Album Review: G.O.D.’s Network (REB7RTH) by Rakim
Recognized as one of the greatest lyricists ever, The God MC showcases his lyrical and production skills, including loaded guest features with his first album in fifteen years.
Rakim is widely acknowledged within the hip-hop community as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, MCs of all time. His reputation doesn’t rest solely on what he raps about, as many of his lyrics revolve around his skills and Islamic faith. It’s how he delivers his lines that sets him apart. Rakim’s smooth, fluid flow, accented with jazz-like beats, conveys an effortless coolness that makes it sound like he’s hardly exerting himself.
He elevated the bar for the MC technique higher than ever before by pioneering the use of internal rhymes that occur within a line rather than just at the end. Unlike many MCs who honed their skills through improvisational battles, Rakim was among the first to demonstrate the potential of sitting down to write intricately constructed lyrics filled with clever word choices and metaphors. He also had the delivery skills to make those lyrics come alive.
Even after numerous MCs adopted and expanded his techniques, Rakim’s early work remains strikingly fresh. His return to recording in the late ‘90s only bolstered his legend further. The first two full-length albums with Eric B., Paid in Full (1987) and Follow the Leader (1988), are still hailed as hip-hop classics. Rakim set a blueprint for other innovative MCs, ensuring that East Coast rap maintained a reputation for advanced lyrical technique despite emerging scenes elsewhere.
Although the subsequent Eric B. & Rakim albums, Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em (1990) and Don’t Sweat the Technique (1992), weren’t as consistent as their predecessors, they still contained plenty of exceptional moments. After parting ways with Eric B., Rakim signed with Universal and released his solo debut, The 18th Letter, in 1997. His follow-up, The Master, received mixed reviews; some praised it, while others were disappointed it didn’t revolutionize hip-hop as his earlier work had. Criticism was also aimed at the lack of cohesiveness among the various producers he collaborated with.
In 2001, Rakim signed with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label and began working on a new album titled Oh My God. Though it was ultimately shelved, fans later received The Seventh Seal in 2009.Fifteen years later, the God MC returns with his self-produced record, G.O.D.’s Network (REB7RTH), and it’s LOADED with guest features. Starting with the opening track, “Be Ill,” is a lyrical exercise that exhibits the extraordinary skills of Rakim, Kurupt, and Masta Killa, each bringing their distinct experiences and perspectives to the forefront. Rakim initiates the track with a complex yet cohesive verse, displaying his prowess through lines like “Design flows in binary codes, no matrix,” Kurupt then steps in with a more aggressive and raw energy, and Masta Killa concludes with a verse rich in philosophical musings and historical references, synthesizing life wisdom with metaphysical thought.
Rakim opens “Now Is the Time” with introspective bars on a simplistic boom-bap beat reflecting on mortality and legacy, touching on the dichotomy of success and the inevitability of death: “Knowing my opponent is death Loving every minute ‘till not a moment is left.” As Compton Menace provides the hook, B.G. pays homage to his roots and the enduring influence of his past, celebrating his ascent without losing sight of his foundation, and Hus KingPin’s verse provides a vivid narrative blend of luxury and street life, rich with imagery and cultural references.
There are songs where Rakim doesn’t spit verse and let other spitters shine. The late Nipsey Hussle lends his verse on the positive, “Love Is the Message,” as Planet Asia and Louis King provide decent lyrics, while Snoop Dogg talks on the outro. 38 Spesh’s verse on “God’s Playground” paints a picture of his survival in the streets, using vivid imagery and a transformation narrative. The late Fred the Godson continues this theme by juxtaposing his hustle with his rising status: “They say I’m in the popular space, I won’t stop till I’m dropping the rave,” emphasizing hustle and progress. Skyzoo’s contribution is steeped in personal growth and reflection as he recounts his climb from adversity: “My legacy was chucked from the junk, kept the cocoon tight.” DMX provides a prayer, and it’s still heartbreaking that he’s not here with us.
On “Pendulum Swing,” KXNG Crooked’s verse is filled with immaculate wordplay per usual and cultural references: “I’m powered by the tropical sun, the biological son of Black Zeus.” La the Darkman continues this trend with raw, aggressive bars emphasizing his ruthless mindset: “Chop ’em all like a meat cleaver.” Canibus gets into his surreal imagery and dense metaphors, evoking scenes of chaos and resistance: “Achilles get slashed in half by the sound.” Finally, Chino XL caps the track with explosive energy and poetic violence, delivering standouts like, “Chino XL, but I’m every size when I’m spitting.”
“International” features the album’s best production, and each MC brings their distinct styles to create a multifaceted narrative on success, resilience, and street savviness. Kool G Rap starts with a verse full of gritty visuals and clever wordplay, highlighting his enduring skill in painting a vivid picture of street life and luxury with lines like “Jim carried jewelry cause it gleamed dumb and dumber.” Tristate continues this theme but incorporates a more abstract, almost surreal approach with imagery. Joell Ortiz adds a raw, autobiographical layer to the track, blending aggression with humor in his depiction of toughness and survival in the music industry, with lines like “I extended the new attachment,” providing a sharp contrast to the earlier verses’ focus on material success.
The album’s closer, “Sign of Se7en,” showcases the nuanced stylistic approaches of its contributing artists in a manner that mirrors their respective histories and ideologies. While Rakim is nowhere to be found and Big Twins handling the hook, Prodigy’s verse envelops the listener in a narrative of grit and dominance cloaked in metaphors of darkness—a recurring theme symbolizing power and anonymity, X-Raided in the third verse introduces a strikingly ferocious tone of relentless self-assertion and critical observation of disloyalty in the industry, and Method Man’s contribution steals the show in the second verse invigorates the track with its clever lyricism and introspective acknowledgment of deception within personal and professional fields.
As you can tell, it’s a compilation-styled album with seven songs, over thirty minutes, and loaded with various MCs that deliver different types of styles from every coast. While the verses were solid, it’s nothing worthwhile, and Rakim’s production was fine, but it would’ve turned up a notch had he worked with different producers that could give the album much-needed spark. The God MC only rapped on two songs, so the fans will likely be disappointed by his lack of influential lyricism throughout the album. Although it took four years for this LP to complete, we’re happy that our pioneers are still doing the work, no matter the outcome.
Above Average (★★★☆☆)
Favorite Track(s): “Be Ill,” “International,” “Sign of Se7en”