Released in 1987, Paid in Full redefined hip-hop and built its blueprint. From its groundbreaking lyrics to innovative production, Eric B. & Rakim’s debut album remains a cornerstone of golden-age hip-hop. But there’s more to this record than meets the ear. Here are five lesser-known facts about the album that changed everything:
1. Written in a Flash—Literally
Rakim wrote the lyrics for “Paid in Full” in under five minutes, just hours before the duo’s record label deadline. Eric B. added the now-iconic ad-lib at the end to extend the song. The result? A timeless anthem that wasn’t meticulously planned but captured the duo’s raw brilliance. It’s proof that sometimes the best art comes under pressure.
2. A Game-Changing Sample
“I Know You Got Soul” didn’t just popularize James Brown samples—it made them essential to hip-hop’s DNA. With its digitized cymbal crashes, breathing sounds, and infectious bassline, the track elevated sampling to an art form. Fun fact: British band M|A|R|R|S borrowed the “Pump up the volume” lyric for their chart-topping single of the same name.
3. Flavor Flav in “I Ain’t No Joke”
The music video for “I Ain’t No Joke” is a time capsule of golden-age hip-hop, featuring Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav dancing alongside Rakim. Shot on a shoestring budget, the video used Harlem hangout spots as its backdrop. Rakim’s no-cursing lyrical approach in the song helped it dominate airwaves, proving that hard-hitting rhymes didn’t need profanity to make an impact.
4. The Remix That Divided Opinions
The “Seven Minutes of Madness” Coldcut remix of “Paid in Full” became one of hip-hop’s first commercially successful remixes, mixing Ofra Haza’s haunting vocals with the original track. While Eric B. dismissed it as “girly disco music,” Rakim called it the best remix he’d ever heard. It even helped introduce Haza’s music to a global audience.
5. Dapper Dan and the Album Cover
The iconic Paid in Full cover, with Eric B. and Rakim decked out in custom Gucci outfits, wasn’t your typical photo shoot. These pieces were crafted by Harlem’s legendary designer Dapper Dan, whose work defined streetwear’s early luxury aesthetic. The cover became as legendary as the music, symbolizing the duo’s blend of grit and style.
Paid in Full the birth of a movement, a cultural shift, and an eternal reminder of hip-hop’s boundless creativity. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or hearing it for the first time, its legacy continues to pump up the volume.
