Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em is the third studio album by hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released on June 19, 1990.[1] The group's sound develops further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, and more mature and serious subject matter. Musically, the production ranges from smoother soulful tracks such as "In the Ghetto" to the hard-edged assault of the title track "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em."

Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em
Studio album by
Eric B & Rakim
ReleasedJune 19, 1990 (1990-06-19)[1]
StudioPower Play Studios, Long Island City, New York
Libra Digital Sound, Long Island City, New York
Skip Saylor Recording, Los Angeles, California
A&M Studios, Hollywood, California
Genre
Length54:16
Label
Producer
Eric B & Rakim chronology
Follow The Leader
(1988)		 Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em
(1990)		 Don't Sweat the Technique
(1992)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Christgau's Consumer GuideA−[3]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[4]
Los Angeles Times[5]
Rolling Stone[6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[7]
The Source[8]

The back cover features a dedication to the memories of Rakim's father William and producer Paul C., who had worked on many of the album's tracks before his murder in July 1989.[9] Paul's protégé, Large Professor, completed his work; however, neither receive credit in the album's notes.[10][11]

Production credits

Much like past Eric B. & Rakim albums, production was credited to the duo. For this album however, production was supposed to be handled by Producer Paul C. Because of his murder in 1989, his protégé, Large Professor (still an unknown beatmaker from Queens who was still in high school) was called upon to complete the album's beats. Large Professor confirmed that Paul produced the songs "Run for Cover", "Untouchables" in full and co-produced the title track. Regarding his contributions, Large Professor confirmed that he did all of "In the Ghetto" based around a sample Paul had given him, as well as the drum programming for "No Omega" and "Step Back". The rest of the production is assumed to have been handled by Rakim, his brother Stevie Blass Griffin and the album engineer, Patrick Adams. Rakim confirmed that Paul C. also produced "Keep 'Em Eager to Listen" and "Set 'Em Straight". Rakim produced "No Omega" based on a sample that Paul had given him.[12] The bonus track on the CD version, a remix of the title track, was produced by DJ Mark the 45 King, who had previously done some beats for Eric B. & Rakim's second album, Follow the Leader. Because of his involvement in the production, Large Professor was chosen by Eric B as a ghost producer for Kool G Rap & DJ Polo's second album, Wanted: Dead or Alive.

Singles

Three singles were released from the album. The first single "In the Ghetto" charted at #82 and #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs, making it the weakest single of the three. The second single "Let the Rhythm Hit Em'" charted at #23 and #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs, making it the most successful single of the three. The third and final single "Mahogany" did not chart on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, but it charted on the Hot Rap Songs at #28.

Critical reception

Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em received positive to mixed reviews from critics. Despite the fact that it didn't produce any hit singles as popular as the duo's previous albums, it is considered by many to be their most coherent album, and is one of only a few rap albums that have received a 5-mic rating when it was reviewed in The Source Magazine. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em"
5:30
2."No Omega"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:45
3."In the Ghetto"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
5:22
4."Step Back"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:24
5."Eric B. Made My Day"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
5:05
6."Run for Cover"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:46
7."Untouchables"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:15
8."Mahogany"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:41
9."Keep 'Em Eager to Listen"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:40
10."Set 'Em Straight"
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:25
CD bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
11."Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em" (12" Vocal Version Remix)
6:23

Personnel

Credits for Follow the Leader adapted from AllMusic.[2]

  • DJ Mark the 45 King - Remixing
  • Tony A. - Engineer
  • Patrick Adams - Engineer
  • Carlton Batts - Mastering
  • Kevin Crouse - Assistant Engineer
  • Eric Barrier - Primary Artist, Producer, Composer
  • Carol Friedman - Art Direction
  • P. Tony - Engineer
  • Anton Pukshansky - Engineer
  • William Griffin - Primary Artist, Producer, Composer
  • Patrick Roques - Design
  • Brian Scheuble - Engineer
  • Ralph Sutton - Engineer
  • Randy Wine - Assistant Engineer

The second single and title track "Let the Rhythm Hit Em'" appeared in the 2007 football video game All-Pro Football 2K8.

Chart positions
Chart (1990) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[13] 32
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[14] 10

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[15] Gold 500,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone

References
  1. https://genius.com/albums/Eric-b-and-rakim/Let-the-rhythm-hit-em
  2. Henderson, Alex. "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em - Eric B. & Rakim". Allmusic.
  3. Christgau, Robert (June 1990). "Robert Christgau: CG: Eric B. and Rakim". Christgau's Consumer Guide.
  4. Sandow, Greg (22 June 1990). "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly.
  5. Gold, Jonathan (8 July 1990). "ERIC B. & RAKIM "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em" : MCA : Albums are rated on a scale of one star (poor) to five (a classic)". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
  6. Futterman, Steve (23 August 1990). "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone.
  7. Frere-Jones, Sasha (2004). "Eric B. & Rakim". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon & Schuster. pp. 281–82. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  8. Kazeem (4 August 2010). "The Complete List Of 5 Mic Hip-Hop Classics". The Source. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010.
  9. "Fat Lace Magazine : "Paul C., he got that bass pumpin"". Fat Lace Magazine. 28 May 2008. Archived from the original on 16 August 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  10. "CRUNKSTER: Traveling at the Speed of Thought". Crunkster.abstractdynamics.org. 5 August 2004. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
  11. "Large Professor: Revolve Around Science : NODFACTOR.COM". Nod Factor. 29 September 2008. Archived from the original on 6 January 2009.
  12. Memories of Paul C McKasty. Vimeo. 2013.
  13. "Eric B. & Rakim Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  14. "Eric B. & Rakim Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  15. "American album certifications – Eric B. & Rakim – Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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