The 7 Best Songs From Rakim’s ‘G.O.D.s NETWORK – REB7RTH’ Album
Widely regarded as the chief architect of modern lyricism, Rakim is the epitome of Hip-Hop royalty, as his reputation and contributions to the culture precede him. Nearly 40 years removed from his debut, he could easily rest on his laurels and reside in the shadows, but after 15 years playing the background, Rakim returns to the forefront with his new album, G.O.D.s NETWORK – REB7RTH.
Entirely produced by Rakim himself, the album includes a slew of high-powered guest appearances, from posthumous showings by Nipsey Hussle, DMX, and Prodigy, as well as Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Kool G Rap and more.
After giving Rakim’s latest work a spin, VIBE ranked the best songs on G.O.D.s NETWORK – REB7RTH that made the album required listening for any rap fan.
“Sign Of Se7en”
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Listeners are gifted a posthumous verse from Prodigy, as the late Mobb Deep member sets the tone with a cocksure verse that meshes seamlessly with Rakim‘s soulful backdrop on this closing cut. Method Man takes off with a sterling stanza, while X-Raided keeps up the moment before dialogue between Rakim and Charlemagne Tha God ends this selection.
“Pendulum Swing”
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Rakim squads up with a team of potent scribes on this hard-boiled offering, as KXNG Crooked, Canibus, La The Darkman, and Chino XL join the rap vet in lyrical slaughter. KXNG Crooked bats first, followed by Rakim, who passes the baton off to La The Darkman, with Canibus and Chino rounding things off with proficient performances of their own.
“International”
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A Rakim and Kool G Rap pairing in 2024 is nothing short of a Hip-Hop blessing, as the two rap titans sound as crisp as ever on this standout, which features added reinforcement from Joell Ortiz and Tristate.
“God’s Playground”
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DMX‘s words of wisdom at track’s end make this salvo worthwhile, but when you consider 38 Spesh’s clever opening verse, Rakim‘s steadiness on the hook, Fred The Godson‘s posthumous appearance, and Skyzoo‘s brilliance, giving this selection a spin is a no-brainer.
“Be Ill”
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Released as the first single and warning shot announcing Rakim‘s grand return, this offering set the bar high. Featuring Kurupt and Masta Ace, this collab put heads on notice and served as proof that Ra’s timeless flow was intact and as pristine as ever.
“Now Is The Time”
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Living in the moment is the lesson embedded in this terse standout, as Rakim, Hus KingPin, B.G., and Compton Menace make it clear that time is of the essence atop a brooding backdrop, courtesy of the master poet himself.
“Love Is The Message”
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A heavy dose of reality rap is delivered on this contemplative number, which is headlined by a posthumous verse from Nipsey Hussle, and includes contributions from Planet Asia, Louis King, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and Snoop Dogg.
