Rakim: Paid In Full – Live in New York 4/8/10 [Video]

MORE COVERAGE/VIDS/PICS FROM RAKIM’S PERFORMANCE

Legendary hip hop icon Rakim graced the stage of a Long Island, NY nightclub last night, minutes away from his home town of Wyandanch, headlining a Legends of Hip Hop concert at The Crazy Donkey in Farmingdale. The rap veteran showcased his twenty-plus years in his hip hop career, effortlessly flowing through classic material, as well as songs from his latest album, The Seventh Seal.

Rakim seemed relaxed and calm in front of a hometown audience, many of whom were personal acquaintances and family, including nephew Jreadi, who was one of the local acts opening for the “God MC”. Never one to rhyme rambunctious, Rakim’s laid back demeanor continues to lie in stark contrast to the clarity of his voice, and strength of his vocal timing. A commanding presence on stage, Rakim was not afraid to literally leap into the crowd on a couple of occasions, at one point stopping the show to take photographs within the audience.

Slight audio problems and a scuffle among photographers and videographers jockeying for position didn’t disrupt the hip hop homecoming for one of the genres most respected talents, and Rakim did not disappoint those who came to see his classic material brought to life. Golden era hits such as “Move The Crowd”, “My Melody”, “Microphone Fiend” and more rumbled through the building, with most of the crowd participating in nostalgic singalong. For the older folks in attendance, the show was a throwback to an earlier time in hip hop, and to the younger folks, especially fellow rappers, the night provided a lesson that rocking a show doesn’t have to be an aggressive, chaotic affair, that with the voice, lyrics, beats and charisma, they too can be “Paid In Full”.

Check back with Birthplace Magazine for more pictures and videos from the event.

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Rakim – Paid In Full [Live 04-08-10] from Birthplace Magazine on Vimeo.