Rakim Reactions
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC1d5Oqa-AjX1fxw2Cxe_M6djPSLuQhY5&feature=shared

PUSH UP IS A OLD SCHOOL SAYING WHEN THEY SAID PUSHUP ON A GIRL THEY MEANT GO TALK TO HER

WARNING: This younger generation need not bother to review these classics without an old-head present

Rakim was a saxophone player. He admires John Coltrane. His rhyming styles are equivalent to jazz music.

He was saying he was riding the subway train to school. On the train were a group of girls who knew his reputation. The girls were admiring and whispering about him. He noticed it, then "pushed up" as in approached the one he liked. The "inspect the thighs" line meant he was checking out her body.

Its hard for a modern-day rap fan to understand the metaphors of a true classic hip hop artist. That why we call it hip hop.  You have to be hip to learn meaning. Keep studying and learn well my brother.

Son you about 50 yrs late....😂 it's funny to watch them discover our time.  I'm THANKFUL and GLAD that  u took the time to listen.  FOLLOW THE LEADER is my fave

Do a reaction to "Let the Rhythm Hit em" and "Casualties of War". I think you'll really appreciate the lyricism and messages in both of em.

buckshot as in 12 gauge ammo

Ra is the greatest lyrist, it's a metaphor my dude

It’s interesting how you deciphered his drum pattern style of rapping. He was a drummer in high school, and his parents were musicians. Great reaction!

In an interview, the God MC said he starts with 16 dots on the paper. Sees a graph for each line, then writes.

Careless Minds,,,, what’s good!!!
U are doing great with the Rakim songs

Ur next Rakim reaction should be
“Let The Rhythm Hit EM!!!!!”
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🏆
Bars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Flow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great question.
He studied the jazz musician Colerain. I noticed his horn pattern was different so he felt he can create a flow thay was different.

All praises due to the God….his style is two part….first off his influenced by jazz timing he use to play the saxophone…secondly he broke bars down to 4 by 4 and seen how many rhyming words he could fit in each bar…a style Nas Eminem Kendrick to name a few learnt from…..plus like a true MC he mainly talks about mic skill not his life school….masterful👑👌🏽

Rakim actually played the drums on this track.  He's a jazz enthusiast also and his flow mimics a jazz instrument.

Yes Sir. Now you're learning young fella... Now check out Big Daddy Kane "Ain't no half steppi'n" lyrics...

Also Buckshot wasn't a thought yet, nor Smif-n-Wessun. He's actually referring to gun activity.

Rakim is a saxophone player.
When he raps, think of the cadence of a saxophone solo.

He doesn't write by word.
He writes by syllable.

He's your favorite rapper's favorite rapper.

He was a jazz sax player in jazz 🎵🎶 notes bounce rapidly back in fourth like type writers