The 18th Letter explained

The 18th Letter is the debut solo album of American emcee Rakim, released November 4, 1997, on Universal Records in the United States. The album features production by DJ Clark Kent, Pete Rock, Father Shaheed, Nick Wiz and DJ Premier.^[1] It contains lyrical themes that concern hip hop's golden age, Rakim's rapping prowess, and the state of hip hop.^[2]

Background

It is his first release of new material, following a five-year hiatus after Don't Sweat the Technique (1992) as duo Eric B. & Rakim.^{[3] [4]} The album's title refers to the letter "R" being the eighteenth letter of the English alphabet.

Deluxe version

A deluxe version of The 18th Letter was sold with the compilation disc The Book of Life (UD2-53111),^[5] an Eric B. & Rakim greatest hits collection.^[6] The Book of Life was also issued separately as a double vinyl LP.

Commercial performance

The 18th Letter debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart^[7] and was certified Gold in the United States.^[8]

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote that the album "features gripping, richly textured backing tracks and kinetic wordplay filled with references to the Koran; his masterly command of rhyming has only deepened with time."^[9]

Track listing

Notes

• signifies a co-producer.
• "The Mystery (Who Is God?)" contains scratches by DJ Sond

The Book of Life

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1997)	Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[10]	80
Chart (1998)	Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[11]	70

Certifications

The 18th Letter & The Book of Life

See also

• List of number-one R&B albums of 1997 (U.S.)

External links

• The 18th Letter at Discogs
• Web site: Farber . Jim . Rapper Keeps His Cool . . 17 January 2019 . en.
• The Microphone God — By Vibe

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gaillard. Mazi. CD Review 36 - Juice Magazine. Juice Magazine. 1 December 1997.
2. Web site: Diers. James. Rakim: The 18th Letter, page 1 - Music - City Pages. 24 December 1997. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20080801090418/http://www.citypages.com/1997-12-24/music/rakim-the-18th-letter/. City Pages. 1 August 2008. 21 August 2009.
3. Web site: Coleman. Brian. Review: The 18th Letter / The Book of Life. CMJ New Music Monthly. January 1998.
4. Web site: Wilson. Ken. RAKIM, "THE 18TH LETTER/THE BOOK OF LIFE, UNIVERSAL". 11 December 1997. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121026130536/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-67860280.html. The Cincinnati Post. 26 October 2012. 2 February 2020.
5. Web site: Jacobs. Qa'id. The 18th Letter/The Book of Life - Rakim. AllMusic. 21 August 2009.
6. Web site: Chandler. Justin. Rakim :: The 18th Letter :: MCA/Universal Records. RapReviews. 1 April 2008. 21 August 2009.
7. Web site: Rappers Mase, Jay-Z, Rakim Lead Pack. Los Angeles Times. 13 November 1997. 22 January 2010.
8. Web site: Gold & Platinum: Searchable Database. Recording Industry Association of America. 22 January 2010.
9. Web site: Ehrlich. Dimitri. Recordings View; A Rap Pioneer Defies the Odds. The New York Times. 7 December 1997. 21 August 2009.
10. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1997. Billboard. 6 May 2021.
11. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1998. Billboard. 6 May 2021.