28 years ago today, Eric B. and Rakim released their first album on 4th and Broadway Records

On this date in 1987, Eric Barrier and William “Pop” Griffith, more commonly known as iconic rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, dropped their classic Paid In Full LP.

Ever since the “Eric B. For President” single featuring a young Long Islander named Rakim Allah was released in the summer of ’86(which was produced by Marley Marl), the fans were feigning for more of the God with the slow flow, so the two were scooped up by Russell Simmons and the genesis of Paid In Full began.

As the prototype album of Hip Hop’s “Golden Era”, everything from song arrangement, album artwork and even their wardrobe on the album cover became iconic items of that time period. Manufactured and distributed by indie label Zakia/4th and Broadway Records, the album’s anticipation and response was so unprecedented, it earned the duo a new contract with Uni Records for the sophomore project.

A few of the the ten track classic’s stand out songs include “Move The Crowd”, “I Ain’t No Joke”, “I Know You Got Soul” and the classic title track, “Paid In Full”.

Even though Eric B. and Rakim are no longer together as a group, this album solidified them as one of the greatest Hip Hop duo’s in the culture’s history and we here at The Source salute them for that. Peace!

-Sha Be Allah(@KingPenStatus)