The 18th Letter

The 18th Letter is the debut solo album of American emcee Rakim, released November 4, 1997, on Universal Records in the United States. The album features production by DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Father Shaheed, Nick Wiz and DJ Premier.[1] It contains lyrical themes that concern the hip hop's golden age, Rakim's rapping prowess, and the state of hip hop.[2]

This article is about the 1997 hip hop album by Rakim. For the 18th letter of the English alphabet, see R.
The 18th Letter
Studio album by
Rakim
ReleasedNovember 4, 1997 (1997-11-04)
Length54:10
LabelUniversal Records
ProducerDJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Father Shaheed, Nick Wiz, DJ Premier
Rakim chronology
The 18th Letter
(1997)		 The Master
(1999)

Background

It is his first release of new material, following a five-year hiatus after Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) as duo Eric B. & Rakim.[3][4] The album's title refers to the letter "R" being the eighteenth letter of the English alphabet.

Deluxe version

A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with the compilation disc The Book of Life (UD2-53111),[5] an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.[6] The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP.

Commercial performance

The 18th Letter debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart[7] and was certified Gold in the United States.[8]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[9]
Chicago Tribune[10]
Robert Christgau[11]
The New York Times(favorable)[12]
Pitchfork Media(8.0/10)[13]
Rolling Stone[14]
The Source[15]
Spin(7/10)[16]
USA Today[17]
Yahoo! Music(favorable)[18]

Track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Intro" 0:13
2."The 18th Letter (Always and Forever)"
3:01
3."Skit" 0:24
4."It's Been a Long Time"
3:58
5."Remember That"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:40
6."The Saga Begins"
4:22
7."Skit" 0:19
8."Guess Who's Back"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:11
9."Stay a While"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:25
10."New York (Ya Out There)"
4:04
11."Show Me Love"
  • Nick Wiz
4:19
12."Skit" 0:19
13."The Mystery (Who Is God?)"
  • Naughty Shorts
  • Kid Nyce
  • Bill Blass[a]
5:21
14."When I'm Flowin'"
  • Pete Rock
5:04
15."It's Been a Long Time (Suave House Mix)"
  • Mo-Suave-A
3:59
16."Guess Who's Back (Alternative Mix)"
  • DJ Clark Kent
4:11
17."Outro" 1:20
Total length:54:10

Notes

The Book of Life
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I Know You Got Soul" (from Paid In Full)
4:43
2."Follow the Leader" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
5:32
3."Eric B. Is President" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
6:15
4."Microphone Fiend" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
5:13
5."I Ain't No Joke" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:52
6."Lyrics of Fury" (from Follow the Leader)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
4:11
7."My Melody" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
6:47
8."Know the Ledge" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:58
9."Move the Crowd" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:36
10."Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
5:24
11."Mahogany" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
  • Paul C
  • Large Professor
4:27
12."In the Ghetto" (from Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
  • Paul C
  • Large Professor
5:26
13."Casualties of War" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
4:02
14."The Punisher" (from Don't Sweat the Technique)
  • Griffin
  • Eric B.
4:06
15."Paid in Full" (from Paid In Full)
  • Griffin
  • Barrier
  • Eric B.
  • Rakim
3:49
Total length:1:11:21

Charts

Weekly charts
Chart (1997) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[19] 4
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[20] 1

Certifications
Certifications for The 18th Letter
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[21] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

The 18th Letter & The Book of Life
Certifications for The 18th Letter & The Book of Life
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[22] Gold 500,000^

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

See also
  • List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 (U.S.)

References
  1. Gaillard, Mazi (1 December 1997). "CD Review 36 - Juice Magazine". Juice Magazine.
  2. Diers, James (24 December 1997). "Rakim: The 18th Letter, page 1 - Music - City Pages". City Pages. Archived from the original on 1 August 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  3. Coleman, Brian (January 1998). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". CMJ New Music Monthly.
  4. Wilson, Ken (11 December 1997). "RAKIM, "THE 18TH LETTER/THE BOOK OF LIFE, UNIVERSAL"". The Cincinnati Post. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  5. Jacobs, Qa'id. "The 18th Letter/The Book of Life - Rakim". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  6. Chandler, Justin (1 April 2008). "Rakim :: The 18th Letter :: MCA/Universal Records". RapReviews. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  7. "Rappers Mase, Jay-Z, Rakim Lead Pack". Los Angeles Times. 13 November 1997. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  8. "Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 22 January 2010.
  9. Stanley, Leo. "The 18th Letter - Rakim". Allmusic. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  10. Baker, Soren (14 November 1997). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on |archive-url= requires |archive-date= (help). Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  11. Christgau, Robert (21 April 1998). "Consumer Guide: The 18th Letter". The Village Voice. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  12. Ehrlich, Dimitri (7 December 1997). "RECORDINGS VIEW ; A Rap Pioneer Defies the Odds - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  13. Schreiber, Ryan. "Rakim: The 18th Letter/The Book of Life: Pitchfork Review". Pitchfork Media. Archived from the original on 5 October 1999. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  14. Morales, Ed (10 November 1997). "Rakim: The 18th Letter/The Book of Life : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  15. Columnist (December 1997). "Music:The 18th Letter/The Book of Life (CD) by Rakim (Artist)". The Source. Archived from the original on 18 April 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  16. Gonzales, Michael A. (January 1998). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". Spin.
  17. Jones, Steve (November 4, 1997). "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". USA Today.
  18. Reynolds, J.R. "Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life". Yahoo! Music. Retrieved 21 August 2009.
  19. "Rakim Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  20. "Rakim Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  21. "American album certifications – Rakim – The 18th Letter". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 February 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
  22. "American album certifications – Rakim – The 18th Letter & The Book of Life". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 February 2020. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
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