“Paid in Full,” the seminal debut album by Eric B. & Rakim, was crafted through a blend of innovative production techniques and Rakim’s intricate lyricism. The duo recorded the album at Power Play Studios in NYC, completing it in approximately a week. They often engaged in marathon sessions, sometimes lasting up to 48 hours, to meet their budget constraints.
Rakim’s approach to writing was notably spontaneous; he would listen to the beats, compose his lyrics on the spot, and then immediately record them. Reflecting on this process, he remarked, “We went into the studio, we laid the beat down, I took the notebook and did the rhymes right there.”
The production prominently featured sampling, a relatively novel technique at the time. For instance, the track “Eric B. Is President” is built around a sample from James Brown’s “Funky President,” showcasing their innovative use of existing music to create fresh sounds.
For a deeper insight into the creation of the iconic track “Paid in Full,” you might find this interview with Rakim enlightening: