Rakim has a new album, The Seventh Seal, that drops on November 17 via Ra Records/SMC Recordings. It’s his first album in a decade, and comes after a long (and ultimately fruitless) stint on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label. The Seventh Seal doesn’t include any Dr. Dre tracks, but it features appearances from Maino, Busta Rhymes, Styles P and Jadakiss. Vitamin D, among many others, provides beats.
There’s no official track listing yet, but Rakim has already set up a national tour with Rhymefest in tow. It kicks off later this week.
Here’s a press snippet:
His first full album of new material in almost a decade, The Seventh Seal is Rakim’s contemporary observation of the Hip-Hop culture he helped define. While staying loyal to his New York roots, Rakim has created a body of work that encompasses the very best of regional, underground and mainstream styles that are reformed and delivered through his intricate lyricism and the seemingly effortless flow for which he is revered. He has enlisted a slew of production talent including Needlz, Nottz, Jake One, Nick Wiz, Ty Fiffe and more on the album’s well-rounded tracks.
The artist states, “The Seventh Seal is my own revelation…my way of taking the best of what Hip-Hop has to offer, what we as a culture and a community have to offer, putting my stamp on it and leading us forward while constantly respecting what we’ve already accomplished. When you’ve been blessed with a career like mine, you develop a deep relationship with the music, and that love is recognized by the true heads that share it with you. You’ll see us keep building as we break through each Seal…showing the best of what I can do in many forms, bringing the energy and having fun, but first I’m laying that foundation and give my longtime fans the conscious fire they expect.”
Here are the tour dates:
- 10/25: Slim’s, San Francisco, CA
- 10/28: El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
- 10/29: Canes, San Diego, CA
- 10/30: Venue, Scottsdale, AZ
- 11/03: House of Blues, Houston, TX
- 11/04: Emo’s, Austin, TX
- 11/06: House of Blues, New Orleans, LA
- 11/09: Amos’ Southend, Charlotte, NC
- 11/11: The Music Farm, Charleston, SC
- 11/12: Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh, NC
- 11/14: Dragonfly Club, Harrisburg, PA
- 11/15: Black Cat, Washington, DC
- 11/17: Toad’s Place, New Haven, CT
- 11/18: Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel, Providence, RI
- 11/19: B.B. King’s, New York, NY
- 11/21: The Asylum, Portland, ME
- 11/22: Paradise Club, Boston, MA
(all dates) w/Rhymefest
The Seventh Seal is definitely a great album which is not that surprising though. He’s been in top 10 in all charts I’ve seen about all time hip hop artists. It is like the the god of hip-hop is back. And the thing I like most is that almost all the songs in the album are good. I mentioned that because most of the other artists release shit albums built around a couple of good singles. Thanks a lot for the review!