Rakim Quotes

I've always tried to insert consciousness and spirituality in my records, interpreting the writings of all cultures and religions and how they apply to life in modern times.

Self-esteem makes me super, superb and supreme

And I'll break, when I'm through breakin,
I'll leave you broke,
Drop the mic when I'm finished, and watch it smoke

What was once easy became confused and hard, which brings us back to the mystic question, who is God?

I start to think, and then I sink
Into the paper like I was ink
When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines
I escape when I finish the rhyme.

I came in the door, I said it before
I never let the mic magnetize me no more.
But it's biting me, fighting me, inviting me to rhyme,
I can't hold it back ... I'm looking for the line.
Taking off my coat, clearing my throat,
My rhyme will be kicking until I hit my last note.

I love listening to old records to keep nostalgic feeling; it allows me to not lose the love for hip-hop.

Tried to put shame in my game to make a name,
I'mma put it on a bullet ... put it in your brain.

Stay wise and the mind is untouchable.

Take 7 emcees put em in a line
And add 7 more brothers who think they can rhyme
It'll take 7 more before I go for mine
And that's 21 emcees ate up at the same time.

You can hear the seven sins
Blowin' through the ghetto wind ...

A lot of times when people listen to music it's because they feel down, and that's when serious hip-hop comes into play. When times is hard, people can hear a rapper that inspires them to do what they [are] supposed to do.

I get a craving like I fiend for nicotine.
But I don't need a cigarette, know what I mean?

I'm everlastin, I can go on for days and days
With rhyme displays that engrave deep as X-rays
I can take a phrase that's rarely heard, FLIP IT
Now it's a daily word

Some of you been trying to write rhymes for years,
But weak ideas irritate my ears.
Is this the best that you can make?
Cause if not, and you got more ... I'll wait.

It's been a long time ... I shouldn't have left you
Without a strong rhyme to step to.

I always wanted to kind of make the listener feel like it was them that I was talking about, or to the point that I could say the rhyme, and feel like it's them saying it.

I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic smoke,
Now I slam it when I'm done and make sure it's broke.

Let's travel at magnificent speeds around the universe
What could you say as the Earth gets further and further away
Planets are small as balls of clay
Astray into the Milky Way, world's outasight
Far as the eye can see, not even a satellite
Now stop and turn around and look
As you stare in the darkness, your knowledge is took!
So keep starin' soon you suddenly see a star
You better follow it, cause it's the R.

Thinkin' of a master plan
Cause ain't nothin' but sweat inside my hand.

Feed me hip-hop and I start tremblin'