Rakim, born William Michael Griffin Jr., is an American rapper widely regarded as one of hip-hop’s greatest and most influential artists. Rising to fame in the mid-1980s as one half of the duo Eric B. & Rakim, he revolutionized rap with complex rhyme schemes, internal rhymes, and a smooth, commanding flow on classics like Paid in Full and Follow the Leader. Rakim’s innovative style set a new standard for lyrical sophistication, leaving a lasting impact on generations of MCs.













