Eric B. & Rakim – Follow The Leader (2xLP)

Follow the Leader, released July 26, 1988, is the second studio album by Eric B. & Rakim, and it builds on their groundbreaking debut by pushing their sonic palette and lyrical ambition further. Recorded at Power Play Studios in Queens, New York, Eric B. handled production while Rakim expanded his role in composition and arrangement, with contributions from his brother Stevie Blass Griffin. The duo turned toward more intricate sampling, layering jazz and funk textures beneath Rakim’s dense delivery. With greater polish and conceptual depth, the record situates itself within hip-hop’s golden age while exemplifying the era’s spirit of technical evolution. 

Singles such as “Follow the Leader,” “Microphone Fiend,” “Lyrics of Fury,” and “The R” showcase a combination of lyrical dexterity and moody production that underscores the duo’s chemistry. Rakim’s flow on this album is characterized by internal rhyme, rhythmic flexibility, and confident restraint, while Eric B.’s beats meld harder funk breaks with ambient touches and melodic restraint. Though not uniformly cohesive in scope, Follow the Leader is remembered for its high points—moments that redefined what MCs and DJs could achieve in tandem. Its influence has echoed through successive waves of hip-hop artists who see the record as an early benchmark in lyrical craft and production sophistication.

"One of the greatest pure hip-hop acts at the top of its form, and that's enough to make the album a classic." – AllMusic

“Follow the Leader saw the duo bringing the jazz and funk elements more into the mix, with Rakim’s rhymes dancing over grooves that demand attention.” – JazzMusicArchives