Rakim Explains Why He Regrets Treating His Rap Peers as Enemies

Rakim served as the special guest speaker at the annual Black Book Fair, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., this past Saturday. The Hip Hop pioneer detailed his life story described in his memoir, Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius, before explaining his failure to embrace his peers during the 80s and 90s.

"I used to beat myself up because I was that dude. I wouldn't conversate with too many other emcees. If I did, it was 'What up, peace!,' 'Thank you,' 'Later,' type of thing," Rakim responded when asked about the younger generation's willingness to collaborate with each other. "All I knew were the streets and I kind of incorporated what I knew from the streets into Hip-Hop. I didn't let nobody get close to me. I drew that line in the sand and dared somebody to step over it. That's all I knew."

Rakim added that he no longer saw his peers as enemies once he got older. He also said he's always had respect for many of the rappers from his era but always had trouble expressing that to them. The "Paid in Full" rapper described an interaction with LL Cool J in which he expressed his love for the rapper despite their previous issues in earlier years before shouting out multiple rappers that he has respect for.

"I was going through my…'Ra… man it's alright. You can take your foot off they neck. It's not like that," Rakim continued. "You know, L is doing this thing. Big Daddy Kane. EPMD. Slick Rick. All these brothers that I came up with, it wasn't like they all were against Ra. I just realized, growing and maturing…I just wanted to make things right. And let these brothers know, regardless so you know what we've been through or what I might have said…or vice versa…I have a lot of love and respect for them. To this day, EPMD, Kane, and KRS-One…there is nothing but love."

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