Follow The Leader (studio album) by Eric B. & Rakim

Album Rating: 78.27
(861/11)

25.07.1988

Eric B. & Rakim (USA): Follow The Leader

1.Follow The Leader 90
2.Microphone Fiend 85
3.Lyrics Of Fury 83
4.Eric B. Never Scared 72
5.Just A Beat 70
6.Put Your Hands Together 74
7.To The Listeners 80
8.No Competition 79
9.R 78
10.Musical Massacre 77
11.Beats For The Listeners 73

This is my favorite Eric B. and Rakim album. Both MC and producer are at their best here.

From Larcx13 11/04/2020 03:02

I could do without the instrumentals but in a way it makes it better. Every track where Rakim spits, all 8 of them, are pure gold on this one. I found Paid in Full inconsistent compared to this.

From Boltzmann 01/11/2020 11:32

Nothing new here, but shit it's good.

If Paid in Full was the blueprint for golden age hip-hop albums, then Follow the Leader is the tower. Rakim's rapping at this point far outclasses his contemporaries, and Eric-B's beats and record scratching are some of my favourites of the decade save for maybe some of Jam Master Jay's stuff. A must-listen and criminally underrated here.

Typical hip hop with a technically skilled MC. Despite its legend status it may have a hard time competing with other late 80s hip hop releases.

From junodog4 08/09/2018 16:47

Not as strong as Paid in Full, but still a monumental hip-hop work.

From joannajewsom 03/30/2018 15:22

Follow the Leader is one of the best lyrical performances of all time--and it's from the 80s.

From Graeme2 09/30/2017 22:20

Rapping records in the late 80s came out, it seemed, on a near weekly basis that upped the game on the last. The lead single and title track on this, just like the first single on the debut, upped the game to such an extent that it just left all competition destroyed. Well, competition is none eh. I'd listen back and memorise that single that much I nearly wore the tape out. The first 3 tracks on the album are as good as any album, in any genre, ever. Yep, too many instrumentals but the actual rapping cuts, especially the first three are fucking jaw dropping. Why the fudge do you think he is so revered? I think I bought it the day it came out. What's with that strange fade before the end of lyrics of fury though? Never understood that. Anyways, what the fuck is it with rating it 20 and shit like that? You don't like the rap? Why listen? Weird.

From Graeme2 12/06/2013 12:22

Too many instrumentals. Probably rushed it out quickly which is a shame as the first 3 tracks are as good as any on any hip hop album. Still a great listen and the instrumentals are good but this should of been up there with the greatest albums.