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Introduction
Follow the Leader is a hip-hop song by an American rap duo Eric B. & Rakim, the stage names of Eric Barrier and William Griffin. Released in 1988, the song was critically acclaimed and is still considered among the most prominent and influential compositions produced by the rap duo. The song has been described as a track of the space age for its pulsing bass lines and the ambient use of samples. According to Peter Watrous for the New York Times, the contribution of Rakim was the ability to vary rhythms to highlight the lyrics of the song while Eric B.s mix was said to be a minimalist virtuoso. While most of the lyrical content of the song is dedicated to underlining the leadership and supremacy of the lead artist by elevating himself over others, it is important to consider such issues as individual ego and the need for having a community of like-minded people. This paper aims to explore the lyrics of the song in regard to the juxtaposition of seeing oneself as supreme while also being an asset to others.
Main body
Elevating ones advantages and diminishing the worth of others has been a long-standing hip hop tradition associated with the battle rap subculture (Mavima 1). During battles, two rappers face each other to take turns and rap in attempts to outflow, outwit, and demean the other (Mavima 1). Battles can be uncensored and candid, with rappers allowed to say almost anything about their opponents and themselves to provoke an answer that would be targeted at them. Therefore, the traditions of rap battles has a significant contribution to the development of hip hop lyrical genres that would be intended for elevating artists value, success, style, and the ability to perform over others. In Follow the Leader, Rakim spends much of the song diminishing other artists and reasserting his leadership in the hip hop genre (Coleman). The tendencies of braggadocio, inherent to the traditions of battle rap, are evident in Rakims presentation: Self-esteem make me super superb and supreme Before a microphone ( Eric B. & Rakim Follow the Leader Lyrics ). While some may perceive Rakims style as overt bragging about his skills, it aligns with the overall naturalistic and raw nature of rap as a genre in which artists are free to say whatever they want.
The self-praise in which Rakim engages is an important part of his ego development, which would be illustrated in the further analysis. Unlike most modern rap artists, Rakims approach at self-praise is less aggressive and intended to boast his talent rather than financial prosperity, as illustrated in the quote: Self-esteem make me super superb and supreme Before a microphone, still, I fiend [&] In this journey, youre the journal, Im the journalist Am I eternal or an eternalist? ( Eric B. & Rakim Follow the Leader Lyrics ) Im about to flow long as I can possibly go Keep you movin cause the crowd said so Dance! [&] A magnum as a microphone, murderin MCs Lets quote a rhyme from a record I wrote The quoted lyrics show that the artist is eager to show his rapping and flowing skills ( Eric B. & Rakim Follow the Leader Lyrics ). The singer encourages his listeners to follow him on the journey to his solo that would be motivating and everlasting: Follow me into a solo, get in the flow and you could picture, like a photo music makes mellow, maintains to make melodies for MCs, motivates the breaks Im everlasting; I can go on for days and days ( Eric B. & Rakim Follow the Leader Lyrics ). While the invitation to follow Rakims lead is attributed to himself valuing the skills of the rapper, it creates a sense of small community and the common experience that such a community will live through. Having a leader is one of the key characteristics of a group or community. Therefore, by stating that his audience should follow him as a leader, Rakim establishes that there is a group of people who share his vision and attitudes. By saying This is a lifetime mission, the rapper acknowledges his desire to create something that would capture as many people as possible. In the lines, Ive been from state to state. Follow us. Tailgate Keep comin, but you came too late, but Ill wait So back up your group, get a grip, come equipped, Rakim mentions us and your group, which is an indication of a newfound sense of community. Instead of follow me, he says, follow us, instead of him saying that he is the best, he says back up your group ( Eric B. & Rakim Follow the Leader Lyrics ). Thus, there is a progression between the first, middle, and final verses of the song, throughout which the artist recognize his supremacy while also becoming an asset to a group with common ideas and interests.
Conclusion
Follow the Leader is a song that is not only about the artists ego and self-praise but delves deeper into what being a leader means for him. There is a development that takes place, with Rakim recognizing that without a group or a community, his contribution would not be as valued. He encourages others to follow the leader to find a community of likeminded people who do not only value rap as a genre but also as a unifying force.
Works Cited
Coleman, Mark. Follow the Leader. Rolling Stone, 1988, Web.
Eric B. & Rakim Follow the Leader Lyrics. Genius, 2020. Web.
Mavima, Shingi. Bigger by the Dozens: The Prevalence of Afro-Based Tradition in Battle Rap. Journal of Hip Hop Studies, vol. 3, no. 1, 2016, pp. 1-20.
Watrous, Peter. Sounds Around Town. The New York Times, 1988, Web.
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