Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Hip-Hop Legend Rakim Will Perform All Of 'Paid In Full' Live In NYC This Summer
By
Scott Heins
Published Feb 17, 2016
Modified Feb 17, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Scott Heins
Published Feb 17, 2016
Modified Feb 17, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
One of New York City's most important and respected rappers, Rakim, has announced his master plan: to perform all of Paid In Full live at B.B. King's this summer. Released in 1987 and widely regarded as a pillar of East Coast hip-hop's "golden era," the LP cemented Rakim's position as one of the genre's most artful craftsman. It introduced a level of rhyme complexity and introspective narrative that was scarcely heard at the time— and, of course, came packing the tenacious beat productions of disc jockey Eric B.
Since it was released, Paid in Full has netted the prestigious "5 Mic" award by the Source, a rating meant to signify full-on rap perfection. Rolling Stone listed it at number 228 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list in 2003. From beginning to end Eric B.'s deft turntable scratches and Rakim's insightful verses make for an experience that few other albums have matched. Paid in Full is a perfect pairing of brains and bass. It's a thinking-man's album that knocks you on your ass. It's one of Nas's personal favorites. Music really doesn't get any realer.
Rakim's front-to-back performance of the album will happen on July 13th at BB King's, and tickets go on sale this Friday. If you can't stand to wait that long, though, you'll be able to catch the MC on stage with The Soul Rebels later this month at Brooklyn Bowl. [h/t Brooklyn Vegan]
Tagged
BB King's
Eric B
hip hop
Rakim
Scott Heins
Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 16, 2026
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
We went to the Spiciest Supper Club singles night to take the temperature of New York City's dating scene.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
The hottest way to show you're an authentic New Yorker is… riding a Citi Bike?
By
Lindsay Lee Wallace
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .