Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em is the third album by groundbreaking hip-hop duo Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim

Eric B. & Rakim were a hip-hop duo composed of DJ Eric Barrier and MC Rakim .Hailing from Long Island, New York, the pair are generally considered by hip hop enthusiasts to be one of the most influential and innovative groups in the genre...

, released in 1990. The group's sound develops further, with Rakim adopting a deeper, more aggressive tone of voice, and more mature and serious subject matter. Musically, the production ranges from smoother soulful tracks such as "In the Ghetto" to the hard-edge assault of the title track "Let the Rhythm Hit ’Em." Despite the fact that it doesn't boast singles as popular as the duo's previous albums ("Paid in Full

Paid in Full (album)

Paid in Full is the debut album of American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released July 7, 1987, on the Island-subsidiary label 4th & B'way Records. The duo recorded the album at hip hop producer Marley Marl's home studio and Power Play Studios in New York City, following Rakim's response to Eric...

" and "Follow the Leader

Follow the Leader (Eric B. & Rakim album)

Follow the Leader is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim, released July 25, 1988 on MCA-subsidiary label Uni Records. It is the follow-up to their debut album Paid in Full...

") it is considered by many to be the duo’s most coherent album. The album is one of a few that have received a 5-mic rating when it was reviewed in The Source

The Source (magazine)

The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...

Magazine. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.

The back cover features a dedication to the memories of Rakim's father William and producer Paul C.http://fatlacemagazine.uproxx.com/?p=1633, who had worked on many of the album's tracks before his murder in July 1989. Paul's protégé Large Professor

Large Professor

Large Professor , also known as Large Pro and Xtra P, is a New York City-based hip hop record producer and emcee. He is also best known as a founding member of the influential underground hip hop group Main Source, and as a frequent collaborator with Nas...

 completed his work. Neither receive credit in the album's notes.

Track listing

1. "Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em"
2. "No Omega"
3. "In the Ghetto"
4. "Step Back"
5. "Eric B. Made My Day"
6. "Run for Cover"
7. "Untouchables"
8. "Mahogany"
9. "Keep 'Em Eager to Listen"
10. "Set 'Em Straight"
11. "Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em" (12" vocal version remix) [CD bonus track]

Later Samples

• "Mahogany" is sampled in "N.Y. State of Mind
  N.Y. State of Mind
  "N.Y. State of Mind" is the second track and first song track from Nas' debut album Illmatic. Production is by DJ Premier who samples two jazz songs for the track's beat: "Mind Rain" by Joe Chambers and "Flight Time" by Donald Byrd. Premier additionally scratches vocals from Eric B. & Rakim's...
  
  " from the album Illmatic
  Illmatic
  Illmatic is the debut album of American rapper Nas, released April 19, 1994, on Columbia Records. Following his signing to Columbia with the help of MC Serch, recording sessions for the album took place during 1992 to 1993 at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording...
  
  and "N.Y. State of Mind Pt. II" by Nas
  Nas
  Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
  
   from the album I Am… It was later covered by Robin Thicke
  Robin Thicke
  Robin Charles Thicke is an Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as...
  
   in 2009 under the title "Mrs. Sexy."
• "Untouchables" samples "Here Am I" by Donald Byrd
  Donald Byrd
  Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, is an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd is best known as one of the only bebop jazz musicians who successfully pioneered the funk and soul genres while simultaneously remaining a...
  
   (Byrd in Hand
  Byrd in Hand
  Byrd in Hand is an album by Donald Byrd engineered by Rudy Van Gelder. It was recorded in May 1959 and was released in the same year as BLP 4019 and BST 84019...
  
  , 1959)"
• "Set 'Em Straight" is sampled in "Seldom Seen
  Seldom Seen
  Seldom Seen was a horse that competed at the highest levels of dressage with his rider, Lendon Gray.*Lived: 1970-1996*Color: Gray*Sex: Gelding*Height: 14.2 hh*Breed: Connemara/Thoroughbred*Rider: Lendon Gray...
  
  " from the album "Falcon by Design" by Joe Beats
  Joe Beats
  Joe Beats is an American hip hop producer from Rhode Island. He is best known as the co-producer for the duo Non-Prophets.DelCarpini was born in Warwick, Rhode Island.-Non-Prophets:...
  
  & Maker