5 Things to Know About Eric B. & Rakim's Paid in Full

It was released on July 7, 1987, on 4th & B’way Records. The album marked a turning point in hip-hop with its complex lyrics and minimalist production.

Rakim’s lyrical style was revolutionary. He introduced internal rhymes and a smoother, more intellectual delivery that moved away from the simple party rhymes of earlier rap.

Eric B.’s production relied heavily on James Brown samples. The beats were stripped-down and hard-hitting, setting a new standard for hip-hop production.

The album is widely considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time. Its influence on later artists and the genre’s evolution is undeniable.

Paid in Full helped shift hip-hop from party music to a more serious art form. It proved rap could be both commercially successful and artistically ambitious.