The R teams with Portland’s Op1 for “Walk With God”.

In a recent interview with Adra-Matic.Com, Alchemist spoke briefly about why he doesn’t usually produce for Eminem, despite being his DJ. He also reveals the artists he’d like to do full albums with, which includes MF Doom, Rakim, and JAY Z, among others. Read on:

Adramatic.com: I’d like to know more about my two favorites songs from Step Brothers (Alchemist & Evidence). The first one is Let Yourself Go. So what was your inspiration behind that beat?

Adramatic.com: With who would you like to do a full album?

The Alchemist: Kool G Rap, Rakim, Earl Sweatshirt, MF Doom, Jay-Z

You can check out the whole interview at Adramatic.Com.

The 18th Letter teams with Chester, Mike and company for this new single, which is up for preorder on iTunes now. In the video clip, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park talks about what happened behind-the-scenes of their first video, “One Step Closer,” questionable wardrobe at the 2002 GRAMMYs, working with Rick Rubin, and his Paul McCartney, Jay Z mashup in 2006.

“Words is a re-introduction, and aural celebration of hip-hop’s most influential MC. Inspired by the vinyls that birthed the art form, the film is a portrait of two sides of an artist (A & B) and the streets and city he inspired. Two of his verses have been remixed … the words will never change.”

Directed by Matt Bieler.

WORDS BY RAKIM from Matt Bieler on Vimeo.

The R recognizes Nelson Mandela on this new track from the film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, hitting theatres on December 25.

In studio video for the DMX / Rakim collab that debuted last week. The song is available now on iTunes.

Can’t say we say this one coming. Available on iTunes now.

Another classic unreleased Rakim song from the archives of producer Dominic Owen.”Get Visual” is the third song out of four I recorded with Rakim. This would later turn up on the 18th Letter album as “When Im Flowin”. Recorded @ High Class Studios, Brooklyn, New York, 1995.

Hip hop’s golden age began in 1986, the day Rakim stepped to a microphone to record “Eric B Is President.” Only 18 years old (though he sounded considerably more worldly), Rakim (real name William Griffin) had a smooth, effortless flow that brought a cool melodicism and high intelligence to the MC game—he gave both fire and ice, set within the wiry frame of his serious features. Even those who didn’t get the Five Percenter reference wouldn’t have bridled at his nickname, God. His partnership with his DJ, Eric B, yielded four great albums and numerous classic singles before Rakim split for a solo career. Despite initial success with 1997’s The 18th Letter, he endured several frustratingly fruitless years signed to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath, working on an album that never came. Now Rakim back in his native New York, the city where his immense influence is most clearly audible, notably in other NYC wordsmiths such as Nas. As recently as 2012, The Source named him the greatest MC of all time.

Lecture: Rakim (New York 2013) from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.

“What’s Wrong,” was initially produced and recorded for Rakim’s “Seventh Seal” (2009) LP, but due to clearance issues was nixed from the retail release of the project. It has since sat dormant until Rakim gave the track back to Marco and he decided to use it for his forthcoming free-LP “Newport Authority 2” as Marco states “I’ve recorded so much quality material over the last few years and I really want to share it all. It couldn’t all possibly fit on “Port Authority 2”; hence “Newport Authority 2” came to be.”

“Newport Authority 2” will feature appearances from Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Artifacts, Das Efx, Lil Fame (M.O.P.), Torae & Ruste Juxx all rocking over Marco’s production.

Yet, the project everyone should really be excited for is Marco’s “Port Authority 2” LP which will be released this spring on Soulspazm Records. “Port Authority 2” features appearances from Organized Konfusion (yes, a new Oragnized Konfusion track!!), Gangrene, Talib Kweli, DJ Premier, Masta Ace, Posdnuos (De La Soul), Kardinal Offishal, Styles P, Nature, Rah Digga, Slaine, Celph Titled, Ill Bill, Large Professor, Inspectah Deck, O.C. & many many more.

Rakim and R.A. the Rugged Man at No Mystery studio working on a movie soundtrack; they take time off to kick it and speak on a swipe Rakim took at Kane back in the day.

Reebok Classics and Complex team up to release a mini-documentary on legendary Long Island, New York emcee, William “Rakim” Griffin Jr.

Audio’s a little rough, but Rakim interviews are few and far in between.

The Elite Money Empire (@EMETakeover) Presents to you: Rakim’s (@EricBandRakim) Reebok (@Reebok) Classics (@ReebokClassics) Interview in NYC hosted by Complex Magazine (@ComplexMag). We sat down with the great and asked him “Who he is a fan of and who he’d like to work with?”, “If he’d work on Dr. Dre’s “Detox” album, “What he thinks about abstract/non-lyrical rappers?”, and more. Then he performed all his hit songs such as “Paid In Full”, “I Ain’t No Joke”, “Microphone Fiend”, “When IB On Tha Mic”, and more.

In this intensive 20-minute long interview with Montreality, the legendary Rakim speaks about:

- His story (0:27)
- The type of student he was at school (0:58)
- Jobs he’s had as a teenager growing up (2:34)
- What he spent his 1st big paycheck on (4:09)
- The key to success (4:53)
- Books that have influenced his life (5:27)
- What he would call his book, if he were to write one (6:41)
- His biggest fear (7:26)
- Who God is (8:01)
- What he thinks he were in a previous life (9:26)
- His upcoming studio album (10:11)
- His talents aside from emceeing (10:37)
- The last time he spoke to Eric B. (11:58)
- A memorable tour story (12:25)
- His top 5 dead or alive (14:38)
- New artists he co-signs (16:28)
- A$AP Rocky (17:28)
- His passion for tattoos (18:17)
- What he has in his pockets (18:35)
- His legacy, what he wants to leave behind (19:15)