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This article is about the 1997 hip hop album by Rakim. For the 18th letter of the English alphabet, see
R .
1997 studio album by Rakim
The 18th Letter is the debut solo album of American
emcee
Rakim , released November 4, 1997, on
Universal Records in the United States. The album features production by
DJ Clark Kent ,
Pete Rock , Father Shaheed, Nick Wiz and
DJ Premier .
[1] It contains lyrical themes that concern
hip hop's golden age , Rakim's rapping prowess, and the state of hip hop.
[2]
Background
It is his first release of new material, following a five-year hiatus after
Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) as duo
Eric B. & Rakim .
[3]
[4] The album's title refers to the letter "R" being the eighteenth letter of the
English alphabet .
Deluxe version
A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with the compilation disc The Book of Life (UD2-53111),
[5] an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.
[6] The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP.
Commercial performance
The 18th Letter debuted at number four on the U.S.
Billboard 200 chart
[7] and was certified
Gold in the United States.
[8]
Track listing
Title Producer(s) 1. "Intro" 0 :13 2. "The 18th Letter (Always and Forever)" 3 :01 3. "Skit" 0 :24 4. "It's Been a Long Time" 3 :58 5. "Remember That" 4 :40 6. "The Saga Begins" 4 :22 7. "Skit" 0 :19 8. "Guess Who's Back" 4 :11 9. "Stay a While" 4 :25 10. "New York (Ya Out There)" 4 :04 11. "Show Me Love" 4 :19 12. "Skit" 0 :19 13. "The Mystery (Who Is God?)" Naughty Shorts Kid Nyce Bill Blass
[a] 5 :21 14. "When I'm Flowin' " 5 :04 15. "It's Been a Long Time (Suave House Mix)" 3 :59 16. "Guess Who's Back (Alternative Mix)" 4 :11 17. "Outro" 1 :20 Total length: 54 :10
Notes
The Book of Life
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
Certifications
The 18th Letter & The Book of Life
See also
References
^ Gaillard, Mazi (December 1, 1997).
"CD Review 36 - Juice Magazine" .
Juice Magazine .
^ Diers, James (December 24, 1997).
"Rakim: The 18th Letter, page 1 - Music - City Pages" .
City Pages . Archived from
the original on August 1, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Coleman, Brian (January 1998).
"Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " .
CMJ New Music Monthly .
^ Wilson, Ken (December 11, 1997).
"RAKIM, "THE 18TH LETTER/THE BOOK OF LIFE, UNIVERSAL" " .
The Cincinnati Post . Archived from
the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2020 .
^ Jacobs, Qa'id.
"The 18th Letter/The Book of Life - Rakim" .
AllMusic . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Chandler, Justin (April 1, 2008).
"Rakim :: The 18th Letter :: MCA/Universal Records" . RapReviews. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^
"Rappers Mase, Jay-Z, Rakim Lead Pack" .
Los Angeles Times . November 13, 1997. Retrieved January 22, 2010 .
^
"Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database" .
Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved January 22, 2010 .
^ Stanley, Leo.
"The 18th Letter - Rakim" .
Allmusic . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Baker, Soren (November 14, 1997).
"Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " .
Chicago Tribune . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
Alt URL
^ Christgau, Robert (April 21, 1998).
"Consumer Guide: The 18th Letter " .
The Village Voice . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Ehrlich, Dimitri (December 7, 1997).
"RECORDINGS VIEW ; A Rap Pioneer Defies the Odds - The New York Times" .
The New York Times . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Schreiber, Ryan.
"Rakim: The 18th Letter/The Book of Life: Pitchfork Review" .
Pitchfork Media . Archived from
the original on June 19, 2002. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Morales, Ed (November 10, 1997).
"Rakim: The 18th Letter/The Book of Life : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone" .
Rolling Stone . Archived from
the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^ Columnist (December 1997).
"Music:The 18th Letter/The Book of Life (CD) by Rakim (Artist)" .
The Source . Archived from
the original on November 19, 2009. Retrieved November 19, 2009 .
^ Gonzales, Michael A. (January 1998).
"Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " .
Spin .
^ Jones, Steve (November 4, 1997).
"Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " .
USA Today .
^ Reynolds, J.R.
"Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life " .
Yahoo! Music . Retrieved August 21, 2009 .
^
"Rakim Chart History (Billboard 200)" .
Billboard . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^
"Rakim Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)" .
Billboard . Retrieved February 2, 2020.
^
"Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997" . Billboard . Retrieved May 6, 2021 .
^
"Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998" . Billboard . Retrieved May 6, 2021 .
^
"American album certifications – Rakim – The 18th Letter" .
Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 2, 2020 .
^
"American album certifications – Rakim – The 18th Letter & The Book of Life" .
Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 2, 2020 .
External links