Rakim (pronounced Rah-Kem) (full name Rakim Allah, born William Michael Griffin Jr. on January 28 1968 in Wyandanch, Long Island, New York) is a legendary old school American rapper. He rose to prominence in New York as half of the duo Eric B. & Rakim from 1986 to 1992 before pursuing a solo career. At age 16, he converted to Islam, adopting the Muslim name Rakim Allah. While Rakim never achieved worldwide household-name popularity or complete chart domination, the respect accorded him within the industry itself as a lyrical innovator who pioneered the heavy use of complex internal rhyme schemes is nearly unmatched. Many chart-topping artists such as Nas, Eminem, and 50 Cent have acknowledged an important debt to Rakim's style (see below). He is widely considered one of the most influential and greatest rappers to ever grace the mic. Legacy Many hip hop/rap artists (both underground and mainstream) acknowledge