Rakim is back like he’s never left on his new single, “Be Ill” featuring Masta Killa and Kurupt. It also arrives with its music video.
On his self-produced record, the legendary the New York MC gets into the zone and showcases both his lyrical and scratching prowess.
“Lab hitter, progress, the God’s magnificent / Patterns differ, context, my compositions hit, fathom quicker / Conquest, a conscious lyricist, atom splitter / Complex, it’s quantum physics.”
Kurupt counters with fiery bars spitting, “My abilities, to create mass delusion / Headaches, heartaches, and mass confusion / Contusions, I give out for free / Five at a time, one for two, and two for three,” before Masta Killa follows suite.
“This picture of my life intelligence / Stimulates life and matter, so eloquent / A thought so delicate, yet weighs more than elephants / Strokes of excellence, extracted from the elements.”
“Be Bill” is lifted off Rakim’s upcoming fourth solo album, G.O.D.s’ Network (Reb7rth), arriving July 26.