Rakim has announced his return with G.O.D.'s Network (Reb7rth), the pioneering MC's first new album in 15 years. The project arrives in full on July 26th, but the Kurupt and Masta Killa collaboration "Be Ill" is out now. Stream it below.
Entirely produced by Rakim himself, the seven-track release is stacked with features, including posthumous appearances from DMX, Prodigy, and Nipsey Hussle. Other contributors include fellow legends like Kool G Rap, Method Man, and Snoop Dogg. See the complete tracklist below.
"I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized," Rakim said in a statement. "Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me infinite praise for alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled."
"Be Ill" features a boom bap beat with Rakim sampling his own voice for the chorus, and each rapper shows it's possible to age gracefully by satisfying the promise of an old school hip-hop dream collaboration.
G.O.D.'s Network (Reb7rth) follows Rakim's 2009 solo album, The Seventh Seal. See where Eric B. & Rakim's Paid in Full and its classic title track landed on our lists of the best hip-hop albums and best hip-hop songs of all time.
G.O.D.'s Network (Reb7rth) Artwork:
G.O.D.'s Network (Reb7rth) Artwork
G.O.D.'s Network (Reb7rth) Tracklist: 01. Be Ill (feat. Kurupt and Masta Killa) 02. Now Is the Time (feat. B.G., Hus Kingpin, and Compton Menace) 03. Love Is the Message (feat. Nipsey Hussle, Snoop Dogg, Planet Asia, Louis King, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and The L.A. Grand Choir) 04. God's Playground (feat. 38 Spesh, Skyzoo, Fred The Godson, and DMX) 05. Pendulum Swing (feat. KXNG Crooked, Canibus, LA The Darkman, and Chino XL) 06. International (feat. Kool G Rap, Joell Ortiz, and Tristate) 07. Sign of Se7en (feat. Prodigy, Method Man, X-Raided, and Big Twins)
