About this Performance

Rakim is one of the greatest rappers ever to step to a microphone. He is almost certainly among your favorite rapper’s favorite rappers. He's been namechecked by 2Pac, Nas, Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Eminem, Ghostface Killah, and many, many others, and in 2012 he was named the greatest lyricist of all time by no less an authority than The Source.

The fuel for all that love largely comes from a pair of records he released with producer Eric B.: 1987’s Paid in Full and 1988’s Follow the Leader. Using new techniques like internal rhythm, intricately plotted storytelling, and thoughtful metaphors, he reshaped people's understanding of what a rap song could be and do; the building blocks of hip-hop over the last three decades were largely laid by Rakim.

In 2024, he released his first record in 15 years, G.O.D.’s Network: Reb7rth, featuring contributions from Nipsey Hussle, Snoop Dogg, and Planet Asia.

Planet Asia, himself a legend of west coast rap, made his name in the Bay Area underground with singles like “Definition of Ill” and “Place of Birth.” He broke wide with his 2004 album The Grand Opening, which won Independent Album of the Year in The Source, and has been releasing thoughtful rhymes ever since.

This is your chance to see two rappers who fundamentally changed the game show off what they do best, all in the intimate environment of The Ford.

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