Hip-hop pioneer Rakim is back with a new song, “Be Ill,” the lead single from his first new album in 15 years, G.O.D.’s Network (Reb7rth), out July 26.
On “Be Ill,” Rakim is as lyrically dexterous as ever, rhyming, “Design flows in binary codes, no matrix/Light-speeds, time could be froze, no spaceships/Walking paradox, I made them all believers/Shift the paradigm, even time, alter features.” The song also finds Rakim bringing the two coasts together with guest verses from Wu-Tang Clan member Masta Killa and Tha Dogg Pound MC Kurupt.
Rakim produced “Be Ill,” just as he did for all the songs on G.O.D.’s Network — marking the first time he’s ever produced a whole album by himself. G.O.D.’s Network marks Rakim’s fourth solo album and first since 2009’s The Seventh Seal. It’ll boast an array of guests, including Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Joell Ortiz, B.G., Skyzoo, Kool G Rap,, KXNG Crooked, Planet Asia, and 38 Spesh; and there’ll be several posthumous features from DMX, Nipsey Hustle, and Prodigy.
In the years since The Seventh Seal, Rakim dropped a handful of singles like 2013’s “Don’t Call Me” (with DMX, Shontelle, and Aleks D.) and 2016’s “Walk” (with Orion Peace); most recently, he contributed a track, “Black Messiah,” to the soundtrack album inspired by the 2021 film Judas and the Black Messiah. Rakim also guested on songs like Linkin Park’s 2014 track, “Guilty All the Same” and Busta Rhymes 2020 cut, “E.L.E. 2 Intro.”
During this period, Rakim also notably reunited with Eric B. In 2017 and 2018, the legendary duo embarked on their first tour since 1992 and also reissued their entire catalog on vinyl for the first time.
G.O.D.’s Network (Reb7rth) Track List
1. “Be Ill” (Feat. Kurupt & Masta Killa)
2. “Now Is The Time” (Feat. B.G., Hus Kingpin & Compton Menance)
3. “Love Is The Message” (Feat. Nipsey Hussle, Snoop Dogg, Planet Asia, Louis King, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt & The L.A. Grand Choir)
5. “God’s Playground” (Feat. 38 Spesh, Skyzoo, Fred The Godson & DMX)
6. “Pendulum Swing” (Feat. KXNG Crooked, Canibus, LA The Darkman & Chino XL)
7. “International” (Feat. Kool G Rap, Joell Ortiz & Tristate)
8. “Sign Of Se7en” (Feat. Prodigy, Method Man, X- Raided & Big Twins)