Quick Verdict Paid in Full arrived on July 7, 1987, and immediately set a new standard for what technical rap performance could be. Eric B. & Rakim’s debut album is the record that introduced Rakim Allah — widely regarded as the greatest technical MC in hip-hop history — to the world, and the record that permanently elevated the expectations placed on rappers from a rhythmic and lyrical standpoint. Eric B.’s production drew on James Brown, Marvin Gaye, and Bobby Byrd to bui