™
I Ain't No Joke / Eric B. Is On the Cut (7")
When Eric B and Rakim went into Power Play Studios in New York in 1987 to record this, their second single, anticipation was already high off the strength of their debut, "Eric B. Is President." Rakim was already being talked about for his distinctive slow, baritone flow and a vocabulary rap hadn't really heard before. "I Ain't No Joke" built its case over a simply scratched loop of The J.B.'s "Pass the Peas," and Rakim more than matched it, lines from this verse have been quoted and sampled dozens of times across hip-hop history since. Eric B. takes the flip entirely for himself, no rapping at all, a real scratch showcase built around the same instinct that made the duo's whole run work: if Rakim's voice is on the record, even just his scratched vocals carry weight.
7" Single, Mr Bongo reissue, original 1987 single
- I Ain't No Joke
- Eric B. Is on the Cut
Mr Bongo | Official reissue, new cover art by Dan Lish | UPC: 7119691263472