Rakimreigns as one of hip-hop's most transformative artists. Along with his partner Eric B., he recorded 1987's Paid in Full, the landmark recording that MTV named "the greatest hip-hop album of all time." Rakim's inimitable style lyrics, which has drawn comparisons to jazz icon Thelonious Monk, have been cited as an influence on a wide range of top-selling musicians including Jay Z, Nas, Eminem, Tupac, 50 Cent, and The Notorious B.I.G. Rakim is the recipient of the 2012 "I am Hip Hop" Trophy, the 2013 BET Hip Hop Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as multiple Vstrong Hip Hop Honors.
“Reading Sweat the Technique is like listening
to a classic Rakim track with the same codification, spirituality,
and simple-complexity that will make the reader press rewind and
start at page one several times over.” — East Bay Express
"Rakim and music journalist Bakari Kitwana offer a road map guiding
readers to the source of his inspiration and the reason behind his
career longevity: his unmatched skills on the mic. . . Their work
reflects hip-hop's role as an innovative conduit of Black
experiences." — Literary Hub
“Sweat the Technique is the hip-hop version of Stephen
King’s On Writing.” — Medium
“Reflections on a life of artistic commitment during hop-hop’s
golden age. . . insightful.” — Kirkus Reviews
“[Sweat the Technique] joins the best of rap history and criticism
and has the potential to inspire a new age of rap lyricism.” —
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