Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius Kindle Edition

Thirty plus years after his debut, Rakim invites readers to follow the leader into his literary universe Sweat The Technique: Revelations On A Creativity From A Lyrical Genius. Billed as "part memoir-part writing guide," Ra goes behind the rhyme and explores the technique and inspiration behind his conceptual genius. He also shares perspectives on his spiritual views and offers motivational jewels for the reader.Offering rare reflections of his life and career, Rakim still holds the literary reigns tight like a grudge. Leaving topics previously touched on in social media blogs and old interviews on the cutting room floor, Rakim bypasses wild-style stories of his younger days when he and DJ Eric B rolled deep with the infamous Paid In Full posse. Ditto for the obligatory mouth-dropping industry confessions and untold stories recounting the late Eighties' testosterone-filled rap industry.Technique really comes alive when Rakim reflects on his early days as "Popo" and "Lil Griff"---the scrappy kid from Wyandanch, Long Island, part music/sports prodigy----part gun-toting hard rock, nurtured by his mother's support and guided by his father's wise and steady hand. Recounting the oft-told story of his entry in the rap game, Rakim shares how an unexpected visit from Eric B puts him on the fast track to becoming the teen-aged hip hop prodigy---automatically better than every rap peer and pioneer.Technique captures the dizzying highs: the big money paydays and rapid career ascent requiring Rakim to drop out of school. The bidding war that led to him signing the first million-dollar rap contract at the tender age of twenty. ("Just two years earlier, I had no thought of making money as a MC and now I was out buying a Benz, a Jeep Cherokee, jewelry, clothes and sneakers."). It reveals the lows: the pressures of young fatherhood and his grandmother's passing. Rakim expresses the guilt of reluctantly tending to a hot careers while his hero---his beloved father succumbed to bone cancer.Momentarily pulling back the veil of discretion, Rakim shares stories of his first love and briefly unpacks his sometimes conflicted relationship with his partner. He celebrates the accomplishments of their unlikely partnership while revealing his desire to be independent of it at the start of their journey. He revisits the growing pains, creative and business differences that would lead to their breakup as well as their tension filled and triumphant reunion. Sweat The Technique's circular prose at times can be thematic. Like Rakim's syncopated flow, it swings back and forth, both discreet and revealing all at once. Recollections capture the GOD MC's many moods and grooves. Bold and testy like Miles. Enigmatic like Monk. An ember-like spirit stoked by competition and self-mastery. A soaring rap deity whose family is the wind beneath his wings. More EP than a full-length player, Sweat The Technique still has enough soul to move the crowd.

The ability to write well requires discipline. Rakim is a true wordsmith. His lyricism doesn't just end syncopated over break-beats. Rakim breathes life into his life story with masterful selections of words. Memoir writing presents a struggle of how much to reveal. Sweat the Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius is an eloquent personal narrative, disclosing never-before-told details of the multidisciplinary Hip Hop musician and master lyricist, as well as his iconic career. This memoir is instruction for creative artists just beginning to break a sweat, a gift in that it is a detailed blueprint of his technique for spinning thoughts into platinum.Eartha Watts HicksHarlem World Magazine

He did not disappoint and not surprisingly displayed wit, intelligence, scholarship, ruggedness, swag, integrity, a love for black people, and all people and most importantly a respect for God. Well done good and faithful servant !!!!!

I very much enjoyed your book. I've been listening to your music for years and have always thought you were the best, even modeled my flow after you. Hard as can be with no profanity has always inspired me and I thank you for that. Learning about your life, how you grew up, and how you blew up, connects me more to your music. How "Follow the Leader" came to be gave me chills. Hearing you discuss "The 18th Letter" gave me great insight into what I believe is your best work, good to know you felt totally free to be yourself on that record. "Roam through battle zones with chrome for chaperone," just unreal Ra. Very much appreciate you sharing your life with me, thank you for letting me in. -Flamer

I've now read KRS 1, RZA, U God and some other stuff from hip hop artists and this is a good one. Rakim breaks down his main events in his life and things a MC might want to know and relish. I really dig how he is a mystic, because that speaks to me much more than gangster rap and young/sex/drug/money stuff...which I can enjoy like a small desert from time to time without it warping my spiritual way of thinking; all that stuff is kind of like succumbing to shallowing exciting temptations when the greatest stuff is simple inner wisdom and a life that isn't a circus of being a big somebody, pleasure and bragging. Rakim makes being a nobody...but yet one who serves in the capacity that he does, something that many MC's (including many of the greats) won't ever achieve with all the women and cars out there to hijack their pen for a whispering shadow dangling fantasies....Good book:)

I read this in two days, will continue to read OFTEN and will make the audiobook part of my library. Brother Ra isn’t called “The GOD MC” for you-know-what’s and giggles, the man is otherworldly and for those who lack understanding of the CULTURE and history of hip-hop, get ready for some serious enlightenment. FANTASTIC book!

This week’s book 📖 was phenomenal! Sweat The Technique: Revelations on Creativity from the Lyrical Genius Rakim! What a mind! I have LOVED this man’s music 🎶 lyrics, swag, energy and everything since the first time I heard his music on the radio! His prose in this book which is a lesson and memoir is enlightening! I enjoyed reading how he creates and his insight of history, religion, mathematics, architecture and so much more! Artists always amaze me, Rakim is..... whew DEEP! Love this in a #BlackMan I’m a year younger than him and grew up in the NYC area! It was nostalgic reading about the places he performed in like the LQ Latin Quarters club in #NYC! Yass! I cut my party club life in those same places! Thank you @officialrakimallah for yet another master piece! As-salamu ‘alaykum A MUST READ #Reading2020

Great book revealing how the great man Rakim got to be where he is. This is really 2 books in one, interwoven through the story. The first book is all hip hop related, and the second is about Universal Consciousness, Mathematics, Sacred Geometry, Religion, Egypt etc etc. Very interesting stuff from an intelligent man.

Rakim’s book is a must for hip hop heads. Not only is it his journey but his motivation. It deals with his rise, personal life and the golden age of hip hop. Mostly focused on his recording career and the thought he puts into his rhymes, it’s also a good reminder of 87 which was a great year for hip hop and what follows, how it all changed with the LA riots, Rodney King and the gangster rap that followed from NWA and others. It also takes the reader behind the pen and into Rakim’s mind and thought process when he’s writing and the story behind how he wrote and researched some of his lyrics. The hard work drips from the page as does his talent. There is a reason Rakim is known as the greatest MC and Sweat the Technique is a reminder why as well as an inspiring read full of a quest for self-knowledge, spirituality, meaning and greatness. Recommended.

For anyone who grew up with Hip Hop during those golden years this is a must have. It's great to have an insight into Ra's mind and the book gives you a glimpse into those formative years. Although I've given this 4 stars I can't help but think I would of enjoyed the book more with maybe a few more personal stories of his interactions with his fellow peers / MC's & producers etc.

This is book simply "Thinking of a Master Plan..." you know the lyrical flow. Delivery accurate sharp and impressively on time.Yes yes Amazon two thumbs fresh.Robbe89

Fantastic read, great to find out the history of the greatest lyrisict EVER! (In my opinion anyway) I’m not religious in any kind of way but interesting to read how his was a big part of his life and lyrics.