Nick Wiz, DJ Premier
Rakim chronology
The 18th Letter
(1997)
The Master
(1999)

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]

Contents

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

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Chicago Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [10]
Robert Christgau Five Pointed Star Solid.svg Five Pointed Star Solid.svg [11]
Pitchfork Media 8.0/10 [12]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [13]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Spin 7/10 [15]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [16]
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.TitleProducer(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"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:11
9."Stay a While"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:25
10."New York (Ya Out There)"4:04
11."Show Me Love"
  • Nick Wiz
4:19
12."Skit" 0:19
13."The Mystery (Who Is God?)"
  • Naughty Shorts
  • Kid Nyce
  • Bill Blass [a]
5:21
14."When I'm Flowin'"
  • Pete Rock
5:04
15."It's Been a Long Time (Suave House Mix)"
  • Mo-Suave-A
3:59
16."Guess Who's Back (Alternative Mix)"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:11
17."Outro" 1:20
Total length:54:10

Notes

The Book of Life

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Know You Got Soul" (from Paid In Full )4:43
2."Follow the Leader" (from Follow the Leader )
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
5:32
3."Eric B. Is President" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
6:15
4."Microphone Fiend" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
5:13
5."I Ain't No Joke" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:52
6."Lyrics of Fury" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:11
7."My Melody" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
6:47
8."Know the Ledge" (from Don't Sweat the Technique )
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:58
9."Move the Crowd" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:36
10."Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em )
5:24
11."Mahogany" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
  • Paul C
  • Large Professor
4:27
12."In the Ghetto" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
  • Paul C
  • Large Professor
5:26
13."Casualties of War" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
4:02
14."The Punisher" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
4:06
15."Paid in Full" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:49
Total length:1:11:21

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for The 18th Letter
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [23] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

The 18th Letter & The Book of Life

Certifications for The 18th Letter & The Book of Life
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [24] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

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