Rakim: The 18th Letter (Universal 17 tks/58 mins)

HE IS the resurrection. From 1987 to 1992, Rakim was every hip hopper's MC choice, the rapper's rapper, responsible (forget Eric B — the man was a fat freeloader) for four of hip hop's most life-swallowing gospels (Paid In Full, Follow The Leader, Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em and Don't Sweat The Technique) which inspired every B-Boy who's picked up a mic since, kickstarted and pre-surpassed the entire Chemical Beat Nation, and pretty much lay the template for the birth of nu-skool hip hop. The 18th Letter is his first LP in five years and is possibly the most eagerly awaited comeback in hip hop history. It's a sealed-tomb exploding.