October 04, 2017

Eric B. & Rakim "We're The Opposite of the Beastie Boys" (1987)

Eric B. & Rakim Smash Hits Magazine Beastie Boys "Hip-Hop Nostalgia"

Smash Hits was a pop magazine in the UK from the late 70s into the 2000s. This article with Eric B. & Rakim was featured in their November-December issue in 1987. In the brief interview, Eric B made reference to them being the opposite of the Beastie Boys and while it wasn't the focus of the article, headlines do sell, lol. "Yeah, we're like the opposite of the Beastie Boys in a way," Eric B says in response to being 'a serious pair.' "Now people see them as being rowdy and unpleasant but I just see them as living out everybody's fantasy. Everyone wants to behave loosely and badly and just do what they feel like doing. But we're not like that -- our stage act isn't a whole lot of laughing clowns dancing about on the stage -- it's a serious 45 minutes. Our songs are about serious everyday situations that people can relate to." The article, promoting their Paid In Full release, also includes the lyrics and a breakdown of some of the bars about positivity and their ultimate message on the song, 'Don't be a stick up kid!' That's sound advice! Peep the technique from Rakim below...